A clock—
Ticked.
At set intervals.
A glass—
Condensated.
Resting on the wooden surface.
Marco sat at his desk.
He reached for a rolled up document.
The map of Maker's City spread across his desktop.
His hand pulled open a drawer, removing the numbered pieces.
Marco began placing the pieces in their rightful places.
The air—
Shifted.
Around the Ⅲ piece.
The third number—
Fell.
On its side.
Resting next to the fifth.
Marco's eyes—
Twitched.
He exhaled, continuing to place the remaining pieces.
His door—
Opened.
Without his instruction.
Heels—
Clicked on the floor.
Moving towards his desk.
Marco's attention—
Held.
On the map.
The clicking—
Halted.
The woman sat on top of the map, facing away from Marco.
One leg crossed over the other.
Her eyes—
Shifted.
Looking down at him.
Marco rubbed his temple.
"What do you want…"
His eyes turned up.
"…Selena?"
Selena adjusted her black-and-gold lab coat.
"His mission…"
She reached for the Ⅲ piece.
Her fingers—
Twisted.
Moving it between them.
"…has been completed."
Marcos' face tightened.
"The north was compromised…"
He tapped on the map.
"…the east might be next."
Selena's hand lowered, laying the piece down.
"The train provided the perfect stage."
Marcos' eyes narrowed.
"…What do you mean?"
Selena's palm—
Rested on the map.
It covered the station to the east.
"He began its completion."
Marcos' head shook.
Nonsense.
He reached for his glass.
"The east needs to be watched."
Selena placed her hand in her pocket.
"I will see it through to the end."
Ice shifted in the glass.
Marco leaned back.
"Are you going then?"
Selena smirked, getting down from the desk.
"The east…"
She headed for the door, never turning towards Marco.
"…will provide it."
The door closed behind her.
Marco's glass reached his lips.
That woman…
His chair turned, facing the window behind.
The glass—
Lowered.
The city—
Synchronized.
With the ticking clock.
…
Sunlight gleamed through the glass roof.
Workers pushed slabs of marble across the courtyard.
Warm food sat on the table.
Art and Jean reclined near the fountain.
Jean glanced at the flowing water.
"It's been a while since Arthur gave us a mission."
Art rested her head in her hand.
"It's almost strange."
Jean opened her hand towards her.
"How?"
Art exhaled.
"He's planning something."
Jean reached for her fork.
"That's true."
Art grabbed her drink.
"Still, it's nice…"
She looked around the courtyard.
"...to have this break."
Jean smiled softly.
"Yeah, you're right."
Their conversation—
Dissipated.
Eating filled the space around them.
Footsteps tapped on the marble floor.
The sound—
Stopped.
Close to them.
Grimm stood at the edge, rubbing his neck.
A plate met his other palm.
"Yo."
Art nodded.
Jean pointed to an empty seat.
"Join us."
Grimm sat across from Art.
"You know…"
He motioned towards the other end of the courtyard.
"...The quarry is a fun place."
Art's eyes twitched.
"For what?"
Grimm smiled.
"Training of course."
Jean placed her fork down.
"At least the training hall is safe."
Art covered her mouth.
"Yeah that's true."
Grimm lifted his fork, beginning to eat.
A buzz—
Interrupted.
Vibrating in Art and Jean's pockets.
They took out the communicators.
Their faces—
Tightened.
As they stood up from their seats.
Jean nodded, turning towards the hallway.
Grimm raised his hand.
A word—
Formed.
In his lungs.
Grimm sighed, lowering his hand.
Never mind.
He continued eating—
Alone.
Art and Jean headed towards the briefing room.