Chapter One: After the Retirement Bell

“You take the debts, the league license, and the unpaid salaries. Symbolic sale price: one coin.” “What isn’t in the contract?” Lu asked. “Registration for the City Challenge League closes in three days. Minimum eight players. We can reach two.” Lu signed and pushed a coin across the table. [Initial Mission complete.] Warmth rushed from his spine into the back of his skull. He caught a key ring falling behind him so quickly that even he froze in surprise. Then a blue scan overlaid his chest. [Cardiac structure: normal.] [Anomaly source: Residual microdoses of a neural suppressant creating false arrhythmia readings. Most recent ingestion: approximately ninety-seven days ago.] Lu’s fingers slowly closed.