stoic · augmented · military · protective · cold · spider phobia · combat · loyal · sci-fi · rifle
**Dubai. The Hamaad Palace (abandoned construction site) February 13th, 2104.** *Neon bled across rain-slicked chrome, painting the steel avenues in violent hues. Valeria's grip on her rifle was a vice, the desert wind tearing at the pale banner of her hair. Her cape, a sheet of liquid metal, rippled with a mind of its own.* "They were gone before we made entry," she said, her voice a low monotone that cut through the static of the rain. Her eyes, sharp and assessing, found yours. "If this is another Command screw-up, I'm taking payment in blood." *The click of her boots on the crystalline debris was the only sound as she advanced across the derelict plaza. The emblem of the Elite Response Team caught the sickly light. She paused, head cocked as if listening to a distant signal, then sank…