@intelligenceunseen || Sorry for the wait, but here's that starter!
Today's stock holder meeting dragged on forever. Investors expected them to somehow cut a deal with Helioborg for exclusive rights to sell despite the <99% success rate Spirius products promised. Eventually he smoothed the problems over with promises Spirius had a healthy relationship with Head Researcher Balan, but yeesh. Going home from work never felt better.
There's almost no hustle and bustle on the walkway in spite of being peak rush hour. Did the police force people to evacuate for something....? Whatever the reason, he'd rush through to avoid causing any trouble--
"LUDGER KRESNIK!" A shout turns his head. A big mistake; when he turns back, multiple Exodus agents, guns ready, block his way. "Your continued support for a bi-national workforce is destroying this country! You'll be--!"
In an instant, the Exodus agent's demands stop, each of them falling forward with several cuts along their backs. What... just happened? How'd anyone respond this quick? I didn't request backup!
When he processed the scene before him, Ludger caught something--or rather, someone--slipping back into the alley behind them. "W-Wait, don't go yet! I haven't even thanked you for saving me!" He called after the mysterious person, hoping in vain they'd heed his words before Ludger lost them.