Many minutes later, Sera and Zyra sat in a small, inconspicuous corner of a Liberi-owned shop. Sera ate like her life depended on it—and it did, considering she was a wanted woman now. The Liberi shop owners paid no mind to her situation, their only concern being that she paid for her food. As long as the credits kept flowing, her past or present didn't matter.
Sera continued shoveling food into her mouth, her eyes sharp yet distant, not bothering to slow down. Zyra, watching from across the table, occasionally wiped food off Sera's face, only for her to jerk her head away and continue eating. It was a rare moment of peace in a world that had otherwise become hostile.
"I see you've been well, going by that piece of gear you've got on you," Zyra said, leaning back in her seat, eyes narrowing as she took in the strange changes in Sera's appearance.
Sera quickly turned her head away, whistling in feigned innocence. "I don't know what you could be talking about..." she mumbled, stuffing another mouthful of food into her already full mouth. But Zyra was already analyzing her, piecing things together in silence.
What the hell happened while I was gone? Zyra thought, eyeing Sera's altered features closely. She's not a Banshee like me, but she's got something similar on her head... and her hair—it's white, but not like it's supposed to be. It's dull. Zyra's fingers tapped lightly on the table. Her skin's paler, too. And the tail...
Sera's new tail flicked slightly as she leaned forward to grab another bite. It was an abnormal feature for someone like her. Zyra narrowed her eyes further. This shouldn't be possible. If she had Sankta wings, this would be a damn nightmare. But what really worries me is that port...
Zyra's gaze shifted to the small, almost hidden neural port near the back of her spine..er skill base?. "Nothing wrong with a neural implant," she murmured to herself. "But what grade is it?"
Coughing lightly, Zyra tried to break Sera's seemingly endless focus on her food. "Hey," she said louder, leaning forward. "Where'd you get that implant from, huh?"
Sera stopped mid-chew, giving Zyra a sideways glance before swallowing hard. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and casually replied, "Oh, off some guy's shelf. He didn't need it anymore since I killed him."
Zyra froze. Her expression shifted slightly, but she didn't say anything at first, processing what she had just heard. "What grade is it?" she asked carefully.
"Executive grade, why?" Sera continued eating, unconcerned, while Zyra's mind went into overdrive.
Executive grade?! Zyra clenched her fists beneath the table. That sounds an awful lot like... She paused, her mind racing. It clicked. Damn, that implant's high-tier. Could it be one of my old employer's implants?
"Show it to me," Zyra said, trying to sound nonchalant, though her curiosity was piqued. "Just a quick look."
"Mmm, sure." Sera turned her head to the side, exposing the side of her neck as she finished her fifth plate of food and casually ordered another. Zyra leaned closer, inspecting the implant. The metallic sheen glistened under the dim light, integrated perfectly into the skin at the base of her neck.
[Neural Implant: NeuralDrive EX-7]
Sera's implant wasn't just some run-of-the-mill device. The NeuralDrive EX-7 was top-of-the-line, and Zyra could tell immediately that it wasn't something a regular person should be walking around with. It was a high-level implant, designed for seamless integration with combat and intelligence systems—something built for a soldier or someone high up in corporate warfare.
"This thing's military grade, isn't it?" Zyra asked quietly, her fingers brushing near the port but not touching it.
Sera nodded slightly, her mouth still full of food.
System Coordination: The NeuralDrive EX-7 synchronizes all connected implants, ensuring everything works in harmony. That includes managing power distribution, processing sensory data, and controlling complex multi-system maneuvers without Sera having to think about it consciously.
Adaptive Interface: Its adaptive OS was what made the NeuralDrive EX-7 stand out. It dynamically adjusts based on Sera's needs during combat or downtime, displaying real-time updates through her SpecterVision Mk. IV HUD. The system keeps her informed without cluttering her vision—energy levels, environmental data, everything important is right there without interrupting her focus.
Security Protocols: The implants' security is no joke. It's outfitted with military-grade protection, constantly monitoring for hacking attempts or anomalies. Any unauthorized access is immediately isolated and neutralized, keeping her systems from being compromised—something essential, considering her run-ins with corporate enemies.
Zyra's eyes widened slightly as she listened to Sera explain its functions. "That's... that's some serious shit you've got there."
Sera shrugged, downing another plate of food as if it wasn't a big deal. "It does the job."
Zyra leaned back, whistling softly. "I'd say you've been busy."
"Busy enough," Sera replied, finally slowing down her eating pace. She wiped her mouth and stretched. "Don't worry about me, though. I know how to use this stuff. Better in my hands than someone else's."
Zyra frowned, her mind still spinning with what she had just heard. Sera was packing more heat than she realized, and the implications of what she might be up against were unsettling.
"Yeah," Zyra muttered, "I bet you do."
Sera grinned, as if nothing in the world could touch her-for now at least. But Zyra couldn't shake the unease building in her gut. Whatever Sera had gotten herself into, it wasn't going to be as simple as outrunning a few guards or slipping past corporate security.
"Say… you got any more implants?" Zyra asked casually as Sera took a long sip from her drink. The clink of the cup against the table was the only sound as the two sat in the dimly lit shop.
Sera wiped her mouth, setting the cup down before giving Zyra a slight nod. "Just one more. The GhostFrame MG-13. I got it off a client. Poor bastard had no money but had a small collection of high-grade gear."
Zyra's eyes flickered with curiosity. "A skeletal implant, huh? What's it do?"
Sera leaned back in her seat, a smirk playing on her lips as she began explaining.
[Skeletal Implant: "GhostFrame MG-13"]
The GhostFrame MG-13 was no ordinary skeletal enhancement. It was designed for operatives who needed both durability and stealth—something that Sera needed.
Stealth-Optimized Reinforcement: The implant was crafted from non-metallic composites, which reinforced her entire skeletal structure. The beauty of the GhostFrame MG-13 was that it enhanced her bones without triggering metal detectors or giving off signatures that could be picked up by standard scanning technologies. It made her practically invisible to most forms of detection, keeping her off the radar.
Vibration Dampening: But the real game-changer was the vibration dampening technology embedded within the implant. Every movement Sera made was absorbed by the implant, reducing the noise of her steps and her physical presence. Even during fast-paced mission runs, where a single sound could mean the difference between life and death, the GhostFrame MG-13 ensured that she moved like a shadow—completely silent.
Adaptive Resilience: It wasn't just about stealth. The implant also adapted to the impact of blows, absorbing shocks and redistributing force to prevent fractures or breaks. The rigidity of the skeleton would dynamically adjust in response to impacts, ensuring Sera could take a hit and keep going. Unlike more rigid implants, this one maintained her natural flexibility, allowing her to move fluidly without sacrificing protection.
Zyra nodded, her expression unreadable as she processed the information. "Impressive," she muttered. "No wonder you've stayed alive this long."
Sera shrugged. "It gets the job done. Makes things a lot easier when you can move undetected." She tapped the side of her head lightly while remembering the ladder, she internally shuddered. "And when you don't have to worry about your bones shattering every time you take a fall."
Zyra smirked, a rare flicker of amusement crossing her face. "Still the same Sera. Always taking shortcuts."
Sera laughed, leaning forward again. "Nah, just getting better at surviving." She finished her drink and waved for another. "And you? Still a maid?"
"Don't underestimate me, Sera. I've learned a thing or two in your absence." Zyra's voice was calm, but there was a hint of something sharper beneath it.