“Surveillance log. June 3, 2008. 12:35am. Observed Atlas Park Bank for six hours, no sign of target. Will remain in position three more hours, then report back to SERAPH . Out.” Erin Radcliffe, aka Cerulean Steel, switched off the recorded in her helmet. “What a waste of a night,” she sighed.

“At least you have company,” a voice beside her said.

In an instant, the cybernetic links in her head engaged her suit’s hover mode, and she nocked an arrow, ready to fight. “Man, are you jumpy!” Tabitha laughed.

“Jesus Murphy, T!” Erin shouted. “You almost took one through the head for that!”

“Oh, calm down, C,” she teased. “It’s not my fault your audio pickups have a dead spot.”

“Oh, no.” Erin shook her head. “Don’t even try that. I did a full systems analysis. Everything works fine. I know you won’t tell me, but one of these days I’ll figure out how you sneak up on me like that.”

“Sure.” Tabitha smirked. “You’ve been saying that for the last two years.”

Erin landed and sat back down, laughing. “Nice outfit.”