What’s in the Bag?

Rina didn't break eye contact.

"ID."

The man hesitated barely a second but she caught it.

Then, with a forced smile, he handed it over.

She scanned the card. Name matched. Picture matched. But her gut still screamed.

Her eyes dropped to the duffle bag.

"What's in there?"

His fingers tensed on the strap.

"Just clothes… supplies… nothing crazy."

Wrong answer.

"Open it."

The man shifted, nervous. He unzipped it slowly too slowly like he was buying time.

Rina leaned in as he peeled it open.

Clothes. Bottled water. Cans of food.

Looked normal too normal.

But then tucked beneath a jacket

A glass vial. Red liquid.

Barely visible.

But her sharp eyes caught the faint, unnatural glow.

Her stomach tightened. Serum? Augment enhancers? Or worse combat stim?

Whatever it was it didn't belong here.

She reached in, holding the vial between her fingers, raising a brow.

"Seriously, man? You just came here to our city with this?"

The man paled.

"It's not what it looks like, I swear. It's just—"

Rina held up her hand.

"No excuses." She capped the vial, tucked it away, and zipped his bag.

Voice calm, but steel underneath.

"You're coming with me."

No fight. No struggle.

The man knew better.

Her team noticed eyes tracking as she led him toward the side tent for questioning.

But Rina's mind spun.

Red serum.

This was just the beginning.