Chapter 48: Terror

The indoor pool shimmered under the soft glow of recessed lighting, the water rippling gently as Lin gracefully dove in, her white bikini catching the light. She surfaced and gave her hair a flip. Dave stood on the pool steps, his wet, blue swim trunks clinging to his average, but not un-athletic frame. Liki still hovered nervously by the door, wearing a pink bikini from her closet full of Wimil clothes. Her bare feet shifted on the cool tile floor, her wide blue eyes fixed on the water with look a of anxiety.

"Come on, Liki," Dave called, warm and encouraging as he stepped into the pool, the water lapping at his legs. "It’s nice. You’ll love it."

Liki took a few hesitant steps toward the edge, her tail swaying slowly behind her. She reached the water’s edge, but then she froze. Her ears twitched, and she took a quick step back, shaking her head.

Lin treaded water, watching her with a curious expression. "Huh," she muttered, then swam to the edge, resting her arms on the tile. "Ohhh, wait. I know... Her thalassophobia setting must still be at default."

Dave turned to her, brow furrowed. "Thalassophobia setting?"

Lin nodded, pushing herself up to sit on the edge of the pool, water dripping down her toned body. "Yeah, by default new Wimils are set to be scared of large bodies of water. It’s a safety thing—keeps them from wandering into ponds or backyard pools and drowning." She glanced at Liki, who was now crouching as close to the edge of the pool as she dared to get, her arms wrapped around her knees. "I'm gonna guess that hers was never turned off. But don’t worry, we can turn it off with a mod-rod."

"It's upstairs in our bathroom," Dave sighed. "I guess we'll be back to try swimming again in a little while."

Lin smiled. "No problem. I’ve got one in my gym bag." She stood, water cascading off her as she walked over to the bench where her bag sat. She rummaged through it for a moment before pulling out the sleek, cylindrical device. Hers was purple.

Liki’s ears perked up as she watched Lin approach, her tail flicking nervously. Lin held up the mod-rod, her expression softening as she looked at Liki. "Is it okay if we look at your settings, Liki?"

Liki hesitated for a moment, her blue eyes flicking toward the pool. She nodded, her voice firm but soft. "Yes. I really want to not be scared of the water anymore. I want to swim with Dave… and with you."

A small smile tugged at Lin’s lips. "Good. I like a woman who knows what she wants. Come here." She sat down on the bench and patted her thigh.

Dave blinked, his cheeks flushing slightly. "Wait, you’re gonna do it?"

Lin rolled her eyes, smirking. "Really, Dave? You want to be seen poking a dildo into your little girlfriend in broad daylight while the second hottest woman in the house watches?" She gestured toward the towel rack by the pool. "Grab that towel and hold it up in front of us. I’ll just change her settings real quick."

Dave hesitated, glancing at Liki, who was already walking over to Lin with a shy smile. "You sure you’re okay with this, Liki?"

Liki nodded. Her eyes were wide and bright. "It’s okay. Lin probably knows all about the settings."

Dave sighed, grabbing the towel and holding it up like a makeshift curtain. "Alright, just… make it quick."

Lin patted her lap again, and Liki giggled as she bent over Lin's legs, her tail swishing playfully. Lin quickly pulled down Liki’s bikini bottom, exposing her smooth, pale behind. Dave watched over the towel, his cheeks burning red, but Lin seemed completely unfazed. She stuck the mod-rod in her mouth and casually twisted it on her tongue.

Dave’s eyes widened, his face turning an even deeper shade of red as he watched Lin lick the mod-rod. "Lin!" he stammered, his voice cracking slightly.

Lin paused, giving him a glare. "What? You want me to just give it to the poor girl dry? Have a heart, Dave. It’s just a little spit."

Dave opened his mouth to argue, but no words came out. Instead he stood there, clutching the towel. Liki giggled softly, and she looked up at Dave with a playful smile as Lin carefully inserted the rod into her from behind.

Despite the public location, Dave felt himself start to get turned on as he watched the mod-rod slowly and steadily disappear between the cheeks of Liki’s perfect, porcelain rear. Lin’s smirk, the way she handled everything so casually, as if this were completely normal, only added to the tension. He shook his head, trying to dispel the thoughts, but the image of Liki bent over Lin’s lap, her body so perfectly on display, was seared into his mind. Dave forced himself to look away, and focused on maintaining the makeshift curtain, which was now doing double duty; protecting Liki from being seen by a passerby, and preventing Lin from seeing the growing bulge in Dave's wet trunks.

Liki let out a soft gasp, her body tensing for a moment before she relaxed, a small, contented smile spreading across her face. The mod-rod’s handle lit up, casting a faint glow as Lin began scrolling through the menu.

Dave peeked over the towel, his brow furrowing as he watched Lin’s expression shift from focused to concerned. "What’s wrong?"

Lin let out a frustrated sigh. "Hmm, it’s not here."

"What’s not here?" Dave asked.

"The thalassophobia setting," said Lin. "Whoever installed all of Liki’s behavior mods put in so many that they must have ran out of room. They deleted some of her default behavior mods to make space. There's a couple others missing too." She carefully slid the mod-rod out of Liki and handed it to the smaller Wimil, still bent over Lin's lap.

Dave frowned, lowering the towel slightly. "So what does that mean?"

"She’ll have to go to a Wimil repair shop or the Eris store to have it reinstalled before we can turn it off," Lin explained, sounding slightly frustrated. She gave Liki a few playful slaps on her bare butt, then pulled up her bikini bottom and stood her up.

"Thank you for trying, Lin." said Liki, still blushing from being unexpectedly spanked.

Lin smirked, giving her a wink. "Don't worry, I guess it’s also possible that N15 can fix you tomorrow. We’ll figure it out later."

Dave raised an eyebrow. "So… do all Wimils share their mod-rods with each other? Or is this super weird?"

Lin rolled her eyes. "Don’t be such a prude, Dave."

Liki giggled, her tail swishing playfully. "Yeah, don’t be such a prune," she said, as she dried off the mod-rod on Dave's towel before handing it back to Lin.

Dave groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Alright, alright. I’m being ganged up on by the Wimils."

Lin stood, stretching lazily before walking back to the pool. "Well, I’m going back in the water. You two gonna join me, or is your little prune-brain too overwhelmed, Dave?"

Dave shot her a mock glare, but couldn’t hide his playful smirk. He looked at Liki, trying to think of some way to help her with her fear. "Hey, Liki how about this. I'll pick you up and I'll slowly walk into the water. You can hold on to me and I won't let you go. I won't even let you touch the water until you're ready. Do you want to try that?"

Liki hesitated, her ears flattening against her head as she looked up at Dave. "Okay," she said softly, her voice trembling slightly. "But… don’t let go, okay?"

"Never," Dave promised reassuringly. He scooped her up in his arms, one arm under her back and one arm under her legs. Her petite frame felt light and delicate against his chest. Liki wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, her tail curling around his waist as if it could anchor her to safety.

Dave took slow, deliberate steps down the pool stairs, the water lapping gently at his feet as he descended. Liki’s grip tightened, her breath coming in quick, nervous bursts. "I’m right here," Dave murmured soothingly. "You’re safe."

Lin swam closer, treading water smoothly as she floated nearby. "You can do it, Liki!" she called out, her voice cheerful and encouraging. "You’re almost there! Just relax and let go a little."

Dave waded in until the water reached his waist, the cool liquid swirling around him. Liki was just inches above the surface now, and she was tense and rigid. "Okay, Liki," Dave said gently, "are you ready to touch the water?"

Liki’s eyes were still squeezed shut, her face pressed into his shoulder. She hesitated, then gave a tiny nod. "I’m ready," she whispered, though her voice still quivered with fear.

Dave began to lower her slowly and carefully. Liki’s back brushed the surface of the water, and she let out a small gasp, tightening her grip around his neck. "It’s okay," Dave said softly, his voice calm and reassuring. "I’ve got you. Lower?"

Liki nodded again, still burying her face in his shoulder. Dave continued to lower her until her back and legs were partially submerged. She was still too afraid to open her eyes and look at the water, but she was enduring, trusting Dave to keep her safe.

As Dave lowered her another inch, Liki's will finally broke. She let out a panicked squeak and scrambled up Dave’s body, her arms and legs wrapping tightly around his head as she clung to him like a terrified koala. "No, no, no! I don’t wanna go in the water anymore! I changed my mind!" she cried.

Dave’s hands flailed for a moment, startled by her sudden movement, but he quickly steadied himself. He put his hands under her thighs to stabilize her. "It’s okay, Liki," he said, trying to comfort her despite the fact that he was talking into her bellybutton. "You’re safe. I’ve got you."

Lin floated nearby, trying—and failing—to stifle a laugh. She shook her head, her smirk widening as she watched Dave practically wearing Liki like a face mask.

"Alright, how about this," said Dave. "Let’s walk over to the steps, okay? We’ll sit on the steps, where you can feel the bottom. You can stand up whenever you want, just like in the bathtub. Good idea?"

Liki hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Okay," she whispered, reluctantly unwrapping herself from his head and allowing him to carry her toward the pool steps. She kept her arms wrapped tightly around his neck, her tail flicking nervously as Dave carefully put her down on the top step, so that she was standing in about three inches of water.

"There," he said gently, his hands still supporting her. "You can feel the step right below you. Want to try standing on the second step?"

Liki looked down at the water, her eyes wide with fear, but she nodded. Slowly, she lowered her feet until her toes touched the tile of the next step down. The water reached her knees. She gasped and tightened her grip on Dave, but she didn’t pull away. "I’m… I’m standing," she said softly, her voice filled with a mix of awe and relief.

"You’re doing great," Dave encouraged her. "Okay, now try stepping down to the next step."

Liki took a deep breath, swishing her tail nervously as she stepped down to the third step. The water rose to her hips, and she immediately tensed, her grip on Dave’s arms tightening like a vice. "I... I don’t know if I can do this," she stammered, her voice trembling.

Dave held her firmly around her waist. "It’s okay, Liki," he said calmly. "You don’t have to do this if you’re not ready. We can stop whenever you want."

Liki’s ears twitched, her blue eyes flicking toward Lin, who was still floating effortlessly in the deeper part of the pool. Lin gave her an encouraging smile and a thumbs-up. "You’re doing great, Liki! Just take it slow."

Something in Lin’s confident demeanor seemed to click with Liki. She straightened her shoulders, and determination blazed in her eyes. "I can do it," she said steadily. "I want to keep going. I want to swim!"

Dave smiled as his heart filled with pride. "Alright," he said. "But remember, I’m right here. I won’t let anything happen to you."

Liki nodded. Her hands gripped his arms as she stood on the third step, the water swirling around her hips. She took slow, deliberate breaths, gradually relaxing as she adjusted to the sensation. Dave stayed close, steadying her with his hands. His touch was the only thing keeping her from fleeing the pool.

She started to walk across the step and back again feeling the massive volume of water part around her legs as she pushed through it. She watched the ripples she'd created slowly spread across the surface of the vast pool, going out past Dave, out past Lin, heading towards the other side, miles and miles away. Liki closed her eyes, and listened to the water—the gentle lapping sound echoed all around her. She felt her panic slowly fading as she focused on the faintly delicious aroma of the chlorinated pool water. She was going to do it. She wanted to swim with Dave. She wanted to be strong like Lin. She would go deeper. She would swim. With her eyes still closed, she took a deep breath and stepped forward into nothingness...

The water rushed up to consume her. Past her thighs, past her stomach, past her waist, almost up to her ribs. There was nothing below her. Just emptiness and water; Dark water with more water below it. She was falling into infinity. Dave was gone. Where was Dave? She was still sinking. The water was alive and it was pulling her under. The water was a hungry, terrible thing—a malevolent, endless void that was sucking her into its jaws. This was it, the final moment of her life. Liki opened her eyes as she screamed...

Dave caught her. "Wow, I wasn't expecting you to go down to the fourth step on your own," he said.

Shaken and on the verge of tears, Liki gripped Dave with all the strength she could muster. She was safe again. "I think I want to get out now," she whispered.

Chapter 49: Consolation

Juni sat at her desk, her fingers tapping rhythmically against the tablet’s screen. The room was quiet, save for the faint drone of a robot-gardener using a leaf blower somewhere on the grounds of the estate. Her focus was absolute, her brow furrowed as she reviewed current health data for her team members. Tendo's records showed that he was improving since quitting smoking, but his artificial heart was still building up plaque because he neglected to take his nano-cleaner capsules.

The quiet was shattered by the door bursting open, and Lin strode in, still dripping from the pool, the thin fabric of her bikini clinging to her skin. Her chest heaved slightly, and her jet black hair was wet and tangled. Her eyes locked onto Juni’s with an intensity that made the medic pause mid-swipe on her tablet.

“Lin,” Juni said, her tone flat but laced with irritation. “What’s up? You're all wet.”

Lin closed the door and threw her towel and gym bag into the corner by the bed. She pointed at Juni. “Sex. Now.”

Juni raised an eyebrow, setting her tablet down slowly. “Lin, we can't keep doing this.”

Lin stepped closer. “Just because we’re not together anymore doesn’t mean we can’t let off some steam,” she said with an almost pleading tone.

Juni sighed, standing up from her chair. She pulled off her blue medic shirt in one fluid motion, revealing a simple black bra underneath. “What’s wrong?” she asked, her tone sharper now.

Lin’s eyes darted away for a moment, then back to Juni. “Nothing.”

Juni let out a dry laugh, untying the drawstring of her pants. “So you walked up here in your wet swimsuit, barged into my room, and demanded sex from your ex-girlfriend with a look on your face like you just got dumped, because nothing?”

Lin flopped face first onto the bed, her body sinking into the mattress. “Yes.”

"Lin, you're getting my bed all wet," said Juni, slightly irritated.

Lin flipped over. "It's gonna get a lot more wet than this," she replied, simultaneously playful and serious.

"No one is getting wet if you're going to keep hiding from me. Talk to me," Juni said, her pants halfway down her legs.

Lin turned on her side and looked at Juni. "I don't want to talk. I just want to make you come, or you make me come. Or both. I don't care."

Juni shook her head, kicking her pants the rest of the way off. “Fine. Then no sex until you tell me what’s wrong.”

Lin groaned, burying her face in the pillow for a moment before rolling onto her back. “Fine,” she mumbled.

Juni sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing Lin’s thigh supportively as she waited. Lin stared at the ceiling, her hands scrunching up her face as she spoke.

“I’m so pent up,” she began, her voice softer now. “I’m in love. Not with Dave. Not with Liki. I'm in love with them. I'm in love with their love. The way they look at each other. The way they trust each other. The way they always look out for each other. I can smell it, Becs. The way they never compete, they only accommodate. They never belittle. When they're in the same room together, I just want to... I don't know. It’s… it’s driving me crazy.”

Juni listened, her expression unreadable as Lin continued, her words spilling out in a rush. “They’re so… connected. It’s like they don’t even need words. They just know. Especially Liki. I want that. I want to feel that kind of love. That kind of trust. But I don’t have it. I don’t know if anyone has it. Maybe... even they don't have it. Maybe I'm in love with something that doesn't even exist.”

Juni stood, unfastening her bra as she moved to the other side of the bed. “Lin,” she said wistfully, “you’re such a romantic. You act like it's so hopeless and your life is almost over, but how old are you again? Twelve? Wimils live just as long as humans,  don't they? You have all the time in the world. I’m sure you’ll have no problem finding someone to really love you like that."

Lin turned her head to watch Juni as she took off her bra, her eyes lingering for a moment. “Why can’t you love me like that?”

Juni paused, her hands on the waistband of her panties. “Oh god, Lin. Not again,” she said, her tone softer now, “I do love you. But I’m not gay. I tried to be what you wanted me to be for so long, but I couldn’t become that person. I’m sorry. I can’t be the thing that you want.” She slid her panties off and lay down beside Lin, her body warm against hers. “But I’ll always be here for you.”

They lay there in silence for a long moment, their bodies just barely touching. Lin reached out to stroke Juni's face. “I’m sorry. I'm sorry for always bringing my stupid problems to you. Thank you for being here, Becca.”

Juni giggled, a rare sound that made Lin smile despite herself. “Shut up! Don’t say my real name. Tendo will kill you.”

Lin smirked, and in a teasing tone she chanted, “Becca. Becca. Becca.” She leaned in, pressing her lips to Juni’s in a soft kiss.

Juni pulled back slightly, smiling. “He’s going to hear you. He’s probably watching us right now," she said, looking around the room apprehensively.

Lin’s eyes widened for a moment before she laughed, sitting up and scanning the room dramatically with her dark eyes. “Tendo, you old perv! If you’re watching us, you might as well come in here and join us!” She yanked off her bikini top, and squeezed her breasts together, looking around for an imaginary hidden camera. “Becca doesn't mind sharing!”

Juni laughed too, trying to cover Lin’s mouth with her hand. Lin flopped back onto the bed, her laughter subsiding as Juni started to pull down Lin's bikini bottom. As she held up Lin’s leg, trying to wrangle her wet bathing suit off her foot, Juni glanced between Lin’s thighs and gasped. "You even shaved?! You only ever shaved for me on my birthday. You got it bad."

"Oh, shut up. I shaved for you lots of times," she said, holding out her arms. Juni laughed and fell into them, nuzzling her head against Lin’s breasts.

Lin’s voice was soft now, almost wistful. “Why is it so hard, Becca? Why are love and trust so rare? Why can’t we just like, pick a person and tell them to love us, be completely honest about everything, and then they do the same for us? Why does it have to be so fuckin' complicated?”

"Is this a hypothetical still, or are you talking about me? Because it sounds like you're talking about me," said Juni, a hint of annoyance creeping into her tone.

"I don’t know... it's so hard for me to understand you, and how you are, when I'm like me, and how I am," Lin complained, turning slightly to look Juni in the eye. She began to nervously fidget with Juni's nipple between her finger and thumb.

Juni glared at Lin, and she gave Lin’s hip a soft smack with her hand. “Dammit bitch, if you want me to fuck you, you’re not allowed to sit here and complain about our break up right after you told me about how you’re in love with other people.”

Lin smirked, her eyes locking with Juni’s. “Fine. Then you better find something to shut me up.”

Juni narrowed her eyes, a predatory glint in them. “I've got something to keep your mouth busy, but that's what you want. You already know what I want. Give Mama the good stuff!"

Lin’s smile widened, wicked and triumphant. “The ‘mones are now activated.”

Juni straddled Lin, crawling up her body until Lin’s head was between her thighs. She took a deep breath, letting the pheromones do their work as she lowered herself onto Lin's mouth. Starting to feel the pheromone's effects, she ran her hands up her body and said, "Oh god, it smells so good. It reminds me of when we... we... when we did something... I can't remember, but we definitely did something. " She took another deep breath. “You know, you’re so lucky I’m not gay,” said Juni, her voice low and soft.

Lin’s muffled voice came from beneath her. “Why’s that?”

Juni smirked, her body moving rhythmically. “Because if I were gay, I’d never let you leave this bed,” followed by a sharp gasp as Lin’s tongue began to rapidly flick against her clit.

The room filled with the sound of their mingled breaths, the tension between them electric and undeniable. Lin’s hands gripped Juni’s hips, pulling her down harder as Juni’s moans grew louder. The pheromones in the air were thick, intoxicating, and they both lost themselves in the moment, Lin’s frustration slowly starting to fade.

Juni’s voice was a whisper, barely audible over the sounds of their passion. “Lin... you really are a hot mess,” she managed to say between gasps.

"Mmmrlmm," said Lin in response.

"I know. I love you too, slut," said Juni.

She leaned in, gripping the headboard as she let Lin take control. Lin's hands roamed Juni's thighs and ass as her tongue and pheromones continued to work their magic on Juni's rapidly crumbling ability to think straight. The intensity between them built, and the whole room came alive with their energy, the air thick with need and desire and pheromones. For a moment, all of Lin’s fears and troubles were gone, replaced by the raw power of their physical connection.

*

Lin lay on her back, her chest rising and falling with steady ease, her combat Wimil physiology keeping her perfectly composed even after their hour-long session. Beside her, Juni was sprawled out, her skin glistening with sweat, her breath coming in shallow pants.

“You’re such a show-off,” Juni muttered hoarsely. She reached out, her fingers intertwining with Lin’s, their hands resting between them on the bed. “You could at least pretend like you had to work to make me come.”

Lin chuckled, lifting their joined hands to her lips and pressing a soft kiss to Juni’s fingers. “It’s not my fault that you're so easy.” Her tone was teasing, but her gaze softened as she looked at Juni, her eyes tracing the exhaustion etched into her features. “Just because I'm not tired doesn't mean you weren't amazing.”

Juni rolled her eyes, though her smile didn’t fade. “Yeah, yeah. Save the flattery for someone who’s not half-dead.” She shifted slightly, her body sinking deeper into the mattress. “God, I’m so tired. You really know how to wear a girl out.”

Lin smirked, her free hand brushing a damp strand of hair from Juni’s forehead. “You’re welcome,” she said with smug satisfaction in her voice. She paused for a moment, her expression growing more sincere. “I'm being serious when I say you're amazing. And... thank you... for trying to be something you weren’t for so long... I... I was selfish to make you keep pretending. I never appreciated you enough.”

Juni’s cheeks flushed slightly, and her fingers tightened around Lin’s. “Don’t get all mushy on me now,” she said, her tone softer than before. “I’m too tired to deal with it.”

Lin laughed softly, her thumb tracing circles on the back of Juni’s hand. “Fine,” she said, though she didn’t let the moment go entirely. “I’m just saying... I’m glad you’re here. Even if we’re not together, I’m glad I at least have you as a friend.”

Juni glanced back at her, her expression a mix of fondness and exasperation. “Yeah, friends. We're just two naked friends, licking each other's pussies,” she said. Lin giggled and slapped Juni's stomach. Juni squeezed Lin’s hand and took a deep breath. "The 'mones are all gone now, huh?" she said, mildly disappointed.

"Yeah, sorry. It's hard to keep them going for that long," said Lin.

"Aha! So, I did tire you out then," Juni teased.

Both women were quiet for a while. Finally, Lin broke the awkward silence. "Oh, guess what! I won 50,000 credits from Tendo. We had a bet."

"What are you going to spend it on?" asked Juni, yawning and stretching.

"I don't know. Maybe I'll save up and buy a boat," she said, laughing. "I'll buy a boat and hire a crew of lusty sailors, and some bikini models, and a sex-bot, and buy one of those M-1 Wimils, and we'll sail around the world and make passionate love on every continent," she said, holding out her hand toward an imaginary horizon. "You can come too if you want."

Juni laughed at Lin’s goofy fantasy. "An M-1? Do male Wimils even exist anymore?"

"Yeah, I slept with a guy who had one. Then I arrested him," she said, completely serious.

"You're a real heartbreaker, Lin."

Chapter 50: Betrayal

The sun blazed overhead, its golden rays refracting off the surface of the river like shards of molten glass. Katya stepped out of her black SUV, the heat pressing against her skin like an invisible hand. Her black baseball cap was pulled low, shielding her eyes from the glare, but it did little to ease the tension coiled in her shoulders. She adjusted the strap of her tablet bag slung over her shoulder with her uninjured arm, the other still encased in a cast and sling. The weight of the subdermal communicator beneath her skin was a constant reminder of the stakes—and the micro bomb, supposedly hidden somewhere inside her, loomed in her thoughts like a shadow she couldn’t shake.

Earlier that morning, Katya had stood in her bathroom, her skin still wet from the shower as she examined her reflection. She’d searched meticulously for any sign of the micro-detonation device Tendo’s medic claimed they’d implanted—a scar, a bump, anything. But there was nothing. Her skin was unmarked, flawless, as if the threat had never been real. Could it be a bluff? She'd been prepped for surgery and put under, so if it was a bluff, Tendo had committed to the charade completely. The thought lingered, a cold whisper in the back of her mind. But even if the bomb was fiction, the weight of her choices wasn’t. She was in this now—all in—and there was no turning back. The game had begun, and she’d play it to the end, detonation or not.

Jotaro and Kaji, dressed in nondescript black uniforms to blend in as members of her ‘gamma team,’ remained in the SUV, their stern expressions masked behind dark sunglasses. In the backseat, Dave and Liki sat quietly, their hands bound with special electronic cuffs that could be deactivated either by the wearer or remotely. Dave glanced out the windows nervously, his unease palpable, while Liki sat calm and composed, pressed against his side like a comforting presence. The handoff wasn't taking place today, but Tendo had insisted they come along in case Katya was being observed. Tendo wanted everything to look real even though Katya was only contacting Serik through her previously established protocol to report that she'd completed the job.

Katya made her way to the bench, the gravel crunching softly under her boots. The park was alive with activity—joggers, families, and couples strolling along the riverbank, blissfully unaware of the tension simmering beneath the surface. She glanced at her phone: 12:34. Perfect timing. She sat down, her posture deliberately casual but her mind razor-sharp. Her eyes scanned the area, catching the glint of a small drone hidden among the trees. Tendo and N15 are watching.

In a nearby parking lot, a large, blue shipping container with an attached quad-copter drone carrier sat in a far corner next to a pile of construction rubble. Inside, the walls were lined with dozens of screens displaying live feeds from drones, security cameras, and satellite imagery. Behind those screens were wall-sized monitors showing the view outside the container, making the walls seem almost transparent.

Tendo stood at the center of it all, his tall frame dominating the space. N15 sat at his workstation, nervously sipping from a cup that had once contained hot coffee but now held only lukewarm remnants. His fingers tapped the key-screen, monitoring a dozen different data streams and video feeds at once. The advanced air conditioning system hummed softly, keeping the interior cool despite the heat generated by the array of electronic surveillance equipment.

One of the screens was dedicated to tracking Katya’s movements, her figure rendered in crisp, high-definition detail by a tiny, nearly invisible drone hovering discreetly above the park. Another monitor displayed her biometric data—heart rate, stress levels, and other vital signs relayed through an implant. Tendo shifted his attention between the screens, scowling slightly. He crossed his arms, his expression inscrutable behind his sunglasses.

“Stay sharp,” he murmured, more to himself than to N15. “We can’t afford any slip-ups. And do not lose sight of her, not even for a second.”

N15 nodded, his fingers flying over the touch-screen keys as he expanded the drone’s field of view. On the screen, a man in a jogger’s outfit appeared, approaching Katya’s bench. His face was obscured by a baseball cap and dark glasses, but his movements were deliberate, purposeful.

“Run facial recognition,” Tendo ordered in a clipped tone. N15 clicked rapidly, pulling up databases and search results.

Katya didn’t look up as the jogger approached. He stopped behind her bench and pretended to stretch, his breathing steady despite the apparent exertion. “Wait until I’m gone,” he said calmly, remaining behind her so she couldn’t see his face. “Then go to the trash can near the water. Behind it, you’ll find a paper bag. Inside is a phone. Take it, sit back down, and wait five minutes. You’ll receive a call. Answer it.” Without another word, he stood and jogged off, blending seamlessly into the crowd.

Near the exit of the parking lot, Lin and Yaten stood by their motorcycles, matching black helmets reflecting the sunlight. Lin leaned casually against her bike, her posture relaxed but her eyes sharp, while Yaten paced nearby, his gloved hands flexing restlessly. Both were tuned into the same channel as Tendo and N15, their earpieces feeding them updates in real-time.

“Sounds like it’s going down,” Lin said coolly.

Yaten nodded, his gaze scanning the park entrance. “So far so good.”

“Keep the chatter down, people. Be ready in case things go sideways,” Tendo interrupted.

Sumiko’s voice broke in from the cargo van parked near Katya’s SUV. “When do things ever not go sideways?”

Lin didn’t answer, her attention fixed on the park entrance. Her bike was ready, the engine idling quietly, just in case.

Katya waited a beat, then rose from the bench. With a casual, unhurried gait, she walked to the trash can, her sharp eyes scanning for any sign of surveillance. Kneeling down, she reached behind the can and found the paper bag. Inside was a black, unmarked phone. She pocketed it, returned to the bench, and sat down. Crossing her legs, she activated the subdermal communicator with a subtle twitch of her jaw. “I’m pretty sure that jogger was Desmond Reuben, one of Serik’s assistants. I’ve met him before,” she whispered.

Tendo’s voice crackled softly in her ear. “We’re on him. Play it cool.”

N15 spoke up, his tone tinged with urgency. “Confirmed, facial recognition has verified the jogger as Reuben. He is now getting into a 2067 Kia Evoker, plate number T4456TE. Do you want to stay on him?”

“No, let him go. We don’t want him to spot a tail and get spooked,” Tendo replied, his voice low and calm.

The minutes ticked by, each second stretching longer than the last. Dave shifted uncomfortably in the backseat of the SUV, his eyes darting to the back of Jotaro and Kaji’s heads in front of him, then back to Liki, her head resting on his shoulder. Her touch was both comforting and distracting.

“What if something goes wrong?” Dave whispered.

Kaji turned slightly, his expression impassive. “Shut up back there, prisoner. Trust the plan.”

Outside, the phone in Katya’s pocket buzzed. She retrieved it and answered the call. That was the longest four minutes ever. “Yeah.”

“Is it done?” The voice on the other end was cold, calculating. Viktor Serik.

“Yes,” Katya replied without hesitation. “The items have been acquired.”

There was a pause, the silence heavy with unspoken tension. Finally, Viktor spoke again. “The handoff will be in two days. Tyrell marina, thirty miles outside of Philadelphia. Arrive at 12:30 AM with the items. My people will verify their presence, then approach you. You’ll be paid, and you’ll hand them over. Understood?”

Katya’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Understood. Anything else?”

“Dispose of the phone after this call. Return to the trash can and drop it into the river.”

“Got it.” Katya ended the call and stood, her movements smooth and unhurried. She walked back to the trash can, her eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger. Pulling the phone from her pocket, she dropped it into the river, watching as it disappeared beneath the murky water.

"Voice analysis confirms that was Serik," reported N15 from the command center, a note of satisfaction in his voice.

Tendo leaned back. “He bit. Good work, Katya.”

Katya’s voice came through the communicator laced with dry amusement. “I live to serve. To serve and to not be exploded.”

N15’s voice cut through the tension in the command center, sharp and urgent. “Two men approaching Grave’s position—opposite directions on the footpath. One’s hooded, rough-looking. The other… tall, long coat, strange walk. They’re moving in fast.”

Tendo leaned forward, his expression tightening. “Run facial recognition. Now.” His voice was clipped, his focus laser-sharp. “Katya, you’ve got company. Two unknowns converging on you. Get back to the SUV. Team 1 stand by to provide support if necessary. Team 2, remain in the vehicle. Liki and Dave are your only priority.

"Hoodie man is Karl Wukmir, a lowlife. Tall man is coming up blank... getting a closer look. His face isn't real. It's a mask of some kind,” reported N15.

“Do NOT engage them, Katya,” Tendo barked.

Katya didn’t hesitate. She turned smoothly, her pace quickening as she headed toward her vehicle. But the man in the hoodie intercepted her before she could reach it. He stepped into her path.

“Graves, you look like shit,” he said sarcastically. He glanced at her broken arm. “You finally get the ass-beating you deserve?” he sneered.

Katya’s eyes narrowed. “Fuck off. I don’t work for you people anymore, so I don’t have to look at that ass you call a face,” she replied icily.

He chuckled, low and dangerous, before lunging at her, a stun gun appearing from his sleeve and dropping into his hand. Katya tried to pivot, but her broken arm slowed her reaction. Wukmir was faster. He pressed the stun gun into her stomach, and her body convulsed violently. Wukmir gave her a push backwards towards the second man quickly walking up behind her. She crumpled, her muscles betraying her as she fell.

“Maybe you’ll be a little more polite when you’re hanging from your toes, bitch,” Wukmir hissed, disdainfully.

She collapsed against the second man—the one in the long coat—as he threw off his disguise. The coat fell away, revealing not a man, but a sleek, humanoid robot. Its body split open, mechanical limbs unfolding with precision. It caught Katya mid-fall, her legs sliding into its legs, her torso and arms locked into its body. The robot closed around her, encasing her like a metal cocoon.

“Shit,” Tendo hissed. “It’s an abductor frame! Everyone, retrieve Graves. Now!” He paused, his tone turning deadly. “Graves, if these are your men trying to extract you, we WILL exercise your early retirement clause and pop you.”

Katya didn’t reply. The abductor frame stood upright, its movement smooth and unsettlingly human-like, with Katya’s limp form now a part of its mechanical body. The frame began to move with incredible speed, carrying her away toward a white van with its side door open, its wheels already rolling in the parking lot nearby. The abductor frame leapt into the open door and the van sped up as the door slammed shut.

Tendo’s jaw tightened. “Everyone! Move in. Don’t let them get far. Retrieve Graves! We still need her for the handoff.” He flipped open the safety cover of the remote detonator that would set off the micro-bomb implanted in Katya. Tendo hoped he wouldn’t have to use it, but if she’d betrayed them, he wouldn’t hesitate to flick the switch.

“N15, get this can in the air, now! The frame is getting into a van. Team 1 pursue on bikes. Team 2, get Dave and Liki away to a safe distance. Team 3...” Tendo was interrupted by the sound of gunfire in the parking lot.

“Team 2 is under fire! We're surrounded,” yelled Jotaro into the comm, the sound of shattering glass in the background. “Kaji has been hit. I repeat, Kaji is down!”

He started to say something else, but the sound of automatic gunfire drowned him out.