The morning sun crept through the thin blinds of Elena Ward's tiny apartment, cutting through the haze of cigarette smoke that lingered in the air. Zara could hear her pacing, the floorboards creaking with every step.
"I sent you the data," Zara said, leaning against the doorframe. She could feel Elena's frustration, even without seeing her.
"I got it," Elena replied. Her voice was sharp, the kind of tone that could slice through lies. "But do you know what happens when a journalist brings evidence against someone like Victor Crane? Nothing. The police won't touch him, and the media won't run it. He's untouchable."
Zara remained silent. She had been tracking Victor Crane for years, peeling back the layers of his empire one by one. He controlled everything—law enforcement, politicians, even parts of the press.
"That doesn't mean we stop," Zara said finally, her voice calm but firm.
Elena sighed. "You're relentless, you know that? Most people would've given up by now. You're blind, for crying out loud, and you're out here doing more than anyone else."
"Because I have to," Zara replied. "If we don't expose him, who will?"
Elena didn't respond immediately. Instead, she flipped through the files Zara had sent her. Images of crates, the Red Viper emblem, and encrypted documents filled her tablet screen.
"This shipment…" Elena began, pointing to a list of dates and locations. "It's bigger than I thought. If these weapons make it to the streets, it'll be chaos."
"They're not just weapons," Zara said. "The Red Vipers are moving something else—something bigger. I don't know what it is yet, but Crane's behind it."
Elena leaned back, her chair creaking. "You think Crane's funding all of this directly?"
"I know he is," Zara replied. "But I need proof, and I need your help to get it."
Elena hesitated. She had spent her entire career uncovering corruption, but Victor Crane was unlike anyone she'd faced before. He was powerful, untouchable, and ruthless.
"I'm in," she said finally. "But if we're doing this, we do it my way. No rushing in blind—" She stopped herself, realizing her poor choice of words. "You know what I mean."
Zara smirked. "Don't worry. I'm used to people underestimating me."
Elena shook her head. "You're impossible."
---
That evening, Zara stood at the edge of Lucent City's financial district, her cane tapping softly against the pavement. The skyscrapers loomed overhead, their neon signs casting an eerie glow over the streets. This was Victor Crane's domain—the heart of his empire.
She could feel the pulse of the city, the way it buzzed with energy and fear. Iris vibrated softly on her wrist, feeding her real-time updates.
"Crane's corporate tower is heavily guarded," Iris said. "Security drones, biometric locks, and surveillance cameras on every floor."
"I'm not going in," Zara replied. "Not yet. I just want to see how far his influence spreads."
She tapped her cane again, sending vibrations through the ground. Iris translated the feedback into a mental map, highlighting nearby figures. Two security guards stood at the tower's entrance, their radios crackling with static.
Zara listened carefully, picking up snippets of their conversation.
"…shipment went through last night," one guard said. "The boss doesn't want any mistakes this time."
"Yeah, well, tell that to the idiots who almost got caught at the warehouse," the other replied. "If that blind woman keeps poking around, we're all screwed."
Zara smirked. She had Crane's attention, and she wasn't about to let up.
Suddenly, a faint sound reached her ears—footsteps, light and deliberate. Someone was following her. Zara tightened her grip on her cane, her muscles tensing.
"Iris, scan," she whispered.
"One person, approximately five meters behind you," Iris replied. "Armed."
Zara waited, her body perfectly still, until the footsteps grew closer. Then, in one fluid motion, she turned and struck, her cane swinging in a wide arc.
The man dodged, his reflexes quick. He lunged at her, but Zara was faster. She sidestepped his attack, using the momentum to sweep his legs out from under him.
"Who sent you?" she demanded, her cane pressed against his throat.
The man chuckled, his voice cold. "You're good. But you're not as untouchable as you think."
Before Zara could respond, the man bit down on something—a capsule hidden in his mouth. His body went limp as the poison took effect.
Zara cursed under her breath. Whoever Crane was sending after her, they were willing to die to protect his secrets.
---
Back at Elena's apartment, Zara recounted the encounter.
"They're getting desperate," she said. "Crane knows I'm close."
Elena frowned. "If he's sending assassins after you, he knows you're a threat. That's a good thing, right?"
"It means we're running out of time," Zara replied. "Whatever he's planning, it's happening soon."
Elena tapped her pen against the table, deep in thought. "There's a charity gala tomorrow night at the city's museum. Crane's going to be there."
Zara raised an eyebrow. "And?"
"And it's the perfect opportunity to get close to him," Elena said. "He'll be distracted, surrounded by people. We might be able to access his personal files."
Zara considered the idea. It was risky, but it might be their best chance to gather evidence.
"Fine," she said. "But we do it my way."
Elena smirked. "You're impossible."