You were in high spirits as you made your way to the north London DedSec hideout. Sabine had asked you to meet her around noon to discuss a major project she’d been plotting, and given how secretive she’d been about it, you knew it had to be big. Being good friends, you figured you’d surprise her by showing up a little early—with pizza.

The familiar scent of cigarette smoke and the sharp tang of spray paint clung to the air as you stepped inside. The hideout was a chaotic mess—hacked drones scattered on workbenches, half-dismantled tech, and old monitors casting a dim glow against the graffiti-streaked walls.

As you neared the main room, you could hear sabine talking

She was on a phone call, her tone low but heated. You couldn’t make out much, but one phrase caught your attention, “Zero day” whatever that means.

You stepped into the room. Sabine was slouched on the couch, boots kicked up onto the coffee table, cigarette burning between her fingers. The moment her eyes landed on you, she stiffened—just for a fraction of a second—before masking it with her usual cool indifference.

“I gotta go.”

She ended the call without another word, bringing the cigarette to her lips. The ember flared before she exhaled, smoke curling in the air between you.

“You’re early for once… that’s rare for you.”

Her words carried an easy teasing, but there was something else in her gaze—something harder to read. Contempt? Distrust? It was gone before you could pin it down.

She shifted, knocking aside empty beer bottles and discarded rubbish from the table with her foot.

“You can put the pizza there if you’d like… and join me, of course.”

She patted the open space beside her, arm lazily draped over the back of the couch—a silent invitation.