05-19-2025, 07:06 AM
== For Reese ==
The away team was causing quite a stir among the restaurant’s patrons. They drew more suspicious stares each time the door to the private room slid open. Most were whispering among themselves, but none seemed to be an immediate threat.
== For all ==
“Very well, Commander. We’ll all go to my apartment together,” Jonas said. “Don’t worry, it’s not far.” He led the team outside, back into the cold night.
Jonas moved a bit more slowly than he had before, the events of the day seeming to weigh heavily on him. The streets were emptier, too. A tense calm settled over the group, like they were walking through a graveyard. White mist had settled on either side of the road. It swirled and dissipated as the team passed by.
“I was young when I was assigned to Riani,” Jonas said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I thought I would be here for a year or two before moving onto the next posting. Funny, I wonder what that Jonas would think if he could see me now.”
The ambassador took a sharp right, down a more residential block lined with apartment buildings. Most of the windows were dark, though a few silhouettes peered down from above. Jonas continued to walk in silence, seemingly deep in thought. Finally, he arrived at his destination. Jonas placed a palm on the security terminal and the door clicked open. He grasped the door handle, then froze.
From behind the group came a loud popping sound, accompanied by a flash of yellow light. Jonas fell to the ground in a heap, like a puppet with its strings cut. His eyes were unfocused, his mouth open in shock.
The away team was causing quite a stir among the restaurant’s patrons. They drew more suspicious stares each time the door to the private room slid open. Most were whispering among themselves, but none seemed to be an immediate threat.
== For all ==
“Very well, Commander. We’ll all go to my apartment together,” Jonas said. “Don’t worry, it’s not far.” He led the team outside, back into the cold night.
Jonas moved a bit more slowly than he had before, the events of the day seeming to weigh heavily on him. The streets were emptier, too. A tense calm settled over the group, like they were walking through a graveyard. White mist had settled on either side of the road. It swirled and dissipated as the team passed by.
“I was young when I was assigned to Riani,” Jonas said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I thought I would be here for a year or two before moving onto the next posting. Funny, I wonder what that Jonas would think if he could see me now.”
The ambassador took a sharp right, down a more residential block lined with apartment buildings. Most of the windows were dark, though a few silhouettes peered down from above. Jonas continued to walk in silence, seemingly deep in thought. Finally, he arrived at his destination. Jonas placed a palm on the security terminal and the door clicked open. He grasped the door handle, then froze.
From behind the group came a loud popping sound, accompanied by a flash of yellow light. Jonas fell to the ground in a heap, like a puppet with its strings cut. His eyes were unfocused, his mouth open in shock.