The wind whipped through the narrow streets of the Rust Quarter as Alex made his way through the crowded market, his mind focused on the task at hand. The list of materials he needed was growing longer with each step, but he knew this was the key to moving forward. The suit he was designing wasn't just a project—it was a lifeline for him and the others. If he could pull it off, it would change everything.
His eyes scanned the various stalls and vendors, searching for the specific components he needed. The market was its usual chaotic mix of scavenged tech, broken devices, and makeshift tools, but Alex knew how to spot value amid the junk.
Lightweight metals first, Alex thought. Aluminum alloy or something similar to reinforce the suit's structure.
He spotted a vendor with a pile of old, rusted metal sheets stacked haphazardly near the back of the market. The man was busy haggling with a group of scavengers, but Alex slipped past them, carefully inspecting the materials. Most of it was useless—bent, corroded, or too heavy—but near the bottom, Alex found what he was looking for: a small stack of aluminum alloy sheets, still intact and in good enough condition to be usable.
"Found something you like?" the vendor asked, his voice gruff and impatient.
Alex nodded, holding up one of the sheets. "How much for these?"
The vendor scratched his chin, eyeing Alex up and down. "That? Fifteen tokens each."
Alex frowned, calculating in his head. He had enough tokens for the day, but he needed to make sure he wasn't spending too much in one place. "I'll take two for twenty tokens."
The vendor narrowed his eyes. "Twenty-five."
"Deal." Alex handed over the tokens, grabbing the two sheets and tucking them into his bag. They were lightweight but sturdy, perfect for reinforcing the chest and shoulders of the suit.
As he moved away from the stall, Alex's mind shifted to the next item on his list: titanium. He needed it to reinforce the critical areas—places where protection was more important than flexibility, like the knees and forearms. Finding titanium in the Rust Quarter wasn't going to be easy, but Alex knew where to look.
There was an old tech shop near the southern end of the market, run by a reclusive scavenger named Darik. The shop was crammed with broken tech and rare metals, most of it salvaged from the outskirts of the city. Alex had traded there before, though Darik was known for driving a hard bargain.
The shop was tucked away behind a row of crumbling buildings, the sign barely visible through the layers of grime and rust. Alex pushed open the creaky door, the faint smell of oil and rust hitting him as he stepped inside.
Darik was bent over a workbench, tinkering with a busted generator. He glanced up as Alex entered, his sharp eyes immediately assessing the situation.
"Alex," Darik grunted, wiping his hands on a dirty rag. "What brings you here?"
"I'm looking for titanium plates," Alex said, cutting straight to the point. "Small ones, nothing too heavy."
Darik raised an eyebrow, setting down his tools. "Titanium? That's rare these days. What are you working on?"
Alex kept his expression neutral. He couldn't afford to reveal too much. "A repair project. Just need enough to reinforce a few key points."
Darik studied him for a moment, then nodded toward the back of the shop. "I've got a few plates in storage. They won't be cheap."
"Show me," Alex said.
Darik led him to the back of the shop, where a dusty shelf was piled high with old-world metal scraps. After a few minutes of digging, he pulled out three small titanium plates, each roughly the size of a forearm. They were in surprisingly good condition, with only minor surface scratches.
Alex ran his hand over one of the plates, feeling the smooth, cold metal. It was exactly what he needed—strong, lightweight, and perfect for adding protection to the suit.
"How much?" Alex asked, knowing the answer wouldn't be cheap.
"Fifty tokens for the set," Darik replied, his tone firm.
Alex grimaced. That was more than he'd planned on spending, but he needed the titanium. Without it, the suit wouldn't have the protection it required. He handed over the tokens without arguing, taking the plates and carefully tucking them into his bag.
"Pleasure doing business," Darik said with a slight smirk.
Alex nodded, already turning to leave. There were still more materials to find, and time was running short.
As the day wore on, Alex continued his search, moving from stall to stall, piecing together the materials he needed. He found the synthetic thermal fabric at a vendor specializing in old-world clothing. The fabric was lightweight and warm, perfect for lining the inside of the suit to keep the wearer insulated from the harsh cold. He also managed to find a roll of waterproof fabric—durable enough to protect against the constant rain and snow.
Finally, Alex needed the most critical component: small wind turbines. They were going to be the key to making the suit self-sustaining, generating power while he was out in the field. Finding turbines that were small enough to integrate into the suit was going to be a challenge, but Alex had a plan.
There was a mechanic on the outskirts of the market who specialized in broken drones and small machines. If anyone had the parts Alex needed, it would be him.
The mechanic's workshop was cluttered with half-disassembled drones, power cells, and other small tech. The owner, a grizzled man named Tarek, glanced up as Alex entered, wiping his hands on his grease-stained apron.
"You looking for something, kid?" Tarek asked, his voice gruff.
"I need small wind turbines," Alex said, not bothering with pleasantries. "Something that can be mounted on the back of a suit."
Tarek raised an eyebrow. "Small turbines, huh? That's not something I get a lot of requests for. What are you planning to do with them?"
Alex kept his expression neutral. "A repair project. I need something that can generate power on the go."
Tarek scratched his chin, clearly intrigued. "I might have something that'll work. Come with me."
He led Alex to the back of the workshop, where several half-disassembled drones were lying on a workbench. Tarek rummaged through a pile of parts before pulling out a set of small, collapsible turbines. They were worn and a little dirty, but the core components were intact.
"These were mounted on an old surveillance drone," Tarek explained. "They're lightweight and foldable. Should work for what you're planning."
Alex inspected the turbines, his mind already visualizing how they would integrate into the suit. They were small enough to be mounted discreetly on the back, but powerful enough to generate energy during a storm or strong winds.
"How much?" Alex asked, already preparing for the price.
Tarek shrugged. "For you? Thirty tokens."
Alex handed over the tokens without hesitation, taking the turbines and placing them carefully into his bag. This was the final piece. He had everything he needed.
By the time Alex returned to the shelter, the sun was dipping low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the Rust Quarter. Inside, the others were waiting, their faces a mixture of curiosity and concern.
Elara stood up as Alex entered, her eyes narrowing as she noticed the bulging bag slung over his shoulder. "Did you find everything?"
Alex nodded, setting the bag down on the floor. "I did. Now it's time to start building."
Serena and Nia sat nearby, watching quietly as Alex began unpacking the materials. The aluminum alloy sheets, the titanium plates, the fabrics, and the turbines—all laid out in front of him like puzzle pieces waiting to be assembled.
Elara crossed her arms, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. "You really think this is going to work?"
Alex looked up at her, his confidence unwavering. "I know it will."
As he began planning out the next steps, the reality of the project started to sink in. This suit wasn't just a piece of clothing. It was a shield, a source of power, and a way to survive the Rust Quarter's unforgiving world.
And it was going to change everything.