Spies, Coffee, and Secrets

About a year ago, Sally’s favorite remote work location closed. It was a coffeehouse during the day, and a beer bar at night. She took her laptop there with her at least twice a week, sipping a cinnamon latté while classic rock played. The atmosphere was dimly-lit, perfect for

secret rendezvous with her clients who all came in with darting nervous glances around the place. They would draw up a chair in front of the table and cross-check her with her alias, call name, and favorite type of leaf. Once their caution was down, Sally took the chance and hit

the space bar on her keyboard. Immediately, the lights went out and a three-dimensional projection appeared behind Sally. Everyone in the room stared, eyes transfixed on the strobing visualizations. Without anyone noticing, Sally snuck out of the room. She had what she wanted.

The USB cube in her pocket felt warm to the touch. Sally chuckled, thinking of the hot data it contained. She could sell it for a great price if she could get it to Night City. There was just one problem.

I’m pretty sure I’m being watched. Homeland Security? FBI? I don’t know but someone wants to make sure they don’t lose sight of the cube. It’s contents will change the world. Of course how it will depends on who has it in their possession.

That night the cube disappeared- rumored to be the work of the Troll Brigade (a little known intelligence service). They opened the cube in a controlled environment, gradually releasing the truth serum across the world. Never again would polite society function in the same way.