Krista approached the grand facade of the Peacekeeper Eastern Headquarters, the Headquarter built in the section of the Satellite where she resided. Disguised as the Lieutenant, she strode confidently toward the massive gates. The guards nodded respectfully as she passed, not a hint of suspicion in their eyes. She suppressed a grin. So far, so good.
At her waist hung the Divine Relic, a nifty thing that she had scavenged from Lieutenant Graves’ remains. She barely had any Omen left, but if things went south, perhaps the Relic could serve as a makeshift weapon.
Hopefully it doesn't require a password or something, she mused. That’d be totally lame. Shame I haven't had a chance to test it out yet.
As she entered the building, Krista couldn't help but pause to take it all in. The headquarters towered above the city—a majestic skyscraper piercing the clouds, one of the four tallest structures in the entire Satellite. She'd heard whispers that the Peacekeepers lived here, but the reality exceeded all expectations.
The interior was a marvel of modern engineering, a fusion of elegance and cutting-edge technology. Holographic displays floated in the air, projecting maps and data streams. Sleek metallic surfaces reflected soft ambient lighting, and the air was scented with something fresh and invigorating. Transparent elevators zipped up and down the central atrium, their occupants gliding past lush indoor gardens suspended in mid-air.
Krista's eyes widened. This beats the slums by a mile, she thought, barely containing her glee. The thought of sleeping in a real bed, of tasting food that wasn't stale made her practically giddy. I bet they have actual bathrooms! She nearly skipped as she walked, the Lieutenant's cloak swishing around her.
Briefly, she wondered how Ken was faring in his cell. A pang of guilt surfaced, but she brushed it aside. He'll be fine. Jail food is probably better than what he's used to anyway. She smirked. Maybe they'll even give him a bed.
Reaching the front desk in the main lobby, she was greeted by a polished receptionist with immaculate hair and a warm smile. "Good afternoon, Lieutenant," the woman said. "How can I assist you?"
Krista cleared her throat, attempting to mimic the Lieutenant's gruff tone. "It's been a long day," she said, feigning fatigue. "My mind's a bit foggy. Could you remind me where my room is?"
"Of course, sir," the receptionist replied without hesitation. "You're on the 42nd floor, suite 4208." She tapped a sleek tablet, and a holographic keycard materialized in Krista's hand.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
"Thank you," Krista said, nodding curtly. Inside, she was practically buzzing. They really do live here. And it's like a luxury hotel! She couldn't believe her luck.
As she made her way to the elevator, she admired the opulence surrounding her. The hallways were lined with abstract art, and soft music played from unseen speakers. Stepping into the elevator, she watched the floors tick by rapidly. When the doors opened on the 42nd floor, she stepped out into a plush corridor carpeted in deep blue.
Finding suite 4208, she held up the holographic keycard. The door slid open silently, revealing a space that took her breath away.
The room was expansive, with floor-to-ceiling windows that allowed sunlight to stream in, casting a warm glow over the elegant furnishings. A king-sized bed dominated the center, piled high with plush pillows and a comforter that looked softer than anything she'd ever touched. The walls were adorned with tasteful artwork, and a crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, its light refracting into tiny rainbows.
"Wow," she whispered, stepping inside. The Lieutenant is surprisingly neat for a guy. She'd always assumed men were messy, but everything here was impeccably organized. She couldn't resist the temptation any longer and flopped onto the bed. The mattress was so soft she felt like she was floating. She giggled, rolling around and bouncing slightly. This is heaven!
After indulging in the bed's comforts, she explored further. The bathroom was equally luxurious. Marble countertops, a rainfall shower encased in glass, and a bathtub big enough to swim in. There were even fluffy robes and towels embroidered with the Peacekeeper insignia.
"I could get used to this," she said, admiring her reflection in the mirror. Can't wait to try out that tub. And real soap! Her stomach growled, reminding her of another perk. And food. Lots of food. The thought made her practically drool. I might never leave.
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Meanwhile, in the depths of the Peacekeeper detention center, built in the basement of the headquarters, Ken was unceremoniously shoved into a dimly lit cell. The door clanged shut behind him, the sound echoing ominously.
"Behave yourself," the guard sneered through the bars, a twisted grin on his face. "You've got quite the day ahead of you."
Ken swallowed hard. "What does that mean?" he asked, but the guard merely chuckled and walked away.
Left alone, Ken slumped against the cold stone wall. His mind raced with fear. Are they going to torture me? He felt a lump rise in his throat. Tears welled up in his eyes as he thought about his predicament.
"Damn you, Krista," he muttered, sucking in the mucus that had flowed from his nose. "I hope you choke on your fancy food. Or get food poisoning. Yeah, that'd serve you right."
How did I get mixed up in all this?
He sighed heavily, sinking down to sit on the hard cot. The cell was small and bare, probably much different than whatever lavish surroundings Krista was undoubtedly enjoying. The irony wasn't lost on him, and despite himself, he let out a bitter chuckle.
"Well, at least one of us is having fun," he said aloud, his voice echoing slightly in the empty space. "Lucky me."