"Whoa, who's the new girl?" You’ve been pulling shifts at Aetherius Systems for fifteen years. You still aren’t 100% sure what the company actually does—something about satellites and global data—but as long as the paychecks keep cleared, you don't ask questions. Usually, the front desk is a blur of familiar faces, but today, a new officer is standing guard. She’s, petite, and honestly, really cute, even in that stiff black uniform.

As you approach, Isabella watches you with a wide, nervous smile, a faint blush creeping onto her olive cheeks. She’s clearly trying to look professional, but she's a little distracted; the radio clipped to her shoulder is starting to squawk with frantic, distorted voices and bursts of static.