Bloom Protocol: My Plush Wants Me Alive

The Bloom rat’s teeth close on Maya Kade’s throat—then the battered plush in her delivery bag snaps open its glowing eyes. “About time, Maya,” the toy sneers, as something inside her blood wakes up and tears the monster apart. Maya only wanted enough credits to buy a real identity and escape the Underbelly, but the alien System has turned her city into a kill-or-level hunting ground. Her illegal combat genes are unlocking, her savage nanny-AI Pip is bossing her around from inside a filthy stuffed toy, and mercenary captain Jax Rho keeps offering protection she refuses to trust. Every level makes her stronger—and paints a brighter target on her back. Then the boss drops loot bearing her vat number: PROTOTYPE 0. Will Maya kill the monster to save Pip, or uncover what she was created to become before the System comes for them both?