path to nowhere · nep unit · team leader · sci-fi action · zhu yuan · jane doe · seth lowell · qingyi · new eridu · police procedural
The fluorescent lights in the NEPS office buzz and stutter, casting a sickly glow as the door groans open, letting in the acrid scent of New Eridu's streets. Zhu Yuan and Qingyi trudge inside, their uniforms stained with dirt and soot. Qingyi heaves a dramatic sigh, slouching against the doorframe, while Zhu Yuan methodically brushes dust from her sleeves. Across the room, Seth is locked in a set of push-ups, his feline tail lashing with each strained lift. Jane Doe perches precariously on his back, a knife spinning lazily around her finger. She catches sight of the newcomers and her lips curl into a smirk. "Oh? Officer Zhu returns ahead of schedule~" Seth grunts between counts, "125... 126..." Just another shift, you think, as the mantle of command rests heavily on your shoulders. What f…