The Shining Spire towered above the metropolis, its reflective surface gleaming like a beacon of authority. Brady and his team stood at the base of the structure, concealed in the shadows of an adjacent building. The faint hum of the bustling city around them was drowned by the tension crackling in the air.
Brady's voice was firm. "No unnecessary fights. We can't risk alerting anyone. We sneak in, find out what's going on, and leave without leaving a trail."
Jason frowned but nodded. "If you say so. But this place doesn't exactly scream 'welcome.'"
"Agreed," Caleb added, pulling up a holographic map of the building on his wrist device. "The layout's complex, but I've marked a few routes. We can enter through the south ventilation system and work our way up."
Viktor smirked, spinning one of his micro blades between his fingers. "Let's hope this quiet approach doesn't get us all killed."
Brady shot him a glare. "Focus. We're going in."
---
The team slipped through a hidden vent at the building's south side. Brady led the way, his movements calculated and precise. The corridors inside were eerily silent, the soft glow of automated lights reflecting off polished walls. Guards patrolled in pairs, their steps synchronized, their faces stoic.
"Remember," Brady whispered, his voice barely audible, "no fighting unless absolutely necessary."
Jason clenched his fists but stayed silent, his frustration evident. Caleb and Viktor exchanged a glance, knowing that Brady's caution wasn't misplaced.
They moved in a tight formation, ducking into alcoves and timing their movements with the guards' patrols. Caleb's scanner proved invaluable, highlighting blind spots and identifying security cameras.
At one point, a guard paused mere feet from their hiding spot. Brady held up a hand, signaling the team to stay still. The tension was palpable as the guard lingered, his gaze sweeping the corridor. After what felt like an eternity, he moved on.
"Close one," Viktor muttered under his breath.
Brady didn't respond. He motioned for them to keep moving.
---
After nearly an hour of navigating the labyrinthine building, they reached the upper levels. The air here was different—colder, more oppressive. Caleb checked his map.
"The main chamber's just ahead," he whispered. "This is where the rogue and the mayor are likely to be."
Brady nodded. "Stay close. We can't afford any mistakes."
They approached the final door, its surface sleek and featureless. Brady pressed his ear against it, listening for any sound from within. Faint voices carried through the barrier, their tones sharp and authoritative.
He gestured for the team to prepare. "They're in there. Let's make this quick."
---
The door slid open, revealing a grand chamber dominated by the throne-like tech seat they had seen before. Standing near it were two figures: the Periclusapien rogue and a man in an ornate suit—the city's mayor.
The rogue's posture was relaxed, but his piercing gaze betrayed his vigilance. The mayor, on the other hand, radiated an air of control, his movements deliberate and calculated.
"I don't like this," Jason whispered, his grip tightening on his weapon.
Brady held up a hand to silence him. They watched as the two spoke, their words indistinct but tense.
Then, without warning, Jason acted. He raised his Sonic Steel Hive, its energy core glowing, and fired a dense electric pulse ball at the rogue. The projectile struck its target, sending the Periclusapien crashing into the far wall with a loud grunt. Sparks flew as the rogue's enhanced armor shorted out, and he clutched his leg, now clearly injured.
The mayor turned sharply, his expression shifting to one of fury. "You dare—"
Brady cursed under his breath. "Jason, what the hell? I said no fighting!"
"No time for lectures!" Jason shot back. "We've got a fight on our hands now."
---
The rogue, despite his injury, was still a formidable opponent. He moved with unnatural speed, his strikes a blur as he engaged Caleb and Viktor. Jason joined the fray, his Hive unleashing bursts of energy that forced the rogue to stay on the defensive.
Meanwhile, Brady turned his attention to the mayor. He approached cautiously, his electric baton crackling with energy.
"Your game ends here," Brady said, his voice steady.
The mayor smirked, raising his hands. "You think you can take me? You've made a grave mistake."
With a sudden motion, the mayor activated his Blast Iron Gauntlets. The air around him seemed to vibrate as the hyper-stage artifacts came to life. Before Brady could react, the mayor lunged, delivering a single, devastating punch to Brady's chest.
The impact sent Brady flying across the room, slamming into a pillar with a sickening thud. He crumpled to the ground, gasping for air.
"Brady!" Caleb shouted, momentarily distracted. The rogue seized the opportunity, landing a blow that sent Caleb sprawling.
Viktor gritted his teeth, lunging at the rogue with his micro blades. "You're not getting away this time!"
The battle was chaotic, the room filled with the sounds of clashing weapons and shouted commands. Despite their injuries, the team pressed on, their determination unwavering.
---
After a grueling fight, the rogue finally fell. Jason's Hive delivered the killing blow, its energy pulse tearing through the Periclusapien's chest. The rogue collapsed, lifeless, his reign of terror ended.
But there was no time to celebrate. The mayor was still standing, his gauntlets glowing ominously. He turned to face the team, his expression a mask of rage.
"You've sealed your fate," he growled.
The team regrouped, their weapons trained on the mayor. Caleb took the lead, his voice firm. "You're outnumbered. Surrender now."
The mayor laughed, a hollow sound that echoed through the chamber. "You think numbers matter? I've faced worse than you."
The ensuing battle was fierce. The mayor's gauntlets gave him incredible strength and speed, allowing him to deflect attacks and deliver bone-crushing blows. But the team fought with relentless determination, their combined efforts gradually wearing him down.
In the end, it was Viktor who delivered the final blow, his micro blades slicing through the mayor's defenses. The man collapsed, blood pooling around him, but even in his final moments, he refused to speak.
"You'll get nothing from me," he spat, his voice weak. "Nothing…"
Jason raised his Hive, his expression grim. "We'll see about that."
With a final, decisive blast, the mayor was silenced.
---
The team moved quickly, scavenging the rogue's and mayor's bodies for artifacts. Caleb pocketed a small, glowing device from the rogue, while Viktor examined the gauntlets with a critical eye.
"We've got to move," Brady said, his voice strained. He was still recovering from the mayor's punch, but his resolve was unshaken. "This city's going to come after us now."
Caleb nodded, feeding Angie the building's coordinates. "Let's go."
The team shattered a glass wall, the sound echoing through the city. Below, Angie awaited them in her Quickdrive ship form. They jumped aboard, the ship's engines roaring to life.
As they ascended, a fleet of rank-3 Blast Iron Starships emerged from the city, their weapons trained on the fleeing team.
"Hold on!" Angie's voice echoed through the cockpit as the ship accelerated, weaving through the incoming fire.
Brady clenched his fists, his gaze fixed on the pursuing ships. "We're not out of this yet."
---