The yellow light inside the dome radiated a warmth that had long been absent from the pores of our skin. The air filtration system hummed in a low pitch, sweeping away the scent of sulfur and metallic blood that had previously clung tightly to our clothes. In a quiet corner of the room, Vex was fast asleep on a bed, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm that ensured her fractured ribs were beginning to knit back together. Cora sat in the kitchen, sipping a cup of warm stimulant while keeping an eye on the security monitors. No chaos was occurring. The lower district of Noctis Reach felt like a different universe this morning.In the middle of the room, I placed a toolbox on the workbench we had borrowed from Wallen's storage. Kael and Risha stood across from me. Their faces still bore visible traces of exhaustion, but their eyes radiated a bright, unconcealable enthusiasm."We have a promise that needs to be kept immediately," I said, taking out a cutting tool, a spool of op

The final titanium plate locked into place with a satisfying click. I lowered the welding torch, wiped the sweat from my forehead, and stared at the metal chassis on the workbench. The alloy frame was now covered by an aerodynamic outer shell."Neural cables connected," Kael reported, pulling the clamp pin from the edge of the socket. The boy turned a small lever near the knee of the mechanical leg. "The manual safety for the trigger is installed. Pressure sensitivity is set at a forty-five-degree angle."Risha touched the metal surface with a wide smile. "The hydraulic suspension system is calibrated. This is a masterpiece.""Bring it here," Jax's voice echoed from the direction of his bed. The Lumea was already sitting up, pushing his blanket aside. His face looked much fresher. His eyes stared at the mechanical leg with a mix of impatience and anticipation.I lifted the mechanical leg. Its weight was surprising; the materials from Wallen's warehouse were incredibly light yet felt a

The sound of Jax's metallic footsteps dominated the atmosphere inside the dome. The Lumea continued to test the balance of his new leg, pivoting his heel with extreme caution so as not to accidentally fire the laser and blast a hole through the dome's wall. Spark walked behind Jax, following him. The mechanical steps of the little synth's two feet clinked softly against the floor, mimicking the rhythm of the Lumea's new leg with antics that made Kael laugh."If Cora bought the wrong cigarettes I asked for," Jax babbled, pausing to look at the clock on the console screen, "I swear I'll make that calculator-brained lady march right back to the market herself.""Use that shiny new leg of yours to walk to the market yourself, you old coot," Grox chimed in casually from his bed.I leaned against the table, smiling slightly at their interaction. The atmosphere inside the dome felt very light and was starting to feel a bit familiar. Vex sat sharpening her serrated knife blade. The bounty hun

I tightened my utility belt, then checked the portable oxygen tank mounted on my back. Wallen's shelter dome was silent, yet the air was thick with a pressing urgency. All of us stood near the door, ready with our respective equipment."I'm counting on you, Kael," I said, resting my hand on the boy's shoulder. "Guard this place."Kael nodded firmly, accompanied by an equally enthusiastic beep from Spark. Risha sat at the console desk, her eyes locked onto the lines of code on her holographic screen."Remember, Grox, Jax," I said, turning to the Brakkar and Lumea. "Five minutes. No more, no less. Hit their communications tower with everything you've got.""They'll hear the blast all the way to the end of the district," Jax smirked, patting his titanium leg.The dome door opened. Vex and I stepped out, followed by Grox and Jax, who took the turn toward the eastern sector cargo lift. The air outside felt heavy, filled with the smell of rusted iron and smoke from the factory exhaust stack

Sparks of electricity from the shattered interrogation apparatus flickered wildly into the air, illuminating this dim room with erratic flashes. I forced myself to my feet, the smell of ozone mixing with the metallic reek of blood to fill my nostrils. Behind me, Vex was fighting to unlock the final clamp securing Cora's left wrist."Focus, L!" Vex shouted sharply, forcibly pulling at the locking mechanism until it creaked loudly.I swung my sapphire blade forward, closing the distance between myself and the Wraith. The man in the black coat met my assault with a swing of his dark blade. Clash after clash erupted at a blinding speed. We moved around the room, smashing tables and scanning equipment that stood in our way. I spun my body, dodging his thrust, and then delivered a kick toward his chest. The Wraith parried my kick with his left elbow, countering with a horizontal slash targeting my neck.I ducked, letting the searing heat of his sword singe the air above my head. Concentrati