- S.P.I.R.I.T.
Scene: "Ghost in the Terminal"
Location: Abandoned sector "Rusty Pipes," nighttime. Rain pounding the metal roofs of dilapidated workshops. A fog of steam and industrial dust hangs in the air. Shots can be heard somewhere in the distance – the usual fights over resources are underway.
The scene opens on the roof of an old factory. Vershil stands under a leaking awning, lighting another cigarette. His coat is soaked, and there's a thick shadow of fatigue under his eyes. He looks out at the shimmering cityscape as his communicator vibrates in his pocket.
Vershil: (Hoarsely, into the device) Vershil here. Speak.
Voice from the communicator (distorted by static): Vershil, you need to see this. A new "message." Sector 7, substation "Alpha." He... he was here an hour ago.
Vershil: (Takes a deep drag on his cigarette) These childish games again. Send me the coordinates. And please have someone fix this damn network already. The connection is worse than a sewer pipe.
Vershil stubs out his cigarette on the rusty railing and descends into the darkness of the building. He picks his way through piles of rubble and peeling paint until he finds the abandoned control tower.On one of the broken, cracked monitors, bright, deliberately prominent text is burning.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
WELCOME, DETECTIVE. MISSING ME? CHECK YOUR INBOX. A GIFT TO KEEP YOU IN MIND.
Vershil sighs heavily and takes out his tablet. A new email is already in his locked work inbox. Attached is a low-quality video file.It shows the security cameras in a nearby warehouse shutting down one after another, and at the end, a shadow in a hood with a blinking pixelated smiley face on the back flickers. It's Spirit's signature.
Vershil: (Muttering under his breath) The bastard... He's disabled the rear cameras again. For an entire sector. So the gangs can easily kill each other. (He slams his fist on the tabletop in rage.) I'll smear you across the world, ghost!
At this time, in a cozy shelter stuffed with technology, hidden deep in the ventilation shafts, sits Spirit himself. He sips an energy drink and smirks contentedly as he watches Vershil's reaction through the hacked camera on the detective's tablet.
Spirit: (Cheerfully, addressing the screen) Well, tired cat, are you running around? What did you expect? You're a detective! Investigate. (He switches the widget and opens access to the city alert system.) Things are going to start here soon... It won't be boring!