Ethan worked through the night, the hum of his tools blending with the distant echoes of Neo Arcadia-2's perpetual chaos. The scrapyard, once a cluttered mess of discarded machinery, was slowly transforming into a fortress. Fortifications took shape under his hands—improvised barricades, automated defenses, and hidden traps designed to repel even the most determined attackers.
The Interface guided him, its calm, calculated voice providing suggestions as he optimized every defense point.
[Fortifications in Progress…]
• Barricades: Reinforced with Rare Alloy Plating.
• Compact Plasma Turret Mk. II: Deployed with overlapping fields of fire.
• Tripwire Traps: Armed with plasma charges.
• Fallback Position: Secured within the workshop, equipped with an emergency energy amplifier.
Estimated Readiness: 85%.
By the time the first hint of dawn crept over the scrapyard, Ethan's hands were raw, his muscles aching. But the defenses were solid. He stood back, surveying his work with a mixture of pride and unease. This was his first real test—not just of his skills, but of his ability to think ahead, adapt, and survive under pressure.
The others began to gather as the sky lightened. Briggs leaned against a stack of crates, his plasma rifle slung casually over one shoulder. Rhea fiddled with her hacking console, her sharp eyes scanning the perimeter. Garret checked his ammo, his bulky frame casting a long shadow over the makeshift barricades. Shade was nowhere to be seen, but Ethan wasn't surprised; the silent operative was probably already in position, hidden in the shadows.
"Not bad," Briggs said, nodding toward the defenses. "Looks like you've done this before."
"Not exactly," Ethan replied. "But I've had a lot of practice thinking on my feet."
Briggs chuckled. "Good. You'll need that today."
Rhea approached, her expression grim. "We've got movement. Two groups, coming in from the east and south. Looks like Syndicate operatives and Guild hunters. They're not working together, but that doesn't mean they won't turn on us after we deal with the other."
"Of course," Ethan muttered. "Because one enemy wasn't enough."
[Incoming Threats Detected.]
• Syndicate Operatives: 8 Combat Drones, 5 Ground Units (Light Armor).
• Dungeon Hunters Guild: 6 Ground Units (Heavy Armor), 2 Elite Snipers, 1 Combat Specialist.
Recommended Action: Prioritize eliminating Syndicate drones to reduce mobility and air support.
Ethan's mind raced. The Syndicate's drones were faster and more versatile than the Guild's heavily armored units. Taking them out first would give the crew a better chance of holding the scrapyard.
He turned to the group. "Rhea, focus on hacking their drones. Shade, stay on the snipers. Garret and Briggs, hold the front line against the Guild. I'll keep the turrets running and reinforce weak points as we go."
Briggs nodded. "Sounds like a plan. Let's see if we can make it through this in one piece."
The sound of approaching engines and the faint hum of drones filled the air. The first wave was almost here.
The Syndicate's drones were the first to breach the perimeter, their sleek forms darting between barricades as plasma bolts rained down on the scrapyard. Ethan's Compact Plasma Turret Mk. II roared to life, its automated targeting system locking onto the nearest drone and firing a concentrated burst of energy. The drone exploded in a shower of sparks, its shattered frame crashing to the ground.
Rhea's console beeped rapidly as she hacked into the drone network, her fingers flying over the controls. "I've got two of them!" she shouted. "Sending them into a collision course."
Two drones veered sharply mid-flight, smashing into each other in a fiery explosion. Ethan couldn't help but grin. "Nice work!"
On the ground, the Syndicate operatives pushed forward, their light armor providing little protection against Garret's plasma rifle. He mowed them down with brutal efficiency, his deep laughter booming over the sounds of battle.
But the Guild was already making their move. Heavy armored units marched through the south entrance, their energy shields absorbing the initial barrage of turret fire. Behind them, the snipers took position on the nearby rooftops, their scopes gleaming in the morning light.
"Shade, those snipers need to go!" Ethan barked.
A single flash of movement was all he saw before the first sniper dropped, their weapon clattering to the ground. Shade's precision was deadly, his presence almost supernatural as he picked off the Guild's long-range support.
Ethan's Interface chimed again.
[Alert: Guild Combat Specialist Detected.]
• Name: Victor Cael.
• Class: Heavy Assault Vanguard.
• Abilities: Energy Shield Overload, Shockwave Slam.
Threat Level: High.
Ethan's stomach tightened as he spotted Victor—a towering figure clad in advanced combat armor—charging toward the barricades. Each step sent tremors through the ground, and his massive energy hammer crackled with deadly power.
"Briggs!" Ethan shouted. "We've got a problem!"
Briggs turned just in time to see Victor slam his hammer into the ground, unleashing a shockwave that shattered the nearest barricade and sent Garret sprawling. The plasma turret swiveled toward Victor, firing in rapid bursts, but his energy shield absorbed the hits with ease.
Ethan's Interface pinged urgently.
[Analysis Complete: Victor Cael.]
Weakness: Energy Shield Overload (Requires concentrated plasma discharge).
Recommendation: Use Energy Amplifier Module to boost turret output.
Ethan cursed under his breath. The Energy Amplifier Module was in the fallback position, unfinished and untested. But it was their best shot.
"I'll handle this," Ethan said, sprinting toward the workshop. Plasma bolts zipped past him as he dodged incoming fire, his mind racing with calculations. He reached the amplifier and connected it to the turret's power grid, the device humming to life.
"Let's see what you've got," he muttered, activating the amplifier.
The turret's glow intensified, its plasma bolts now powerful enough to scorch the air. It locked onto Victor, firing in rapid succession. The first few shots drained his shield, cracks forming in the glowing barrier. With a final burst, the shield shattered, leaving Victor exposed.
Briggs seized the moment, firing a concentrated plasma shot that struck Victor square in the chest. The combat specialist staggered, his armor smoking, before collapsing in a heap.
The remaining Guild forces faltered, their morale broken. They retreated under a hail of turret fire, leaving the scrapyard littered with debris and bodies.
[Quest Complete: Protect the Prototype.]
Primary Tasks Completed: Fortifications held, attackers repelled, prototype secured.
Optional Task Completed: Guild leadership neutralized.
Rewards Earned: +1,500 EXP, Syndicate Favor, Advanced Weapon Blueprint.
Level Up!
Level 3 → Level 4.
New Attribute Points: +3.
Skill Unlocked: Advanced Tactical Deployment.
As the dust settled, Ethan collapsed onto a crate, his chest heaving. The others began to regroup, their faces a mix of exhaustion and relief.
"We did it," Rhea said, her voice tinged with disbelief.
Briggs grinned, wiping sweat from his brow. "Not bad, kid. Not bad at all."
Ethan's Interface pinged softly, a new notification drawing his attention.
[Faction Standing Updated: Syndicate Favor +15.]
[Blueprint Unlocked: Plasma Disruptor Cannon.]
Ethan smirked. The fight was over, but the real game was just beginning.