Saavi glanced over her shoulder as Aarav opened the door to the lab. One bushy eyebrow raised and lips firmly shut, he was giving nothing of his mood away.

“I assume we can skip the movement trials, then?”

Saavi smiled, “How did I look?”

Aarav held up his phone, showing a video of a brightly lit figure striding up the side of a building. He sighed, slipping it back into his pocket. “Wonderful. But, of course, had we miscalculated the size of the fibres on the gloves and shoes, or overestimated their material compatibility-”

“Aarav, you worry too much,” Saavi said, spreading her arms, “I’m fine. And if the suit had failed… well, I’m sure I would have found some way to deal with the situation.”

“It’s exactly that narcissism that worries me,” he said, though he was smiling now.

“It’s not narcissism. It’s faith.”

“You renounced any sort of faith years ago.”

“Except for faith in myself.”

Aarav nodded, gesturing towards the door, “I’ll run the trials on integrity. Your phone has been going off all morning.”

“Oh,” Saavi stepped off the podium, “it must be Edam.”

“Edam, hm? What do you think of him?”

Saavi raised her eyebrows, “He’s alright. Good company.” She left the room before he could reply. Giving romantic advice was one of Aarav’s favourite pastimes, though it was lost on her. She hadn’t been in any relationships that lasted more than a few weeks. Probably best it remained that way.

In her room, she picked up her phone just as it started to ring again.

“Hello? Saavi?”

“Good morning.”

“That’s… you in that video isn’t it?”

“I don’t know, you tell me.” Edam sighed at that, making her laugh, “Of course it’s me. Wouldn’t be Aarav out in that suit, would it?”

“You’ve got a point. Well… how was it?”

“Amazing,” she said, running over her memories of last night once again, “I’m looking forward to going out tonight again.”

“Aren’t you being a little too relaxed with this suit?”

“Of course not. I have business tonight.”

“Business with?”

“Bevan Bonner.”

“Is he…”

“Yes. The man who was in charge of my parent’s case. He’s been promoted to Inspector. Moved to one of the nicer parts of the city.”

“And your plan is… what, exactly?”

“I’ll figure something out.”

The line was silent for a moment. In her mind, she could see him nod, his eyes cloudy as he thought it over. Next, he would say something about being careful and not doing anything stupid. In the end, she would do whatever came to mind, but it was nice to hear his concern.

“Uh, Saavi? I know this is important to you, but does it have to be tonight? I’m going out with some friends and… well, I thought that maybe you might like to come along.”

“Oh,” was all Saavi managed to get out. Out of all the things she had expected him to say, that was not one of them. Far from it. Whenever they’d met up before it had just been the two of them. Most people were unwilling to climb a building.

“Obviously, you don’t have to, it’s just-”

“Around what time?”

“What? Oh, like eight or nine.”

“Where to?”

“I’m not sure, some club, I think?”

“I see,” Saavi chewed it over. “okay. Text me the details when you can. I’ll be there.”

She hung up, sighing. Now she had to deal with a much more annoying problem. Despite their many talents, both she and Aarav were hopeless when it came to fashion. What would she wear?

*

The glass was cold against her back.

People dressed in bright, flaming colours chatted incessantly as they passed her, filing into the nightclub. She crossed her arms tighter, scanning the crowd of people filing into the nightclub. Above her, four neon letters spelled one word: GLOW. She checked her phone just as a sleek, expensive car pulled up at the kerb.

The passenger door opened. To her surprise, Edam stepped out, wearing a wrinkled shirt and faded trousers. Next to him, was a girl in high heels and a dress that covered less than it concealed. And next to her was a man in an all-black suit and a white tie. He was the first to see her. Their eyes met - his gaze somehow bored and intense at the same time. He said something to Edam, who also turned to her.

Saavi uncrossed her arms, hesitating for a moment. Then she made her way over to them, putting on a smile, “Hey.”

“Hey.” Edam said, “Nice outfit.”

Saavi looked down at her simple white top and black leggings, “Yeah…”

“Did you wait long?”

“Oh no, I just got here.”

She turned her gaze to the girl and the other guy, and Edam rushed to introduce them.

“Saavi, this is Alana. Alana, Saavi.” They exchanged smiles, “And this is Titus.”

“But you can call me Ty,” he shrugged, “most people do.”

A third man stepped between them, “And I’m Marcus.” he said, flashing her a smile, “But you can call me Mark.”

“Are we gonna go inside or not?” Alana said, taking the lead.

“Yeah, yeah,” Edam said, “careful how much you drink this time.”

“I definitely don’t want to carry her back to the car,” Ty said, sighing. Saavi fell back with Mark, following the three of them. She had never met Edam’s uni friends before, and somehow she hadn’t expected them to be so… vivid. In her mind they had been paper cut-outs, placeholders. She had believed she was the only interesting person in his life. But now, seeing him with them, he looked happy. He cared about these people. Most likely they cared about him. So why did he always seem so isolated?

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“So, uh, where did you and Edam meet?” Mark started, pulling her out of her thoughts, “Are you two, like, into each other?”

“We met at the university.”

“I’ve never seen you around campus.”

“I’m doing engineering, so-”

“Ah, yeah, engineering. Nice. I’m doing medicine.”

“Nice.”

They entered the club one by one. Past the bouncer, and through another door, and the music hit them. Loud, heavy, and blaring from all directions. Nothing she recognised or cared for. Large groups of people swayed to the beat under colourful flashing lights - holograms of professional dancers flashed around the room. They made for the bar first.

“Drinks on me, as long as no one offers me a glass,” Ty said, taking a seat with his back to the counter. He handed some money over to Edam, who ordered the drinks.

“You getting anything?” Edam asked her. She shook her head,

“I’m fine, thanks.”

“Aw, you don’t drink, Sa-vee?” Mark said.

“Saa-vee. And no.”

“Ooh, you’re just like Ty!” Alana said, as if this was the best news she’d received in a long time, “he doesn’t drink either.” she put one arm around his neck, “You wouldn’t think so from his brooding, dark eyes, but it’s true!”

Edam sipped his Martini sheepishly, “Why aren’t you getting anything, Mark?”

He grinned, “I’m taking care of my liver.”

Ty scoffed, “Your liver’s probably died and come back to life in the past month alone.”

“Aw, that’s cute, Mark.” Alana said, leaning on the counter. She gave him a wink, before downing her glass. “So, Saavi. Are you that crazy girl taking Edam on dangerous adventures?”

Saavi laughed, exchanging a glance with Edam. “Probably.”

“What do you mean crazy?” Mark asked.

Ty tipped a glass of water towards them, “You haven’t heard? These two have been climbing skyscrapers.”

“Like actually climbing or…”

“Climbing. Bare-handed.”

Mark’s jaw dropped. Saavi hastened to change the subject, but Edam got there first.

“Anyway, Ty, Alana, how’s the charity work nowadays?”

“Amazing,” Alana said, blushing already, “those last two fundraisers were a hit! And in terms of the protests, well, they’re also-”

“Not getting enough attention,” Ty said, giving Alana’s drink a firm glance. She only grinned and downed it. “I haven’t seen anything on the news. And that last rally had to be at least five-thousand.”

“Oh come on, Ty, you did well enough! Screw the news!”

“Yeah,” Edam smiled, finishing his drink, “I think it’s awesome.”

“What was the rally for?” Saavi asked, turning to Ty. His gaze was intense.

He scoffed, “Everything. The cuts to funding in everything.”

“Hmm… do you think they really make a difference?”

For a moment, his brow was furrowed, but then he relaxed, “Sure. I think things are on the way to getting better.”

“Thanks to you.” Alana said.

“And a million others.”

“True, but you should relax now and then.” she offered him her glass, “maybe have a drink?”

Ty stood up, straightening his jacket, “If I’m really going to relax, maybe we should go somewhere quieter?”

“Aw, aren’t we gonna dance?” Mark suggested, his eyes on Saavi.

“I’m with Ty,” Edam said, “your vote, Alana.”

Alana giggled, hiccuping, “I think for my own sake we should get out of here.”

They made their way out of the club and back into the night. Saavi lingered behind them, checking the time. Edam turned, “You coming?”

It was now 10PM, and it would take her a while to get back home. And then towards the city centre, where Bevan lived, would take about an hour. “I’ll think I’ll head back.”

“Aw, really?” Mark said.

“Sorry. Thanks everyone.” Saavi smiled, heading for the train station.

“Bye! We should hang out again!”

Somehow, she thought she could feel Ty’s gaze on her back, but she didn’t turn around to check.

After all, it was time to get down to business.

*

By the time the front door opened, Saavi’s eyes were used to the dark. Bevan Bonner, a stout man in a coat, froze as he noticed her. And then he relaxed, as if he was too tired to be afraid. Even though there was an armoured machine sitting in his living room.

“Don’t worry. No harm will come to you, as long as you do as I say.” she said, “Take a seat.”

Bonner did so, and she didn’t even have to threaten him. Good. Under the armour, she was damp with sweat. Once she’d discovered that Bonner wasn’t home, she had decided to lie in wait for him in the living room. Unfortunately, he had taken no less than two hours to show up, and now she was sweaty, impatient, and tired. She hadn’t even been able to take the mask off, in case he arrived at that exact moment.

“You’ve been in charge of many cases over the course of your career, haven’t you, Inspector?”

“Obviously.”

“Ever dealt with arson?”

Bonner sighed, “What do you think?”

“I’m asking the questions here!”

“My apologies.”

Saavi got to her feet, “The fire at the Varma household. Sixteen years ago. Do you remember?”

“Vaguely. Poor girl.”

Saavi steeled herself, “What happened that night?”

“It was declared a house fire. But there was one suspect.”

“Who?”

Bonner hesitated. He wet his lips. For the first time that night, he showed fear. “I can’t say.”

Saavi stepped closer to him, her shadow looming over him, “Give me a name.”

“I can’t.” Bonner said, as he hung his head, “Do you work for him? Are you trying to trick me?”

“I work for myself. Give me the name.”

“You’re not one of Hyperion’s goons?”

Hyperion? Saavi was sure she had never heard the name before, and yet it seemed familiar. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said, and she held up her phone, “send the police file to this email address. Can you do that?”

“Do I have a choice?”

Saavi smiled under the helmet, “No. I suppose you don’t.”

“I’ll have to look through the files, it’s an old case-”

“Get it done by 2AM. You have half an hour.” she turned to leave, glancing at him over her shoulder, “and if you don’t, I’ll do much worse than this Hyperion could ever do.”

Bonner cracked a nervous smile, “I doubt that. But I’ll send the file.”

“Good.”

She gave him one last look, then scrambled out the window she had entered from and climbed up to the roof. Hyperion…

Where had she heard the name?

*

She was on her way home when her phone pinged in the small compartment she had saved for it in her suit. She sat on the edge of a skyscraper, swinging her legs as she skimmed the file, helmet beside her.

For some time, arson was suspected. Detective Bonner interviewed a suspect, Jun Bloom, but found no incriminating evidence. No other suspects were interviewed.

Jun Bloom. That was the name she’d been looking for all this time.

She got to her feet, pacing as she called Edam. He picked up after four rings, his voice muffled by the sound of music and laughter.

“Hey, Saavi?”

“Listen, have you ever hacked into a police database?”

“What? Who do you think I am?”

“Well, I have a job for you.”

“I’m starting to hate those words,” the music faded out before it was cut off abruptly, and his voice became much clearer “I’m still with the others, but I can buy some time in the bathroom. What do you need?”

“Run a search on this name. Jun Bloom. J-U-N.”

Edam sighed, “You got it.” A few minutes later, he asked, “Uh, you still there?”

“Yes. What did you find?”

“I’m not… sure. This is insane. Jun Bloom’s been mentioned a total of 359 times in various police reports. Murder, arson, robbery - it’s all here. Oldest mention was twenty years ago, newest is about fourteen. And then… nothing. You get all that?”

“Yes…” she said, gripping her phone tighter. Just who was this man she was dealing with? Maybe he was a puppet like Bonner had mentioned… a goon for Hyperion. She put on her helmet, “Find out everything you can about him. Any mention of him in any database.”

“Saavi, are you-”

“I need to find him, Edam. I have to.”

“I get you. I’m on it.”

“Thank you,” she said, before hanging up. She looked out over the city, all bright and brilliant and colourful. Almost perfect, but home to mass murderers and thieves. Cruel people. People like Jun Bloom, and this… Hyperion. For the first time, Saavi wondered:

Just how deep does this rabbit hole go?