Page 79 of Neon Flux

I swiped at my temple, and DITA started pulling all the data for me. As the download completed, I scanned through what was on the screen. Data from three different beacons around the Green data center, marked out on a map. Another point lay within the triangle.

“What’s that?”

“Renard’s apartment.” Cy stood beside me again, mercifully dressed.

I bit my lip. “DITA, run a frequency analysis on the signal just before the explosion.”

“Got an idea already?” he asked.

“I told you—I’m good.”

“Perfect. You’ll have something to show the big boss tomorrow, then.”

My stomach dropped. “What?Tomorrow? And—no. There’s no fucking way I’m meeting with any of your bosses.”

He shrugged. “Sorry, doll. POM is an office-first company. You’re still expected to show up to our meeting tomorrow—and now with results, since you have the data.”

I didn’t respond, and I saw his body tighten.

“Unless, of course, you want me to tell them exactly who leaked their shield tech.”

“I can do this without going in. There’s no reason—”

He cut me off again. “Look, I don’t love having to babysit your ass at the tower either, but what the big boss wants, the big boss get— and it seems like that’s your perfect ass in a chair.”

“Maybe we can stop at HR on the way, and I can file a sexual harassment complaint.”

“Doll, if I were harassing you, you’d know. Besides, HR doesn’t cover anyone below floor twelve.”

DITA chimed—download complete. Two more keystrokes and I was moving through the directory, downloading everything I could grab as I went.

“Hey! I wasn’t born yesterday.” Cy slapped the side of his terminal, and the whole thing shut down. I gave him an innocent smile.

“How’d you really find me, anyway?” he asked.

“You’re human. You leave a data trail, just like anybody else.”

At that, he gave me a strange look but didn’t press it. He turned and walked out.

“See you in the morning then, corpo.”

The data for a mystery that POM’s internal team—one of the best reconstruction units in the world—couldn’t solve was now in my grasp. It was the key to my salvation. But more than that, it was a puzzle that onlyIcould unlock.

My pinky twitched, and I balled my fist. I would show them what I was worth.

I would show them all.

CHAPTER 27

EON

The great monolith stretched into the sky, blocking the sun. POM Enterprises—the temple to technology and all its wonders. A looming reminder of the powers that be, who either blessed us or cursed us, depending on their whims.

Air-cars flew overhead, the morning commute bustling. People walking in streamed around me, entering the building for their daily grind. Suits and fine blouses avoided me with a wide berth. I’d worn my most street-trash outfit that still covered all the naughty bits: baggy pants lined with pockets and straps, a neon pink bodysuit, and a cropped vintage shirt that said,Eat the Rich.

I couldn’t turn back now. My fate was sealed. Despite that, my feet stayed glued to the floor. That great looming presence stared back at me. The hum of electric lights and Stellarium was everywhere. Everything was so bright, so loud. I hated it.You can still run, I lied to myself.

“The fuck are you wearing?” Behind me, Cy’s voice cut through the din of the early morning rush. “Now’s the time you decide to go full street rat?”