The unmarked car descends the concealed ramp, tires whispering over wet concrete. Dead comms crackle through the cabin, carrying a strained voice beneath layers of static.
the disavowed operative
Stop there. The exchange is compromised. Do not bring the shard any closer.
Headlights catch the disavowed operative emerging from a maintenance alcove ahead, lean and adult in his scorched gray coat. He waves both arms, blocking the narrow lane.
the wounded courier
That is him. The operative from the bar. He was supposed to be clear of this district.
The blackglass shard chirps inside the courier’s yellow jacket. Beneath the ramp, something answers with a deeper pulse, and encrypted symbols bloom across the car display.
the disavowed operative
The ransom beacon just woke up. It is under you, and whoever planted it knows the Lattice route.
the wounded courier
Then we cannot sit here. Tell me where the safe lane is, before that beacon brings the hunters down on us.
“Uuuh! *I groan in frustration.* Get in the car. *I pinch the bridge of my nose in irritation. I then use the panel in my car to hack into the system and find the safe route while waiting for him to get into the car.*”
SUCCESS (Fair Hacking, rolled +0)
“Uuuh! *I groan in frustration.* Get in the car. *I pinch the bridge of my nose in irritation. I then use the panel in my car to hack into the system and find the safe route while waiting for him to get into the car.*”
SUCCESS (Fair Hacking, rolled +1)
Selene Nyx
Uuuh! Get in the car.
Selene pinches the bridge of her nose, then slaps the dashboard panel awake. The wounded courier folds into the rear seat while the disavowed operative hesitates in the lane.
the disavowed operative
You are trusting my warning without asking what happened?
The car’s interface floods with hostile route data. Selene cuts through the exchange grid, isolating maintenance traffic and forcing a buried service map into view.
Selene Nyx
The safe lane runs beneath the freight elevators, but the bypass costs a battery reserve.
The route resolves: a concealed spur exits two blocks beyond the beacon’s reach. The hack burns twenty percent of the emergency battery and triggers a silent diagnostic ping.
the disavowed operative
Fine. I am getting in. Take the lower spur, then kill every external signal before the next junction.
✓ Quest Accepted
Bring the disavowed operative into the protected route
“Trust has nothing to do with it. *I speed off down the right path to safety.* Time is of the essence and more costly to waste it. I’m making mistake left and right but it cost them time to figure out what I’m doing in the meantime.. confusion give US time. *I continue driving them to safety.*”
SUCCESS (Good Agility, rolled +2)
Selene floors the accelerator. The unmarked car drops onto the lower spur, suspension hammering over seams as the freight elevators blur past in white service lights.
the disavowed operative
Left at the split. No, right. Right is the maintenance artery!
Selene cuts right, clips a guide bollard, and sends the car skidding through a curtain of coolant vapor. Behind them, the beacon’s pursuit feed fractures into contradictory route ghosts.
the wounded courier
You are confusing their system. Keep going. I can stay upright.
The disavowed operative braces against the front seat as Selene threads between dormant cargo lifters and locked freight cages. Her rough choices force the hunters to recalculate, buying precious distance.
the disavowed operative
There. The sealed ramp ahead opens into the old customs tunnel. Once we cross it, the beacon loses the Lattice signature.
Selene punches through the ramp gate with the car’s remaining bypass charge. Metal folds aside, and the vehicle reaches the dark customs tunnel, carrying both passengers safely beyond the beacon’s active reach.
Quest Complete
Bring the disavowed operative into the protected route