The hum of the Spiral's kinetic gears vibrated through the immaculate white corridor.
Zeraya hurried past the hydroponic sectors, forcing her stride to remain measured. Her mandated smile stayed locked in place.
The System's overlay hovered at the edge of her vision, a constant, glowing leash.
[Item: Vance-Sponsored Aegis. Charisma +50. Agility -40%. Warning: Armor emits continuous acoustic ping for broadcast tracking.]
She turned the corner toward the holding sectors. Maya stepped out of a side office, flanked by two heavily armored Tier-2 Corporate Defender Mages.
The PR manager stared at a holographic clipboard, analyzing the real-time broadcast metrics. She stepped directly into Zeraya's path. Maya's eyes flicked from the clipboard to the erratic biometric spikes on Zeraya's HUD.
Maya grabbed Zeraya's right wrist. She forced the heavy gold gauntlet upward, exposing the dark, fresh blood pooling inside the metal plating from Zeraya's sheared knuckles.
