Thomas was just about to close the menu when a voice cut through the low hum of the crowd, sharp and magnetic.
"...There was an attack that just happened in my sector. It's new, but the hit was precise. They gutted my SA branch and looted the vault entirely."
Thomas froze. The words were a hook that snagged his attention instantly. He closed the holographic interface and stood from his throne. With a slow, deliberate stride, he navigated through the groups of drinkers. People stepped aside, their foggy forms shimmering with a mix of awe and trepidation as the "Joker" walked among them.
He approached the woman who had spoken. Her silhouette was lithe and feminine, her voice carrying a rhythmic cadence that suggested someone used to giving orders. He pulled up a stool beside her at the bar, signalling his interest without saying a word.
"Oh? What happened?" Thomas asked, his voice a low, resonant baritone that seemed to dampen the noise of the surrounding conversations.
