The boardroom was a cage of glass and polished steel, the storm outside casting a bruised, shifting light. At the head of the table sat S. Holt, her posture as controlled and sharp as her suit. Her gaze was a physical weight.
[Ding!]
Event: Board Review — Convened
Status:
- Survival Probability: 102% → 100% (Δ −2%)
- Attention: 30/100
- Review Timer: 00:20:00
Sub-Objectives:
P) Secure board sign-off to refer case to Customs/Prosecutor (+5%)
Q) Force internal compliance reforms / policy memo on bonded holds (+4%)
R) Avoid personal censure or reputational strike (no "problem heiress" sanction) (+3%)
[Thrum…]
Warning: Political Pressure Escalating
Penalty on Failure: Survival −7%
"You endangered a seven-figure client relationship," Holt began, her voice cool and incisive. "You triggered a facility-wide reboot variance during a storm emergency. Explain."
Elara's voice was calm, surgical. "For the record: the Temporary Impound Notice was declared via radio and body-cam before any cargo movement. The forensic image of Suite 2B is complete, with the final SHA-256 hash witnessed and recorded. All exhibits were captured on shared devices, their serials read to camera."
Rowan stood beside her, a pillar of quiet authority. "The hold was on the cargo, not persons. A risk reduction measure under Port Code §9.3."
[Ding!]
Event: Procedural Record Established
Status:
- Survival Probability: 100% → 101% (Δ +1%)
Elara displayed the evidence triad on the main screen. "The console job log shows job ID J-8821, initiated from console C-N-S-L-4492 by user alias 'S.' The badge reader shows badge H-4492 entered the Board Admin Room at T-minus three hours, ten minutes." She paused, letting the data speak. "These are facts. No conclusions."
[Ding!]
Event: Handler Link Entered (Admissible)
Status:
- Survival Probability: 101% → 103% (Δ +2%)
Holt's eyes narrowed. "You weaponized process. You abused a storm exemption."
"We measured risk," Elara countered. "The humidity logger splice. The seventy-two-kilogram weight variance. The seal bite tool match. The hinge brine rinse pattern. The forklift tine spacing and Gate 3 telematics. The RFID writer cache fragment." She listed them, crisp and clean. "Each an independent tell of substitution."
[Ding!]
Event: Independent Tells Corroborated (x3+)
Status:
- Survival Probability: 103% → 105% (Δ +2%)
She then offered the wedge. "The path forward: immediate referral to Customs and the Prosecutor with the sealed image. And a Board Compliance Memo. Radio declaration for bonded holds, dual e-sign within five minutes, reboot exemptions for evidence suites under active warrant. It reduces liability. It standardizes process. It protects the house."
[Ding!]
Event: Reform Memo Draft — Consideration
Status:
- Survival Probability: 105% → 106% (Δ +1%)
Sub-Objective Q progress: 0% → 60%
She then delivered the subtle blow. "The phrase 'cleaner clip' appeared in a scheduled post. The same phrase appears in the cached chat from Suite 2B." She let the implication hang—a pattern of quieting scandals.
Holt's mask tightened imperceptibly. A director glanced her way.
[Ding!]
Event: Pattern Noted (Language Match)
Status:
- Survival Probability: 106% → 107% (Δ +1%)
The board counsel presented the options. Internal admonishment and silent return to bonded storage. Or formal referral and reforms.
Rowan's voice was steady. "Process over pride."
Elara chose. "Option B. For the record. It protects the house."
[Ding!]
Event: Referral Path Selected (On Record)
Status:
- Survival Probability: 107% → 110% (Δ +3%)
Sub-Objective P progress: 0% → 70%
Sub-Objective Q progress: 60% → 80%
The vote was narrow, but it passed. Referral approved. Compliance Memo adopted.
Holt signed the minute, her pen moving with sharp, final strokes. Her gaze was winter. "See that your facts remain as tidy as your forms, Ms. Vance."
[Ding!]
Event: Board Vote — Referral & Reforms PASSED
Status:
- Survival Probability: 110% → 113% (Δ +3%)
Sub-Objectives P & Q — COMPLETE
An attempt was made to attach a personal censure to Elara. The counsel declined. "Actions were within warrant scope. No sanction."
[Ding!]
Event: Personal Censure — Declined
Status:
- Survival Probability: 113% → 114% (Δ +1%)
Sub-Objective R — COMPLETE
As the meeting broke, a radio call confirmed the mirror crate was under armed hold, the original secure.
A final, resonant chime echoed in her mind.
[Ding!]
Event: Main Objective — Freeport Swap Prevented — COMPLETED
Status:
- Survival Probability: 114% → 118% (Δ +4%)
Note: World Exit Pending…
Rowan's shoulder brushed hers as they turned to leave. "You held the line," he murmured, the words for her alone.
"So did you," she replied.
The world began to dissolve. The storm-lit boardroom smeared into streaks of silver and glass. A new sensory input whispered—the scent of rain on stone, the weight of velvet, the echo of a distant string quartet. The transfer hummed to life.