Calypso hummed softly to herself as she walked through the streets of Neo Edo. It was night, but it wasn’t dark. The streets were lit up with dazzling displays and lights, each one beckoning passersby to look and buy or consider some new products. The business district was busy, always a great place to scope out the people.

Here in Neo Edo, most residents had at least one enhancement. However, a majority had more than one, and expensive modifications on top of that. She grinned from under her hood. There was going to be a *lot* of business here, even when she wasn’t hired. She could see some people with less enhancements gaze at those with more expensive and extensive modifications with pure envy filling their eyes for just a moment. Yes, even if she just stole a few things here and there, she’d be rich selling it in the underground, especially since she already had established contacts.

Unfortunately, much to her annoyance, there was a slight issue. Police, cops, enforcers - whatever you wanted to call them - roamed the streets in patrols. She’d have to learn the routes, see who she could bribe and who she had to avoid. Luckily, she had time, and seeing how no one was currently paying attention to her, she’d been itching to steal something for a while.

She set to simple pick pocketing, mostly to test awareness and to see if anyone would look out for someone else. No one noticed or said a thing. Perfect. They were too trusting of the police of this city, they felt far too safe to even think that they’d need to look out for one another, leading to ideal conditions for a thief like her. Now to maybe have some fun bothering the law enforcement…

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Atsuko cruised along the neon-lit streets of Neo Edo in her sleek black patrol car. Her cybernetic components hummed softly as she navigated the bustling cityscape with precision and poise. This metropolis never failed to amaze her, from its towering skyscrapers to the pulsing streets that came alive after sunset.

The city's nightlife was a siren call to many, drawing in the adventurous souls who craved excitement and adrenaline. However, Atsuko knew the darker side of Neo Edo, having dealt with the underground criminal networks and corrupt officials alike during her years as a cop. She'd witnessed firsthand the seedy deals and backroom politics that went on behind closed doors, and it left a bad taste in her mouth.

As she approached her usual patrol area, Atsuko couldn't help but feel a familiar twinge of frustration. She loathed being a cop, stuck in the middle of it all, trying to uphold justice while also keeping the peace. It was a thankless task, one she'd seen countless other officers succumb to, burnt out by the constant pressure. But for Atsuko, this job was her way to prove herself, to make a difference despite everything stacked against her.

Her thoughts drifted away as she spotted a figure lurking near the corner of the block – a young woman dressed in a hoodie, fiddling with something in her hands. Something didn't sit well with Atsuko; the girl seemed nervous, glancing around nervously before quickly disappearing into the crowd. Instinct kicked in, and Atsuko followed suit, weaving through pedestrians to catch up with the mysterious individual.

"Hey, hold up!"

Atsuko called out, flashing her badge.

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She glanced back, her eyes a tell-tale flash of purple in the neon lights. She grinned. One of the law, Hm? Perfect, she could have some excitement in this busy city. She’d been laying low for days now, but since she has finally settled, mapped out the new area, and secured her fake documents, she could have some fun.

Her bait had worked, she had eyes on her. Now, she looked back a few more times before running, making her far more suspicious and a prime thing to chase down. She could already imagine the route she’d take if the enforcer decided to hunt her down. She wanted to do some sight-seeing, what better way then via roof and with a few tricks? The adrenaline made everything better.

She ran for a fire escape, jumping up off the dumpster to grab onto one of the rusty ladders. She pulled herself up, waiting a few moments to see if the cop was chasing her, looking down at the dimly lit alley. The city had many dark corners despite the blinding lights on the main streets. No one wanted attention on the shady dealings or garbage areas of the city. It was like a small pocket of limbo, away from the bustling city and into the world that lingered beneath dazzling lights.

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Giggles, still grinning as she saw the young woman dashing away, gave a deep breath and adjusted her jacket before taking off after her. She sprinted down the alley with ease, the heels of her boots clicking on the ground, and the hum of her cybernetics amplified her speed. Giggles moved silently, almost like a shadow, her agility and quick reflexes allowing her to maneuver through the tight spaces. She expertly avoided crates and barrels, using the narrow spaces to her advantage, and her advanced senses picked up every sound the fugitive made, giving her an upper hand in the chase. She didn't think for a second about letting her suspect escape, as this could be the start of something bigger, and she wasn't about to let Calypso, whoever she might be, get the better of her. She focused on staying quiet and light as a feather, her eyes fixed intently on the runaway. Her cybernetics provided her with enhanced vision, letting her see through the gloom of the alleyway and track the girl as if she were a ghost. The game of cat and mouse began, the tension between the two players building as they danced down the alleys of Neo-Edo, their presence hidden amongst the shadows cast by the flickering neon signs above.

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When Calypso saw the cop make her way into the alley, she laughed and took off, jumping over a small gap. She always loved a chase, it was always an exhilarating exercise. The air of the city was thick with smoke and smog and whatnot, but she’d grown up breathing worse than what Neo Edo produced.

Her original stomping grounds were the underground, and now she had a place anywhere she liked. Using her enhanced night vision, she tried to focus on her next jump, the enhancement making a small calculation on the corner of her eye. She quickly leapt at the last moment, barely making it. She glanced back, expecting to see the cop behind her. She wasn’t exactly sure the extent of the training of the Neo Edo law, but she was sure they’d be up to a little chase, especially with how advanced their technology supposedly was.

The lights now confused her enhancements slightly, but it was still manageable. Signs were a blur as she dashed across the rooftops, hood clipped to her head to ensure it didn’t fall.

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Atsuko, feeling the thrill of the chase coursing through her veins, pounced on every opportunity to close the distance. The alley's narrow paths worked perfectly to her advantage, allowing her to cut off any potential escape routes. She vaulted over obstacles with ease, her agility proving to be just as impressive as the fugitive's own acrobatics. The hum of her cybernetics amplified her senses, giving her a split-second edge over Calypso.

As the chase led them to the rooftops, Atsuko’s enhanced vision struggled to keep up with the cacophony of colors and patterns, but her training kicked in, focusing her on the task at hand. Her reflexes and agility served her well as she sprang from rooftop to rooftop, her boots scraping against the tiles with precision.

As Calypso leaped onto the next structure, Atsuko lunged after her, using the force of her launch to propel herself forward. The wind whipped through her hair as she landed a split-second after the fugitive, her eyes scanning for an opportunity to grab her. Calypso's moves had her impressed, but she was no stranger to the high-stakes world of Neo-Edo; it was time for the tables to turn.

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Calypso enjoyed the opportunity to show off her skills. While it probably was smarter to not show everything, she didn’t make it easy, staying one half step ahead was just so thrilling!

She let her get close a few times before sprinting off faster, eventually using a wire as a hasty zip line. It was risky, but after playing it safe for days… she really needed something fun to do. Risk was just a part of it. Besides, she needed to get used to the tricks of the law enforcement around here. So far they were living up to the warnings and praise.

She dropped down into another alley when the line snapped. Oh well. Calypso used her grappling hook to catch her and have her land safely before running once again, deciding to join the bustling crowd of a shopping cente nearby. She didn’t want the officer to get a *too* good look of her. She still had crimes to commit, after all.

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Atsuko felt the rush of adrenaline as she chased Calypso across the rooftops. She was impressed by the girl's agility and resourcefulness, but her cybernetic training and instincts kept her on track. Just when Calypso thought she had gained the upper hand, Atsuko would launch herself forward, only to land and spring back up again.

The thrill of the chase was intoxicating, but Atsuko knew she couldn't let her emotions get the best of her. She had to stay focused on capturing Calypso and putting an end to whatever nefarious activities the girl was involved in.

Just as she thought she was about to grab hold of Calypso, the girl suddenly darted off, landing with a soft thud as she released her grappling hook. Atsuko leapt off the roof, her reflexes on high alert as she followed suit. But instead of finding herself in an alley or rooftop, she found herself in the middle of a bustling shopping center. The neon lights of storefronts and advertisements blurred together as she looked around frantically for a glimpse of Calypso.

"What's going on here?"

She muttered to herself, her cybernetics processing the chaos around her. Her system began to glitch heavily, unable to track where the criminal went. Perfect! Atsuko growled.

“Where did she go?”

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She grinned as she looked back. She loved this city. The population was high enough that there was a crowd to disappear into everywhere, and no one was aware enough to noice her stealing their credits or small cybernetic parts from their implants.

She didn’t have to try that hard at all, huh? A little boring, but it worked in her favor. She grinned to herself, her bag full of items she didn’t have a few hours prior.

Every city was the same, people moved in huge hoards to go where they wanted to go, and with the dazzling lights, the crazy traffic and a time crunch, no one cared about anything but getting to where they needed to be. It helped she was fast, just a seamless theft of some jewelry or a program chip that came some someone who looked rich. She just had to get back to her little apartment, sort the goods, and sell them. Then she’d have easy cash, if she didn’t run into the law again.

She weaved and bobbed through the crowd, a little overconfident, which made it easier than usual to catch a glimpse of her.

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Giggles rubbed her temples, feeling the familiar sensation of her cybernetics glitching. She had experienced it before, usually when there was too much activity or chaos around her. The noise of the shopping center was overwhelming, but her training allowed her to focus despite the distractions.

She scanned the crowded area once again, her enhanced vision and agility helping her push through the masses. Her cybernetics were malfunctioning, but they also gave her an edge in these situations. The system's temporary failure might be a setback, but she could use her physical skills to compensate. Giggles homed in on her target once more, her eyes zeroed in on the fleeing figure of Calypso. The girl's confidence and the chaos around her worked in their favor, allowing Atsuko to slip through the throngs unnoticed. She knew she had to catch Calypso before she slipped away once more, so she didn't hesitate. With a determined glint in her eye, she launched herself forward, following after her quarry with renewed zeal.

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She strolled casually through the crowd, now only snatching something if she felt the absolute need to have it. Otherwise from her lightly abnormal outfit, she didn’t stand out much, more like someone making a statement with fashion than anything. It gave Calypso the attention she wanted, even when she was supposed to be in ‘civilian’ form. And it protected her identity from being read by whatever technology the cop had.

She slowly made her way through the crowds, now distracted and feeling confident as she looked around for any familiar underground entrance symbols graffitied in alleyways.

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As Calypso waded through the crowd, Atsuko couldn't help but watch her. There was something about the way Calypso moved, so confidently and carelessly, that caught Atsuko's eye. She noted how people parted for her, giving her a wide berth, as if they could sense her strength and power radiating from her very pores. Atsuko also observed how Calypso's outfit seemed deliberately provocative, an attempt to make her stand out and command attention, while also serving to conceal her true identity.

It was this peculiar mix of boldness and subtlety that caught Atsuko off guard. She wondered if anyone else was paying attention to Calypso, if there was some hidden agenda behind this public display. What did Calypso want to achieve by wearing such attire, especially if she needed to keep her identity a secret? Atsuko found herself getting closer to Calypso, her curiosity piqued as she followed her through the crowded streets, trying to stay just out of sight.

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She hummed to herself, something very sparkly and expensive-looking catching her eye as she tried to find a way to grab it. Maybe it was something new, as it was something she hadn’t seen before. She grinned as she made her way over casually, snatching the piece and then trying to bolt off into an alley.

She recognized some of the symbols there. Maybe she could make a quick escape into the underground here? She’d already visited a few times to ensure she had a place in this city before making everything final.

She was sure no one was following her, which dropped her guard slightly as she looked for the entrance to the underground, new shiny treasures weighing down her bag. She’d have to get rid of the parts, before it got her in trouble. She probably shouldn’t have gone on such a crime spree, but oh well. She’d seen the envy. There would definitely be a buyer or two.

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Atsuko watched as Calypso deftly snatched the glittering item, her eyes gleaming with excitement and greed. Her grin said it all - she was enjoying the thrill of the heist, even with its potential risks. As Calypso made a beeline for the alley, Atsuko trailed behind her, curious about what might lie beneath the city. She noticed how Calypso's attitude changed upon recognizing the symbols, becoming more focused and determined.

Atsuko followed Calypso into the alley, her own curiosity piqued. What was this underground world that Calypso knew so well? The air seemed charged with an air of excitement and danger, and Atsuko felt herself drawn deeper into the mystery. She watched as Calypso examined the walls, searching for an entrance to this hidden world. A quick glance around revealed no one else nearby, and Atsuko relaxed, no longer needing to play cat and mouse with Calypso.

Now, she had the chance to truly observe, to unravel the enigma that was Calypso. And maybe, just maybe, Atsuko could learn something useful from this rogue thief.

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Sorry got super busy!)

She hummed, checking the bricks and the surrounding trash before finding the entrance, a small hole in the side of the building that, if you pressed the right spot, opened up to the black market streets below.

She grinned, taking out the ‘key’, a summon of specific code given to individual people to access the underground once they ‘register’ with a faction or get a job. A closely guarded secret, often heavily encrypted and specific to the user and all their enhancements as to not cause a corruption. She closed her eyes as she focused on the code clicking into place, and she smirked then the door opened. Prefect.

She slipped inside before the door closed, deposited in the dazzling shock that came with the black market hidden in the old ruins of the old city below. She pulled up her mask, beginning to walk amongst the anonymous crowd with her goods.

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