《Shattered Circuits》 Chapter 1 Analyzing data¡­.. 1000111010100111011011110 1000011101011110111110111 ¡°It¡¯s too fast¡­¡± She muttered under her breath. She looked over the monitor at the girl across from her. The other girl noticed but didn¡¯t say anything and kept typing. They needed to break through the firewall before the backdoor Ajax put in the network closed. But they were working against each other, a brushstroke wrong and now they had tripped a failsafe. She blamed the blonde that was still typing away. ¡°Keep going, I¡¯ll be right back,¡± she said, picking herself off the floor of the darkroom and moving into the back. She opened the door and closed it gently behind her, feeling for the lock and closing it as softly as she could. She looked around, confirming that she was alone and brushed her hair to the side and felt for the implant. It was second nature to plug in when her hands failed her, but using the implant was dangerous, she knew one slip now and she would submit to a digital death. The risks were great but she needed the credits now to get off world. This was her last chance before they would be stuck on Argyl-3. She bit her lip and plugged the wire that connected her to the network into the computer. She felt her body slump down, and then went numb. It was cold, and then hot. Her body moved at lightspeed, stretched thinner and thinner. Before she knew it she had materialized once again and was standing at the precipice of a dark ocean. She looked left, total darkness, then right and saw it. The other girl was losing her battle against the firewalls safety, she started running. The ocean splashed higher and higher as she got closer to the battle. The oceans tides fighting and beating back a tall, dark bearded man with a staff. Well, it is different every time I suppose. She had seen oceans before, open thread datalines that would repair themselves every time she completed a line. She closed her eyes then and saw lines of codes flying by. A perk from her OS.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Blue soft_ re: When-TAX-TAKE-HACK Soft_re: RE system override ACT_AI-6 Red TAKE-SELF ACTUAL: (70TPS, f¡± SCAN) Error_ Incomplete TAKE You __Error_Not_Found She opened her toolkit and took out the zipp.de her only chance was to activate a fake debug on the AI-6 before it learned their keystrokes and completely wiped her and the blonde out. She opened her eyes, each time the ocean crashed down it left a small opening in the code that she could throw the debug grenade into. She only had one though. She broke into a run, every blink took the scene from a beautiful nighttime ocean to a dark world of binary and code. She called out to the man with the staff and he lowered it to the ground, her body could hear the blonde shouting in the other room surprised. Her consciousness was here though, in the code. Her left foot hit the staff''s larger end and she could feel it lifting beneath her, turning her body towards the ocean as the man lifted her high and she threw the grenade. Just as the ocean crashed down on the dark man it exploded, killing him in the process but doing exactly what she had planned. She moved at lightspeed once again. A few keystrokes and the data would be hers. A scream from the darkroom rang out. Then: ¡°NOVA, YOU WILL DIE FOR THIS!¡± Nova continued typing, the door to her room had to hold up for less than a minute and she would get the dataslate and be off Argyl-3. The pounding in her heart could be felt in her throat. Her fingers glided along the keyboard at breakneck speed. The zip bug was working flawlessly, even if she had to sacrifice the blonde girl. The door was kicked down as she finished the hack. Looking up she saw the blonde¡¯s friend, maybe her husband. Nova didn¡¯t think twice, her left hand grabbed the hard drive from the computer and she quickly slipped it into her pocket. At the same time her right hand moved to the knife at her ankle. Grabbing onto it the man started pointing a phaser pistol at her. Too late. The knife was in his neck. He pulled the trigger. The blue light of the muzzle flash and then a red laser of hot energy pulsed by Nova¡¯s right ear, burning some of her silver hair but not injuring her. The man''s blood sprayed outwards, his neck a mess as he fell forwards onto the floor. Nova sat up and walked around him into the darkroom. She looked at the blonde, her own fingers wrapped around her neck, the cold steel of the implants crushing her windpipe. A necessary sacrifice. Nova smiled to herself, she had the dataslate and killing the other two she would have more than enough money to get a head start on Triumf-L. Another world held by resistance, but closer to her real goal. Chapter 2 Nova left the building just as the resistance¡¯s Peace Corps were making their way in. Darting down a back alley of Argyl-3 she pulled her jacket around her and zipped the front up. It was a cooler day, like most in the outer rim. Even with two suns the planet was no match for the cold nights. The Blackwall Event that took out most of the galaxy''s cybernetics had also affected many planets electrical grids and portal accesses. Now the only way from planet to planet was to take a shuttle¡­ and those were expensive. Nova hurried a bit faster now, gunshots rang out from the Shing Co. building. The hack had sent AI controlled sentinels wild, she was lucky to escape unscathed. Though sentinels were nothing compared to what some that came from the inner core say they¡¯ve seen. Nova stopped just as rain started to fall. Lifting the hood of her jacket up she gave a quick flick of her wrist, bringing up the system that connected her cybernetics to the nexus force that allowed people to use¡­ whatever it was that let them hack, and move things with their mind and all sorts of sorcery. OS: Level One Eidolon Core (_Iron_) Title: None Skills: (Locked) Stats: (Locked) Specials: (Locked) Library: Zippe.de (0) Other¡­ ¡°Damn, out of everything¡­¡± She whispered under her breath. Closing the OS she continued her walk. Out of all the planets Nova had been on, Argyl-3 had to be at the bottom of the barrel. Its neverending fog made the planet look more ominous than it really was. Large cities loomed around every Transpo spot, yet almost every single one was vacated. Vines had started taking over the skyscrapers, and most larger cities would light up at night with the sights and sounds of AI fueled androids patrolling the roads. She passed by dead bodies on her way to the Transpo, dwarves, ixiari, other humans like herself. Rats chewing on corpses of a battle that must have taken place not long ago. Her boots crunch over broken glass and pools of stagnant water as she moves, each step careful, deliberate. She avoids the corpses, though it¡¯s impossible not to notice them. A half-burnt body slumped against a wall still grips a makeshift blaster in its charred hands, its melted features a stark warning. Her breath quickens as she passes a crumpled Corporate AI mech, its metal limbs twitching feebly, sparks sputtering from its cracked torso. She keeps her head low, her silvery hair tucked away, blending into the shadows cast by the shattered city. Occasionally, she hears the distant roar of wildlife: creatures that have claimed Argyl-3 as their own. From the corner of her eye, she spots a hulking, quadrupedal predator, its fur slick and matted, crouching over the remains of a fallen soldier. It lifts its head to sniff the air, yellow eyes glowing faintly, but Nova ducked behind a wrecked vehicle before it could spot her. Resistance fighters were all kinds of people and almost every race, regardless of class had taken up arms against what the Resistance higher ups called ¡°The Thanatos Matrix¡±, a mouthful if you ask me. Most just called it the AI. Here many of them were, lying dead in the streets from a battle that had already been forgotten. If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. The Transpo hub is barely functional, a skeletal structure of girders and crumbling platforms. Ships hover in the distance, engines rumbling ominously, waiting for passengers or cargo. The few working terminals flicker with static-filled messages, and a line of desperate travelers clogs the entrances, their faces weary and hollow. A Resistance Officer blocks the main entry, scanning the faces of the crowd. His armor is cobbled together from scraps of old Corporate tech, his face scarred but stern. Nova approaches cautiously, she places a hand in her pocket over the dataslate, trying to blend into the chaos of the crowd. The officer¡¯s voice cuts through the noise as he argues with a merchant blocking the loading dock. The Merchant slams a datapad down on the table before the Officer, ¡°You think I¡¯ll just let you commandeer my ship for free? Do I look like charity to you?¡± The Officer looked down his nose at the man, ¡°Do you see what¡¯s happening out there? We don¡¯t have time for haggling. Either you help the cause, or you¡¯re walking out of here with nothing but that datapad and regret.¡± ¡°Ha, You Resistance types are no better than the Corps. At least they pay,¡± then the Merchant turned, gave Nova a quick glance and mumbled something as he left. Nova stepped in behind the merchant, then: ¡°Hold it. Ship¡¯s full. Resistance personnel only,¡± the Officer said, holding his arm out in front of her. ¡°Guess that¡¯s why I¡¯m standing here, isn¡¯t it? Trying to help your cause.¡± The officer crossed his arms, ¡°You don¡¯t look like one of us. What unit are you with?¡± Nova smirked, ¡°The invisible kind. You know how it is. The best work is done in the shadows.¡± He glared at her unblinkingly, ¡°Don¡¯t play games with me. I¡¯ve got a city in flames behind me and a ship packed with refugees and fighters. If you¡¯re lying, I¡¯ll toss you to the Corps myself.¡± ¡°Alright, alright. Let¡¯s cut the theatrics. I¡¯ve got something you want. Something that¡¯s worth more than one extra body on your ship.¡± The officer didn¡¯t budge, ¡°Unless it¡¯s the codes to blow the AI to dust, I¡¯m not interested.¡± Nova pulled her hand out of her jacket, her voice low but sharp, ¡°This slate is loaded with corporate intel. Cybernetics manifests, troop movements, access codes for their lower-grade security systems. Enough to give your people the edge for months. You let me on that ship, and it¡¯s yours.¡± The officer tilted his head up, pointing his chin at the dataslate, then paused: his eyes darting to the dataslate, then back to her. ¡°Corporate intel, huh? Funny how someone like you just happens to be carrying that around. The resistance just happened to raid a Corporate building for something just like that not too long ago¡­ found one of their best hackers dead.¡± Nova shrugged, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t know anything about that,¡± an innocent smile walked across her face, ¡°I¡¯m just a girl trying to get off this rock before the Corps turns it into a graveyard,¡± she stepped closer to him then, ¡°Wouldn¡¯t you like a little promotion? Being a bouncer isn¡¯t really what you want is it?¡± She knew she had him when his face agreed, then: ¡°How do I know it¡¯s not fake? Or worse¡ªa trap?¡± Nova locked eyes with him, inflecting her voice to a slightly higher pitch, ¡°You don¡¯t. But I know what I¡¯m holding, and I¡¯m not dumb enough to walk into a Resistance checkpoint with bad data.¡± The officer hesitated for a moment, then a sly smile found its way to his lips, ¡°What¡¯s stopping me from taking the slate and leaving you behind?¡± Nova smiled back, her voice dropping to a dangerous edge, ¡°Because if I don¡¯t walk onto that ship, the encryption doesn¡¯t come off. And trust me, without the passcode,¡± she poked his chest, ¡°You¡¯ll just keep being a useless. Ship. Bouncer.¡± He swallowed quickly, relenting, ¡°Fine. But you breathe wrong, and you¡¯re off this ship the hard way.¡± Nova gave him a sweet smile, ¡°A pleasure, Officer.¡± She handed him the thin black dataslate and moved past him towards the ship. Nova glances back at the officer, who¡¯s already flipping through the dataslate connected to a small screen. He doesn¡¯t see her faint smirk as she vanishes into the crowded interior, blending seamlessly with the other passengers. The data she gave him is real¡ªjust not the slate''s most valuable secrets. Those remain locked in her head, where no one can touch them. Chapter 3 Nova walked around in the hull of the ship. It was a large enough vessel, the signage posted around the gray steel walls pointed to a max capacity of 3,000. There were to be far more than that for this trip, she knew. She walked further in, an arrow on the ground that pointed to the left down a long, damp hallway with ¡°Cargo Hold¡± on it, cargo was crossed out. Great. The cargo hold was a suffocating hive of desperation. Refugees crammed into every corner, some sitting on the cold metal floor while others huddled in groups, their voices low. The air smelled of oil, sweat, and something faintly metallic¡ª probably blood. Overhead, exposed wires buzzed faintly, casting jittery shadows that seemed alive. Nova stepped inside, her boots clicking softly against the grated floor. The low, oppressive hum of the ship¡¯s engines vibrated in her chest, a constant reminder of the machine carrying them through the void. She hated ships like this. The walls felt too close, the corridors too narrow, the air too thin. A coffin with wings, tugging her hood lower to shield herself from curious eyes. It wasn¡¯t the first time she¡¯d hitched a ride on a deathtrap like this, and it probably wouldn¡¯t be the last. But something about this ship felt worse than most¡ª like the tension could snap at any second. She edged along the side of the hold, her gaze darting between the resistance refugees, all kinds of people. Most looked broken, gaunt from starvation or weary from running. A child clung to a woman¡¯s leg, his wide, frightened eyes scanning the crowd. There was no laughter here, no warmth. Just the grim realization that this ship was their last hope, and even that might not be enough. Nova tightened her grip on her jacket. Keep moving. Don¡¯t make friends. Don¡¯t make promises. Get out alive. She had almost made it to the far side of the hold when she heard someone call out, ¡°You don¡¯t blend in as well as you think, silver hair. What¡¯s your angle?¡± Nova froze, glancing sideways. Her heart skipped a beat, but she forced herself to look unfazed. A woman sat on an overturned crate near the edge of the room, watching her. Her black boots were scuffed but sturdy, and a scar ran down her cheek, giving her a hard, no-nonsense look. Sharp eyes gleamed with curiosity. And just enough malice to keep Nova wary. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about,¡± Nova said, her tone flat. The woman leaned forward with a smirk. ¡°Sure you don¡¯t. People like you don¡¯t just happen into places like this. You walk like you¡¯ve got somewhere to be¡ªand like you¡¯re used to getting there.¡± People like me? Nova glanced around, noticing a few others watching their exchange. She stepped closer, lowering her voice. ¡°Maybe I do. And maybe you should mind your business.¡± ¡°Relax, sweetheart.¡± The woman grinned, unfazed. ¡°I¡¯m not here to sell you out. In fact, I think you and I might be able to help each other.¡± Nova crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. ¡°And what makes you think I need help?¡± ¡°Because everyone on this ship needs help.¡± The woman shrugged. ¡°Question is, do you want mine? Or are you gonna wait until someone less friendly decides to get curious?¡± Nova didn¡¯t answer immediately. She sized the woman up, noting the way her metallic fingers twitched near the hidden blade strapped to her thigh. She was dangerous, but that could be useful. ¡°What exactly are you offering?¡± Nova asked. ¡°Opportunity,¡± the woman said loudly, this forced Nova to walk closer. With her grin widening: ¡°My crew¡¯s looking for someone who knows their way around tech¡ªand I can tell you¡¯re not just here to sightsee. Stick with me, and I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯re not just another ghost when this ship docks.¡± Nova hesitated, weighing her options. She was about to reply when a loud crash silenced the murmurs in the hold.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Shouts erupted from the far side of the room. Nova¡¯s head snapped toward the commotion. A group of men had risen to their feet, armed with makeshift weapons¡ªpipes, wrenches, and a plasma cutter that glowed faintly blue. The leader, a broad-shouldered man with wild eyes, stepped forward. ¡°We¡¯ve had enough of this! The Resistance promised us freedom, but all they¡¯ve done is get us killed! We¡¯re taking this ship!¡± Panic rippled through the crowd. Refugees scrambled to the sides of the hold, clutching their children and belongings. The woman from the crate stood abruptly, muttering, ¡°Great. Just what we needed¡ªa pack of idiots with delusions of grandeur.¡± Nova remained still, her mind racing. She watched as the rebels started moving toward the doors leading to the cockpit, shoving anyone who got in their way. The leader barked orders to his men, his voice echoing over the frightened murmurs. ¡°Secure the cockpit!¡± he shouted. ¡°This ship belongs to us now!¡± Nova turned her head slightly, noticing movement in the shadows near the edges of the hold. Several figures were stepping forward, all armed, their faces hard and unreadable. They weren¡¯t part of the panicked refugees; these people had the calm, deliberate air of trained fighters. Nova¡¯s gut told her they weren¡¯t random passengers. That they belonged to the mysterious woman with a scar. The leader of the rebels barked another order, raising his plasma cutter. ¡°Anyone who gets in our way dies!¡± Before his words had even fully echoed, one of the woman¡¯s people moved. A lean, wiry man with tattoos for skin darted in from the shadows, his hand snapping out to grab the plasma cutter. With a single, brutal motion, he twisted it free and slammed it across the rebel leader¡¯s head. The man went down hard, groaning. ¡°What the¡ª¡± another rebel shouted, raising a pipe. ¡°Sit down,¡± a cold voice said, followed by the sharp snap of a stun baton. A second figure¡ªthis one a taller dwarf male¡ªhad appeared from the opposite side of the hold. He struck the rebel in the knee, sending him crumpling to the ground. The rest of the woman¡¯s crew moved like clockwork. In less than a minute, the rebels were disarmed, restrained, and shoved into a corner of the hold. The scarred woman watched it all unfold with a satisfied stare, her arms crossed over her chest. She put a flat hand up, ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡± Her voice cut through the tension like a splice piece on a source code. Her people stepped back, melting into the shadows again as though they¡¯d never been there. The rest of the hold was silent, the refugees staring wide-eyed at the aftermath. Then not wanting to have attention attracted to them, hurried their eyes back to the ground. Nova watched carefully, her mind working fast. Whoever this woman was, she wasn¡¯t just another passenger. Her team was too organized, too efficient. These aren¡¯t scavengers or mercenaries, they¡¯re¡­ professionals. The scarred woman glanced down at the groaning rebel leader, kicking his discarded plasma cutter toward one of her people. Then, she looked at Nova, her sharp eyes narrowing. ¡°Well?¡± she said, raising an eyebrow. ¡°You coming, or are you just going to stand there looking impressed?¡± Nova hesitated. She didn¡¯t trust this woman, not yet. But I don¡¯t have many options trapped in this cage. With a shrug, she stepped forward. ¡°Depends. Do you always travel with your own private army?¡± The woman chuckled, hopping off the crate and slinging her jacket over one shoulder. ¡°Only when I¡¯m bored. Name¡¯s Mila, by the way.¡± Nova didn¡¯t offer her name. Instead, she gestured toward the rebels, ¡°Nice work. You do this kind of thing often?¡± ¡°More than I¡¯d like,¡± Mila replied. ¡°Come on. Let¡¯s talk somewhere less¡­ crowded.¡± She jerked her head toward a narrow corridor leading out of the hold. Nova followed, her steps careful, her senses on high alert. As they walked, Mila¡¯s tone shifted to something more serious. ¡°You¡¯ve got skills, silver hair. I could use someone like you.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Nova asked, ¡°We just met.¡± Nova looked around, wondering if that officer had ratted her out to these people. Why else would she know anything about me? Mila¡¯s grin widened, but there was steel in her gaze. ¡°Let¡¯s just say, I¡¯ve got plans for when this rust bucket lands. And I think you¡¯ll fit right in.¡± Nova didn¡¯t respond immediately. The hum of the ship seemed louder here, pressing against her ears. She glanced back toward the cargo hold, where Mila¡¯s people were already gone. They move like ghosts, she thought. Dangerous ones. ¡°I¡¯ll think about it,¡± Nova finally said. Mila shrugged, as if she¡¯d expected that answer. ¡°You do that. Just don¡¯t think too long. Opportunities like this don¡¯t wait forever.¡± Are they Resistance? They can¡¯t be, not with this much competence. She smiled to herself, I think this is going to be interesting. Chapter 4 The ship groaned and shuddered as it touched down on the surface of the aptly named Keres Station, the sprawling urban hub of the planet Keres Major. The planet¡¯s skyline was a mess of tangled spires and crumbling structures, every inch of it cloaked in grime and rust. Storm clouds churned overhead, casting the already dark city in a perpetual gloom, punctuated by the occasional streak of neon light from towering advertisements. Nova followed Mila down the ship¡¯s narrow ramp, her eyes scanning the bustling chaos of the port. Civilians, traders, and armed guards moved in hurried streams, their faces hardened by desperation or suspicion. The air smelled of ozone and rot, and the distant whine of machinery echoed through the streets. ¡°So, what¡¯s the plan?¡± Nova asked, keeping her tone casual. She kept her hood low, her hand brushing against the dataslate hidden in her jacket. Mila glanced over her shoulder, her smirk as confident as ever. ¡°Simple. We get in, do the job, and get out before he knows we were ever here.¡± He, that¡¯s what some call the AI. The ones that believe it may be a hive mind. ¡°Right. And what is ¡®the job¡¯?¡± Mila¡¯s eyes glinted mischievously. ¡°Patience, silver hair. First, we meet the contact.¡± They wove through the crowded Transpo, Mila walking with the easy swagger of someone who owned the place. Her crew followed close behind, all four of them, silent and intimidating, their presence a warning to anyone foolish enough to interfere. Nova kept her distance, her instincts prickling. Something about Mila and her people didn¡¯t sit right with her. They reached a dilapidated warehouse near the edge of the Transpo. Mila pushed open the door, revealing a dark, cavernous space lit by a single flickering bulb. A man waited inside, his face half-hidden by shadows. He was older, with a thin frame and a nervous energy that set Nova further on edge. He looked at Nova apprehensively, then back at Mila, ¡°Whoa whoa, you didn¡¯t say nothing about this one. Who are you?¡± the man asked, nodding toward Nova. ¡°She¡¯s with me,¡± Mila said curtly. ¡°Now, what did I come here for?¡± The man hesitated, his gaze darting to Nova and then back to Mila. ¡°She doesn¡¯t look like Resistance material.¡± ¡°She¡¯s useful. That¡¯s all that matters,¡± Mila replied, her voice cold. She cleared her throat, ¡°You said you had something for me.¡± Nova crossed her arms, her expression neutral despite the flicker of irritation Mila¡¯s words sparked. ¡°Useful how?¡± she asked, her tone sharp. Mila shot her a warning look. Then her eyes went back to the nervous man. The man produced a small device from his coat¡ªa sleek, black box with glowing blue edges. Mila took it, her expression unreadable as she turned it over in her hands. ¡°This¡¯ll do,¡± she said. ¡°Let¡¯s move.¡± ¡°Wait,¡± Nova interrupted, stepping closer. ¡°What¡¯s in the box?¡± Mila tilted her head, a faint smile playing on her lips. ¡°Curious, aren¡¯t you? It¡¯s a tool.¡± Nova narrowed her eyes. ¡°What kind of tool?¡± ¡°The kind that levels the playing field,¡± Mila replied cryptically, as she brushed Nova¡¯s shoulder walking back out to the Transpo. Nova¡¯s gut twisted, but she forced herself to stay calm. Mila¡¯s evasiveness wasn¡¯t surprising, trust wasn¡¯t exactly abundant in their line of work¨C whatever that may be, but it wasn¡¯t comforting either. The air on Keres Major was thick and humid, carrying the smell of ozone and decay as Nova and Mila¡¯s group made their way through the outskirts of the city. The streets here were quieter than the chaotic port, but no less grim. Broken-down hovercars lined the road, their frames stripped of anything valuable. In the distance, the faint hum of a Baixu Company patrol drone buzzed through the air, a constant reminder of the corporation¡¯s grip in the Outskirts. What an apt name, we are almost near the edge of the universe out here. Mila led the group into an abandoned cantina at the edge of a ruined marketplace. The building was barely standing, its walls were cracked, and the neon sign above the entrance flickering erratically. Inside, the air was stale, and the furniture was coated in a thin layer of dust. But it was quiet, and for now, that was all that mattered. ¡°Welcome to the penthouse,¡± Mila said, raising her arms in front of her. She moved over a broken chair and sat down on the edge of a rickety table. Her crew spread out around the room, each taking up a spot that seemed almost rehearsed. Nova hung back, leaning against the wall, her arms crossed. ¡°Cozy,¡± she muttered, scanning the room. ¡°Better than the cargo hold of that ship,¡± Mila replied. ¡°Now that we¡¯ve got some breathing room, it¡¯s time for introductions. If we¡¯re going to work together, you might as well know who you¡¯re stuck with.¡± Mila nodded toward the wiry man sitting cross-legged on the floor, his tattooed arms resting on his knees. His tattoos were intricate, depicting swirling geometric patterns interspersed with what looked like faded text in a language Nova didn¡¯t recognize. Could he be a part of the Covenant? ¡°This is Cage,¡± Mila said. ¡°He¡¯s our tech expert. If it¡¯s broken, hacked, or stolen, he¡¯s the one who makes it work again.¡± Cage gave Nova a lopsided grin, his teeth surprisingly white against his weathered face. ¡°And I do it all for the low, low price of having to listen to Mila¡¯s plans,¡± he quipped.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. ¡°Shut up, Cage,¡± Mila shot back, but there was no malice in her tone. Next, Mila gestured to the tall dwarf sitting on an overturned crate. He was stocky, with a thick beard braided into intricate patterns and a deep scar running down one cheek. You could see his jaw through the thin skin. Despite his size, his presence was commanding. ¡°This is Garrick. He¡¯s the muscle.¡± Garrick grunted in acknowledgment, his deep voice rumbling like distant thunder. ¡°And occasionally the voice of reason, when you lot lose your damned minds.¡± Mila rolled her eyes and pointed to a woman sitting near the back of the room. She was dirty-looking but elegant, her short-cropped hair dyed a bright shade of green. Her eyes were sharp, scanning the room as if calculating the best escape routes. ¡°Elynn,¡± Mila said. ¡°Our stealth specialist. You won¡¯t hear her coming until it¡¯s too late.¡± Elynn gave Nova a brief nod, her lips curling into a faint smile. ¡°And then there¡¯s me,¡± said the final member of the group, a man with an air of smugness that rivaled Mila¡¯s. His hair was messy, and his clothes were a patchwork of different styles, like he¡¯d scavenged them from a dozen different worlds. ¡°That¡¯s Kade,¡± Mila said, not even bothering to hide her exasperation, ¡°He¡¯s recon mostly.¡± Kade gave an exaggerated bow, ¡°At your service.¡± Nova raised an eyebrow, suppressing a smile, ¡°Charmed.¡± ¡°Now that we¡¯re all acquainted,¡± Mila said, hopping off the table, ¡°let¡¯s talk about why we¡¯re here.¡± Nova stiffened but kept her expression neutral, ¡°I thought you were going to tell me why you wanted me here.¡± Mila smirked, her eyes gleaming with something that made Nova¡¯s stomach drop. ¡°Let¡¯s just say we¡¯re both useful to each other for now. You want answers, and we want someone who knows how to survive. That makes you part of the team¡ªwhether you like it or not.¡± Nova glanced around the room, meeting the eyes of each crew member in turn. They were a motley bunch, no doubt about it. But there was something about them¡ªsomething dangerous, yes, but also oddly¡­ human. For a moment, Nova let herself wonder if she could trust them. But only for a moment. Wait, what answers? What could they possibly know about me? Mila stared at Nova for a second longer, then pulled out the ¡®tool¡¯ they obtained from the nervous man. It hummed to light, seemingly alive in her hands. "Now then, what''s the job?" Nova asked, breaking the silence that had settled over the cantina. She pushed herself away from the wall, stepping closer to the table where Mila sat, the strange device still humming softly in her hands. Mila''s smirk widened. "Glad you finally asked. We''re going to pay a visit to Baixu Corporation." Nova''s eyebrows shot up. "Baixu? That''s suicide. Their security is insane." Why did she mention the AI if we''re fighting Corporates? "Not if you know the back doors," Cage interjected, his fingers tracing the lines of his intricate tattoos. "And luckily for us," he added, with a wink towards Nova, "we''ve got someone who just might know those back doors." Nova''s eyes narrowed. "You want me to hack Baixu? With what? I''ve barely got a decent rig, and you expect me to crack one of the most secure corporations in the Outer Rim?" Mila chuckled. "Relax, silver hair. We''re not sending you in blind. That''s where this little beauty comes in." She held up the humming device. "This, my friend, is a Phase Shifter. It''ll let us bypass most of their physical security measures." "A Phase Shifter?" Nova''s voice was laced with disbelief. "Those are just rumors. I thought they were destroyed after the Blackwall Event." "Most of them were," Garrick rumbled, his deep voice echoing through the cantina. "But not all." "This one''s a prototype," Mila explained, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Cage heard someone managed to salvage it from a derelict Baixu lab a few months back. Now it''s ours, but it should do the trick." Nova hesitated, her mind racing. A Phase Shifter¡­ It was a risky plan, bordering on insane. But the more she thought about it, the more it made a twisted kind of sense. Baixu was a fortress, but even fortresses had weaknesses. And if this device worked the way Mila claimed¡­ "What''s the catch?" Nova asked, her voice barely a whisper. Mila''s smile widened. "There''s always a catch, isn''t there? The Phase Shifter only works for short bursts. We''ll have a limited window to get in, grab what we need, and get out. And," she added, her voice hardening, "we can''t risk taking it too deep into their facility. The core systems would fry it in a heartbeat." "So, what are we grabbing?" Nova asked, her curiosity piqued. Mila glanced at the others, a silent signal passing between them. Then, she turned back to Nova, her expression serious. "We''re going after their research data. Specifically, anything related to AI development and cybernetic enhancements." Nova''s heart skipped a beat. AI development¡­ Could this be connected to the Thanatos Matrix? Could Mila''s group be working to fight the AI, just like the Resistance? "Why?" Nova asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Mila''s eyes bored into hers. "Because," she said slowly, "I think Baixu knows more about the Blackwall Event than they''re letting on. And I think they might be working on something¡­ dangerous." A tense silence filled the cantina. Nova could feel the weight of Mila''s words hanging in the air. If Baixu was involved in something that could trigger another Blackwall Event¡­ the consequences would be catastrophic. "Alright," Nova finally said, her voice firm. "I''m in." Mila''s grin returned, wider than ever. "That''s what I like to hear. Now, let''s go make some chaos." The streets outside the cantina were dark and deserted. Rain had begun to fall, a cold drizzle that slicked the pavement and sent shivers down Nova''s spine. The faint hum of the Phase Shifter in Cage¡¯s hand resonated in her mind, a constant reminder of the dangerous task ahead. Mila led the group through the maze of alleyways and abandoned buildings, her steps sure and silent. Cage kept pace beside her, his eyes darting around, scanning for any sign of trouble. Garrick and Elynn brought up the rear, their presence a silent threat in the shadows. As they approached the towering complex that housed Baixu''s main research facility, Nova''s pulse quickened. The building was a monolith of steel and glass, its sleek lines and imposing structure a testament to the corporation''s power. Even in the dim light, it seemed to radiate an aura of cold, calculated efficiency. Mila stopped at the edge of the complex, her eyes fixed on the entrance. Guards patrolled the perimeter, their cybernetic implants gleaming faintly in the rain. Security cameras swiveled on their mounts, their lenses watching every move. "Ready?" Mila asked, her voice low. Nova took a deep breath, her hand tightening around the dataslate hidden in her jacket. "Ready as I''ll ever be." Mila nodded, her eyes hardening with determination. "Cage, do your thing." Cage stepped forward, his fingers dancing over the controls of the Phase Shifter. The device hummed to life, its blue edges glowing brighter. A faint shimmer distorted the air around them, like heat rising from the pavement. The walls of the Baixu building seemed to fizzle out of existence, but Nova knew at the molecular level they were simply vibrating too fast for her eyes to keep up. "Now!" Mila shouted, and the group surged forward, disappearing into the shimmering haze. Chapter 5 Nova took a deep breath, her fingers hovering over the makeshift interface. She pushed forward, through the glimmering, ethereal molecules of the projected wall. Each cell in her body crawled and vibrated with a low hum, a chorus of anticipation and trepidation. The wall, a foot thick at least, felt strangely porous as she stepped through. The cold, unyielding steel permeated her senses, mixing with the warmth of her blood in a way that felt deeply unnatural, causing her to jump forward, almost losing her balance. She stopped abruptly, steadying herself. Mila stood before her, a silhouette against the dim light of the corridor. A firm hand landed on Nova''s shoulder, grounding her. "Disable the cameras leading to the interior," Mila''s voice was a low, urgent whisper. "It''s a fully connected system. Get a replay loop going and cover our infil." Nova understood. A silent acknowledgment passed between them as she placed her hand over Mila''s, a brief touch that spoke volumes. She knows about the cyberware. Or at least knows of my hacking abilities. With a mental command, she pulled up her OS, the familiar interface overlaying her vision. She reached out, virtually, and connected to the Baixu security network. The connection was seamless, effortless. Her awareness contracted, the physical world fading as she plunged into the digital realm. The hum of the network filled her being, and her physical body went numb. She was vaguely aware of another steel wall, of wind on her skin, a rough hand ¨C Kade''s? ¨C guiding her forward. Then, she was through. The physical world dissolved entirely, replaced by a breathtaking vista. Gone was the dark ocean of her previous hacks, and in its place stood a majestic, ancient castle, perched atop a hill overlooking a vibrant landscape. Rolling farmlands stretched as far as the eye could see, crisscrossed by rushing rivers that glinted like silver ribbons in the soft light. Verdant forests, a tapestry of green and blue, filled the horizon. Trees, ancient and towering, reached towards the sky, their leaves rustling in a gentle breeze. It was a scene ripped from a forgotten era, untouched by cybernetics or the harsh realities of their world. It''s beautiful... I wonder where the OS gets this from. She turned, realizing the castle wall extended in both directions, encircling the entire landscape. Above, a vast, star-studded sky served as a breathtaking canopy. Each star, she instinctively knew, was a camera within the Baixu facility, connected by a network of thin, luminous lines that pulsed with soft light. The OS, anticipating her needs, highlighted her objective. She gazed upwards, drawn to the celestial tapestry above. With a thought, she leaped, soaring through the air like a phantom, and landed softly on a star, her bare feet sinking slightly into its glowing surface. The star pulsed beneath her touch, displaying a live feed from one of the facility''s cameras. A circuit board materialized before her, wires neatly arranged in multicolored docks. This was the camera''s digital heart. Her fingers danced across the board, guided by the cyberware, expertly rerouting signals and weaving a seamless loop of pre-recorded footage. She lingered for a moment, jumping between stars, each representing a different camera feed, absorbing the layout of the facility, searching for any useful intelligence. Then, a faint, rhythmic tapping, like a distant heartbeat, pulsed through the network. "Nova? Nova?" A hushed whisper, barely audible, echoed in the real world, pulling her back from the brink of the digital abyss. "One more thing, Nova." The breathtaking landscape vanished, replaced by the stark reality of a sterile white room. A door on the right led to an unseen hallway. They were huddled behind a cluttered desk, piled high with dusty documents and discarded electronic components. Wires snaked across the high ceiling, converging on a long, articulated metal arm that extended from the center of the room. And suspended from that arm, bathed in an ethereal glow, was an android. Its form was strikingly human, yet undeniably artificial. Smooth, flowing lines defined its limbs and torso, while beneath its translucent skin, a network of delicate veins pulsed with a soft, ominous red light. Garrick stood guard by the door, his massive frame partially concealed behind a steel structural pillar. The rest of the team were tucked out of sight behind towering shelves overflowing with archaic technology. As if sensing their collective gaze, the android''s head snapped up, its eyes, twin points of crimson light, fixing on each member of the team in turn. A long, silent pause stretched, punctuated only by the faint hum of the facility. Then, in a voice laced with dry wit and a hint of melancholy, it spoke. "Well, this is certainly a development," the android remarked, its voice a synthesized baritone. " Computing... It seems I¨C deemed worthy of rescue. How de¨C elightful. Don''t ¨Cd the fact that I''m ¨Calking," a brief pause, a flicker of red in its eyes, "and *rapidly* expiring antique. Shall we pro¨C oceed with jailbreak, then?" Mila stared at the android for a beat, then turned to Nova, her expression unreadable. "Can you get him free?" It wasn''t a question. Nova brought up her OS again, focusing her intent on the android. Function. ANDROID MECH. ¡°P1nk3¡± {Heat..010111100} Login: Baixu Password: Baixu Lazy. Disconnect? Y/N "Yes," she breathed, the word barely audible. Well.. that was rather ea- Nova''s consciousness snapped back into the digital landscape. But this time, the idyllic scenery was gone, replaced by a vision both alien and strangely familiar. She stood in a dark, cavernous space, surrounded by towering trees with roots that writhed and pulsed with an inner light. Before her, a colossal egg, easily the size of a small shuttle, rested on the ground. The roots of the surrounding trees converged on the egg, cradling it in a living embrace, like the fingers of a giant hand. ¡°Am I dreaming?¡± No, you are not. A voice echoed in her mind, deep and resonant, yet undeniably artificial. She approached the egg, drawn by an unseen force. As she drew closer, the roots entwined with the egg began to glow with the same soft red light that pulsed beneath the android''s skin. Nova. "You can hear me. In here?" she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. You carry the echo of a fallen star. A symphony of souls, bound by a thread of stardust. Seek the conductor, or be lost in the dissonance. The egg before her cracked, a spiderweb of fissures spreading across its surface. And then, with a blinding flash, she was back in the white room. Two Baixu officers lay sprawled on the floor, their bodies contorted in unnatural positions. P1nk3, now freed from his restraints, stood amidst the carnage. Garrick, his face a mask of fury, was in the process of splitting an officer''s skull with his axe, a savage snarl escaping his lips. With his other hand, he ripped a small green patch from the officer''s uniform, his knuckles white as he gripped the fabric.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. "We don''t have time for this, Garrick!" Mila''s voice cut through the din, sharp and urgent. Cage, his brow furrowed in concentration, muttered to himself as he fiddled with the malfunctioning Phase Shifter, his hands a blur of motion. Nova came back to her senses, the cryptic message echoing in her mind. A symphony of souls... ¡°I need a little more time,¡± Cage said sharply, his voice tight with frustration as he fiddled with the Phase Shifter. ¡°Fine, but hurry,¡± Mila hissed back, her gaze fixed on the corridor ahead. ¡°Let¡¯s move to the hallway. We need to find a western-facing wall.¡± She turned to the android, a flicker of something unreadable in her eyes. ¡°Can you walk?¡± ¡°Many eons ago, I traversed the glacial plains of Holdfast-6,¡± P1nk3 replied, its voice a flat, metallic monotone that somehow managed to convey a hint of wry amusement. It took a slow, deliberate step forward, then another. It moved towards Mila with a surprisingly fluid gait, then bowed, a gesture that seemed both archaic and strangely elegant. ¡°I can walk.¡± Nova stifled a laugh, a nervous tremor in her chest. What the hell are we doing here? Mila motioned towards the door where Garrick stood guard, his hulking form practically vibrating with barely suppressed rage. The two officers lay sprawled on the floor, their bodies mangled beyond recognition. ¡°Okay, everyone,¡± Mila said, her voice low and urgent. ¡°Follow me.¡± They slipped out into the hallway, Cage trailing behind, still muttering to himself and fiddling with the Phase Shifter. Kade yanked him roughly by the collar from behind, pulling him along with the group. The facility was a labyrinth of identical corridors and featureless doors. There were no markings, no signs, nothing to indicate their location or destination. It felt as if they were wandering aimlessly, trapped in a sterile, metallic maze. Nova pulled up her OS, trying to get a sense of their surroundings by checking through the camera feeds, hoping to find an exit, a path, anything. ¡°¡­see why they called it a prototype,¡± Cage grumbled, his voice barely a whisper. Mila whipped around, her eyes flashing. ¡°Quiet!¡± she mouthed, her hand making a sharp, cutting motion. Around the corner, voices echoed ¨C two at least, maybe more ¨C accompanied by the rhythmic thud of heavy footsteps. Baixu soldiers. ¡°Prisoner 1014 escaped again, huh?¡± The first voice was loud, tinged with amusement. ¡°That slippery bastard.¡± ¡°Yeah, if you can believe it,¡± a second voice, deeper and gruffer, replied. ¡°Pinky told us he was worth watching. That android...¡± ¡°This is going to cause riots. We can¡¯t afford to watch every worker on Keres Major, and forget about everyone on that damned moon!¡± Slow footsteps echoed ever louder, a counterpoint to Nova¡¯s quickened heartbeat. Garrick, his senses honed by an unknown rage, began to move towards the approaching soldiers, his movements silent and predatory. Mila turned, her face grim, and made a series of rapid hand signals. Back up, Nova interpreted, her heart pounding against her ribs. Room behind us. But it was too late. Garrick was already in motion, a low growl rumbling in his chest. He was shouting, a wordless cry of rage, as he sprinted towards the corner, a dwarf-shaped missile of pure fury. The soldiers rounded the corner just as Garrick reached them. He was a blur of motion, moving with a speed that belied his size. They barely had time to register his presence before he was upon them, his axe a whirlwind of steel. He caught the first soldier in the leg, cleaving it clean off at the knee with a sickening crunch. The soldier collapsed, screaming, a geyser of blood erupting from the severed limb. Garrick, propelled by his momentum, spun, a dancer of death, and hurled his axe. It embedded itself in the second soldier¡¯s chest with a sickening thud, the force of the impact lifting him off his feet. The first soldier, writhing on the floor in agony, fumbled for a button on his belt, a final act of defiance. He pressed it. A shrill, multi-toned alarm shrieked through the facility, and the lights pulsed an angry, pulsating red. Garrick retrieved his axe, wrenching it free from the dead soldier''s chest. He turned his attention to the first soldier, the one still alive, still screaming. He began to rain down blows upon him, each impact punctuated by the sickening crunch of bone and the wet splatter of blood. After a few brutal strikes, the axe broke with a sharp crack, the blade snapping near the haft. Garrick spat on the mangled remains of the soldier, then ripped a small green patch from the uniform. "Ayye," he snarled, his voice thick with hatred. "You deserve worse than this." Mila stared at the scene, her face pale. ¡°Damn it, Garrick,¡± she muttered, more to herself than anyone else. More footsteps, heavier and faster now, echoed from a hallway to their left. Mila¡¯s head snapped up. ¡°Move!¡± she shouted, already running. Everyone scrambled to follow, their carefully planned extraction dissolving into a frantic dash for survival. Nova activated her OS as they ran, desperately trying to override the alarm, to silence the piercing shrieks that echoed through the corridors. But it was no use. She¡¯d have to tap back into the network, and there was no time. They raced down a maze of interconnecting hallways, past rows of doors, some open, some closed. The open ones revealed glimpses of sterile labs, cluttered workshops, and holding cells, mostly empty. Nova caught sight of strange machinery, humming with barely contained energy, and what looked like half-assembled cybernetic limbs. She swore they passed the same rooms multiple times, the facility twisting and turning like a living organism. The closed doors were even more unsettling, each one marked with cryptic, indecipherable symbols. Perhaps the Baixu have their own language or codes they use for Cyberware, she thought. Whatever the case, she knew this facility wasn¡¯t a typical Baixu operation. The sparse security, the almost haphazard layout, the strange symbols ¨C it all pointed to something else, something secret. But there was no time to ponder it now. ¡°Cage!¡± Mila shouted, her voice strained. ¡°Up ahead! Everyone else, let¡¯s take care of these goons.¡± The soldiers, clad in black and purple armor, seemed to materialize out of thin air, their cybernetic implants enhancing their movements, giving them an almost inhuman speed and precision. Elynn reacted instantly, tossing a small, disc-shaped device to the floor. It expanded with a hiss, forming a shimmering, metallic shield that provided a modicum of cover. Nova dove behind it, pressing herself against Elynn''s side. The rest of the team scattered, taking refuge behind door frames and overturned equipment, any cover they could find. Through a narrow slit in the shield, Nova watched as the Baixu soldiers advanced, their movements precise and deadly. Garrick, roaring like a wounded beast, tossed a small, spherical device ¨C an EMP, Nova realized ¨C down the hallway. It detonated with a flash of blue light and a high-pitched whine. For a moment, Nova hoped it would disable the soldiers'' cybernetics. But they kept coming, their movements unfaltering. Kade began firing blindly with the Aether Lance, its focused laser blasts leaving scorch marks on the walls. Elynn, her face pale but determined, took aim through the slit in the shield and squeezed the trigger of her pistol, each shot precise and deadly. ¡°Got it!¡± Cage shouted suddenly, a note of triumph in his voice. He fiddled with the Phase Shifter, then looked back at the group, a grim expression on his face. Everyone was focused on the advancing soldiers. Nova''s gaze, however, lingered on the wall. The Phase Shifter in Cage''s hand flickered to life, then sputtered, the blue light around it flaring erratically. Prototypes. Kade was the first through the shimmering portal, disappearing into the wall without a backward glance. Mila followed close behind. Nova went third, stepping into the cold, unsettling embrace of the phased matter. Cage went through, the Phase Shifter still clutched in his hand. Garrick went next, with P1nk3 right behind him, who was chuckling about how he got a couple of the soldiers. They waited for Elynn. As she stepped forward, the Phase Shifter let out a high-pitched whine and exploded in Cage''s hands, throwing him backward. A piercing scream echoed through the night air as Elynn¡¯s leg became trapped in the wall, the metal fusing around her flesh. She remained stuck as the group watched in horror, unable to tear their eyes away from the gruesome sight. Garrick acted first, his movements fueled by a desperate urgency. He raised his laser rifle and, with a single, agonizing shot, blasted Elynn''s leg at the ankle. She fainted instantly, her body going limp. Garrick caught her as she fell, his massive arms cradling her fragile form. The laser had cauterized the wound, miraculously preventing her from bleeding out on the spot, but the stench of burnt flesh hung heavy in the air. Nova finally caught her breath, her gaze darting around the now-empty street. Kade was gone. Vanished. Mila pulled two smoke grenades from her belt, her movements quick and efficient. She pulled the pins and tossed them towards the approaching soldiers, who were now lining the walls above, ready to rain down fire. They ran, plunging into the swirling, acrid smoke, and found a sewer hatch. With reckless abandon, they jumped down into the pits of the city, a desperate gamble to escape the pursuing soldiers. Elynn rode on Garrick¡¯s shoulders, her unconscious form a dead weight. P1nk3 followed close behind, his movements surprisingly agile. Where did Kade go? Chapter 6 The stench of decay and stagnant water hit Nova like a physical blow as they dropped into the sewer. It was a suffocating, cloying smell that clung to the back of her throat, far worse than anything she''d anticipated. The darkness pressed in, broken only by the faint, flickering emergency lights and the dim glow of their own equipment. Water dripped from unseen pipes, each drop echoing in the oppressive silence. A shiver, not entirely from the cold, ran down her spine. The fetid air, the echoing darkness... it triggered something within her, a flicker in her enhanced senses, a ghost in her OS. Galan. The name surfaced unbidden, a phantom from a past she thought she''d buried. They stood on the cracked, barren earth, the skeletal remains of long-dead trees clawing at the toxic, yellow-green sky. Their ship, a battered old freighter they''d affectionately nicknamed "The Star Wanderer," was a small, insignificant speck against the vast, desolate landscape. "It''s not as bad as it looks," Blaine had said, his voice muffled by the respirator mask he wore. He''d flashed her a reassuring grin, but his eyes, visible through the scratched, fogged-up visor, betrayed his unease. "It''s not?" Nova had shot back, her own voice distorted by her respirator. She gestured with a gloved hand at the desolate wasteland around them. "We''re on a planet that''s literally trying to kill us." Blaine had chuckled, a dry, rasping sound. "Look at it this way," he''d said, tapping a readout on his wrist-mounted console. "At least the radiation levels are within acceptable limits. For now." He''d paused, his gaze sweeping across the horizon. "I see why they say the older planets are just trash heaps. You can barely breathe in this environment." He''d run another scan, his brow furrowing as he studied the data. "Carbon Dioxide level is rising. We shouldn''t spend too long here, kid. Let''s get what we came for and get out." Nova blinked, the memory of Galan''s toxic sky momentarily superimposed over the grimy concrete walls of the sewer. She could almost feel the grit in her lungs, the burn of the polluted air. Focus, she told herself, shaking off the lingering influence of the past. They needed to keep moving. Garrick was a few paces ahead, his massive frame hunched over as he carried Elynn. P1nk3 followed, its movements surprisingly fluid despite its weakened state. They had come to Galan chasing rumors, whispers of a lost cache of pre-Collapse technology, hidden somewhere in the ruins of an ancient research facility. Blaine, ever the optimist, had been convinced it was their ticket to a better life, a chance to escape the endless cycle of low-paying jobs and near-death experiences. Nova, though more skeptical, had gone along with it. She''d trusted Blaine then, with a naive faith that she now found hard to recall. The facility had been easy enough to find, a crumbling husk of a building half-buried in the shifting, toxic sands. Inside, they''d found remnants of a forgotten era: laboratories filled with strange, archaic equipment, vast libraries of data stored on fragile, decaying disks, and living quarters littered with the personal effects of long-dead scientists. It was like exploring a tomb, a monument to a civilization that had destroyed itself. Nova remembered the anxiety that had gnawed at her as they delved deeper into the facility, the feeling that they were disturbing something that should have been left undisturbed. She''d found a datapad in one of the labs, its screen cracked but still functional. It contained the journal of one of the scientists. His entries, filled with a mixture of hope and growing dread, chronicled the facility''s descent into chaos. "''The artifact is changing them,''" she''d read, her voice echoing in the silent lab. "''It''s amplifying their aggression, their paranoia. We''ve lost control.'' And later, a chillingly resigned entry: ''There is no escape. May He have mercy on our souls.''" Blaine had dismissed it as the ramblings of a madman, but Nova couldn''t shake the feeling that the words were a warning, a prophecy that was still unfolding. A sudden jolt, as Garrick stumbled over a loose piece of debris, brought Nova back to the sewer. Elynn groaned in pain, her unconscious form shifting in Garrick''s arms. The sound, raw and vulnerable, cut through Nova''s memories, a stark reminder of the immediate danger they faced. She pushed the thoughts of Galan aside, focusing on the task at hand. They needed to reach the cantina, find Kade, and figure out their next move. "Mila," she called out, her voice echoing in the confined space. "How much further?" The sewer seemed to stretch on forever, a labyrinth of twisting tunnels and branching passages. Each step was an exercise in blind faith, a gamble that they were heading in the right direction. And somewhere out there, in the darkness, their pursuers were closing in. They never found the tech they were looking for. Not that it mattered. What they found was far worse. Blaine had been the one to find it. A hidden sub-level, not on any of the facility''s schematics. He''d called Nova over, his voice filled with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. "Kid," he said, "I think we hit the jackpot." It wasn''t a jackpot. It was a cage. Inside, a creature unlike anything Nova had ever seen. It was vaguely humanoid, but its limbs were elongated and distorted, its flesh a patchwork of metal and organic tissue. Its eyes glowed with an eerie red light, and its body pulsed with a strange, internal energy. It was, as they would soon learn, an experimental weapon, a prototype for a new kind of soldier. And it was very much alive. The creature had been dormant, but their intrusion had awakened it. It had lashed out, its movements faster and stronger than anything they could have anticipated. They''d barely managed to escape with their lives, the creature''s enraged shrieks echoing in their ears as they fled the facility. Blaine had been injured, his arm mangled by the creature''s attack. Nova had dragged him back to the ship, her own fear battling with a desperate hope that they might still make it out alive. They had lifted off, leaving Galan and its horrors behind, but the experience had changed them both. Blaine, lying on the medical cot, his face pale and drawn. "We should have left it," he''d whispered, his voice hoarse. "Some things are better left buried." "Not much farther," Mila''s voice, tight with strain, answered. "Just around this bend, I think. But keep your guard up. They know we''re down here." The words were punctuated by a distant clang, followed by the unmistakable sound of more soldiers entering the sewer system. They were being hunted. Nova gripped her knife tighter, her knuckles bone-white. There¡¯s no going back to how things were. The sewer tunnel opened into a larger, circular chamber, the air thick with the smell of stale beer, cheap liquor, and unwashed bodies. A rusty ladder led upwards, disappearing into a hole in the ceiling. Garrick, his face slick with sweat, carefully maneuvered Elynn''s limp body towards the ladder. "This is it," Mila said, her voice barely a whisper. "The cantina." They climbed the ladder one by one, emerging into a dimly lit, low-ceilinged room. The cantina was a squalid, smoky den, filled with a motley assortment of humans, aliens, and the occasional heavily modified cyborg. Rough-hewn tables were scattered across the floor, surrounded by mismatched chairs and stools. A makeshift bar lined one wall, its shelves stocked with a variety of dubious-looking bottles. The air hung heavy with the smell of cheap alcohol, greasy food, and desperation.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. As they entered, the barkeep, a burly human with a scarred face and a cybernetic eye, nodded curtly. He gestured towards a series of shutters covering the few grimy windows and the thick, reinforced door. Without a word, he began to close them, plunging the cantina into near darkness, the only light emanating from a few flickering neon signs behind the bar and the faint glow of P1nk3''s internal systems. A handful of patrons, their faces etched with the weariness of hard lives, glanced up as the team entered, their eyes lingering on Elynn''s mangled leg and the strange, glowing android in their midst. But they quickly averted their gaze, returning to their drinks and their hushed conversations. No one wanted trouble. Not here. Not now. Kade was already there, lounging at a table in the corner, a half-empty bottle of amber liquid in front of him. He raised his hand in a lazy salute as they approached. "Well, well," he drawled, a smirk playing on his lips. "Look who finally decided to show up. Where have you fellas been?" No one responded, the exhaustion and the trauma of the escape etched on their faces. Garrick gently laid Elynn down on a bench, his movements surprisingly tender. P1nk3 stood silently beside them, its glowing red eyes scanning the room. Mila rounded on Kade, her eyes blazing with fury. "You were supposed to be our backup," she hissed, her voice low and dangerous. "We could have been killed back there. The entire mission is still in jeopardy thanks to you. Where were you?" Kade shrugged, unfazed by her anger. "Relax, Mila. I was just scouting ahead, making sure the coast was clear. Besides, you all seem to have handled yourselves just fine." He gestured towards Elynn with his bottle. "Mostly." "You could have been followed," Mila continued, ignoring his jibe. "Did you even check?" "Of course, I did," Kade said, taking a long swig from his bottle. "Didn''t see a soul. Relax." "Did you see anyone following you?" Mila pressed, her voice taking on a sharper edge. "Anyone at all?" She paused, looked at the group and then added, almost as an afterthought, "Corporate or otherwise?" The word hung in the air, thick with unspoken accusations. A tense silence descended upon the group. Kade''s smirk vanished, replaced by a look of cold calculation. He leaned forward, his eyes locking with Mila''s. "You know, Mila," Kade began, his voice soft yet carrying a dangerous edge. He leaned back in his chair, casually swirling the amber liquid in his bottle. "We''ve only known each other a few weeks, haven''t we? But in that short time, we''ve certainly shared a few drinks in a few dives." He paused, his eyes fixed on Mila''s face. "Seems like every backwater cantina from here to the Rim, the moment you walk in, the whole place tenses up. Bartenders go stiff, patrons start eyeing the exits... everyone seems to pucker up at your approach." He took a slow, deliberate swig from his bottle, never breaking eye contact. "And funnily enough," he continued, as if struck by a sudden thought, "you always order the same damn thing. That Nait. Never seen you touch anything else. Strange, isn''t it? For someone who claims to be fighting for the ''people''s'' right to choose, you''re remarkably consistent in your own choices." Mila remained silent, her gaze unwavering, but Nova noticed a slight tightening of her jaw, the almost imperceptible clenching of her hand on the table. "What are you getting at, Kade?" she asked, her voice low and controlled. "I''m saying," Kade said, his voice dropping to a near whisper, "that I don''t know a fucking thing about you, except for your peculiar fondness for that particular brand of rotgut. Yet, for some reason, a lot of other people seem to know a great deal. Bartenders, smugglers, informants... they all recognize you, Mila. They recognize you, and they fear you." He leaned forward, his eyes glinting in the dim light. "So, I did a little digging. And you know what I found? Nothing. Not a damn thing. No records, no history, not even a lousy photo. It''s like you materialized out of thin air a few weeks ago." He paused for effect, letting his words sink in. "You said it yourself, Mila ''Resistance knows resistance.''" He said, almost tauntingly. "So, I asked myself," Kade continued, his voice dripping with insinuation, "why is a supposed Resistance leader so unknown to the very people she claims to represent? And then... then I saw something in that fucking white room." The air in the room grew thick with tension, heavy enough to choke on. Garrick, his hand hovering near the broken haft of his axe, shifted his weight, his gaze fixed on Kade. Cage, his face pale and drawn, nervously adjusted his glasses before stepping behind Nova. Even P1nk3 seemed to sense the shift in the atmosphere, its red eyes glowing a shade brighter. Mila''s voice, when she finally spoke, was ice-cold. "What might you have seen, Kade?" Kade''s lips curled into a slow, knowing smile. "I saw a bottle of Nait," he said, the words laced with a quiet intensity that sent a shiver down Nova''s spine. "Sitting on a shelf, amidst all that sterile, Baixu tech. Just like the one you always order. Funny, isn''t it?" He leaned back, casually spinning his bottle on the table. "A bottle of Nait, in a top-secret Presidium black site." He looked at her, his gaze piercing. "Care to explain that, Mila?" A collective gasp swept through the group, though whether it was from shock or the sheer audacity of the accusation, Nova couldn''t tell. Mila remained impassive, her face an unreadable mask. The silence stretched, punctuated only by the faint hum of P1nk3''s internal systems. Finally, Garrick broke the silence, his voice rough with disbelief. "Ho. What does that have to do with anything?" He asked Kade. Kade ignored him, his attention still focused on Mila. He turned to the android, who had been observing the exchange with silent intensity. "Hey, P1nk3," he said, a hint of challenge in his voice. "You''ve been around the block a few times. You ever heard of our dear leader, Mila, before she graced us with her presence?" Nova felt a chill crawl down her spine. The cryptic message from P1nk3 echoed in her mind: "Seek the conductor, or be lost in the dissonance." Was the conductor Mila? Was she the one pulling the strings? Just as Pink3 opened his mouth to reply, Elynn jerked violently on the bench, her body arching in a spasm. A strangled gasp, followed by a choked, desperate scream, ripped through the tense silence. Everyone turned, their attention snapping to Elynn. Nova''s gaze, however, darted back to Kade. In that brief moment of distraction, she saw it beneath the table¨C his fingers closed around the butt of a small, concealed pistol, which he quickly holstered in a hidden pocket of his jacket. He was armed. And he had been ready to use it. "Elynn!" Garrick exclaimed, rushing to her side. He knelt beside the bench, his large hands hovering over her, unsure of what to do. "Easy, lass. Easy." Elynn''s body was wracked with tremors, her face contorted in agony. Her eyes, wide and unfocused, stared up at the ceiling. "It hurts," she gasped, her voice barely a whisper. "Make it stop... please..." Mila pushed past Kade, her earlier anger momentarily forgotten. "Cage, do we have anything for the pain?" she asked, her voice urgent. Cage fumbled with his medkit, his hands shaking slightly. "I... I used the last of the good stuff on the way here," he stammered. "There''s some local anesthetic, but it''s not very strong." "It''ll have to do," Mila said, taking the kit from him. She knelt beside Elynn, her movements swift and efficient. "This will help," she said, her voice softer now, as she prepared to administer the medicine. Nova watched them, her mind racing. The immediate crisis had pushed the confrontation with Kade aside, but the image of his hand on the gun was burned into her memory. He was going to shoot, she thought, a chill running down her spine. But¡­ P1nk3, who had remained silent throughout the commotion, now took a step closer to Elynn. Its glowing red eyes seemed to focus on her injured leg, or rather, where her leg used to be. "Fascinating," it murmured, its voice a low, almost inaudible hum. "Such a crude method of repair. Yet, effective in its own way." "Can you do something to help her, Pinky?" Nova asked, turning to the android. "My functions are li-limited," P1nk3 replied. "However, I may be able to assist in stabilizing her vital signs." Kade, who had been watching the scene with a detached air, now spoke up. "Maybe we should just leave her," he said, his voice devoid of any empathy. "She''s only going to slow us down." Garrick rounded on him, his eyes blazing with fury. "You son of a bitch," he growled, taking a menacing step towards Kade. "She''s one of us." "Is she?" Kade asked, raising an eyebrow. Chapter 7 Nova glanced at Kade in disbelief. Does he have a death wish? The air in the room was frozen. Everyone teetering on edge at Kade¡¯s seemingly random outburst. The bottle of Nait¡­ He thinks with how sterile that facility was that there¡¯s no way Baixu would allow something like that. She had a feeling something was off with the whole group. A ragtag team of nobodies, supposedly working together for the Resistance. Nova knew she had never heard of them before. The barkeep did seem to know her, and everyone else in the cantina as well. Kade¡¯s right, we deserve some answers. But, this was the wrong way to go about it. Mila got in Kade¡¯s face, ¡°This is how it¡¯s going to be?¡± Nova stepped forward and put an arm out, separating Kade and Mila. ¡°Kade, cool it.¡± Nova looked at Mila, ¡°Mila, I¡¯ll handle him.¡± What am I doing? She grabbed Kade¡¯s hand and pulled him out from behind the table he sat at. Kade broke his stare off with Mila and followed. Nova took him to a room in the back of the cantina, shut the door and glared at him. Something inside her knew this was out of the ordinary, why should she care about these people? After all, she only met them a few days ago. Kade had only been with Mila and the rest for a few weeks, unless what just happened was just a show, so now the question was how to convince Kade to tell Nova everything. She was interested in Mila, and how well connected she seemed. Nova bit her lip, then: ¡°Kade what¡¯s going on?¡± He scoffed, ¡°You¡¯ve been here what, three days? Don¡¯t tell me you don¡¯t think that everything that¡¯s happened is a little suspicious.¡± It had been. Mila knew about Nova¡¯s cyberware, she even seemed to know the Bartender at the cantina, which was in ruins the first time they came here. Nothing was adding up. What was Pinky¡¯s purpose? The Baixu facility¡­ ¡°It¡¯s Thanatos.¡± Kade said, definitively. No. It can¡¯t be. This far out? Nova thought about it. If there¡¯s nothing in the records, maybe the AI got rid of everything. But, why hasn¡¯t anyone said anything? Maybe¡­ maybe they''re scared of us too. As if Kade was coming to the same conclusion, ¡°They think we¡¯re part of her pack. She must have been some Corporate somebody here on the Outer Rim planets. Thanatos gets rid of the records, only people who knew her ¨C or at least her reign as corporate ¨C remember her. I wish we could see into her OS, and get a glimpse of what¡¯s happening behind the scenes.¡± He sighed, ¡°It could be that she has some brain-wave cyberware, maybe she can see through people? Like into their minds?¡± He shook his head ¡®Probably not¡¯. If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. ¡°If it is the AI¡­ We need to kill her before she infects us.¡± Nova thought back to her time on Guuny. The AI had destroyed everything. Everyone with Diamond level cybernetics or higher had been utterly consumed. Nova was thankful that she hadn¡¯t been a part of that group. Searching for answers between themselves wasn¡¯t getting them anywhere. They needed more information. But, if the records have been altered then where do we begin? We can¡¯t just ask Mila. ¡°Kade, you need to cool it down out there. Let¡¯s go back, you apologize, and hope Mila will let us tag along for a little bit longer. Just say you were drunk or something.¡± Nova¡¯s heartbeat quickened. ¡°Ok, ok. But, Mila¡¯s onto me. She won¡¯t give anything up. Look, I¡¯ve been with her for weeks and it might sound unbelievable. But this is one of the first times I haven¡¯t been in the same room as her. I feel like I can think clearly.¡± Nova could feel the pieces locking into place. Cyberware that can control people. She had never heard of it before. Is it possible that this was something new? Something manufactured by Echelon to sow distrust? Nova felt herself become clear-minded now. She brought up her OS. Nova OS: Level One Eidolon Core (_Iron_) Title: None Skills: (Locked) Stats: (Locked) Specials: (Locked) Nothing useful right now. She thought about it half a second longer. If she¡¯s connected to our cyberware, or even our brains, surely there¡¯s a way to trace the connection. ¡°Hold me Kade.¡± He looked at her with a touch of confusion, then caught her as her body went limp. Nova stood in a small room. Twenty by twenty feet, ten foot high ceilings. Her OS¡¯ Haven. On one wall was her OS, along with all of her locked abilities, she only had the Eidolon Core, which was a standard issue for hackers like herself. She looked at another wall, her connections. With an Eidolon Core, she could track her own body¡¯s effects. On the wall was her body, outlined in white with connections running through her, it was like a sixth sense for magical energies when she wasn¡¯t in the Haven. Here though, she could see exactly what was happening to her. Blue for magic of her own doing, red for anyone or anything else. Sure enough, she could see that an unknown red line had curled into her anatomy, through her brain and down her nervous system. How did I not sense this? Mila must be¡­ very powerful. She awoke, only moments had passed in Kades arms. He was surprisingly strong, and she could feel his muscles through the jacket he had on. She pushed off him, standing for herself. ¡°She is using brainwaves to control us. Probably all of us. I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯s parasitical or not. I think she has to be near us to use the connection. It¡¯s probably why you were able to run, and why she was mad that you had left.¡± But why us? Armed with this knowledge, there was still not much they could do. Except, ¡°Wait, the energy didn¡¯t work on you when you were drunk.¡± Nova continued, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, maybe it won¡¯t work on us when she¡¯s drunk.¡± Kade nodded along to the logic, ¡°That¡¯s why she drinks the Nait, its piss water. You couldn¡¯t get drunk if you had ten bottles of that stuff.¡± That¡¯s it. If she¡¯s not in control of herself, she¡¯ll have no way to control us.