Steam boils through the tunnel and peels back to reveal Alexandra Voss, green bodysuit sharp against rust and grime. Two Matsuda security drones hang at her shoulders like metal hounds, optics bright, motionless for now.
Alexandra Voss
Mercer Skye. You keep making this inconvenient.
Kaine stiffens, but Alexandra does not glance at him. Her stare stays locked on Mercer, cold and appraising, as if he is already property on a manifest.
Alexandra Voss
You are late, compromised, and still attached to people who should have walked away. Hand over the packet, then come with us.
The drones drift a fraction wider, hemming the tunnel mouth. Zara shifts her weight near the map light, ready but not reckless. The orange route glows between them like a trap.
Mercer Skye
The Matsuda drones are already tracking the packet and Mercer at once.
Alexandra tilts her head, impatient now, the first crack in her restraint. The tunnel hum deepens around the four of them, waiting for someone to move first.
✓ Quest Accepted
Keep the data packet
“"I don't even know you lady, it's probably better we hold onto this until we get where we're going."”
SUCCESS (Superb Persuasion, rolled +2)
Mercer Skye
I do not know you, lady. Better we hold onto this until we get where we are going.
Mercer keeps his hands down, voice even. The challenge lands soft, but it cuts clean through the steam.
Alexandra Voss
You are alive, coherent, and standing in my tunnel with Matsuda property. That is enough.
She pauses, then gives the smallest tilt of her wrist. One drone eases back a meter.
Kaine
Let him breathe, Voss. If he runs now, you lose the packet and the trail.
Zara
And if we hand it over, we lose Mercer.
Alexandra looks from Zara to Kaine, then back to Mercer. Her expression stays hard, but the order in the tunnel shifts from seizure to negotiation.
Alexandra Voss
Fine. Walk with us to the safe house. The packet stays in sight until then.
Kaine keeps the Matsuda-sealed packet close, and Alexandra turns slightly aside, clearing a narrow path forward while the drones hold their distance.
Quest Complete
Keep the data packet