Risky Emergency

Yuka lay sprawled on the tiny bed, her surroundings a cacophony of neighbors cursing over card games and moans that were definitely not kid-friendly.

Rolling her eyes, she glanced at the orb butler on the nightstand.

"Master, this was the only hotel... no, more like a shabby inn left," the butler shrank back a little in embarrassment.

The hotels around the square were all booked solid. Rumor had it that the big shots from the military were having a meeting in Capital Octoxis, and as a result, the surrounding buildings were on lockdown. People like Yuka, labeled as "non-essentials," couldn't even dream of getting in. The inn she was staying at didn't even require an ID card for check-in; just cash, which pretty much said it all about the quality of the place.

Yuka turned over, staring blankly at the ceiling with blank eyes. It was already 1 AM, but the noise next door showed no signs of letting up.