The conference room hums under fluorescent lights. A wall of monitors throws cold blue across the table, and the main console is already open, files vanishing in a frantic blur.
Mythra steps into the doorway and catches the teen sidekick mid-swipe, shoulders hunched, hands shaking over the keyboard. Their head snaps up, caught red-handed.
On the largest screen, a live feed runs, showing a smug rival hero in a sleek suit, speaking directly into the camera and smiling like this is all part of the plan.
The Sidekick
I can explain, okay? Just... don't touch anything.
The cursor keeps blinking. Progress bars race downward. Whatever is being erased is almost gone.
The Sidekick
Too late. She saw it. Think, think... stall her.
The Rival Hero
Your team leaves its locks wide open, Mythra. I expected better from all of you.
The sidekick flinches at the voice from the screen, one hand still on the delete command, the other inching toward the console lockout. The room goes still, waiting for Mythra's next move.
✓ Quest Accepted
Stop the sidekick from erasing the files
“I lunge across the table to grab the sidekick's wrist before they hit delete.”
FAILURE (Mediocre Agility, rolled -3)
Mythra launches across the table, blade hand low, aiming for the sidekick’s wrist. The chair scrapes hard, but they jerk back just in time.
Her fingers close on air. The sidekick’s hand slaps the console lockout instead, and the delete bar jumps forward.
The Sidekick
No, no, no, wait. Don’t make me choose here!
The Rival Hero
Too slow. That data is already bleeding out.
Mythra lands hard on the far side of the table, too far to pin the hand now. The keyboard is between them, and the sidekick’s shoulder is braced like they’re ready to break something else.
The Sidekick
If she hits me again, the wipe finishes. If I talk, maybe I live through this.
On the monitor, the rival hero’s smile widens as the progress bar keeps draining. The sidekick swallows, eyes flicking from Mythra to the screen, trapped between speed and surrender.
“I lunge across the table to grab the sidekick's wrist before they hit delete.”
SUCCESS (Superb Combat, rolled +2)
Mythra's hand closes on the sidekick’s wrist before the next keystroke lands. The console beeps once, then freezes under the sudden jolt.
The Sidekick
Wait, stop, I can still fix this. Just, don't let it finish.
Their other hand spasms over the delete controls, but the grip on their wrist pins it uselessly to the tabletop.
The Rival Hero
Oh, that is adorable. Cornered, and still pretending they have a choice.
On the monitor, the progress bar keeps draining in tiny, ugly increments. The room stays tight and brittle, every second forcing a decision.
The Sidekick
If I talk, will you let me walk out of here?
“Mythra let's go of him as she said to The Sidekick. Say it, traitor.”
SUCCESS (Fair Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Mythra releases the wrist. The sidekick pulls it back fast, rubbing at the red mark, then stares at her like they cannot decide whether to breathe or speak.
Mythra
Say it, traitor.
The Sidekick
...I was trying to buy time. For them. Not for the files.
The Rival Hero
Listen to that. Even now, they still think betrayal sounds noble.
The sidekick swallows, eyes darting to the monitor, then back to Mythra. Their hand hovers uselessly over the console, no longer typing.
The Sidekick
If I tell you where they are, this stops. Right now. You can still walk in before they move the whole server.
The progress bar keeps sliding in the background, but the room shifts with the offer. The next move now hangs on Mythra's answer.
“I keep them talking and move for the console”
SUCCESS (Fair Diplomacy, rolled +0)
The Sidekick
Wait, listen, if I keep talking, you keep that sword down, right?
Mythra drifts toward the console without breaking eye contact, letting the sidekick’s words fill the room while the deletion bar keeps sliding.
Mythra
Keep talking.
The Rival Hero
Careful, kid. She only sounds patient when she is already in your wires.
The Sidekick
They are at the East Archive annex. Basement level. That is where they moved the real server stack.
Mythra reaches the console, one hand over the controls as the sidekick’s eyes widen, caught between relief and terror.
The Sidekick
Now stop it, before the lockout finishes.
“I stop the lockout. She shoved The Sidekick away as she stops the uninstallation saving the files.”
SUCCESS (Superb Combat, rolled +0)
Mythra slams the sidekick aside and rakes her hand across the console. The deletion stalls, then snaps into a hard lock as the screen freezes on the final prompt.
The sidekick hits the carpet and skids back from the table, staring at the dead display in shock.
The Sidekick
No, wait, I had to keep it moving, I, I can fix it.
The Rival Hero
Too late for excuses. She just saved your little traitor act for the whole city to see.
The monitor flickers with the rival hero’s grin while the conference room goes tight and still around the locked console.
The sidekick looks from Mythra to the frozen progress bar, trapped between panic and the new silence.
Quest Complete
Stop the sidekick from erasing the files
Attribute Upgrade: Agility Mediocre→Fair