The golden sun was just starting to climb above the short, gray buildings on the east side of New Hope Square. A damp chill still clung to the city at this early hour, though that would change soon enough. Even so, Kalia felt the need to hold her coat closed and trigger a Heat-Source in her pocket. She had never liked the cold.
The buildings cast long shadows that stretched across the plaza and nearly brushed the pointed toes of her brown leather boots. She had to huddle against the front wall of a bakery just to stay out of the shade. Luckily, the place was closed. The last thing she needed was some surly proprietor coming out to yell at her for loitering. Not that anyone would if they recognized her. Being a city councillor had its perks.
About a hundred feet away – give or take – Tomm
