The scrapyard hummed with activity. Turrets swiveled silently, their newly integrated plasma cores radiating faint glows. The modular systems Rhea had installed were already proving invaluable, allowing the team to switch between defensive and offensive modes with a few taps on the central hub. The sound of welding and clanging metal echoed from Briggs's station, while Shade stood in the shadow of the central tower, his eyes scanning the horizon.
Ethan paced near the workshop, his mind turning over Shade's latest report. The intercepted Syndicate chatter wasn't specific, but it was clear they were planning something. Whether it was an attack on Lira's outpost or a move against the scrapyard itself, Ethan couldn't afford to wait and see.
"We've been too quiet," he muttered to himself, opening his Interface to review the surrounding area. The Syndicate wouldn't tolerate their stolen shipment and growing network for long. If they hadn't already connected the dots, they soon would.
Rhea approached, wiping grease off her hands. "Turrets are holding steady. I rerouted the power grid to prioritize the northwest and southwest sectors. If they hit us, they'll regret it."
Ethan nodded, but his expression remained tense. "Good. But this isn't just about holding the scrapyard. We need to know their next move before it happens."
"Shade's been monitoring their comms nonstop," Rhea said. "If there's a plan, he'll find it."
"That's not enough," Ethan said. "We need leverage."
A Sudden Visitor
Before Rhea could respond, the sound of an approaching engine echoed through the scrapyard. Garret appeared on the watchtower, his plasma rifle already trained on the source of the noise. "We've got a guest," he called out. "One vehicle. Looks like it's coming from the city."
Ethan moved quickly to the perimeter, his eyes narrowing as a sleek black transport rolled to a stop just outside the scrapyard gates. The vehicle was Syndicate-issued, its polished exterior gleaming under the harsh sunlight. A lone figure stepped out—a woman in a tailored black coat, her expression cold and calculating.
Shade emerged from the shadows, his weapon at the ready. "Syndicate envoy," he said quietly.
"I figured," Ethan replied. "Let's see what they want."
The gates hissed open just enough for the woman to step inside. She walked with measured confidence, her sharp eyes scanning the scrapyard before settling on Ethan. Despite the heat of the day, she seemed unfazed, as if the Syndicate's power shielded her from such trivial discomforts.
"You must be Ethan," she said, her voice smooth but edged with steel. "I've heard a lot about you."
Ethan didn't flinch. "And you are?"
"Call me Veran," she said, offering a faint smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I represent Syndicate interests in this region. Let's just say I've been… monitoring your activities."
Ethan's gaze didn't waver. "You're trespassing."
Veran chuckled softly. "Bold, considering the circumstances. You've been busy, haven't you? Convoy raids, new trade alliances, even some impressive upgrades to this scrapyard of yours. You've got talent. I'll give you that."
"Flattery won't get you far," Ethan said. "What do you want?"
Veran's smile faded, replaced by a colder expression. "To remind you of your place. The Syndicate controls Neo Arcadia-2, and everything in it. Your little operation may have flown under the radar for a while, but those days are over. Consider this your first and only warning: stop interfering with Syndicate business."
Ethan folded his arms, his tone calm but firm. "And if I don't?"
Veran tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing. "Then you'll see what happens to people who think they can challenge the Syndicate."
The air grew heavy with tension. Rhea stepped closer, her hand resting on the console that controlled the turrets. Shade's fingers hovered near his sidearm, his expression unreadable.
Ethan didn't blink. "If the Syndicate wants to pick a fight, they know where to find me."
Veran studied him for a long moment before smirking. "Bold. I'll give you that too. But boldness only gets you so far." She turned to leave, her coat sweeping behind her. "You've made your choice. I hope you're ready for the consequences."
The gates closed behind her, and the sleek transport disappeared into the horizon. The tension lingered long after she was gone.
Preparing for Retaliation
Garret climbed down from the watchtower, his rifle slung over his shoulder. "Well, that wasn't subtle. Think she's bluffing?"
"She's not," Ethan said. "The Syndicate doesn't bluff. They're coming."
Briggs joined them, his expression grim. "Then we'd better make sure we're ready."
Ethan turned to Shade. "What's our status on intel? Anything new on Project Dominion?"
"Nothing definitive," Shade said. "But if they're sending envoys, it means we've disrupted their plans more than we realized."
"Good," Ethan said. "Let's keep the pressure on. Rhea, double-check the turrets and make sure we've got a backup power source for the grid. Garret, start stockpiling ammunition. Briggs, I want contingency plans for every sector."
"And what about you?" Rhea asked.
"I'm going to find out what Veran isn't telling us," Ethan said. "If they're escalating, there's a reason. I want to know what it is."
The Calm Before the Storm
The team worked late into the night, the scrapyard alive with the sounds of preparation. Garret ran drills with the automated turrets, testing their accuracy and response times. Briggs mapped out potential fallback positions, marking choke points and ambush zones. Rhea reinforced the power grid, her console glowing faintly as she monitored energy levels.
Ethan retreated to the workshop, his mind racing. Veran's visit wasn't just a warning—it was a declaration. The Syndicate wasn't just reacting; they were planning. And whatever they were planning, it was tied to Project Dominion.
He opened the encrypted files Shade had uncovered, scanning them for any details he might have missed. The schematics for the Syndicate research lab stood out like a beacon, their complexity a stark contrast to the scrapyard's rugged simplicity. This wasn't just a lab—it was a fortress.
Ethan's Interface chimed softly, pulling him from his thoughts. A new message from Shade appeared on the screen.
[Message Received: Shade.]
• Subject: Syndicate Movements
• Content: Scouts spotted near the western trade routes. Increased activity around the lab. Recommend prioritizing intel on Dominion.
Ethan's jaw tightened. The pieces were falling into place, and none of them looked good. The Syndicate wasn't just escalating—they were preparing for something big. And if they succeeded, everything Ethan and his team had built would be swept away.
He closed the message and stood, his resolve hardening. The Syndicate controlled Neo Arcadia-2, but they didn't control him.
Not yet.
And they never would.
The next move was clear: strike first, strike smart, and find the Syndicate's weak spot before it was too late.