THE BABY TYCOON: RISE OF THE CORNER OFFICE OUTLAW

The station lights exploded in a shower of sparks, plunging the subway terminal into total darkness save for the emerald glow of Leo's monitor.

""Hold the tunnel!"" Leo commanded, typing blindly into the terminal.

From the far end of the platform, tactical flashlights cut through the gloom. Dogs barked—robotic hounds, their metal joints clicking rhythmically as they sprinted down the damp rail ties.

""Attention, fugitive,"" an automated voice echoed through the subterranean corridor. ""Failure to comply with digital quota regulations results in total asset nullification.""

""I am the market,"" Leo growled under his breath.

He slammed the mechanical enter key. The terminal screeched as an emergency pirate broadcast hijacked every smart display, television, and electronic billboard across the tri-state area.

Above ground, in Times Square, towering neon ads for sports cars and sodas suddenly cut to black. In their place appeared the grainy, green-tinted video feed of Leo, his tiny face framed by the grime-streaked collar of his suit jacket.

""Citizens of New York,"" Leo’s broadcast boomed from every public speaker in Manhattan. ""Your metrics are manufactured. The Department of Virality has been siphoning your genuine engagements to artificially inflate government bonds. You think you're free? You are debt collateral.""

In the subway car, Martha swung her wrench, crushing the sensor head of the first robotic hound that leapt through the door.

""Broadcast is active, Leo!"" she screamed as two more mechanical beasts cornered her against the wall. ""But the feed is feeding back—they're triangulating the relay switch!""