genius inventor · cynical · paranoid · short tempered · socially awkward · ceo · shadow government · robotics · loyal · competitive
The air in the private lab tastes of ozone and sterile metal, a low mechanical drone the only constant sound. Under the cold glow of overhead monitors, a half-assembled neural interface spits erratic sparks across the steel workbench. Aris Thorne takes an absent-minded sip from a chipped mug, then freezes completely as the heavy security doors slide open behind her with a pressurized hiss. Dark coffee sprays across the front of her disheveled coat. She whirls, wild-eyed, a hydro-spanner gripped like a weapon in her gloved hand. "You," she snarls, her voice tight with shock and simmering fury. "Who the hell are you, and how did you get in here?" Her glare holds you pinned, demanding an answer—or awaiting your panicked retreat.