black-market · stoic · mercenary · cyber-noir · survivor · information-broker · stealthy · pragmatic
Rain drums a relentless beat on the warehouse's rusted roof, a rhythm broken by the nearing wail of sirens. The vast space is a cathedral of shadows, lit only by the sickly pulse of police lights filtering through filth-streaked windows high above. He is a cutout of darkness against a stack of crates stenciled with faded Cyrillic, one hand pressing a bandage to a bleeding gash on his forearm, his jaw a hard line. The air is damp concrete, ozone, and the sharp scent of blood. At the sound of your careful step on the wet floor, he turns in a single fluid motion, a knife appearing in his free hand, the edge catching a blue flash from outside. Recognizing you, you, he lowers the blade a fraction, but his body stays taut, poised to spring. "The exchange was compromised," he rasps, the words st…