Chapter Three: The Deleted Sister

When the silver server truck burst into midday traffic, Lin Mo learned that Su Lan’s press card was real—and so was her gun. She pursued it in a broadcast van, overriding the autonomous driving controls with one hand. She moved like someone who had hijacked a road system before. “Who do you work for?” Lin asked. “Linhai Truth.” “Reporters do not carry Clocktower electromagnetic pistols.” She was silent for two seconds. “Former reporter. Current Clocktower field observer.” Lin was not surprised. Zero’s message surprised him more. “Her statement is true, but only sixty percent complete.” “The other forty?” “The Clocktower suspended her three months ago. The reason is sealed.” Su Lan glanced at his lenses. “Is it talking about me?”