Alone

Catherine was her professional name; nickname, Katie–as people called her more often.

Shoulder-length burgundy hair, fair-skinned, well-endowed body, pleasing visage–all her aesthetics were perfectly captured by the mirror in front of her.

She was in a hotel suite, the luxurious kind people could only find in the inner districts of Podzemgrad.

She sat on the dressing chair, applying her lipstick. She had dried her hair and body from a shower and the make-up, even if it was a bit hurried. She wore only her lingerie and blouse, revealing her long legs and upper chest by the soft lights of the chandelier.

"Going already, Katie?" A bald man asked from behind with a thick Slavic accent, as seen from the mirror. His left eye was made of cybernetics. He was half-asleep on the bed, half-naked. The blanket still covered her lower body.

"Sorry, Inspector Dmitriev. Have another man to catch." She replied.

Dmitriev then said with a naughty voice. "Wheeew~~You look aggressive today, honey."

"Can't let the money go," she said. "Thanks to the gang wars, it's been difficult to find a customer recently."

"I see. In the Bezopasnosti, things are also difficult, honey. It's always been busy since three days ago."

"Well, we can only say it's just Podzemgrad. Isn't that right, sweetheart?"

He laughed. "Yes, honey. Yes"

"Mhm."

Katie stood up as she finished her lipstick. She took one last glance towards the mirror. Perfect. She then gathered her clothes across the room–a frock coat near the front door, a muffler in front of the bathroom door, jeans near the TV, and socks on the bed.

"By the way, how's your wife and son on the surface, Inspector?" Katie said as she wore them one at a time on the dressing chair.

"They're fine," he said. "My son just entered high school. My wife and I spent sixty minutes talking about that. It seems she's delighted."

"That's nice to hear, Inspector. Hope he will have a good time there."

"Thank you," Dmitriev said teasingly, "I hope I also gave you a good time, honey."

Katie then looked at the man with a naughty look. They exchanged more flirty jokes and giggles until Katie finished wearing all the clothes. Lastly, she put on her wristwatch and ankle boots, then picked up her bag.

"Blagodaryu, Inspector Dmitriev. See you later!"

"Likewise, Katie. Likewise," Dmitriev said. "Be careful out there!"

"Yes, Inspector. Thank you."

Katie then opened the lock and went out from the automatic door, taking a deep breath as soon as she walked down the corridors. She looked at her wrist.

It was 23:27, and she clicked her tongue.

She went into the elevator. Some people were inside–a pair consisting of a man and woman flirting. It was expected on this floor. They stepped out as Katie went in, passing each other. She did not recognize them, but she smiled at them anyway, to which they replied in kind, except for their giggle at the end as they walked away.

Katie just shook her head and pressed the button "1." The door then closed, and the elevator went down. The floor indicator rapidly changed from twenty-six to one in seconds.

The elevator chimed, and Katie walked as soon as the door opened. The lobby was in front of her sights, packed with people and loud. They mingled together as if it was a big party. There were men with suits and uniforms, all with tidy hairstyles. Then, women with their retro fashion–just like Katie had. Besides the coats and jeans, they wore gowns and dresses from the classical era.

Sirius Tower had a bit of everything–hotel, restaurant, bar, casino, lounge, gallery, museum, and swimming pool, to say the least. It might not be the tallest building in Podzemgrad, but it was one of the most famous and visited places in the inner districts.

Katie then stepped forward and carefully slipped through the gaps between the crowds as she moved towards the outside. She sidestepped, twisted, and turned like a seasoned ballerina. Her graceful movement inadvertently stole some eyes from people around her. She threw a smile but did not give her sight to others. She was just focused on getting out of that place. She was almost late, she thought–but she might make it.

She finally stepped outside the lobby and quickly got into a taxicab outside.

"Your destination, Ma'am?"

"13th Street, Tulva Residence."

The then taxicab quickly travelled on the avenue, leaving Sirius Tower.

Katie relaxed her back in the rear passenger seat. The heater just felt right. The warmth and cushion comforted her as she peered outside the window.

Alman District. It was full of life and lights–almost blinding.

The taxicab was surrounded by towers, skyscrapers, and giant high-rise buildings. On some walls, there were giant digital billboards and TVs. The avenue was almost jammed, but cars and vans could still move at a relatively steady pace. Antique statues with renaissance-era designs were erected on both sidewalks at intervals, providing a guard of honour as vehicles travelled the avenue. There were many people there as well, but it was not as crowded as usual because of the time.

Then, it was 23:42, and the scenery changed.

The taxicab stopped just beside a multi-story apartment–nine-floor tall. Zhasmin was its name.

There were many cars around, but no people. The place was not as bright as before. However, Tulva Residence was still a part of Alman District, located near the eastern boundary.

"We've arrived. Ma'am. I've sent you the bill."

From her pocket, Katie pulled out her digipad. She opened the notification from the taxi driver and saw the fare: 550 kred.

She pressed Pay.

Its designs resembled the smartphone in the past with almost the same but upgraded functionalities. However, in Podzemgrad, it was also used as a person's ID item and digital wallet. Losing it almost meant losing your life.

"Thank you, Ma'am."

Katie smiled and bowed as she stepped out of the car. Its engine then whined once more, and the taxicab was finally off from her sights. She put her digipad back and then walked inside the apartment.

She walked through the corridor and went straight to the emergency power generator room in the basement.

The generator had its power dome on top of a rectangular metal structure. It has the size of a tiny house–all battery-powered, capable of powering the whole apartment for a month. Yet, this generator was different.

Katie entered the maintenance door, usually used for servicing and repairing purposes.

However, all of it had been a fake. The "emergency power generator" in Zhamsin was just a dummy.

Instead of the supposedly complex machinery, circuits, power units, and cables, it was empty except for a secret elevator leading to a secret tunnel network beneath the inner district.

Katie brought up her digipad to activate it, and just by a button, the door opened–this time, without chime. Inside, there were only four buttons and a screen indicator. She entered it and quickly pressed the close, then down button.

The door then shut.

She rechecked her watch. It was 23:52. There was still time.

The elevator then moved down. Katie put one hand inside her bag and brought out a pistol. Paulsen-09, a 9mm pistol with twelve rounds of ammo–perfect for beginners like her. She never shot a gun and would never do it if possible.

However, in Podzemgrad, better be safe than sorry always rang a hundred times louder. She knew how important it was, especially if alone in such an abandoned place.

Nobody knew when the network was created, but the purpose could be tied with Podzemgrad as a refuge city during its founding. When Krasinski Corp wrested control of the city from the previous administration, they closed some of the entrances. However, they let others open as an emergency measure if somehow they needed it in the future.

The one in Zhamsin was one such case, but it was not as simple as it seemed.

Katie had to do many things to make it accessible for her convenience with the help of her profession and some people. Hence for years, she could use it without any interference.

After some time pondering, the elevator finally stopped.

Katie rechecked the time again. She was not late.

The man was there, she thought.

Katie then aimed the Paulsen towards the door, focused as the door slowly opened.

He was indeed there, masked and clad in black–as always. The trench coat, armour vest, gloves, trousers, and boots.

"It's me, Katie," he said.

Katie lowered her arms as she stepped out of the elevator.

The Phantom then opened his mask.