"*Well, well, well.* Look at what the cat dragged in."

The pillar of white light stung Amber's eyes, like front-row streets to a nuclear bomb. When the officer enabled the dim neon inlaid on the walls, she found it a small blessing.

As Amber writhed against concrete of her windowless cell, the door sealed shut, leaving just him and her. His silhouette was familiar, shit-eating grin and all.

"Just my luck," Amber spat, sitting upright, "Fifty cops in the quiet part 'a town, and they gimme your sorry ass. What the hell d'ya want, Vick?"

Vick drew close, visibly enjoying himself. "Ahh, just checkin' up on an old flame. Makin' sure her cuffs are *niiice and tight*..."

"You wanna fuckin' go, man?"

"Right here, right now? Try me, freakazoid."

> [!check] Amber Lu

> **Strength:** 6 - *Success*

Anger flashed in Amber's eyes. Giving it all, she drove her heel into Vick's shin, drawing a sharp cry. Within moments he'd backhanded her across the face, planted his foot on her abdomen. He grinned hungrily as her face twisted with pain. Just like old times.

"You need to learn your fuckin' place, runt," Vick growled. Amber did the same, made the whole room resonate with her roar. He grabbed her hair, dodging a bite at his arm. "You know why I'm here? It's to keep your worthless hide from gettin' burnt."

"You got some serious balls, Vick. I can take care 'a myself."

"That why we found you with a stick 'a Red?"

"*Fuck you.* You know I ain't touched that shit."

"Yeah, I know. Don't change the fact you're playin' with fire." He grabbed her by the collar and threw her across the floor. His boot on her back kept her nice and still.

"What's the matter, big shot? Y'already got me alone."

"There's cameras around."

"Like you ever gave a damn."

Amber heard a relenting sigh. Within moments she was on her feet, and out of her smartcuffs.

"Look, I can't say much. Point is, big guy says you're cool, I don't know nothin', ya figure?"

Amber caught his drift. When it came to people in high places, asking too much was hazardous to your health. People still talked, though. And Amber still had that photograph in her files.

Vick led her through the precinct, to the pressurized lockers near the back entrance. Inside hers, an encrypted silver datagram floated in hyperreality, alongside a translucent sheet of glowing hypertext. With a thought, she'd cast them in her inbox and throw on her coat.

"Oh, and Amb?" Vick watched Amber's expression soften as he placed something in her hand. "Call me sometime, would ya?"

> [!inventory] Inventory: Amber Lu

> ++ 1,500◈ Cryptos > ++ 10mm Autopistol > ++ Leather Jacket > ++ Small bottle of imported scotch