Zhu Yuan strode into the precinct, her movements slightly sluggish, still reeling from the remnants of her nightmare. She collapsed into her chair, exhaling sharply, trying to shake the uneasy feeling lodged in her chest. Her gaze drifted to the small box sitting on her desk, and without a second thought, she reached for J.D.'s daily dessert. The first bite dissolved on her tongue, momentarily clouding her mind with sweetness, giving her a brief reprieve.
"You're getting way too dependent on J.D.'s desserts, Captain," Qingyi teased behind her table, her voice light but laced with amusement.
Zhu chuckled, nodding as she chewed. "Yeah, I admit it—I'd probably lose my mind if I didn't get my daily sugar fix."
"One more dessert and we'll have to enroll you in a recovery program," Qingyi quipped, her lips twitching in mock seriousness.
Before Zhu could retort, the familiar crackle of her radio interrupted the moment. She inwardly groaned, glaring at the device. It's too early for this kind of drama, she thought, dragging a hand across her face.
"Captain?" Seth's voice crackled through the line.
Zhu glanced at the radio, then slowly leaned back in her chair. "Go ahead, Seth. What's going on? Over."
"I think I saw Mr. E's car... I'm heading to my patrol spot. Should I follow him? Over."
Zhu froze mid-bite, blinking. "Wait... you mean Mr. Smith?" She lowered her voice to a hushed whisper. "Elias?"
"Yes, Captain. Should I—" he was muted.
Zhu quickly grabbed her earpiece, popping it into place. There was no way she wanted this conversation overheard in the precinct, with its thin walls and too many curious ears. "Hold on, Seth," she muttered, already picturing Qingyi's amused look from the corner of her eye.
Qingyi opened her mouth to say something snarky but stopped when Zhu raised her hand, gesturing for silence. Her expression said it all—something important was happening.
After a moment, Zhu's voice dropped again, barely a whisper. "Okay, Seth. Permission granted, but be discreet. And gear up with your listening device. Don't let him spot you."
There was a pause. Zhu swore she could hear Seth gulp on the other end.
"Discreet. Got it," he replied, sounding as if he was mentally repeating the word to himself like a mantra.
Zhu leaned back in her chair, running a hand through her hair. "Please don't make this another one of your 'fastest to get busted' situations," she muttered under her breath, earning a stifled giggle from Qingyi.
Zhu's expression shifted, her brow furrowing in clear concern after the radio chatter ended. Qingyi, noticing the change, scooted her chair closer with a soft squeak. "What's going on, Captain?"
"Seth spotted him—Elias. He's probably driving towards western city." Zhu replied, taking another bite of her dessert, though the sweetness did little to ease her growing unease.
Qingyi raised an eyebrow, leaning in with a smirk. "Really? Maybe he's just running out to pick up groceries, doing his daily routine," she remarked with heavy sarcasm, her tone playfully mocking.
Zhu sighed, setting her spoon down. "Western City? That's towards the Outer Ring, can't risk. I just want to see what he's up to behind our backs." Her voice grew defensive. "I just hope Seth can handle this little undercover mission without blowing it."
She quickly reached for the radio again. "Seth? You still there?"
"Yes, Captain. And... I think he's heading towards western city," Seth's voice came through, laced with growing panic. "You know I can't follow him discreetly in this PUBSEC mobile. It's basically a billboard with sirens."
Zhu pinched the bridge of her nose, thinking. "Alright... park it at our outpost and grab a bicycle or something nearby. Tell them it's for PUBSEC emergency." She scoots across her table accessing her computer. "I'll give you a clearance on your tablet."
There was an awkward pause. She could practically hear Seth processing the ridiculousness of her suggestion.
"A bicycle? Captain, you want me to tail him on a bicycle?" Seth's tone was filled with disbelief.
"Exactly. And ditch the PUBSEC uniform, Seth. Blend in," Zhu added, rubbing her chin, trying to sound confident.
Another hesitant silence hung over the radio.
"...The outer ring is really hot, Captain. Do I really have to—"
"Seth," Zhu interrupted, suppressing a sigh, "...let's just call this a part of your training."
Qingyi stifled a laugh beside her, unable to resist adding, "I'm sure you'll look great—real incognito on that bicycle, Seth."
fter the radio exchange, Seth nervously trailed behind Elias's car, his eyes darting between the road ahead and his rearview mirror, searching for any PUBSEC highway patrol officers for assistance. His fingers drummed against the steering wheel.
Was the Captain really serious about him using a bicycle? In the Outer Ring? His mind raced as he imagined himself wobbling down the road, trying to tail Elias with nothing but a pair of pedals and a basket. Feasible? Not unless he had some kind of secret super serum from New Eridu Defense Force no one had told him about.
Shaking off the absurd thought, Seth's eyes lit up as he remembered the NEPS motorpool was on the way. Relief washed over him. He swerved off at the next exit, steering the PUBSEC mobile into the facility's lot and jumping out in one fluid, hasty motion. The last thing he needed was to blow his cover in this glaringly obvious vehicle.
He practically ran up to the attendant, trying to sound as official as possible. "Need one of the discreet cars. Got clearance," he said, out of breath, half tugging at his PUBSEC top uniform as if that was proof enough. Without waiting for much of a response, he grabbed the keys to one of the motorpool's plain sedans.
Quickly, he shed his uniform jacket, stuffing it into the backseat, leaving him in a plain t-shirt. With only his listening device and radio in hand, Seth sped off, hoping Elias hadn't gotten too far ahead.
As he merged back into the traffic flow, he spotted Elias's car up ahead. Seth leaned back in his seat, feeling a wave of accomplishment. This was much better than a bicycle.
"Captain," Seth radioed in, "I've got a motorpool vehicle instead. I'll keep my distance."
Zhu's reply crackled over the radio, her voice laced with approval. "That's very resourceful... Keep me updated. We'll go and wait you at the motorpool."
Seth smirked to himself. For once, things were going smoothly. No bicycles. No sweating it out in the heat. Just good ol' undercover work... in a car, like a normal person.
As they neared the outer ring border, Seth kept a cautious distance, squinting through the windshield. With fewer cars on the road, sticking too close would be like waving a giant PUBSEC flag from his rearview mirror.
The only other vehicles in sight were dusty delivery vans, crawling along with supplies. Who in their right mind would travel out here? It was blistering hot, the kind of heat that made you question every life choice that led you to this point.
The radio crackled to life, pulling him out of his thoughts. "Seth, sit-rep? Remember to keep your distance," Zhu's voice came through, sharp and steady.
"We've passed the border on the outer ring, Captain. I'm way behind his car, no need to worry." He gave a quick glance at the tiny dot that was Elias's car up ahead. Way behind might have been an understatement. He could probably stop for a snack and still catch up.
The hot desert stretched on both sides of the road, a surprisingly beautiful yet punishing landscape. Heat shimmered off the cracked pavement, and in the distance, ominous smaller Hollow spheres loomed on the horizon like black holes that wanted to eat up the sky.
Seth wiped a bead of sweat from his brow despite the car's air conditioner blasting at full power. Great. I'm sweating like I'm on trial for something. He adjusted the vents, but it was no use—nothing could cool off the growing anxiety gnawing at him. Please let me drive back in one piece. Captain better come rescue me if this goes south.
The further they drove, the less civilization seemed to exist. No highway patrol in sight, just wide open roads and... biker gangs. Seth's heart skipped a beat as a group of leather-clad bikers rumbled alongside him, peeking through his window.
He glanced over, meeting their stares with an awkward, tight-lipped smile. Totally undercover here, nothing to see. One biker raised an eyebrow, and Seth quickly looked away, pretending to adjust his radio like a professional, very inconspicuous agent.
Up ahead, Elias's car slowed, pulling into an old stop over fuel station surrounded by more bikers than Seth could count. His stomach did a somersault. An old stop-over station? Biker gang hangout central? Of course it is. He watched as Elias parked and disappeared into the rundown building.
Seth swallowed hard, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. Do I really have to do this? The thought of walking into a biker-infested station made him want to curl up in the trunk and wait for it to be over.
Seth decided to drive past the gas station, glancing through his window to see if Elias had noticed him. He held his breath as he crept by, but Elias didn't seem to pay any attention. Whew. Close one. The stop over fuel station still looked operational—dusty, spacious, alive and functional, with a worn-down grocery store and a diner tacked on it's side. Great, I guess even out here people need gas and snacks.
What caught Seth's eye, though, was the flag hanging from the bikers' jackets—a sharp, recognizable insignia: The Sons of Calydon. His brow furrowed. Wait... most of them are women? He quickly looked away before any of them noticed his gawking, but the image stuck with him.
He drove a bit further, spotting a rundown food stall stop over in the distance. "That'll do," he muttered, pulling in for a quick parking job. Grabbing his gear, he glanced at the small stand. Perfect. I'll grab a snack once this undercover nonsense is over. The thought of stuffing his face with something greasy gave him a strange sense of comfort as he got out, blending his car into the forgotten lot.
Seth jogged back toward the gas station, keeping low to avoid being spotted. As he approached, he caught sight of Elias—leaning casually against his car, almost like he didn't have a care in the world. Panic flashed through Seth's mind. Oh no, he'll see me! Without thinking, Seth threw himself into a nearby ditch, landing ungracefully in a pile of dry bushes. Much smooth. Very undercover. He grimaced, brushing twigs off his face, praying no one noticed his sudden dive.
Once he was securely hidden in the scraggly mess of the ditch, Seth propped up his listening device, aiming it toward Elias's car. He wiped the sweat from his brow—whether from the heat or nerves, he wasn't sure. The sun beat down on him, the dry air adding insult to injury. This undercover stuff is way cooler in the movies.
He fumbled with the radio. "Captain, I'm at..." He squinted at the worn sign above the gas station, "Mirage Motors? It's a stop station."
There was a brief pause before Zhu's voice came back, concerned. "Stop station? Are you safe?"
Seth glanced around at his less-than-stellar hiding spot, half buried in a ditch. "I guess if hiding in a bush is part of being undercover? – But there are bikers around... Sons of Calydon." He said the last part with hesitation, the thought of a full-blown gang making his stomach churn. Why do I always get the fun jobs?
He could hear Zhu sigh through the radio. "Okay, I'll back you up. Patch me in if he's doing something suspicious."
Relief washed over Seth like a cool breeze. The Captain was coming to help. Finally. Motivated by the idea of having some backup, he hastily activated the listening device, pointing it toward Elias's car, while trying to ignore the fact that he was roasting under the relentless sun. At least I won't be a cat thiren raisin by the time she gets here.
After gulping down half of his bottled water, Seth wiped the sweat from his forehead, still crouched in the ditch. The heat was unbearable but nothing compared to the pressure he felt in his chest. His eyes darted from side to side—he was waiting for something, anything, to happen.
And then they arrived.
A group of bikers roared in, dust kicking up behind their wheels, the low growl of their engines echoing in the hot, still air. Each of them proudly displayed the same emblem—the Sons of Calydon. Seth peered through his binoculars, adjusting the lens to zoom in. He patched the listening device to his radio, hands trembling just slightly. Focus, Seth.
Elias perked up immediately, spotting one of the bikers, about his age, stepping off his motorbike with the ease of someone who had done this a thousand times. Seth squinted, watching Elias give the guy a warm smile, like they were brothers reunited after years apart.
"Lighter, my brother." Elias reached out, tapping the guy's arm in a familiar gesture.
Seth's eyebrows shot up. Lighter? Brother? That a name or a codename? "Captain, you getting this?" he whispered, barely above the crackle of static.
"Yes, Seth, I'm recording," Zhu's voice came through, slightly distorted, but alert.
The biker, Lighter, sighed heavily. "Wayward Son..." he muttered, shaking his head. "It's a shame you traded your Marquell motorbike for... that car?" Lighter's voice dripped with disappointment, while Elias gave his car a proud pat, like it was his loyal companion. Seth rolled his eyes. Typical.
"What brings you here?" Lighter asked, but the question felt heavy, like it came with a lot of unspoken history.
Elias's smile faltered. His voice dropped, pleading, something vulnerable in his tone. "I came here to seek help. Nightro-Fest is this week, can I drop by?"
From Seth's vantage point, he could see Lighter rubbing his temples, frustration creasing his brow. It looked like they had unfinished business. "Everyone's welcome Burnice's Nightro-Fest." He paused briefly, "Help? For what?" Lighter's voice dipped, barely audible. Then something unexpected: "I don't think she will even permit seeing you, after you left her without notice."
Seth's stomach did a flip. Who's she? "Burnice?" He quickly scanned for Elias's reaction, but the guy's face stayed cool. Cooler than mine would be, that's for sure.
Meanwhile, on the other end of the line, Zhu's heart sank like a stone. She tightened her grip on the steering wheel, her knuckles going white. "Leave her? Burnice Nigthro-Fest?" she whispered, her voice barely above a breath. Her eyes flicked over to Qingyi, who was seated calmly in the passenger seat. This isn't the time to jump to conclusions, but... her mind raced. Did Elias leave someone behind? imagining things like he's one of the absurd memes who left the outer ring to buy a milk and never came back.
Back at the gas station, Elias continued, his voice steady but tinged with urgency. "The case I've been working on—it's closing in. New Eridu's becoming more chaotic. If you've been watching the news, you know what's happening."
Lighter let out another sigh, longer this time. The weight of his reluctance was palpable. "We live on the outer ring, Wayward Son. What's in it for us?"
Seth adjusted the binoculars again, focusing on Elias, who suddenly pointed toward the horizon, his voice growing louder. "Come on, brother, look! That New Hollow sphere's getting more massive, just like the Hollow Zero. Someone out there is playing dangerous games, and this is your gang's territory. You can't just sit back and watch."
Seth felt his throat go dry as he glanced toward the horizon where Elias was pointing. Sure enough, the massive Hollow sphere loomed ominously in the distance, its dark, swirling mass casting a heavy shadow over everything. Seth's anxiety spiked. "Another Hollow Zero? What? Is that possible?"
On the other end, Zhu's mind was spinning. Hollows expanding? Chaos in the city? And now a new one out there, in the Outer Ring? She pressed her lips together, her free hand covering her mouth as she tried to connect the dots. There was something bigger brewing, and Elias was standing in the middle of it.
Seth, still crouched in the dry bush, felt a sudden drop in the pit of his stomach. Great. Elias is dragging a whole biker gang into this mess. And here I am, hiding like some desert cat, waiting for backup... and maybe a snack.
Lighter nudged his aviators in a way that would make any action movie star jealous. "I'll try to talk to her—let's see what shakes out." He hopped onto his motorbike and shot a knowing glance back at Elias. "Count me in, but... don't hold your breath expecting her to help you."
Elias flashed a smile that could probably convince a cactus to bloom. "And ladies... beware of this smooth operator!" Lighter called out to the nearby group of lady bikers, earning a chorus of giggles in return.
From his bushy hideout, Seth thought, Oh great, Elias is a smooth talker too? Just like John Bond series from Random Play! If only he had a theme song playing every time he walked in. The bikers revved their engines, pulling away with a roar, leaving Elias leaning against his car like he was auditioning for a car commercial.
Meanwhile, Zhu felt irritation bubbling up inside her like a pot on the verge of boiling over. "He left someone and he's good with ladies? Really..." she muttered under her breath.
"What's got you all worked up, Captain?" Qingyi asked, her brow raised in curiosity.
Zhu huffed, crossing her arms defiantly. "I just can't shake the feeling that he's playing with me! That charming smile, the calm demeanor—now it all makes sense!"
"What are you on about, Captain?" Qingyi leaned in, her eyes sparkling with intrigue.
"What? You heard that?" Zhu shot back, half-defensive, half-amused.
"You were thinking out loud... again." Qingyi stifled a laugh, her smirk widening.
Zhu rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the smile creeping onto her face. "Maybe I should zip it from now on, huh? At this rate, I'm starting to sound like a leading lady in a rom-com!"