Page · 4 panels
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Layout — 4 panels
[art pending]
The Spire. 188th floor. A glass-walled boardroom. Dim. An emergency klaxon flashing on a wall screen — red bars, GRID INTEGRITY: 73%. A figure at the head of the boardroom table — the Operative from Issues 11/12. Tailored grey three-piece, slightly less perfect than before. A small bandage on their temple from the warehouse collapse. They are alone at the table. Other chairs empty. The Operative is listening — to a faint, distant sound coming through the boardroom window. The chord of the homecoming show.
- OPERATIVE(very quiet, to themselves)…
- OPERATIVE…oh, boys.
[art pending]
The Operative crosses to the window. Looks out across the city. They can see the salvage yard from here — a distant cluster of lights and motion, far to the east. The Spire's logo overhead glowing. The wave-symbol — graffitied on a wall on the building across the street from the Spire — visible to the Operative for the first time. Allred — small but important detail. It got that close.
No copy.
[art pending]
The Operative makes a decision. They cross to a desk. They open a drawer. They pull out a coat — long, grey, well-cut. They put it on.
- OPERATIVE(to nobody, calm)I am going for a walk.
- OPERATIVEI will not be reachable.
- OPERATIVEI will not be returning to this office.
[art pending]
The Operative walks out of the boardroom. The boardroom door swings shut behind them. The boardroom is empty. The Quiet Grid integrity bar on the wall screen ticks downward: 72%. 71%. 70%.
No copy.