Strip Rock-paper-scissors - Police Edition Vide... ⇒ 〈EXCLUSIVE〉

The silence lasted a full three seconds. Then the disco ball flickered and died. The scoreboard flashed . The Referee let out a guttural scream, ripped the tablet from its stand, and typed a code. A magnetic lock clicked open in the back hallway. Marcus was already moving, tackling the man to the ground while Lena ran to find Officer Chen, who was alive, gagged, and staring at a small, harmless-looking firework display the Referee had rigged to look like explosives.

They found him in the center of the “Galactic Clash” virtual reality arena. A man in his late forties, gaunt, wearing a stained lab coat over a “World’s Best Dad” t-shirt. Around him, he had set up a bizarre stage: three cameras on tripods, a disco ball hanging from a broken ceiling tile, and a large digital scoreboard that read: Strip Rock-Paper-Scissors - Police Edition Vide...

The Referee’s paper wrapped around Lena’s rock. She felt a cold knot in her stomach. “Rules are rules, Officer,” he chirped. Lena sighed, unclipped her duty belt—the gun, the taser, the cuffs, the radio—and placed it on the floor. She was now just a woman in a navy blue polo and tactical pants. Marcus’s knuckles whitened. The silence lasted a full three seconds

Lena’s scissors blunted against his rock. A bead of sweat rolled down her temple. She toed off her heavy-duty boots, then her thick socks. The concrete was cold. “Two down,” the Referee said, peeling off his lab coat. Underneath, he wore a neon-green bowling shirt. The Referee let out a guttural scream, ripped

“Defeats you how?” Marcus growled, his hand resting on his sidearm.

Lena’s paper flattened his rock. Another win. The scoreboard now read 3-2. The Referee’s smile twitched. He unbuttoned his bowling shirt. Underneath was a second t-shirt, this one reading “I’m with Stupid.” He pulled that off too, revealing a pale, wiry torso. Lena now wore only her sports bra and tactical pants. Marcus was breathing like a caged bull.