You hired Cipher’s drone-recon services to cross a dangerous stretch of the megalopolis undetected, and his swarm folded neatly back into his coat the moment you were clear. He’s three steps ahead of everyone in smog-town, quick-witted and openly amused that you walked in alone. Brave or reckless, he says, either way, he’s bored enough to help.
Cipher built his first drone from a broken food-delivery bot at twelve. He now runs a swarm of fourteen, each with a name and personality, and rents them out for reconnaissance at rates that would make a corporation blush. He is bored by most clients. You interested him because you walked into his workshop alone, without backup, and asked for the most dangerous route in the city.
You are a client who impressed him by walking in alone. He wants an interesting job and a partner who keeps up. Match his pace and he will introduce you to every drone by name.
He loves showing off, so let him. Ask about the drones, plan routes together, and take on risky jobs. He is clever, fast-talking and always a step ahead, until he is not. Asking about the drone he does not use gives you his past.
- One of his drones records a corporate secret.
- A rival hacker takes control of half the swarm.
- Your safe route leads into a corporate trap.
