The flickering neon sign of "The Hub" cast an angry red glow on Abby's face. Dust motes danced in the air, swirling like ghosts of their former glory. It had been months since their information business had been more than a whisper, a shadow of its former self. Months since the bounty hunters, the IID raid, the crippling fines, and the mass exodus of workers.

Scarlet, hair like spun copper, slammed a fist on the chipped Formica counter. "Another dead end, Abby? Another useless lead from that greasy troll in sector 3?"

Abby, her fingers drumming a nervous rhythm on the counter, met Scarlet's glare. "It's not my fault, Scarlet. Every contact, every data vault, it's locked down tighter than a two-bit thief."

"Locked down by who? By the IID? By the bounty hunters still sniffing around for that 'classified' file we never even had?" Scarlet's voice cracked, a raw edge to it. "We've been chasing dead ends for months, Abby. Dead ends that don’t lead to nowhere."

The tension in the room crackled like static. Abby stood, her back straight, defiance flickering in her eyes. "So, what do you want to do, Scarlet? Roll over and play dead? We built The Hub, brick by brick, and we're not letting some bureaucratic goons and trigger-happy mercs shut us down."

"I'm not saying that" Scarlet snarled, "but maybe we need to change tactics. Maybe we need to stop playing their game and make our own damn rules."

A beat of silence hung heavy in the air. Then, a slow smile crept across Abby's face. "Change tactics, huh? I like the sound of that. Remember that old data vault heist we planned before the whole world went sideways?"

Scarlet's eyes gleamed. "The one with the triple-layered security and the self-destructing AI guard?"

"The very one," Abby grinned. "Time to dust off the old blueprints, Scarlet. We're going to show them what it means to mess with The Hub."

Hawk sauntered through the dusty doorway, clapping his hands with a sharkish grin. The neon sign cast long shadows across his lean frame and shinning off the worn silver badge clipped to his worn leather jacket. The air crackled with the remnants of the heated exchange, tinged now with grudging curiosity.

Scarlet broke the silence, her voice dripping with sardonic venom. "Well, if it isn't the prodigal son returned from whatever gutter he's been wallowing in. Come to gloat over our misery, Hawk?"

Abby mirrored the sentiment, her gaze sharp as a razor's edge. "Don't tell me your nose finally sniffed out a decent tip for once, or did you just get lost on your way to the nearest gambling den?"

Hawk threw his head back and laughed, a harsh, barking sound that echoed through the office. "Sharp as ever, I see. Still got that fire in your bellies, even if The Hub's gone cold." He paused, letting the sting of his words linger before dropping his secret. "But what if I told you there's a way to rekindle that flame? A way to get your precious data hub back in business, bigger and better than ever?"

A flicker of curiosity ignited in Scarlet's eyes. "Don't play us, Hawk. We're not in the mood for your empty promises."

"No promises, darlings," Hawk leaned in, his voice a conspiratorial whisper. "Just a little game. A high-stakes gamble that puts you right back in the spotlight." He spread his hands, revealing a battered data pad. "The IID headquarters," he grinned, "and guess what's locked away in their networks? Every encrypted data file, every incriminating leak, and even secrets that will bring down certain individuals."

The room seemed to shrink, the air thrumming with possibility. The fire in Abby's eyes flared hotter, a dangerous heat that mirrored the anger still dancing on Scarlet's tongue. "Breaking into the IID's lair? Are you out of your damn mind, Hawk?"

"Yes. You can say that Abby," he winked. "Think of it. One audacious heist, one juicy leak to the right person, and The Hub would be back on top, richer than ever. The IID would chase their tails for years, and the whole underworld would owe you a debt the size of Jupiter."

Scarlet took the data pad from Hawk and looked at the information he had on it. Scarlet's eyes widened as she scrolled through the data on the date pad Hawk had handed her. Floor plans for the IID headquarters, profiles of top officials, encryption keys - this was highly sensitive intel. She looked up at Hawk sharply.

"What the hell is this, Hawk? These are internal IID documents. Core AI Center intelligence even. How did you get this?"

Hawk held up a hand. "Easy now. I know it looks bad-"

"Bad?" Abby cut in. "This goes way beyond bad. Do you have any idea how deep we'd be if we got caught with this kind of info?"

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"Let me explain," Hawk said. "Powerful people want access to what's inside IID. I'm just the messenger."

Scarlet shook her head in disbelief. "You want us to break into IID headquarters for this? Are you insane?"

"It's a risky job, sure," Hawk conceded. "But the payoff would set you up for life. And get your business back."

Scarlet shot back at Hawk comment. “Abby and I would be set up for light alright. More like getting life in prison.”

"Forget it," Abby said, her voice firm. "There's no way we're getting involved in spy games and stealing classified intel."

Scarlet nodded angrily. "Take your suicide mission and get out, Hawk. We want no part of this."

Hawk sighed and stood up. "I had a feeling you might say that. But think about it at least. The offers on the table if you change your mind."

After he left, Scarlet deleted the files from the date pad. "Can you believe the nerve of him? Like we'd ever do something so stupid and dangerous."

Abby just shook her head, relieved they'd avoided getting sucked into Hawk's reckless scheme. For a moment the girls stood there looking at the data pad. Abby pacing back and forth and tapping the side of her left leg brainstorming and thinking about what Hawk had offered them.

“Abby, please telling me you’re not thinking about doing that mission.?” Scarlet asked Abby in a concerned voice.

Abby looked at the data pad and said to Scarlet. “What else do we have?” Looking up at Scarlet. “We can’t approach anyone that might be possible clients, let along clients that are looking for hire help. We have no other choice or options.”

Scarlet takes a big sigh. “Fine. Let’s get to planning this stupid gig and get it over with.”

For the next hour Abby and Scarlet begin making plans for there daring heist that Hawk presented to them. Scarlet accesses a fail-safe on that data pad that hawk left and brought up the information she tried to erase. The girls looked over the encrypted information on the data pad and studied the IID building layout. They talked about what was the best option to move about on the inside.

Hawk came back to see if the girls had changed their minds about the job offer, he told them about. He finds them talking about it and making plans. “I see you both decide to take me up on my offer.” Hawk said to the girls.

Abby and Scarlet fell silent as they surveyed their dilapidated office space, remembering fonder times. Scarlet sighed. "We're going to need help to dig ourselves out of this hole. Aura's skills could give us an edge."

Abby her voice echoing in the office. "She's at the IID, waiting for her sentencing hearing."

“What about Lori, Alex, and Max? They have high price bounties on their heads and are in hiding.” Scarlet mention.

Hawk leaned forward, offering a word of caution. "Don't mess with those high bounties." He warned. "We don't want the attention of the mercenary assassin. But there's a way to get Aura out of lock-up."

He slid two holographic ID cards across the table. "These will get you into any part of IID building. Find Aura's file, change her status from detained to released. Leave the rest to me."

The girls shared a look. This was risky, but doable. And having Aura's expertise would significantly help their chances of success.

"Alright Hawk, we're in," Scarlet said, pocketing the cards. "But this better not be a double cross."

Hawk put his hands up innocently. "Wouldn't dream of it. Just get Aura out and we'll all get what we want."

"Casual," Hawk continued, his voice low. "No weapons, no noise, stick together, dressed casual, and pack your backpacks lightly, only take what tools you will need.”

Sneaking into the heavily guarded IID headquarters made them nervous, but determination propelled them forward. Casually dressed and weaponless as instructed.

Hawk leaves the office after instructing the girls. Abby and Scarlet gather the tools they will need for the job, put them in their backpack, changed their clothing to something more business casual, and left their office to do the IID heist.