Yan Sun sucks in her lips slightly and offers a faint shake of her head. "I... I can't do that, Jessica. I have to go." She reaches out to clasp Jessica's hand, giving it a squeeze as she meets her gaze, flashing a brief, unsteady smile. "Come with me?" she asks quietly, a hint of desperation in her eyes.
#SunTower – February 15, 2026
Jessica frowns as her retreat is halted, gaze once more looking over the man beside Yan Sun, as if this is his fault, but the squeeze on her hand brings her attention back to the woman gripping it. She swallows, offering a small nod. "Mm... of course..." she hums quietly. There's questions behind her eyes but they're left unvoiced given the present company.
Yan Sun once again flashes that same, unsteady smile and nods, keeping hold of Jessica's hand as she looks to Mr. Wong, who seems to take that as his cue, leading the way down the corridor towards the parking garage. Yan Sun follows in uneasy silence. They pass by a trio of cops on the way, one of them the woman that Jessica headbutted - Yeung, by the sound of the conversation that was overheard earlier. She has wads of tissue paper stuck up
Jessica gives Yan Sun's hand a squeeze, following along beside her. Despite the uneasiness, the sight of Yeung seems to prop up her mood and she's unable to suppress a grin. She nudges Yan Sun, gesturing to the cop with a nod of her head, making not attempt to be covert about it. "This is the dumb bitch that shocked us." she announces without the slightest concern about being overheard. She makes eye contact with the wounded officer and
lifts a hand, giving the trio a smug little wave with her fingers that she then flips around into the bird as they pass.
Officer sneers and shifts slightly, but one of the others puts his hand on her shoulder and gives her a cautioning look. They remain silent as they pass.
Wong leads the way out into the parking garage, where a sleek white luxury skycar waits, the doors smoothly sliding open with a quiet hiss as they approach. He stops by the vehicle, turning and waiting for the two of them to take their seats.
Yan Sun rounds the skycar to take the far rear seat, leaving the closer one to Jessica. The interior of the shuttle is mostly light grays, with metallic black accents and glowing white lines embedded along the edges of the seats and windowframes. The seats are spacious and comfortable, separated from each other by a table with a storage compartment and what looks like two zero depth drink holders with a metallic sheen to them. An opaque
Jessica snickers to herself as Yeung is halted by her coworkers, seeming pleased with herself. It's enough to put a little extra pep in her step as they make their way out to the parking garage. She comes to a stop just outside of the car, uncertainty re-entering her features as she shoots a glance Yan Sun's way. Her partner's lack of hesitation on entering the vehicle serves as some reassurance but she still bides her time, taking a
Mr. Wong returns Jessica's look, unfazed as he waits patiently. Once she's seated he goes to sit up front, and the doors close on their own, sealing them in. In front of them, the glass lights up with a circle of light, glowing white contrasting against the dark surface. A crisp, androgynous synthetic voice speaks. "User identified. Welcome back, Miss Sun. Loading preferences..." it says as her seat starts to adjust its height and angle
automatically. "New user detected," it soon adds. Creating guest profile and performing automated adjustment..." Jessica's seat too starts to move after a moment, shifting for optimal comfort given her dimensions.
Jessica's gaze scans across the interior of the vehicle. Once the voice speaks, she lets out a snort. "Miss Sun." she drawls mockingly. When Yan Sun's seat shifts and adjusts, she watches with a mix of confusion and annoying amusement. Amusement that is quickly wiped away when her own seat begins moving on its own, causing her hand to shoot out to grip the edge of the table between them. "Is-... gah! Is fine! Stop!" she growls at the
The seat immediately stops moving. "Of course. If you would like to manually adjust your settings, please use the interface in front of you." A white haptic interface flickers to life on Jessica's side of the halo of light in the center of the glass divider. Said circle appears to pulse whenever the voice speaks.
Yan Sun barely reacts to Jessica's baffled amusement, a distant, distracted look on her face, but her startled reaction does make her look over, a hint of a grin tugging at one corner of her mouth. "We're fine, Huan, thank you," she assures the disembodied voice as the shuttle engine comes to life with a faint, even hum.
Jessica continues to look around the interior with growing distaste as the shuttle begins to stir. So this is how the other side lives. It's a wild juxtaposition to Kirill's hulking, beat to hell truck. Strange to consider that it was only a couple weeks ago that they were living in its cramped quarters on a journey across Aite. She reaches out, giving the interface a few idle pokes. Each time her seat whirrs and shifts in response, her
frown deepens. Kirill's truck never would've had the audacity to move her seat. With a deep sigh she slumps back against her seat, arms folding across her torso defensively. She tilts her head Yan Sun's way. "Why we are doing this, kitty cat?" she asks, the first hint of exhaustion settling into her tone from the long night they've had.
The luxury shuttle exits the parking garage and ascends into the sky with a subtle ramping up of the quiet hum. While it's still dark out, it seems that the weather has shifted during their time in the PubSec station, the rhythmic smattering of raindrops against the sweeping windshield-slash-glass roof of the vehicle joining the sounds of the engine. The skycar quickly leaves the buildings of central Kowloon behind, emerging into the open air
over the harbor on a path straight towards the Central Business District on Hong Kong Island, and more specifically toward the top of the sleek glass-and-steel spire that is the SunTech building.
Yan Sun too slumps against her seat, her own exhaustion plain to see, but there's a tension to her that can't be shaken off. She looks over to Jessica and sighs. "They got us out of there. Got the charges dropped. If this is the price for that... let's just get it over with, okay?" She swallows. There's more there, confusion in her eyes, mixing with other, complicated emotions. Attempts to think clearly impeded by fatigue and lingering
Jessica's gaze remains fixed on Yan Sun. It looks like she wants to argue, but she just doesn't have the energy right now. Menacing is hard work. "Fine." she sighs. "But if they are being fucks, then we are leaving." she says, as if making an executive decision.
Yan Sun snorts, the corner of her mouth tugging upward briefly. She looks like she might have something to say, but no words come, and instead she turns her gaze outward, watching Sun Tower grow closer in front of them. Her leg starts to bounce restlessly, right hand tugging at the seam of her jeans, her disquiet only growing the closer they get.
Jessica continues to study Yan Sun, her nerves plain as day to see. Frown lingering, Jessica slips her arm across the table separating them, hand silently seeking out Yan Sun's.
Yan Sun stills abruptly when she feels Jessica's hand on her own, eyes leaving their ever-closing destination to glance her way. She shifts her hand to clasp Jessica's in turn, giving it a squeeze, an appreciative look on her face as she draws a deep breath, trying to compose herself.
The top of Sun Tower soon comes into view beneath them, a substantial portion of it taken up by a landing pad, along with a garage structure, a separate, smaller structure with a door, and a plethora of antennas, satellite dishes, HVAC components, mass effect field generators, and various other high-tech instruments. On two sides, the roof is smaller to make room for the massive open-air balcony below, a leisure area covered in lush greenery,
including full-sized trees, with a pool, a bar, and two elevated, roomy decks. The rainfall reveals the telltale shimmer of a rounded kinetic barrier that must, at least in part, be shielding the balcony from the elements.
Jessica returns the gesture, interlocking her fingers with Yan Sun's. But as they near their destination her attention shifts to Sun Tower. What is it with rich fucks and tall buildings?
The skycar gently sets down on the spacious landing pad, the door opening to the rain outside. The sky seems more dark gray than black, maybe dawn is approaching, but it's hard to tell with the clouds that must have rolled in given the weather.
Yan Sun lets out a nervous breath, staring at the door of the entrance structure at the edge of the landing pad. "This is so weird..." she mumbles.
Jessica's frown lingers as they approach Sun Tower, the brazen display of wealth clearly not landing well with her. Same story, different planet. All these credits in the pocket of one person while people back home are struggling for scraps. She keeps her thoughts to herself for now, Yan Sun's words drawing her attention back. "We will not be here long, kitty cat..." she says, a reminder that this is in her hands and she can walk out
Yan Sun offers Jessica a thankful nod. "Let's go," she says before leaving the shuttle, quickly crossing the short distance to the doorway, which opens as they approach, admitting them into a stairwell going down.
Jessica gives a single nod, releasing Yan Sun's hand before slipping out of the shuttle and following her over towards the stairwell. An awkward silence settles in as she finds herself unsure of what to say. 'Comforting' is not exactly her strong suit and, if it were up to her, they would've just given 'Mr. Wong' the finger and went home. So for now, she simply follows alongside Yan Sun.
Yan Sun descends the stairwell in silence. It takes them to a landing with another door, where she stops, although the stairs appear to continue further down into the building. She stops here, rolling her shoulders, back straight as her weight shifts and she draws a deep breath. Her right hand reaches out, hovering hesitantly just above the door-opening interface. Every inch of her is oozing unease, but the sound of the shuttle being taken
Jessica continues to follow behind Yan Sun. She briefly casts a curious glance further down the stairwell before joining her partner at the door and leaning against the wall beside it. She folds her arms across her chest. "...What you are afraid of? Mm?" she asks as Yan Sun hesitates.
Yan Sun lets out a sigh, looking to her side at Jessica. "I haven't spoken to either of them since-... since they disowned me. I don't understand why they did this. Why they want to see me now. I-..." she falls silent and shakes her head, gaze locked on the door-opening button.
Jessica's shoulders rise and fall in a lazy shrug, frown remaining. "Does it matter? Is only important that you want to see them, yes? If you don't like what they are saying?" Another shrug. "Then we go, yes?" She studies Yan Sun for a moment, smile tugging at the edge of her mouth. "And what did I say about being a little bitch? Mm?" she asks, gaze remaining fixed on Yan Sun as she reaches out across the door to press the button
Yan Sun nods faintly as Jessica speaks, but her eyes go wide when she presses the button for her, going stiff as the door slides open.
The stairwell door opens to a spacious antechamber with polished hardwood floor partially covered by a patterned dark gray carpet. The walls are a pristine white, one side decorated with a several meter wide abstract painting, underneath which sits a padded bench. Along the other wall is an elaborate water-feature made of randomly spaced rectangles between which miniature waterfalls cascade, as well as a floor-height, gravel-filled planter from
which grows lush stalks of bamboo. The opposite end of the room leads to a corridor that heads off to both sides. Next to the stairway door are the doors to an elevator. In the middle of the room stands a fit-looking, middle-aged man of average height. His short, salt-and-pepper hair is neatly styled, and he’s dressed in a crisp, dark gray suit, but there’s something haggard about his appearance. In his posture, and in the dark shadows under
Yan Sun 's gaze immediately snaps to the man in the center of the room. Sau Sun. The CEO of SunTech. Her father. Her now-panicked gaze darts to Jessica one last time before going back to him, and she takes a few hesitant steps inside, a wary look on her face, body tense like she's prepared for a fight. She doesn't have time to say anything before the man in front of them rapidly crosses the distance to Yan Sun and wraps her up in a sudden,
Jessica follows Yan Sun inside, arms once more folding across her chest. At first, the man doesn't really garner much interest from her. As far as she's concerned it's just another employee. A butler or a really well-dressed gardener for what seems to be another obsession of the wealthy: Making inside look like it's outside. She only gets a step into the room before she's able to mentally check that off of her 'rich person Bingo' card
and makes a displeased sound as she looks over the bamboo stalks and waterfalls with a roll of her eyes, grimace on her face. She matches Yan Sun's slow gait though she puts far more effort in looking confident, out of spite if nothing else. What, should she be impressed by gaudy art and expensive... rectangles?! Why are there rectangles? Rectangles are the lamest shape. Just be a square, bitch. Her frown deepens. And then, she
comes to an abrupt stop a few paces after Yan Sun does, confusion taking hold as she watches the well-dressed gardener shift into a powerful CEO right before her very eyes.
Yan Sun looks absolutely baffled, frozen in place as her father hugs her. She makes no effort to return the gesture, but she doesn't try to escape it either. It is plain to see that this is most definitely not the reception she expected, and she has no idea how to react. "Father...?" she manages, voice quiet and confused.
Sau maintains his embrace of his daughter, Jessica's presence barely seeming to register to him right now.
Jessica looks quite out of place, merely lingering nearby. She watches the pair, trying to gauge whatever is going on in Yan Sun's head as awkwardness begins to settle in.
Sau finally pulls back, looking Yan Sun over with an intense gaze. His hand touches her left arm briefly. "Are you well? Should I call for a technician?"
Yan Sun still looks stunned, totally at a loss on how to behave or what to say, but she manages to shake her head. She doesn't need someone else poking around in her cybernetics.
Sau scowls. "Reckless PubSec fools, I will make sure they don't work another day," he snaps, before his gaze falls on Jessica, her presence finally seeming to register. He straightens up, composing himself a bit. He looks her over, expression hard to read, but he almost seems distracted, as if he's barely paying attention to her even when looking at her directly. "You must be my daughter's... friend." He extends a hand for her to shake.
Jessica continues to be an awkward spectator. Sau's comment on PubSec draws a raise of her brow, suddenly unsure of her own feelings. On the one hand, just a rich fuck throwing his power around. On the other? Get fucked, PubSec. This one is going to have to go in the 'undecided' column. But when he turns his focus to her, she shifts her weight, head tilting slightly in a challenge while he looks her over. She in turn does the same, lip
curling a bit in a silent declaration of 'you ain't shit'. His words draw a hard glare from her and her gaze dips down to his offered hand, studying it for a moment as if to make sure it's clean. Wouldn't want to get 'rich' all over her hand. After a moment she relents, letting out a breath and taking his hand with a roll of her eyes and a grunt of affirmation.
Sau shakes Jessica's hand, eyebrows furrowing at her obvious hostility, but before he can say something else Yan Sun interrupts.
Yan Sun frowns slightly as her gaze sweeps across the entrance hall, a prickling unease at the back of her mind. "...where's Mom?"
Sau 's attention immediately leaves Jessica, a pained look on his face as his eyes close. He lets out a heavy breath that seems to deflate his entire being, and turns to face his daughter. "Yan... your mother, she... she is dead," he announces, voice quiet, somber.
Yan Sun flinches like she's been struck, staggering half a step back. Disbelieving confusion fills her face as she looks at her father without comprehension, as if he just said something ridiculous. The incredulous "Wh-... what?" that slips out is almost a scoff, almost a laugh, but there's a buried undercurrent of dread that keeps it from being either.