The strategy room of the Valeris City guild branch was quieter than usual, an atmosphere fitting the gravity of the mission Ethan had been called to discuss. He stood in front of the holographic display, the map detailing a Syndicate-controlled alloy refinery facility glowing in the dim light. Bright red markers indicated turret placements, patrol routes, and choke points. This was no ordinary mission, and it was clear the guild wasn't taking any chances.
This mission wasn't just about sabotage; it was about precision and timing, both of which were critical to disrupt a vital node in the Syndicate's operations. As Ethan examined the details, he heard footsteps behind him.
"Walker, I presume."
Ethan turned to face a wiry man with sharp features and a calm yet authoritative presence. His lightweight combat armor bore the scuffs of experience, and the plasma sniper rifle slung across his back looked both sleek and deadly. This had to be Zyrix Korran, the mercenary whose name carried weight not just in the Ashen sector but beyond.
"That's me," Ethan said, nodding.
Zyrix's gaze swept over Ethan before settling on the hologram. "Rising to D-Rank in a few months? Impressive. Let's see if the stories match the skills."
Ethan smirked faintly. "Guess we'll find out."
Zyrix stepped closer to the hologram, his fingers tracing the convoy route that led to the refinery. "The Syndicate has been using this facility to refine precursor materials for their mind-control alloy. It's one of the most critical links in their supply chain on Kynara. Our job is to disrupt it completely, destroy the refinery, eliminate key personnel if necessary, and bring back any intel we can find."
Ethan studied the map. The refinery was a fortress, surrounded by layered defenses: automated turrets, patrol drones, and guards stationed at strategic points. "Looks like they're doubling down on security. Any reinforcements nearby?"
"Closest outpost is fifteen clicks away," Zyrix said, pointing to a secondary marker. "If we're quick and clean, they won't have time to mobilize. But if they do, we'll have a problem."
Zyrix then gestured toward a ridge overlooking the facility. "I'll take position here. From that vantage point, I can neutralize sentries and provide cover if things go south. You'll infiltrate, plant charges on the refining equipment, and extract any data you can access. Once the charges are set, we rendezvous at the southern service tunnel for extraction."
Ethan nodded, committing the plan to memory. "Straightforward enough, but the Syndicate's been unpredictable lately. They've been reinforcing supply lines aggressively."
"Desperation," Zyrix said flatly. "They're under pressure, which makes them dangerous. But we can use that against them if we stay one step ahead."
As they continued to refine their plan, Zyrix turned to Ethan with a more serious tone. "Tell me, Walker. This isn't your first run-in with the Syndicate, is it?"
Ethan's jaw tightened. "No. I saw what they were doing in Xelthar's compound. The experiments, the outpost civilians… It was enough to make anyone want to take them down."
Zyrix's expression darkened. "Be careful with that anger. The Syndicate's good at exploiting it. They lure people into traps by preying on their emotions. I lost a team that way, good mercenaries who thought they could outfight and outsmart the Syndicate on rage alone."
Ethan frowned. "What happened?"
"They set an ambush. Wiped out my entire team to send a message. I barely made it out alive." Zyrix's gaze was piercing as he continued. "The Syndicate doesn't just kill, they dismantle. They'll target your allies, your resources, anything they can to make you vulnerable. The more you interfere, the bigger a target you become."
Ethan let the warning sink in but didn't waver. "I'm not reckless, Zyrix. But I'm not stopping either. Someone has to push back."
For a moment, Zyrix studied him, then gave a small nod. "Fair enough. Just remember...surviving isn't about winning every fight. It's about knowing which ones to take and when to step back. This mission is important, but so is staying alive to fight the next one."
With the mission details solidified, they started to gear up. Zyrix inspected his plasma sniper rifle, its modifications evident in the extended barrel and customized energy coils.
"This rifle's taken out more Syndicate officers and bandit scum than I can count," Zyrix said with a faint grin. "Accurate, armor-piercing, and just quiet enough to keep me hidden. You handle the chaos; I'll handle precision."
Ethan chuckled lightly. "Sounds like a solid plan."
He checked his own new equipment: a silenced laser pistol, his trusty plasma dagger, a compact explosives kit, a few plasma and smoke grenades, a hacking tool and his cloaking module. Each item had proven its worth as this would be the second time he'd deploy them as a D-Rank mercenary. The weight of responsibility felt heavier than the gear itself.
As they walked toward the exit, Zyrix offered a final piece of advice. "Walker, the Syndicate's more than just a criminal empire. They're a network of greed, control, and power. They've got resources most of us can only dream of. That's why precision matters, one misstep and they'll make sure you don't get another chance."
Ethan stopped at the door, turning back to meet Zyrix's gaze. "I get it. But every mission we complete, every piece of their operation we dismantle, gets us closer to shutting them down for good."
Zyrix smirked, the faintest hint of respect in his expression. "Let's hope you're right. See you at the rendezvous point."
As Ethan made his way to the rented hover truck parked outside the guild, his mind was a swirl of thoughts. Zyrix's warnings about the Syndicate's methods weren't new to him, but hearing them from someone who'd survived their wrath added weight to the caution he already carried.
The truck hummed to life as he started the engine, its vibrations grounding him in the present. The road ahead was uncertain, filled with danger and unknowns. But that was the life he'd chosen, and he wasn't about to back down now.
Ethan clenched the steering controls, his resolve firm. This mission wasn't just about taking down a facility. It was about proving that even a massive network like the Syndicate could bleed from him. And with someone like Zyrix Korran watching his back, he felt ready to take another step forward.