The night of the convoy's movement came quickly. The team worked tirelessly to prepare, the scrapyard humming with quiet efficiency. Sparks flew from Rhea's workstation as she calibrated a new scanner module, the faint glow of its display illuminating her sharp focus. Briggs loaded the transport vehicle with enough equipment to handle both extraction and defense. Shade disappeared into the night hours before the team's departure, tasked with securing the first vantage point.
Ethan stood by the central console, reviewing the updated intel Shade had sent earlier. The Syndicate convoy was heavily fortified, their route optimized to avoid vulnerable choke points. The only reason it was even feasible to strike was the presence of the rival faction—a wildcard in the equation.
[Convoy Details:]
• Transports: 3 heavy-duty armored vehicles.
• Escort: 4 Syndicate combat drones, 12 infantry, 2 APCs.
• Cargo Manifest: Unknown. High-value resources or tech likely.
• Route Analysis: Intersection with rival faction territory presents high-risk ambush zone.
Garret entered the room, his heavy boots announcing his arrival. He adjusted the straps of his weapon harness and smirked at Ethan. "All this prep for a couple of trucks. Feels like overkill."
"It's not," Ethan said without looking up from the map. "If this goes wrong, we'll have Syndicate heat on us for weeks. Everything has to be precise."
Garret grunted. "So no improvising?"
"Not unless you want to see how long you can outrun an APC," Ethan replied dryly.
Briggs walked in next, tossing a toolkit onto the table. "Transport's prepped. Heavy plating installed, extra fuel cells loaded. It won't win any speed races, but it'll take a hit if things go sideways."
"Good," Ethan said. "We're going in fast and quiet. No extended firefights. We're in and out before they realize what happened."
Rhea joined them, her tablet in hand. "I've patched into the Syndicate's comms network. We'll have real-time updates on their movements. If they change their route, I'll know immediately."
Ethan nodded. "Everyone knows their role. Stick to the plan, and we'll come out of this stronger."
The team departed under the cover of darkness, their transport vehicle blending into the shadows of Neo Arcadia-2's outskirts. The drive was tense, the silence broken only by the faint hum of the vehicle's engine. Ethan sat in the front seat, his Interface glowing faintly as he monitored the convoy's progress.
"Shade, report," Ethan said through the comms.
Shade's voice came through, calm and steady. "Convoy's on schedule. They're passing the first checkpoint now. No signs of deviation."
"Any sign of the rival faction?" Rhea asked from the back seat.
"Not yet," Shade replied. "But they'll show. They've hit this route twice in the last month. They won't miss an opportunity like this."
Ethan's eyes narrowed as he studied the map. The convoy was moving at a steady pace, their formation tight. The Syndicate wasn't taking any chances. If the rival faction didn't strike, the window of opportunity would close fast.
The transport reached the outskirts of the ambush zone, a stretch of abandoned industrial ruins that had long since been claimed by scavengers and rogue factions. The terrain was uneven, littered with debris and crumbling structures. Perfect for an ambush—and for disappearing afterward.
Ethan motioned for the team to disembark. They moved quickly and quietly, taking up their positions. Shade was already perched atop a rusted storage tower, his sniper rifle trained on the convoy's approach. Rhea set up her scanner module behind cover, while Briggs and Garret prepared the transport for a quick extraction.
Ethan crouched near Rhea, his Interface displaying the convoy's movements in real-time. "How long until they're in range?"
"Five minutes," Rhea replied, her voice low. "Their comms are quiet. Either they're confident, or they're waiting for something."
"Or someone," Ethan muttered.
The first sign of the rival faction came moments later. Shade's voice crackled through the comms. "Movement in the ruins, northwest. Multiple signatures. They're setting up an ambush."
Ethan's Interface updated, marking the new hostiles in orange. The rival faction was spread out across the ruins, their weapons trained on the convoy's route. They weren't as organized as the Syndicate, but they had the element of surprise.
The convoy came into view shortly after. The lead APC rumbled down the cracked road, its mounted turret scanning the surroundings. Behind it, the three transports followed in a tight formation, flanked by drones that hovered like silent sentinels.
Ethan's pulse quickened. "Shade, how many in the faction's ambush group?"
"Rough estimate? Fifteen. Light weapons, but they're dug in," Shade replied. "They'll hit the convoy hard, but they won't last long against Syndicate reinforcements."
Ethan glanced at Rhea. "Can you jam the drones?"
"Not without drawing attention," she said. "If we move now, they'll know we're here."
Ethan's mind raced. The Syndicate convoy and the rival faction were seconds from clashing. If they waited too long, they'd lose the chance to strike, but if they moved too early, they'd become targets themselves.
"Hold position," Ethan said. "We let them hit first."
The rival faction struck with brutal efficiency. A barrage of plasma fire erupted from the ruins, tearing into the lead APC's side. The vehicle shuddered, its turret swiveling wildly as it returned fire. One of the Syndicate drones veered off-course, its optics flickering as it scanned for targets.
The convoy halted, and Syndicate infantry poured out of the transports, their movements sharp and coordinated. Plasma bolts lit up the ruins as the Syndicate forces engaged the rival faction, the air filled with the deafening sounds of combat.
Ethan watched the chaos unfold, his Interface tracking every movement. The Syndicate was holding their ground, but the rival faction's attack had fractured their formation. The third transport was partially exposed, its escort drone destroyed in the crossfire.
"That's our window," Ethan said. "Garret, Briggs, get to the transport. Rhea, jam their comms. Shade, cover them."
The team moved as one. Rhea activated her jammer, sending a burst of interference through the Syndicate's comms network. The infantry hesitated, momentarily disoriented. Shade's sniper rifle cracked, taking out a Syndicate soldier who had turned toward the exposed transport.
Garret and Briggs sprinted toward the transport, their movements quick but controlled. Garret reached the vehicle first, yanking the rear door open and revealing a cache of crates inside. He whistled. "Jackpot."
"Move fast," Ethan said through the comms. "We've got thirty seconds."
Briggs began hauling crates into the transport vehicle, his strength making quick work of the heavy cargo. Garret covered him, his plasma rifle trained on the Syndicate forces still engaged with the rival faction.
Ethan's Interface flashed a warning. Syndicate reinforcements were en route, their heat signatures closing in fast.
"Wrap it up," Ethan said. "We've got company."
Garret loaded the last crate and jumped into the transport. Briggs followed, slamming the door shut. The team retreated to their vehicle, moving with practiced precision. Ethan and Rhea covered their escape, firing controlled bursts at the Syndicate drones that veered too close.
The transport roared to life, its engine growling as Briggs floored the accelerator. Plasma fire streaked past them, but the Syndicate forces were too occupied with the rival faction to pursue. Within Inside the crate was a treasure trove of advanced technology. Rows of neatly stacked plasma cores gleamed under the workshop lights, their energy signatures glowing faintly. Beneath them were modular parts for advanced weapons and defensive systems, components that could change the balance of power in Neo Arcadia-2 if utilized correctly.
Garret leaned against the crate, wiping sweat from his brow. "Well, I'll be damned. Looks like Christmas came early."
Ethan ignored the comment, his focus shifting between the contents of the crate and the data displayed on his Interface. He scanned the plasma cores, watching as detailed readouts filled his vision.
[Scanned Item: Syndicate Plasma Core.]
• Output Capacity: High.
• Application: Energy weapons, vehicle power, advanced turrets.
• Market Value: 12,000 Credits per unit.
[Item Quantity:]
• Plasma Cores: 12.
• Weapon Mod Kits: 5.
• Rare Alloy Plates: 10.
Rhea crouched next to Ethan, her expression a mix of curiosity and excitement. "Plasma cores of this quality aren't easy to come by. With these, we could double our defensive output—or sell a few and fund our next big move."
"Selling them risks exposure," Shade said from the shadows, his voice calm and measured. "These cores are Syndicate-grade. If they show up on the market, it won't take long for them to trace them back to us."
"Which means we keep them off the market," Ethan said. "For now, these are ours. We'll use them to upgrade the scrapyard's defenses and hold the rest as leverage."
Briggs tapped one of the crates with his boot. "What about these weapon kits? We could retrofit them for our turrets or keep them for the field."
"We retrofit the turrets first," Ethan said. "Defenses come before anything else."
Garret frowned. "And what about the Syndicate? They're going to notice this shipment went missing sooner or later."
"They already noticed," Shade replied. "They just haven't figured out who's responsible yet."
"That gives us time," Ethan said. "Not much, but enough. We focus on strengthening the scrapyard, and we move fast."
Rhea stood, brushing off her hands. "If we're going to integrate these cores into the turrets, we'll need to overhaul their power conduits. The current system won't handle the output."
"Then start with the most vulnerable sectors," Ethan said. "The northwest and southwest barriers take priority."
"Got it," Rhea said, already walking toward the workshop. "This is going to take all night."
Ethan turned to Shade. "What about the intel? Did you find anything in the convoy's logs?"
Shade handed Ethan a data slate, its screen glowing faintly. "Encrypted files, but I pulled a few keywords. There's mention of something called 'Project Dominion.' It's referenced alongside supply manifests and personnel transfers. Whatever it is, it's big."
Ethan's jaw tightened as he scanned the slate. "If the Syndicate's moving resources for this project, it's more than just a standard operation. We need to know what it is."
"Already working on it," Shade said. "I'll need time to decrypt the rest of the files, but I'll prioritize anything related to 'Dominion.'"
"Good," Ethan said. "Keep me updated."
The hours that followed were a blur of activity. The team split into their roles, each member focused on turning their stolen haul into an advantage. Rhea worked tirelessly in the workshop, sparks flying as she upgraded the turrets with plasma core integrations. Garret patrolled the scrapyard's perimeter, his weapon slung over his shoulder as he kept a wary eye on the horizon. Shade disappeared into the shadows, diving deeper into the Syndicate's encrypted files.
Ethan moved between tasks, lending a hand where needed and keeping a close eye on the team's progress. The air was thick with tension, but it was a productive tension—a sense of purpose that pushed them forward despite the risks.
By dawn, the first turret was fully upgraded. Rhea stepped back, wiping grease from her hands as the turret hummed softly, its core glowing faintly.
[Upgrade Complete: Plasma-Enhanced Turret.]
Attributes:
• Increased damage output.
• Faster targeting response.
• Improved energy efficiency.
Ethan inspected the turret, nodding in approval. "How soon can you finish the others?"
"Another day or two," Rhea said. "These upgrades aren't exactly plug-and-play."
"Focus on quality," Ethan said. "We can't afford any failures when the Syndicate comes back."
By midday, Shade returned with an update on the decrypted files. The team gathered in the workshop as he placed the data slate on the table, its screen projecting a holographic display of text and schematics.
"'Project Dominion' appears to be a large-scale initiative," Shade said. "It's tied to multiple Syndicate operations across Neo Arcadia-2, including resource acquisition, personnel transfers, and experimental tech development."
Rhea frowned. "Experimental tech? What kind of tech?"
"Hard to say," Shade replied. "The files are fragmented. But there's mention of an advanced weapon system—something they're calling the 'Kinetic Disruptor.'"
Garret leaned forward, his expression grim. "Sounds like something we don't want pointed at us."
"It's more than just a weapon," Shade said. "The Syndicate's pouring resources into this project. If they're successful, it could give them complete dominance over the city."
Ethan stared at the display, his mind racing. The Syndicate wasn't just preparing for another assault—they were building something bigger, something that could reshape the balance of power in Neo Arcadia-2.
"We need to know more," Ethan said. "If we can get ahead of this, we might be able to stop it before it becomes a threat."
"Easier said than done," Briggs said. "If this project is as big as it sounds, they'll have it locked down tighter than a vault."
"Then we find the weak points," Ethan said. "Every operation has them. Shade, keep digging. Rhea, I want you working on countermeasures for this disruptor tech. If we can't stop it, we need to be ready to defend against it."
Rhea nodded. "On it."
Ethan turned to the rest of the team. "We've bought ourselves some breathing room, but it won't last. The Syndicate will come looking for their missing shipment, and when they do, we need to be stronger than ever."
Garret grinned. "Let them come. We'll be ready."
Ethan didn't respond, his focus already shifting to the challenges ahead. The Syndicate was a machine—powerful, relentless, and calculated. But machines had vulnerabilities, and Ethan was determined to find them.
The scrapyard wasn't just a refuge anymore. It was a battlefield, a workshop, and a foundation for something greater. The Syndicate didn't know it yet, but their dominance wasn't guaranteed.
Not anymore.