{"data":{"id":17977,"title":"Sid & Cyrus (Part Two)","rsi_url":"https:\/\/robertsspaceindustries.com\/comm-link\/serialized-fiction\/17977-Sid-Cyrus-Part-Two","api_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-links\/17977","api_public_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/comm-links\/17977","channel":"Undefined","category":"Undefined","series":"Sid & Cyrus","images":[{"id":26609,"name":"Sid-Cyrus-Title.jpg","rsi_url":"https:\/\/robertsspaceindustries.com\/media\/wyz6odpinzx25r\/source\/Sid-Cyrus-Title.jpg","alt":"","size":3128041,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","last_modified":"2021-01-11T18:06:54+00:00","api_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/26609","similar_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/26609\/similar"}],"images_count":1,"translations":{"en_EN":"Writer\u2019s Note: Sid & Cyrus: Part Two was published originally in Jump Point 5.6. Read Sid & Cyrus: Part One here.\nA Vucari cavalcade cut across the Platean Plain. Master Kraujas stood in the back of a heavily plated vehicle, specifically converted to accommodate his massive Titan armor. The vehicle also featured a rotating platform, so he could adjust which way he faced \u2014 an essential feature considering the tachyon cannon attached to the Titan suit\u2019s left arm.\n\nThe vehicle barreled over a bump and only Master Kraujas\u2019 magnetic boots kept him from being bucked out of the back. He slammed a metallic hand on the cab just above the driver, who immediately slowed. Vucari mechanics joked that this cab panel was the only piece of armor on the whole vehicle that ever needed to be replaced. Protected by his elite Vucari cavalry and that tachyon cannon, not many enemies could get close enough to Master Kraujas\u2019 vehicle to even chip its paint.\n\nMaster Kraujas turned his attention to the horizon where he could see black, acrid smoke rising from the site of the ambushed convoy. The closer he got to it, the more the anger swelled inside him. How dare they so brazening attack such a large convoy traveling through his territory? The Cadejo were no longer an annoyance, they were a menace that must be eliminated.\n\nIt had all started a few months ago. Vucari scouts found the wreckage of a small civilian convoy on the edge of their territory. A few weeks later, another convoy was hit. Then another. At each scene, body armor ripped off the people in the convoy was found in a pile, but never any bodies. That\u2019s when the rumors started.\n\nStories about the Cadejos swiftly moved through his ranks. How was it they always won? How did they always vanish without a trace? They weren\u2019t simply slavers, the stories said. Whispers started that maybe the Cadejos\u2019 leader, Tomyris, took people to fuel some strange, ancient rituals that gave the crew dark powers.\n\nMaster Kraujas knew better than to believe such tripe, but some of his troops still did. Then he started to see fear in his men\u2019s eyes when another attack pointed to the Cadejos. That\u2019s when Master Kraujas knew they had to be crushed. He could not have his crew fearing anyone; fearful warriors fail.\n\nVucari spies were dispatched across Lago to dig up information on the Cadejo, but nothing was found. No one seemed to know who they were or where they holed up. The only thing known about the Cadejos was that they were stepping up attacks on civilian convoys crossing Vucari territory.\n\nNow, sitting before Master Kraujas was the largest convoy struck by the Cadejos yet. It was attacked right on the main road between Reis and Behistun, too, a clear challenge to his authority that made him look weak to his troops and other outlaw leaders.\n\nOnce at the ambush site, Master Kraujas walked among the still smoldering wreckage, trying to understand how this attack could have happened on such a wide-open region of the plain. There were no good spots to hide an attacking force that could dominate and destroy a convoy of this size. No damage to the ground indicating the use of mines. It didn\u2019t make sense.\n\nMaster Kraujas stomped around the scene, examining every detail. He estimated that the Cadejo had made off with a hefty haul considering the size of the convoy. How they had even known about it?\n\nAccording to Dalton, the next major shipment to Behistun was supposed to leave Reis in two days. How had that date been changed without him knowing but the Cadejo finding out? Now he not only appeared incompetent but out of the loop.\n\nHe approached the back of the only intact truck. Inside sat a large pile of personal armor, the Cadejo Crew\u2019s calling card.\n\nA wave of rage overcame Master Kraujas. His hands grabbed one of the truck\u2019s rear door panels, and in one terrifying motion, he ripped it off the hinges and tossed it behind him. The door knocked two Vucari off their feet. One lay motionless. The other writhed in pain until Master Kraujas brought his foot down upon his head. \u201cWhere\u2019s Dalton?\u201d demanded Master Kraujas.\n\nWhen no response came the Vucari glanced among themselves. All eyes looked for the man assigned to oversee this part of their territory.\n\n\u201cSir . . .\u201d\n\nMaster Kraujas turned to an outlaw pointing at the body he just stomped. An intricate Vucari emblem was etched into the chest piece. Dalton had hand-carved it himself.\n\nMaster Kraujas glanced at the lanky figure who pointed out Dalton\u2019s body.\n\n\u201cWhat\u2019s your name?\u201d\n\n\u201cColby . . . sir.\u201d\n\n\u201cSince you\u2019re so observant, tell me what the hell happened here.\u201d\n\nColby stalled, unsure of how to answer. Then he remembered something he saw when first surveying the site.\n\n\u201cThey forgot to cover their tracks. They\u2019re clear as day, heading north.\u201d\n\nMaster Kraujas smiled, \u201cShow me.\u201d\n\nSid and Cyrus had followed the trail from the ambush site. They stopped when the trail entered a small valley, which had a wide entrance, then narrowed. Not wanting to rush into the unknown, Sid and Cyrus found a hiding spot off the trail and examined detailed maps of the area.\n\nThe valley led to an old outpost sitting on the edge of a deep open-pit mine. That outpost had to be where the trail ended, and most likely where their daughter was being held hostage.\n\nWith its back up against the mine, the rocky valley creating a perfect bottleneck; with ground turrets flanking each side, the outpost would be impossible to approach discreetly from this direction. The only choice the two had was to look for an alternative route.\n\nThen Cyrus noticed there was an old hauling road going down into the mine. It started near the outpost, dipped into the mine and wound its way back up on the far side near a series of spoil banks, which were rows of all the unneeded dirt ripped from the ground. If they could access the hauling road by the spoil banks, then they could travel into the mine and perhaps sneak up on the outpost from behind.\n\nOnce close enough, they could assess exactly what they were up against and determine how to breach the building. Plus, there was always the chance that their daughter was being held hostage somewhere in the mine. Maybe Sid and Cyrus could free Immanuelle without even having to deal with Tomyris and the rest of the Cadejos.\n\nSid and Cyrus redirected course to the far side of the mine. They found a path that took them above the valley. They stopped briefly to survey the outpost and its two ground turrets from above. They didn\u2019t linger, worried that the Cadejos might be watching.\n\nAbandoned centuries ago after it was played out, the mine pit had since become a dumping ground for debris and anything else that wasn\u2019t supposed to be found again. The stench of rotting trash and industrial waste was apparent even from their spot above the valley. The foul fumes kept even the most dedicated scrappers away and made it a perfect place for a secretive outlaw pack to call home.\n\nSid piloted the Dragonfly carefully around the edge of the valley towards the far side of the mine. Cyrus glanced down at the spoil banks from above. Cutting through the middle of the rows was the hauling road. Things looked clear until he noticed someone moving. They walked by one of the spoil banks and pulled some camouflage netting off a ground turret, placed perfectly to ambush anyone who flew past.\n\n\u201cLooks like we\u2019ve got one mark and a turret. That\u2019s all I\u2019m seeing so far.\u201d\n\nSid lowered the Dragonfly\u2019s signature as much as possible as they approached the hauling road on the other side of the mine. She checked her scans and didn\u2019t quite believe them. They agreed with Cyrus. There was only one person and one turret guarding this side of the mine.\n\nSid stealthily slid the Dragonfly between two rows of the spoil bank. She cut the engine as Cyrus hopped off and unholstered his sniper rifle. He braced the gun on the back of the parked Dragonfly and settled the crosshairs on the mechanic frantically repairing the ground turret.\n\n\u201cThat turret gonna give us trouble?\u201d asked Sid.\n\n\u201cNot if we move fast. Looks like it\u2019s getting fixed.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m gonna scout ahead.\u201d\n\n\u201cGot you covered,\u201d replied Cyrus with an eye on the mechanic. \u201cGonna stay here and monitor Vucari chatter.\u201d\n\nCyrus had hacked into the stolen Dragonfly\u2019s comms so they could stay abreast of the Vucari\u2019s movements. Sid nodded, checked her suit\u2019s scanners and then pushed forward.\n\nShe hustled toward a better vantage point, then checked her scans again and still didn\u2019t quite believe the results. Why would the Cadejo leave the spoil bank side of the mine so lightly defended?\n\nShe watched the mechanic work for a moment. He turned to snag another tool, giving Sid a good look at his face. It was Devin, the kid who\u2019d mistakenly wandered into the Falling Sky and started all of this.\n\n\u201cThis is definitely the place,\u201d Sid commed. She waited for Cyrus\u2019 response, but none came. \u201cCyrus . . . everything ok \u2014\u201d\n\n\u201cThey found the trail. Damn it, we forgot to wipe it.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhat?\u201d\n\n\u201cThey\u2019re coming, the Vucari. Master Kraujas just sent out a call for anyone in the area to join him on the trail.\u201d\n\nOn any other mission Sid and Cyrus would\u2019ve wiped away the trail they had found leaving the ambush site, so no one could follow, but they\u2019d been sloppy. The possibility that their daughter might still be alive exceeded everything else, even their better judgment. This oversight was exactly why Cyrus used to tell young mercs that they should never work something personal.\n\n\u201cHow much time do we got?\u201d asked Sid.\n\n\u201cNot enough, considering all the new variables.\u201d Cyrus muttered and re-targeted the mechanic. \u201cHow\u2019s that scan look? Should I take out that mechanic?\u201d\n\nSid looked back at Devin. Even though she despised him for his part on the attack of that convoy, she knew they needed him.\n\n\u201cNegative. Let\u2019s grab him instead. Find out if he knows what they did to Immanuelle. Move to me.\u201d\n\nCyrus carefully advanced forward until he was by her side. Sid checked her scanner once more, then lead them toward Devin and the turret. They had to hurry. If Devin got that thing working while they approached, it could chew them up in a heartbeat.\n\nEven though it\u2019d been two decades since their last merc job, the two still moved in sync. When Sid looked one way, Cyrus swung the other. Sid stopped frequently to check the scans and collect her breath. Cyrus sighted his sniper rifle toward the mechanic, trying to assess the repairs being undertaken.\n\nThey advanced to a spoil bank near the turret. Devin was too consumed by his repairs to keep an eye on what was going on around him. He pulled himself to his feet and stretched. All that was left to do was power up the turret and it should be good to go.\n\nHe reached for the control panel only for a bullet to strike it first. Devin stumbled back in shock, tripping over his tools and falling to the ground. When he looked up there was a rifle in his face.\n\n\u201cHands up,\u201d Sid loomed over him in her heavy armor. Devin raised his hands. \u201cNow get up nice and slow. I don\u2019t want to have to hurt you.\u201d\n\nDevin obeyed the order, his eyes glued on her the entire time, though he didn\u2019t seem to recognize Sid in her heavy armor. Good; she was going to relish the chance to order this little punk around.\n\nCyrus advanced toward them with his sniper rifle raised and wasted no time getting to the point. \u201cWhere are the prisoners?\u201d\n\n\u201cWhat prisoners?\u201d Devin replied nervously.\n\n\u201cDon\u2019t get him angry, Devin,\u201d Sid interjected.\n\n\u201cHow do you know my na\u2014?\u201d\n\n\u201cWe know a lot of things,\u201d Sid pushed on. \u201cLike what you did to that convoy to Behistun.\u201d\n\n\u201cYou\u2019re Vucari, aren\u2019t you?\u201d\n\nCyrus shook his head, \u201cJust consider us the people with your life in our hands.\u201d\n\nA soft tremble worked its way down Devin. It was subtle but Sid caught it. Time for the sweet talk.\n\n\u201cListen, help get us what we want and we\u2019ll let you walk away. Understand?\u201d\n\nDevin nodded nervously, \u201cWhat do you want?\u201d\n\n\u201cI want to know where the hell my daughter is!\u201d\n\n\u201cHow would . . . I mean, I don\u2019t even know who you are. How am I supposed \u2014\u201d\n\n\u201cShe was a part of that convoy to Behistun. Her armor was in the pile you guys left behind.\u201d\n\nDevin stared at Sid with a lost look on his face. Cyrus took a step forward.\n\n\u201cNot a good time to play dumb, Devin,\u201d said Sid. \u201cYour help is what\u2019s going to save your hide.\u201d\n\n\u201cBut I don\u2019t know what you\u2019re talking about \u2014\u201d\n\nCyrus unleashed a tight left hook to the liver. Devin dropped to a knee and sucked air. Sid laid a hand on Cyrus\u2019 shoulder.\n\n\u201cDon\u2019t bullshit us,\u201d Sid said sternly. \u201cWe know you played a part in what went down with that convoy.\u201d\n\n\u201cYeah, but I don\u2019t know nothing about any prisoners,\u201d Devin slowly stood back up.\n\n\u201cDo you have anyone locked up in the mine?\u201d\n\n\u201cNo, why would we \u2014\u201d\n\n\u201cMaybe they\u2019re in the outpost then?\u201d Sid pushed on.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m telling you. I don\u2019t know anything about any prison\u2014\u201d\n\nCyrus struck Devin again, same spot. The kid fell to all fours. Sid studied him. He was either a glutton for punishment or honestly clueless about their line of questioning.\n\n\u201cDevin, it doesn\u2019t need to be like this. Let\u2019s make this easy for you, ok? Get up.\u201d\n\nDevin nodded, as he slowly rose to his feet. Sid laid a massive hand from her heavy armor on his right shoulder.\n\nDevin winced under the weight, as it strained the side of his body that also held his liver.\n\n\u201cLet\u2019s break it down to what we know,\u201d Sid began. \u201cYou were at the ambush, right? We know that for sure.\u201d\n\nDevin nodded his head.\n\n\u201cThat\u2019s a good start. Now, since you were there, can\u2019t you understand why we find it tough to believe you absolutely have no idea what happened to the people in that convoy.\u201d\n\nDevin\u2019s eyes went wide. \u201cThat\u2019s because Tomyris sent me off on a mission before they were done.\u201d\n\nCyrus glanced to Sid, who nodded. The kid had shown up at the Falling Sky and mistakenly passed along that message to her. Maybe the kid really didn\u2019t know. He sure wasn\u2019t acting like he was trying to hide a secret.\n\n\u201cWho would know then, Tomyris?\u201d\n\nDevin nodded.\n\n\u201cWhere is she?\u201d\n\nDevin seemed better at keeping his mouth shut when he was sober. He quickly and quietly walked between the two of them as they descended into the mine, only speaking when asked a direct question. Sid and Cyrus peppered him with inquiries about what to expect at the outpost.\n\nHis answers were quick and direct. No pauses indicating that he needed to think through an answer. Devin claimed there were but five inside, including Tomyris. That number seemed low to Sid. There had to be more he wasn\u2019t telling them.\n\nSid led the way, stopping frequently to consult her scans. The deeper they got, the more old mining equipment they saw scatter around them. Some of looked as if it had been pushed down to this depth from above.\n\nAt the bottom of the mine, a massive crane sat in the middle of the pit floor. Around it were piles of old mining equipment and vehicles. Sid assessed the operation as they approached. It didn\u2019t look like they were repairing or stripping anything, just using the massive crane to organize the debris.\n\nCyrus kept his eyes peeled for signs of prisoners or strange ritual sites. So far he\u2019d seen no evidence of either. He had no idea whether that was a good or bad sign for the safety of their daughter.\n\nSid brought them to a stop behind a rusting vehicle about halfway across the pit floor. She pulled up her scanner and studied it. Then she looked up to see a faint Hathor Group logo on the side of the truck before her. Sid had seen it someplace else recently, but couldn\u2019t quite place it.\n\nShe shook it off and then glanced at their ultimate destination \u2014 the small outpost perched atop the other side. She studied a freight elevator built into the side of the mine behind the outpost. Taking it would be faster than footing it, but could attract attention.\n\nCyrus glanced at the massive crane looming overhead. A giant metal disc dangled from the jib. Intrigued, he asked, \u201cThat some kind of magnet?\u201d\n\n\u201cSuckers so strong it pops a truck off the ground like nothing,\u201d Devin said proudly.\n\nSid tapped Cyrus, returning his attention to the issue at hand.\n\n\u201cGive the lift a look.\u201d\n\nHe raised his sniper rifle and scanned the elevator. The area looked clear. Then he focused on the elevator\u2019s console. He nodded to Sid, confident he could hack it so they wouldn\u2019t see them coming.\n\n\u201cHow much ground is there between the elevator and outpost?\u201d Sid prompted Devin.\n\n\u201cI don\u2019t know . . .\u201d\n\n\u201cGuess.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m serious, I\u2019m a terrible judge of distance. Thirty meters, maybe?\u201d\n\n\u201cWhat about those turrets?\u201d\n\n\u201cWhat about them?\u201d\n\n\u201cAre they gonna turn on us?\u201d\n\nDevin shook his head. \u201cThey\u2019re only programmed to care about hostiles in front of them. I can show you the \u2014\u201d\n\n\u201cJust know this,\u201d pushed Sid. \u201cYou\u2019ll be standing right in front of us once we reach the top. If those things spin our way, they hit you first, understand?\u201d\n\nDevin nodded.\n\n\u201cSo, let me ask you again. Should we be concerned about those turrets?\u201d\n\n\u201cNo, I\u2019m telling you the truth. I\u2019m trying to help.\u201d\n\n\u201cI hope so. I really do.\u201d\n\n\u201cHave him describe the doors again,\u201d Cyrus requested.\n\n\u201cYou heard the man. Don\u2019t leave him disappointed.\u201d\n\nDevin nodded, \u201cWhen you step off the lift, there\u2019s a door straight ahead. That opens up to the main room where they\u2019ll all probably be inside. Then there\u2019s a second like garage door just to its right that I can open for you.\u201d\n\nCyrus could hack his way in, but using the kid\u2019s credentials would be quicker. The faster this plan developed for them the better. Right now, their only advantage was the element of surprise.\n\n\u201cExplain the plan back to me, one last time,\u201d Sid requested of Devin.\n\n\u201cWe, um, get to the top. Where I stay directly in front of you two as we hustle toward the garage door.\u201d\n\n\u201cAnd . . .\u201d egged on Sid.\n\n\u201cAnd . . .\u201d Devin reluctantly continued. \u201cIf I\u2019m ever more than two steps away of from either you or do anything stupid whatsoever, then you\u2019ll probably kill me.\u201d\n\n\u201cDefinitely kill you,\u201d Cyrus emphasized.\n\nDevin gulped.\n\n\u201cNow that we\u2019re all on the same page,\u201d said Sid. \u201cLet\u2019s move out.\u201d\n\nThe three crossed the pit floor to the lift. Cyrus hacked the console, took control and then killed the security cameras. They all got in and started their ascent.\n\nSid shook her head, \u201cI don\u2019t get it.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhat?\u201d Devin took the bait.\n\n\u201cWhat you\u2019re doing mixed up in all of this? Working with folks that do terrible, terrible things. I don\u2019t know, guess it just doesn\u2019t seem your style, kid.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s not,\u201d he shot back quickly. \u201cI came here to repair that crane. I stayed because I believed in the mission.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhat miss \u2014\u201d\n\nPower to the elevator was cut. The car jerked to a stop as the brakes slammed into place. All systems went offline then suddenly rebooted, powering back up.\n\nSid raised her rifle at Devin.\n\n\u201cI didn\u2019t do anything,\u201d Devin hands slowly went above his head.\n\nKeeping her gun trained at him, Sid signaled Cyrus, who stepped to the console. He turned back to her and shook his head. They weren\u2019t in control of the lift anymore. The tiny red light on the camera in the corner showed that they were being watched.\n\nSuddenly, the lift started moving upwards again.\n\n\u201cGuess they want to meet us,\u201d said Sid.\n\n\u201cYou best hope your friends like you enough to want to negotiate,\u201d said Cyrus.\n\n\u201cThey need me, I swear,\u201d said Devin. \u201cI\u2019m the only one \u2019round here that really knows anything about that damn crane.\u201d\n\nPositioning Devin in front of the gate, Sid and Cyrus prepared themselves for an ambush. The lift settled into place. The gate lowered before them. Someone was inviting them forward. They instead stayed in place.\n\nA moment later, the main outpost door opened and a figure stepped forward slowly with its hands raised.\n\n\u201cWho\u2019s that?\u201d\n\n\u201cTomyris,\u201d replied Devin.\n\nTomyris slowly stepped from the outpost and approached. Her armor had been through hell on the battlefield: impacts, gunshots, energy burns, the works. Strange symbols had been painted with loud splashes of color. About halfway across the field, the figure stopped and slowly took off her helmet. A lucky bandana held back her long brown hair.\n\nCyrus lowered his sniper rifle after seeing her face, \u201cI can\u2019t believe it . . .\u201d\n\nCyrus carelessly rushed forward.\n\nSid started to raise her weapon, but got a better look at the woman. The bandana, that defiant look in her eyes, it could be only one person.\n\nCyrus reached the figure and scooped her up in an embrace.\n\nDevin looked over at Sid, \u201cWhat the hell\u2019s going on?\u201d\n\n\u201cThat\u2019s our daughter.\u201d\n\n\u201cTomyris?\u201d\n\nSid nodded her head, looking at Immanuelle, having trouble believing it herself. \u201cApparently so.\u201d\n\nTO BE CONTINUED\u2026","de_DE":"Anmerkung des Autors: Sid & Cyrus: Teil Zwei wurde urspr\u00fcnglich in Jump Point 5.6 ver\u00f6ffentlicht. Lesen Sie Sid & Cyrus: Teil 1 hier.\nEine Vucari-Kavalkade schnitt durch die Platean-Ebene. Meister Kraujas stand auf dem R\u00fccksitz eines schwer gepanzerten Fahrzeugs, das speziell f\u00fcr seine massive Titan-R\u00fcstung umgebaut wurde. Das Fahrzeug verf\u00fcgte auch \u00fcber eine drehbare Plattform, so dass er einstellen konnte, in welche Richtung er blickte - ein wesentliches Merkmal in Anbetracht der Tachyon-Kanone, die am linken Arm des Titan-Anzugs angebracht war.\n\nDas Fahrzeug holperte \u00fcber eine Bodenwelle und nur Meister Kraujas magnetische Stiefel verhinderten, dass er aus dem Heck geschleudert wurde. Er schlug mit einer metallischen Hand auf die Kabine direkt \u00fcber dem Fahrer, der sofort langsamer wurde. Vucari-Mechaniker scherzten, dass diese Kabinenverkleidung das einzige St\u00fcck Panzerung am ganzen Fahrzeug war, das jemals ersetzt werden musste. Gesch\u00fctzt von seiner Vucari-Elitekavallerie und der Tachyon-Kanone konnten nicht viele Feinde nahe genug an Meister Kraujas' Fahrzeug herankommen, um auch nur den Lack zu besch\u00e4digen.\n\nMeister Kraujas richtete seine Aufmerksamkeit auf den Horizont, wo er schwarzen, bei\u00dfenden Rauch vom Ort des \u00fcberfallenen Konvois aufsteigen sehen konnte. Je n\u00e4her er dem Ort kam, desto mehr schwoll die Wut in ihm an. Wie konnten sie es wagen, einen so gro\u00dfen Konvoi, der durch sein Gebiet reiste, so dreist anzugreifen? Die Cadejo waren nicht l\u00e4nger ein \u00c4rgernis, sie waren eine Bedrohung, die beseitigt werden musste.\n\nEs hatte alles vor ein paar Monaten begonnen. Vucari-Sp\u00e4her fanden das Wrack eines kleinen zivilen Konvois am Rande ihres Territoriums. Ein paar Wochen sp\u00e4ter wurde ein weiterer Konvoi angegriffen. Dann ein weiterer. An jedem Tatort wurden von den Menschen im Konvoi abgerissene K\u00f6rperpanzer auf einem Haufen gefunden, aber nie irgendwelche Leichen. Das war der Zeitpunkt, an dem die Ger\u00fcchte begannen.\n\nGeschichten \u00fcber die Cadejos wanderten schnell durch die eigenen Reihen. Wie kam es, dass sie immer gewannen? Wie konnten sie immer spurlos verschwinden? Sie waren nicht einfach nur Sklavenh\u00e4ndler, sagten die Geschichten. Es wurde gefl\u00fcstert, dass der Anf\u00fchrer der Cadejos, Tomyris, vielleicht Menschen entf\u00fchrte, um einige seltsame, uralte Rituale zu befeuern, die der Crew dunkle Kr\u00e4fte verliehen.\n\nMeister Kraujas wusste es besser, als solchen Unsinn zu glauben, aber einige seiner Truppen taten es trotzdem. Dann begann er, Angst in den Augen seiner M\u00e4nner zu sehen, als ein weiterer Angriff auf die Cadejos deutete. In diesem Moment wusste Meister Kraujas, dass sie zerschlagen werden mussten. Er konnte nicht zulassen, dass sich seine Mannschaft vor irgendjemandem f\u00fcrchtete; \u00e4ngstliche Krieger versagen.\n\nVucari-Spione wurden quer durch Lago geschickt, um Informationen \u00fcber die Cadejos auszugraben, aber es wurde nichts gefunden. Niemand schien zu wissen, wer sie waren oder wo sie sich versteckten. Das Einzige, was \u00fcber die Cadejos bekannt war, war, dass sie ihre Angriffe auf zivile Konvois, die Vucari-Gebiet durchquerten, verst\u00e4rkten.\n\nJetzt sa\u00df vor Meister Kraujas der bisher gr\u00f6\u00dfte Konvoi, der von den Cadejos angegriffen wurde. Er wurde auch direkt auf der Hauptstra\u00dfe zwischen Reis und Behistun angegriffen, eine klare Herausforderung an seine Autorit\u00e4t, die ihn vor seinen Truppen und anderen Anf\u00fchrern von Gesetzlosen schwach aussehen lie\u00df.\n\nAm Ort des Hinterhalts angekommen, ging Meister Kraujas zwischen den immer noch schwelenden Wrackteilen umher und versuchte zu verstehen, wie dieser Angriff in einer so weiten Region der Ebene geschehen konnte. Es gab keine guten Stellen, um eine angreifende Kraft zu verstecken, die einen Konvoi dieser Gr\u00f6\u00dfe dominieren und zerst\u00f6ren konnte. Keine Sch\u00e4den am Boden, die auf den Einsatz von Minen hindeuten. Es machte keinen Sinn.\n\nMeister Kraujas stapfte um den Schauplatz herum und untersuchte jedes Detail. Er sch\u00e4tzte, dass die Cadejo mit einer beachtlichen Beute davongekommen waren, wenn man die Gr\u00f6\u00dfe des Konvois bedenkt. Woher hatten sie \u00fcberhaupt davon gewusst?\n\nLaut Dalton sollte die n\u00e4chste gro\u00dfe Lieferung nach Behistun Reis in zwei Tagen verlassen. Wie konnte dieses Datum ge\u00e4ndert werden, ohne dass er es wusste, aber die Cadejo es erfuhren? Jetzt schien er nicht nur inkompetent, sondern auch nicht auf dem Laufenden zu sein.\n\nEr n\u00e4herte sich der R\u00fcckseite des einzigen intakten Lastwagens. Darin sa\u00df ein gro\u00dfer Stapel pers\u00f6nlicher R\u00fcstungen, die Visitenkarte der Cadejo-Crew.\n\nEine Welle der Wut \u00fcberkam Meister Kraujas. Seine H\u00e4nde packten eine der hinteren T\u00fcrverkleidungen des Trucks, und mit einer furchterregenden Bewegung riss er sie aus den Angeln und schleuderte sie hinter sich. Die T\u00fcr schlug zwei Vucari von den F\u00fc\u00dfen. Einer blieb regungslos liegen. Der andere kr\u00fcmmte sich vor Schmerzen, bis Meister Kraujas ihm den Fu\u00df auf den Kopf setzte. \"Wo ist Dalton?\", verlangte Meister Kraujas.\n\nAls keine Antwort kam, sahen sich die Vucari untereinander um. Alle Augen suchten nach dem Mann, der diesen Teil ihres Territoriums beaufsichtigen sollte.\n\n\"Sir ...\"\n\nMeister Kraujas drehte sich zu einem Gesetzlosen um und zeigte auf die Leiche, die er gerade zertreten hatte. Ein kompliziertes Vucari-Emblem war in das Brustst\u00fcck ge\u00e4tzt. Dalton hatte es selbst handgeschnitzt.\n\nMeister Kraujas blickte auf die schlaksige Gestalt, die auf Daltons Leiche zeigte.\n\n\"Wie ist Ihr Name?\"\n\n\"Colby ... Sir.\"\n\n\"Da Sie so aufmerksam sind, sagen Sie mir, was zum Teufel hier passiert ist.\"\n\nColby stockte, unsicher, wie er antworten sollte. Dann erinnerte er sich an etwas, das er bei der ersten Begutachtung des Gel\u00e4ndes gesehen hatte.\n\n\"Sie haben vergessen, ihre Spuren zu verwischen. Sie sind sonnenklar und gehen nach Norden.\"\n\nMeister Kraujas l\u00e4chelte, \"Zeigen Sie es mir.\"\n\nSid und Cyrus waren der Spur vom Ort des Hinterhalts gefolgt. Sie hielten an, als der Pfad in ein kleines Tal einbog, das einen breiten Eingang hatte und sich dann verengte. Da sie sich nicht ins Unbekannte st\u00fcrzen wollten, fanden Sid und Cyrus ein Versteck abseits des Weges und untersuchten detaillierte Karten der Gegend.\n\nDas Tal f\u00fchrte zu einem alten Au\u00dfenposten, der am Rande eines tiefen Tagebaus lag. Dieser Au\u00dfenposten musste der Ort sein, an dem die Spur endete, und h\u00f6chstwahrscheinlich der Ort, an dem ihre Tochter als Geisel festgehalten wurde.\n\nMit dem R\u00fccken zur Mine bildete das felsige Tal einen perfekten Engpass; mit Bodent\u00fcrmen, die jede Seite flankierten, w\u00e4re es unm\u00f6glich, sich dem Au\u00dfenposten aus dieser Richtung unauff\u00e4llig zu n\u00e4hern. Die einzige Wahl, die die beiden hatten, war, nach einer alternativen Route zu suchen.\n\nDann bemerkte Cyrus, dass eine alte F\u00f6rderstra\u00dfe in die Mine hinunterf\u00fchrte. Sie begann in der N\u00e4he des Au\u00dfenpostens, tauchte in die Mine ein und schl\u00e4ngelte sich auf der anderen Seite wieder nach oben, in der N\u00e4he einer Reihe von Abraumhalden, auf denen der ganze nicht ben\u00f6tigte Schmutz aus dem Boden gerissen wurde. Wenn sie \u00fcber die Abraumhalden auf die F\u00f6rderstra\u00dfe gelangen k\u00f6nnten, dann k\u00f6nnten sie in die Mine fahren und sich vielleicht von hinten an den Au\u00dfenposten heranschleichen.\n\nSobald sie nah genug dran waren, konnten sie genau einsch\u00e4tzen, womit sie es zu tun hatten und bestimmen, wie sie in das Geb\u00e4ude eindringen konnten. Au\u00dferdem bestand immer noch die M\u00f6glichkeit, dass ihre Tochter irgendwo in der Mine als Geisel festgehalten wurde. Vielleicht konnten Sid und Cyrus Immanuelle befreien, ohne sich mit Tomyris und dem Rest der Cadejos auseinandersetzen zu m\u00fcssen.\n\nSid und Cyrus lenkten ihren Kurs auf die andere Seite der Mine. Sie fanden einen Pfad, der sie oberhalb des Tals f\u00fchrte. Sie hielten kurz an, um den Au\u00dfenposten und seine beiden Bodent\u00fcrme von oben zu begutachten. Sie hielten sich nicht lange auf, da sie bef\u00fcrchteten, die Cadejos k\u00f6nnten sie beobachten.\n\nDie Minengrube wurde vor Jahrhunderten verlassen, nachdem sie ausgespielt worden war, und war seitdem zu einer M\u00fcllhalde f\u00fcr Schutt und alles andere geworden, das nicht wiedergefunden werden sollte. Der Gestank von verrottendem M\u00fcll und Industrieabf\u00e4llen war sogar von ihrem Platz oberhalb des Tals aus wahrnehmbar. Die \u00fcblen D\u00e4mpfe hielten selbst die eifrigsten Abwracker fern und machten es zu einem perfekten Ort f\u00fcr ein geheimnisvolles, gesetzloses Rudel, das es sein Zuhause nannte.\n\nSid steuerte die Dragonfly vorsichtig um den Rand des Tals herum in Richtung der anderen Seite der Mine. Cyrus blickte von oben auf die Abraumhalden hinunter. In der Mitte der Reihen verlief die F\u00f6rderstra\u00dfe. Alles sah klar aus, bis er bemerkte, dass sich jemand bewegte. Sie gingen an einer der Abraumhalden vorbei und zogen einige Tarnnetze von einem Bodenturm, der perfekt platziert war, um jedem aufzulauern, der vorbeiflog.\n\n\"Sieht aus, als h\u00e4tten wir ein Ziel und einen Gesch\u00fctzturm. Das ist alles, was ich bis jetzt sehe.\"\n\nSid senkte die Signatur der Dragonfly so weit wie m\u00f6glich, als sie sich der F\u00f6rderstra\u00dfe auf der anderen Seite der Mine n\u00e4herten. Sie \u00fcberpr\u00fcfte ihre Scans und glaubte ihnen nicht so recht. Sie stimmten mit Cyrus \u00fcberein. Es gab nur eine Person und einen Gesch\u00fctzturm, die diese Seite der Mine bewachten.\n\nSid schob die Dragonfly heimlich zwischen zwei Reihen der Abraumhalde hindurch. Sie stellte den Motor ab, w\u00e4hrend Cyrus absprang und sein Scharfsch\u00fctzengewehr entsicherte. Er stemmte das Gewehr auf das Heck der geparkten Dragonfly und richtete das Fadenkreuz auf den Mechaniker, der verzweifelt den Bodenturm reparierte.\n\n\"Wird uns dieser Gesch\u00fctzturm Probleme bereiten?\", fragte Sid.\n\n\"Nicht, wenn wir uns schnell bewegen. Sieht aus, als w\u00fcrde er repariert.\"\n\n\"Ich werde mal vorausschauen.\"\n\n\"Ich gebe dir Deckung\", antwortete Cyrus mit einem Auge auf den Mechaniker. \"Ich bleibe hier und \u00fcberwache das Vucari-Geschw\u00e4tz.\"\n\nCyrus hatte sich in die gestohlene Dragonfly gehackt, damit sie \u00fcber die Bewegungen der Vucari auf dem Laufenden bleiben konnten. Sid nickte, \u00fcberpr\u00fcfte die Scanner ihres Anzugs und stie\u00df dann vor.\n\nSie eilte zu einem besseren Aussichtspunkt, \u00fcberpr\u00fcfte dann noch einmal ihre Scans und konnte die Ergebnisse immer noch nicht ganz glauben. Warum sollten die Cadejo die Abraumhaldenseite der Mine so leicht verteidigt lassen?\n\nSie beobachtete den Mechaniker einen Moment lang bei seiner Arbeit. Er drehte sich um, um sich ein anderes Werkzeug zu schnappen, wodurch Sid einen guten Blick auf sein Gesicht werfen konnte. Es war Devin, der Junge, der irrt\u00fcmlich in den Falling Sky gewandert war und all das hier ausgel\u00f6st hatte.\n\n\"Das ist definitiv der richtige Ort\", sagte Sid. Sie wartete auf Cyrus' Antwort, aber es kam keine. \"Cyrus ... alles in Ordnung -\"\n\n\"Sie haben die Spur gefunden. Verdammt, wir haben vergessen, sie zu wischen.\"\n\n\"Was?\"\n\n\"Sie kommen, die Vucari. Meister Kraujas hat gerade einen Aufruf an alle in der Gegend verschickt, sich ihm anzuschlie\u00dfen.\"\n\nBei jeder anderen Mission h\u00e4tten Sid und Cyrus die Spur, die sie beim Verlassen des Hinterhaltes gefunden hatten, weggewischt, damit ihnen niemand folgen konnte, aber sie waren schlampig gewesen. Die M\u00f6glichkeit, dass ihre Tochter noch am Leben sein k\u00f6nnte, \u00fcbertraf alles andere, sogar ihr besseres Urteilsverm\u00f6gen. Dieses Versehen war genau der Grund, warum Cyrus jungen S\u00f6ldnern immer sagte, dass sie niemals etwas Pers\u00f6nliches bearbeiten sollten.\n\n\"Wie viel Zeit haben wir?\", fragte Sid.\n\n\"Nicht genug, in Anbetracht all der neuen Variablen.\" Cyrus murmelte und richtete den Mechaniker neu aus. \"Wie sieht's mit dem Scan aus? Soll ich den Mechaniker ausschalten?\"\n\nSid sah wieder zu Devin. Auch wenn sie ihn f\u00fcr seine Rolle bei dem Angriff auf den Konvoi verachtete, wusste sie, dass sie ihn brauchten.\n\n\"Negativ. Lassen Sie uns stattdessen ihn schnappen. Finden Sie heraus, ob er wei\u00df, was sie mit Immanuelle gemacht haben. Kommen Sie zu mir.\"\n\nCyrus r\u00fcckte vorsichtig vor, bis er an ihrer Seite war. Sid \u00fcberpr\u00fcfte noch einmal ihren Scanner, dann f\u00fchrte er sie zu Devin und dem Gesch\u00fctzturm. Sie mussten sich beeilen. Wenn Devin das Ding in Gang setzte, w\u00e4hrend sie sich n\u00e4herten, konnte es sie in einem Herzschlag verschlingen.\n\nObwohl ihr letzter S\u00f6ldnerjob schon zwei Jahrzehnte zur\u00fccklag, bewegten sich die beiden immer noch synchron zueinander. Wenn Sid in eine Richtung schaute, schwenkte Cyrus in die andere. Sid hielt h\u00e4ufig an, um die Scans zu \u00fcberpr\u00fcfen und Luft zu holen. Cyrus richtete sein Scharfsch\u00fctzengewehr auf den Mechaniker und versuchte, die durchgef\u00fchrten Reparaturen zu beurteilen.\n\nSie r\u00fcckten zu einer Abraumhalde in der N\u00e4he des Gesch\u00fctzturms vor. Devin war zu sehr mit seinen Reparaturen besch\u00e4ftigt, um ein Auge auf das zu werfen, was um ihn herum geschah. Er zog sich auf seine F\u00fc\u00dfe und streckte sich. Alles, was noch zu tun war, war, den Gesch\u00fctzturm mit Strom zu versorgen und er sollte einsatzbereit sein.\n\nEr griff nach dem Bedienfeld, nur um von einer Kugel getroffen zu werden. Devin stolperte erschrocken zur\u00fcck, stolperte \u00fcber sein Werkzeug und fiel zu Boden. Als er aufblickte, war ein Gewehr in seinem Gesicht.\n\n\"H\u00e4nde hoch\", drohte Sid in ihrer schweren R\u00fcstung \u00fcber ihm. Devin hob seine H\u00e4nde. \"Stehen Sie jetzt sch\u00f6n langsam auf. Ich will Ihnen nicht wehtun m\u00fcssen.\"\n\nDevin gehorchte dem Befehl, seine Augen klebten die ganze Zeit auf ihr, obwohl er Sid in ihrer schweren R\u00fcstung nicht zu erkennen schien. Gut; sie w\u00fcrde die Gelegenheit genie\u00dfen, diesen kleinen Mistkerl herumzukommandieren.\n\nCyrus kam mit erhobenem Scharfsch\u00fctzengewehr auf sie zu und verschwendete keine Zeit, um zur Sache zu kommen. \"Wo sind die Gefangenen?\"\n\n\"Welche Gefangenen?\" antwortete Devin nerv\u00f6s.\n\n\"Machen Sie ihn nicht w\u00fctend, Devin\", warf Sid ein.\n\n\"Woher kennen Sie meinen Na-?\"\n\n\"Wir wissen eine Menge Dinge\", fuhr Sid fort. \"Zum Beispiel, was Sie mit dem Konvoi nach Behistun gemacht haben.\"\n\n\"Sie sind Vucari, nicht wahr?\"\n\nCyrus sch\u00fcttelte den Kopf: \"Betrachten Sie uns einfach als die Leute, die Ihr Leben in den H\u00e4nden halten.\"\n\nEin leises Zittern bahnte sich seinen Weg durch Devin. Es war subtil, aber Sid fing es auf. Zeit f\u00fcr die Schmeichelei.\n\n\"H\u00f6ren Sie, helfen Sie uns zu bekommen, was wir wollen und wir lassen Sie gehen. Verstanden?\"\n\nDevin nickte nerv\u00f6s, \"Was wollen Sie?\"\n\n\"Ich will wissen, wo zum Teufel meine Tochter ist!\"\n\n\"Wie sollte ... Ich meine, ich wei\u00df nicht einmal, wer Sie sind. Wie soll ich denn -\"\n\n\"Sie war ein Teil des Konvois nach Behistun. Ihre R\u00fcstung war in dem Haufen, den ihr zur\u00fcckgelassen habt.\"\n\nDevin starrte Sid mit einem verlorenen Ausdruck im Gesicht an. Cyrus machte einen Schritt nach vorne.\n\n\"Kein guter Zeitpunkt, um den Dummen zu spielen, Devin\", sagte Sid. \"Deine Hilfe ist das, was deine Haut retten wird.\"\n\n\"Aber ich wei\u00df nicht, wovon Sie reden -\"\n\nCyrus schlug einen festen linken Haken in die Leber. Devin fiel auf ein Knie und schnappte nach Luft. Sid legte eine Hand auf Cyrus' Schulter.\n\n\"Verarschen Sie uns nicht\", sagte Sid streng. \"Wir wissen, dass Sie eine Rolle bei dem Vorfall mit dem Konvoi gespielt haben.\"\n\n\"Ja, aber ich wei\u00df nichts von irgendwelchen Gefangenen\", stand Devin langsam wieder auf.\n\n\"Haben Sie jemanden in der Mine eingesperrt?\"\n\n\"Nein, warum sollten wir -\"\n\n\"Vielleicht sind sie dann auf dem Au\u00dfenposten?\" Sid dr\u00e4ngte weiter.\n\n\"Ich sag's Ihnen. Ich wei\u00df nichts von einem Gef\u00e4ngnis -\"\n\nCyrus schlug Devin erneut, an derselben Stelle. Der Junge fiel auf alle Viere. Sid studierte ihn. Entweder war er ein Spielverderber oder ehrlich ahnungslos, was die Befragung anging.\n\n\"Devin, es muss nicht so sein. Machen wir es Ihnen leicht, ok? Stehen Sie auf.\"\n\nDevin nickte, als er langsam auf die Beine kam. Sid legte eine massive Hand aus ihrer schweren R\u00fcstung auf seine rechte Schulter.\n\nDevin zuckte unter dem Gewicht zusammen, da es die Seite seines K\u00f6rpers belastete, die auch seine Leber hielt.\n\n\"Lassen Sie uns auf das eingehen, was wir wissen\", begann Sid. \"Sie waren bei dem \u00dcberfall dabei, richtig? Das wissen wir mit Sicherheit.\"\n\nDevin nickte mit dem Kopf.\n\n\"Das ist ein guter Anfang. Da Sie dabei waren, k\u00f6nnen Sie doch verstehen, dass es uns schwerf\u00e4llt zu glauben, dass Sie absolut keine Ahnung haben, was mit den Leuten in diesem Konvoi passiert ist.\"\n\nDevins Augen wurden gro\u00df. \"Das liegt daran, dass Tomyris mich auf eine Mission geschickt hat, bevor sie fertig waren.\"\n\nCyrus warf einen Blick zu Sid, der nickte. Der Junge war im \"Falling Sky\" aufgetaucht und hatte diese Nachricht versehentlich an sie weitergegeben. Vielleicht wusste der Junge es wirklich nicht. Er verhielt sich jedenfalls nicht so, als w\u00fcrde er versuchen, ein Geheimnis zu verbergen.\n\n\"Wer sollte es dann wissen, Tomyris?\"\n\nDevin nickte.\n\n\"Wo ist sie?\"\n\nDevin schien besser darin zu sein, seinen Mund zu halten, wenn er n\u00fcchtern war. Er ging schnell und leise zwischen den beiden hindurch, als sie in die Mine hinabstiegen, und sprach nur, wenn ihm eine direkte Frage gestellt wurde. Sid und Cyrus \u00fcberh\u00e4uften ihn mit Erkundigungen dar\u00fcber, was sie auf dem Au\u00dfenposten erwarten w\u00fcrde.\n\nSeine Antworten waren schnell und direkt. Keine Pausen deuteten darauf hin, dass er \u00fcber eine Antwort nachdenken musste. Devin behauptete, es seien nur f\u00fcnf Personen drinnen, einschlie\u00dflich Tomyris. Diese Zahl erschien Sid niedrig. Es musste mehr sein, was er ihnen nicht sagte.\n\nSid f\u00fchrte den Weg, hielt h\u00e4ufig an, um ihre Scans zu konsultieren. Je tiefer sie kamen, desto mehr alte Bergbauausr\u00fcstung sahen sie um sich herum verstreut. Einiges sah aus, als w\u00e4re es von oben in diese Tiefe geschoben worden.\n\nAuf dem Grund der Mine sa\u00df ein massiver Kran in der Mitte der Grubensohle. Um ihn herum waren Stapel von alter Bergbauausr\u00fcstung und Fahrzeugen. Sid beurteilte den Betrieb, als sie sich n\u00e4herten. Es sah nicht so aus, als w\u00fcrden sie irgendetwas reparieren oder abbauen, sondern nur den massiven Kran benutzen, um den Schutt zu ordnen.\n\nCyrus hielt seine Augen nach Anzeichen von Gefangenen oder seltsamen Ritualpl\u00e4tzen offen. Bis jetzt hatte er keine Anzeichen von beidem gesehen. Er hatte keine Ahnung, ob das ein gutes oder schlechtes Zeichen f\u00fcr die Sicherheit ihrer Tochter war.\n\nSid brachte sie hinter einem rostigen Fahrzeug zum Stehen, das sich etwa auf halber Strecke \u00fcber die Grube befand. Sie zog ihren Scanner hoch und studierte ihn. Dann blickte sie auf und sah ein schwaches Logo der Hathor-Gruppe auf der Seite des Trucks vor ihr. Sid hatte es k\u00fcrzlich irgendwo anders gesehen, konnte es aber nicht genau zuordnen.\n\nSie sch\u00fcttelte es ab und warf dann einen Blick auf ihr endg\u00fcltiges Ziel - den kleinen Au\u00dfenposten, der auf der anderen Seite thronte. Sie studierte einen Lastenaufzug, der in die Seite der Mine hinter dem Au\u00dfenposten eingebaut war. Ihn zu nehmen w\u00e4re schneller als zu Fu\u00df zu gehen, k\u00f6nnte aber Aufmerksamkeit erregen.\n\nCyrus warf einen Blick auf den massiven Kran, der \u00fcber der Mine schwebte. Eine riesige Metallscheibe baumelte vom Ausleger. Fasziniert fragte er: \"Ist das eine Art Magnet?\"\n\n\"Der ist so stark, dass er einen LKW vom Boden abhebt wie nichts\", sagte Devin stolz.\n\nSid tippte Cyrus an und lenkte seine Aufmerksamkeit wieder auf das eigentliche Thema.\n\n\"Schauen Sie sich den Lift an.\"\n\nEr hob sein Scharfsch\u00fctzengewehr und scannte den Aufzug. Der Bereich sah sauber aus. Dann konzentrierte er sich auf die Konsole des Fahrstuhls. Er nickte Sid zu, zuversichtlich, dass er sie so hacken konnte, dass sie sie nicht kommen sehen w\u00fcrden.\n\n\"Wie viel Boden befindet sich zwischen dem Aufzug und dem Au\u00dfenposten?\" forderte Sid Devin auf.\n\n\"Ich wei\u00df es nicht ...\"\n\n\"Raten Sie.\"\n\n\"Ich meine es ernst, ich bin ein schlechter Entfernungseinsch\u00e4tzer. Drei\u00dfig Meter, vielleicht?\"\n\n\"Was ist mit den Gesch\u00fctzt\u00fcrmen?\"\n\n\"Was ist mit denen?\"\n\n\"Werden sie sich gegen uns wenden?\"\n\nDevin sch\u00fcttelte den Kopf. \"Sie sind so programmiert, dass sie sich nur um Feinde k\u00fcmmern, die vor ihnen stehen. Ich kann Ihnen zeigen, dass -\"\n\n\"Wissen Sie nur das\", dr\u00e4ngte Sid. \"Sie werden direkt vor uns stehen, wenn wir den Gipfel erreichen. Wenn die Dinger in unsere Richtung trudeln, treffen sie Sie zuerst, verstanden?\"\n\nDevin nickte.\n\n\"Also, ich frage Sie noch einmal. Sollten wir uns wegen dieser Gesch\u00fctzt\u00fcrme Sorgen machen?\"\n\n\"Nein, ich sage Ihnen die Wahrheit. Ich versuche nur zu helfen.\"\n\n\"Das hoffe ich. Das tue ich wirklich.\"\n\n\"Lassen Sie ihn die T\u00fcren noch einmal beschreiben\", bat Cyrus.\n\n\"Sie haben den Mann geh\u00f6rt. Lassen Sie ihn nicht entt\u00e4uscht zur\u00fcck.\"\n\nDevin nickte: \"Wenn Sie aus dem Aufzug steigen, gibt es geradeaus eine T\u00fcr. Die \u00f6ffnet sich zum Hauptraum, in dem sich wahrscheinlich alle aufhalten. Dann gibt es eine zweite, garagen\u00e4hnliche T\u00fcr gleich rechts davon, die ich f\u00fcr Sie \u00f6ffnen kann.\"\n\nCyrus k\u00f6nnte sich hineinhacken, aber die Zugangsdaten des Jungen zu benutzen, w\u00fcrde schneller gehen. Je schneller sich dieser Plan f\u00fcr sie entwickelte, desto besser. Im Moment war ihr einziger Vorteil das Element der \u00dcberraschung.\n\n\"Erkl\u00e4ren Sie mir den Plan noch einmal, ein letztes Mal\", bat Sid Devin.\n\n\"Wir, \u00e4hm, gehen auf den Gipfel. Ich bleibe direkt vor Ihnen beiden, w\u00e4hrend wir uns zum Garagentor beeilen.\"\n\n\"Und ...\", stachelte Sid an.\n\n\"Und . . .\" fuhr Devin z\u00f6gernd fort. \"Wenn ich mich jemals mehr als zwei Schritte von Ihnen entferne oder irgendetwas Dummes tue, dann werden Sie mich wahrscheinlich umbringen.\"\n\n\"Definitiv umbringen\", betonte Cyrus.\n\nDevin schluckte.\n\n\"Jetzt, wo wir alle auf derselben Seite sind\", sagte Sid. \"Lasst uns loslegen.\"\n\nDie drei durchquerten die Grube zum Aufzug. Cyrus hackte die Konsole, \u00fcbernahm die Kontrolle und schaltete dann die Sicherheitskameras aus. Sie stiegen alle ein und begannen ihren Aufstieg.\n\nSid sch\u00fcttelte den Kopf: \"Ich versteh's nicht.\"\n\n\"Was?\" Devin schluckte den K\u00f6der.\n\n\"Was haben Sie mit all dem zu tun? Mit Leuten zu arbeiten, die schreckliche, schreckliche Dinge tun. Ich wei\u00df nicht, ich sch\u00e4tze, das scheint einfach nicht Ihr Stil zu sein, Junge.\"\n\n\"Ist es nicht\", schoss er schnell zur\u00fcck. \"Ich bin hergekommen, um den Kran zu reparieren. Ich bin geblieben, weil ich an die Mission glaube.\"\n\n\"Welche Miss -\"\n\nDie Stromzufuhr zum Aufzug wurde unterbrochen. Die Kabine kam ruckartig zum Stehen, als die Bremsen einschlugen. Alle Systeme gingen offline, dann starteten sie pl\u00f6tzlich neu und fuhren wieder hoch.\n\nSid hob ihr Gewehr auf Devin.\n\n\"Ich habe nichts getan\", Devin H\u00e4nde gingen langsam \u00fcber seinen Kopf.\n\nW\u00e4hrend sie ihr Gewehr auf ihn gerichtet hielt, gab Sid Cyrus ein Zeichen, der zur Konsole trat. Er drehte sich wieder zu ihr um und sch\u00fcttelte den Kopf. Sie hatten nicht mehr die Kontrolle \u00fcber den Lift. Das winzige rote Licht auf der Kamera in der Ecke zeigte, dass sie beobachtet wurden.\n\nPl\u00f6tzlich setzte sich der Aufzug wieder nach oben in Bewegung.\n\n\"Ich sch\u00e4tze, sie wollen uns treffen\", sagte Sid.\n\n\"Du solltest hoffen, dass deine Freunde dich genug m\u00f6gen, um verhandeln zu wollen\", sagte Cyrus.\n\n\"Sie brauchen mich, ich schw\u00f6re\", sagte Devin. \"Ich bin der Einzige hier, der wirklich etwas \u00fcber diesen verdammten Kran wei\u00df.\"\n\nW\u00e4hrend sie Devin vor dem Tor positionierten, bereiteten sich Sid und Cyrus auf einen \u00dcberfall vor. Der Lift setzte sich in Position. Das Tor senkte sich vor ihnen. Jemand lud sie nach vorne ein. Stattdessen blieben sie an Ort und Stelle.\n\nEinen Moment sp\u00e4ter \u00f6ffnete sich das Haupttor des Au\u00dfenpostens und eine Gestalt trat langsam mit erhobenen H\u00e4nden vor.\n\n\"Wer ist das?\"\n\n\"Tomyris\", antwortete Devin.\n\nTomyris trat langsam aus dem Au\u00dfenposten und n\u00e4herte sich. Ihre R\u00fcstung hatte auf dem Schlachtfeld die H\u00f6lle durchgemacht: Einschl\u00e4ge, Sch\u00fcsse, Energieverbrennungen, das volle Programm. Seltsame Symbole waren mit grellen Farbspritzern aufgemalt worden. Etwa auf halbem Weg \u00fcber das Feld blieb die Gestalt stehen und nahm langsam ihren Helm ab. Ein Gl\u00fccksbandana hielt ihr langes braunes Haar zur\u00fcck.\n\nCyrus senkte sein Scharfsch\u00fctzengewehr, als er ihr Gesicht sah: \"Ich kann es nicht glauben ...\"\n\nCyrus st\u00fcrzte achtlos nach vorne.\n\nSid begann, ihre Waffe zu heben, bekam aber einen besseren Blick auf die Frau. Das Kopftuch, dieser trotzige Blick in ihren Augen, es konnte nur eine Person sein.\n\nCyrus erreichte die Gestalt und hob sie in eine Umarmung.\n\nDevin schaute zu Sid hin\u00fcber: \"Was zum Teufel ist hier los?\"\n\n\"Das ist unsere Tochter.\"\n\n\"Tomyris?\"\n\nSid nickte mit dem Kopf und sah Immanuelle an, die selbst Schwierigkeiten hatte, es zu glauben. \"Anscheinend schon.\"\n\nFORTSETZUNG FOLGT...","zh_CN":"Writer\u2019s Note: Sid & Cyrus: Part Two was published originally in Jump Point 5.6. Read Sid & Cyrus: Part One here.\nA Vucari cavalcade cut across the Platean Plain. Master Kraujas stood in the back of a heavily plated vehicle, specifically converted to accommodate his massive Titan armor. The vehicle also featured a rotating platform, so he could adjust which way he faced \u2014 an essential feature considering the tachyon cannon attached to the Titan suit\u2019s left arm.\n\nThe vehicle barreled over a bump and only Master Kraujas\u2019 magnetic boots kept him from being bucked out of the back. He slammed a metallic hand on the cab just above the driver, who immediately slowed. Vucari mechanics joked that this cab panel was the only piece of armor on the whole vehicle that ever needed to be replaced. Protected by his elite Vucari cavalry and that tachyon cannon, not many enemies could get close enough to Master Kraujas\u2019 vehicle to even chip its paint.\n\nMaster Kraujas turned his attention to the horizon where he could see black, acrid smoke rising from the site of the ambushed convoy. The closer he got to it, the more the anger swelled inside him. How dare they so brazening attack such a large convoy traveling through his territory? The Cadejo were no longer an annoyance, they were a menace that must be eliminated.\n\nIt had all started a few months ago. Vucari scouts found the wreckage of a small civilian convoy on the edge of their territory. A few weeks later, another convoy was hit. Then another. At each scene, body armor ripped off the people in the convoy was found in a pile, but never any bodies. That\u2019s when the rumors started.\n\nStories about the Cadejos swiftly moved through his ranks. How was it they always won? How did they always vanish without a trace? They weren\u2019t simply slavers, the stories said. Whispers started that maybe the Cadejos\u2019 leader, Tomyris, took people to fuel some strange, ancient rituals that gave the crew dark powers.\n\nMaster Kraujas knew better than to believe such tripe, but some of his troops still did. Then he started to see fear in his men\u2019s eyes when another attack pointed to the Cadejos. That\u2019s when Master Kraujas knew they had to be crushed. He could not have his crew fearing anyone; fearful warriors fail.\n\nVucari spies were dispatched across Lago to dig up information on the Cadejo, but nothing was found. No one seemed to know who they were or where they holed up. The only thing known about the Cadejos was that they were stepping up attacks on civilian convoys crossing Vucari territory.\n\nNow, sitting before Master Kraujas was the largest convoy struck by the Cadejos yet. It was attacked right on the main road between Reis and Behistun, too, a clear challenge to his authority that made him look weak to his troops and other outlaw leaders.\n\nOnce at the ambush site, Master Kraujas walked among the still smoldering wreckage, trying to understand how this attack could have happened on such a wide-open region of the plain. There were no good spots to hide an attacking force that could dominate and destroy a convoy of this size. No damage to the ground indicating the use of mines. It didn\u2019t make sense.\n\nMaster Kraujas stomped around the scene, examining every detail. He estimated that the Cadejo had made off with a hefty haul considering the size of the convoy. How they had even known about it?\n\nAccording to Dalton, the next major shipment to Behistun was supposed to leave Reis in two days. How had that date been changed without him knowing but the Cadejo finding out? Now he not only appeared incompetent but out of the loop.\n\nHe approached the back of the only intact truck. Inside sat a large pile of personal armor, the Cadejo Crew\u2019s calling card.\n\nA wave of rage overcame Master Kraujas. His hands grabbed one of the truck\u2019s rear door panels, and in one terrifying motion, he ripped it off the hinges and tossed it behind him. The door knocked two Vucari off their feet. One lay motionless. The other writhed in pain until Master Kraujas brought his foot down upon his head. \u201cWhere\u2019s Dalton?\u201d demanded Master Kraujas.\n\nWhen no response came the Vucari glanced among themselves. All eyes looked for the man assigned to oversee this part of their territory.\n\n\u201cSir . . .\u201d\n\nMaster Kraujas turned to an outlaw pointing at the body he just stomped. An intricate Vucari emblem was etched into the chest piece. Dalton had hand-carved it himself.\n\nMaster Kraujas glanced at the lanky figure who pointed out Dalton\u2019s body.\n\n\u201cWhat\u2019s your name?\u201d\n\n\u201cColby . . . sir.\u201d\n\n\u201cSince you\u2019re so observant, tell me what the hell happened here.\u201d\n\nColby stalled, unsure of how to answer. Then he remembered something he saw when first surveying the site.\n\n\u201cThey forgot to cover their tracks. They\u2019re clear as day, heading north.\u201d\n\nMaster Kraujas smiled, \u201cShow me.\u201d\n\nSid and Cyrus had followed the trail from the ambush site. They stopped when the trail entered a small valley, which had a wide entrance, then narrowed. Not wanting to rush into the unknown, Sid and Cyrus found a hiding spot off the trail and examined detailed maps of the area.\n\nThe valley led to an old outpost sitting on the edge of a deep open-pit mine. That outpost had to be where the trail ended, and most likely where their daughter was being held hostage.\n\nWith its back up against the mine, the rocky valley creating a perfect bottleneck; with ground turrets flanking each side, the outpost would be impossible to approach discreetly from this direction. The only choice the two had was to look for an alternative route.\n\nThen Cyrus noticed there was an old hauling road going down into the mine. It started near the outpost, dipped into the mine and wound its way back up on the far side near a series of spoil banks, which were rows of all the unneeded dirt ripped from the ground. If they could access the hauling road by the spoil banks, then they could travel into the mine and perhaps sneak up on the outpost from behind.\n\nOnce close enough, they could assess exactly what they were up against and determine how to breach the building. Plus, there was always the chance that their daughter was being held hostage somewhere in the mine. Maybe Sid and Cyrus could free Immanuelle without even having to deal with Tomyris and the rest of the Cadejos.\n\nSid and Cyrus redirected course to the far side of the mine. They found a path that took them above the valley. They stopped briefly to survey the outpost and its two ground turrets from above. They didn\u2019t linger, worried that the Cadejos might be watching.\n\nAbandoned centuries ago after it was played out, the mine pit had since become a dumping ground for debris and anything else that wasn\u2019t supposed to be found again. The stench of rotting trash and industrial waste was apparent even from their spot above the valley. The foul fumes kept even the most dedicated scrappers away and made it a perfect place for a secretive outlaw pack to call home.\n\nSid piloted the Dragonfly carefully around the edge of the valley towards the far side of the mine. Cyrus glanced down at the spoil banks from above. Cutting through the middle of the rows was the hauling road. Things looked clear until he noticed someone moving. They walked by one of the spoil banks and pulled some camouflage netting off a ground turret, placed perfectly to ambush anyone who flew past.\n\n\u201cLooks like we\u2019ve got one mark and a turret. That\u2019s all I\u2019m seeing so far.\u201d\n\nSid lowered the Dragonfly\u2019s signature as much as possible as they approached the hauling road on the other side of the mine. She checked her scans and didn\u2019t quite believe them. They agreed with Cyrus. There was only one person and one turret guarding this side of the mine.\n\nSid stealthily slid the Dragonfly between two rows of the spoil bank. She cut the engine as Cyrus hopped off and unholstered his sniper rifle. He braced the gun on the back of the parked Dragonfly and settled the crosshairs on the mechanic frantically repairing the ground turret.\n\n\u201cThat turret gonna give us trouble?\u201d asked Sid.\n\n\u201cNot if we move fast. Looks like it\u2019s getting fixed.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m gonna scout ahead.\u201d\n\n\u201cGot you covered,\u201d replied Cyrus with an eye on the mechanic. \u201cGonna stay here and monitor Vucari chatter.\u201d\n\nCyrus had hacked into the stolen Dragonfly\u2019s comms so they could stay abreast of the Vucari\u2019s movements. Sid nodded, checked her suit\u2019s scanners and then pushed forward.\n\nShe hustled toward a better vantage point, then checked her scans again and still didn\u2019t quite believe the results. Why would the Cadejo leave the spoil bank side of the mine so lightly defended?\n\nShe watched the mechanic work for a moment. He turned to snag another tool, giving Sid a good look at his face. It was Devin, the kid who\u2019d mistakenly wandered into the Falling Sky and started all of this.\n\n\u201cThis is definitely the place,\u201d Sid commed. She waited for Cyrus\u2019 response, but none came. \u201cCyrus . . . everything ok \u2014\u201d\n\n\u201cThey found the trail. Damn it, we forgot to wipe it.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhat?\u201d\n\n\u201cThey\u2019re coming, the Vucari. Master Kraujas just sent out a call for anyone in the area to join him on the trail.\u201d\n\nOn any other mission Sid and Cyrus would\u2019ve wiped away the trail they had found leaving the ambush site, so no one could follow, but they\u2019d been sloppy. The possibility that their daughter might still be alive exceeded everything else, even their better judgment. This oversight was exactly why Cyrus used to tell young mercs that they should never work something personal.\n\n\u201cHow much time do we got?\u201d asked Sid.\n\n\u201cNot enough, considering all the new variables.\u201d Cyrus muttered and re-targeted the mechanic. \u201cHow\u2019s that scan look? Should I take out that mechanic?\u201d\n\nSid looked back at Devin. Even though she despised him for his part on the attack of that convoy, she knew they needed him.\n\n\u201cNegative. Let\u2019s grab him instead. Find out if he knows what they did to Immanuelle. Move to me.\u201d\n\nCyrus carefully advanced forward until he was by her side. Sid checked her scanner once more, then lead them toward Devin and the turret. They had to hurry. If Devin got that thing working while they approached, it could chew them up in a heartbeat.\n\nEven though it\u2019d been two decades since their last merc job, the two still moved in sync. When Sid looked one way, Cyrus swung the other. Sid stopped frequently to check the scans and collect her breath. Cyrus sighted his sniper rifle toward the mechanic, trying to assess the repairs being undertaken.\n\nThey advanced to a spoil bank near the turret. Devin was too consumed by his repairs to keep an eye on what was going on around him. He pulled himself to his feet and stretched. All that was left to do was power up the turret and it should be good to go.\n\nHe reached for the control panel only for a bullet to strike it first. Devin stumbled back in shock, tripping over his tools and falling to the ground. When he looked up there was a rifle in his face.\n\n\u201cHands up,\u201d Sid loomed over him in her heavy armor. Devin raised his hands. \u201cNow get up nice and slow. I don\u2019t want to have to hurt you.\u201d\n\nDevin obeyed the order, his eyes glued on her the entire time, though he didn\u2019t seem to recognize Sid in her heavy armor. Good; she was going to relish the chance to order this little punk around.\n\nCyrus advanced toward them with his sniper rifle raised and wasted no time getting to the point. \u201cWhere are the prisoners?\u201d\n\n\u201cWhat prisoners?\u201d Devin replied nervously.\n\n\u201cDon\u2019t get him angry, Devin,\u201d Sid interjected.\n\n\u201cHow do you know my na\u2014?\u201d\n\n\u201cWe know a lot of things,\u201d Sid pushed on. \u201cLike what you did to that convoy to Behistun.\u201d\n\n\u201cYou\u2019re Vucari, aren\u2019t you?\u201d\n\nCyrus shook his head, \u201cJust consider us the people with your life in our hands.\u201d\n\nA soft tremble worked its way down Devin. It was subtle but Sid caught it. Time for the sweet talk.\n\n\u201cListen, help get us what we want and we\u2019ll let you walk away. Understand?\u201d\n\nDevin nodded nervously, \u201cWhat do you want?\u201d\n\n\u201cI want to know where the hell my daughter is!\u201d\n\n\u201cHow would . . . I mean, I don\u2019t even know who you are. How am I supposed \u2014\u201d\n\n\u201cShe was a part of that convoy to Behistun. Her armor was in the pile you guys left behind.\u201d\n\nDevin stared at Sid with a lost look on his face. Cyrus took a step forward.\n\n\u201cNot a good time to play dumb, Devin,\u201d said Sid. \u201cYour help is what\u2019s going to save your hide.\u201d\n\n\u201cBut I don\u2019t know what you\u2019re talking about \u2014\u201d\n\nCyrus unleashed a tight left hook to the liver. Devin dropped to a knee and sucked air. Sid laid a hand on Cyrus\u2019 shoulder.\n\n\u201cDon\u2019t bullshit us,\u201d Sid said sternly. \u201cWe know you played a part in what went down with that convoy.\u201d\n\n\u201cYeah, but I don\u2019t know nothing about any prisoners,\u201d Devin slowly stood back up.\n\n\u201cDo you have anyone locked up in the mine?\u201d\n\n\u201cNo, why would we \u2014\u201d\n\n\u201cMaybe they\u2019re in the outpost then?\u201d Sid pushed on.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m telling you. I don\u2019t know anything about any prison\u2014\u201d\n\nCyrus struck Devin again, same spot. The kid fell to all fours. Sid studied him. He was either a glutton for punishment or honestly clueless about their line of questioning.\n\n\u201cDevin, it doesn\u2019t need to be like this. Let\u2019s make this easy for you, ok? Get up.\u201d\n\nDevin nodded, as he slowly rose to his feet. Sid laid a massive hand from her heavy armor on his right shoulder.\n\nDevin winced under the weight, as it strained the side of his body that also held his liver.\n\n\u201cLet\u2019s break it down to what we know,\u201d Sid began. \u201cYou were at the ambush, right? We know that for sure.\u201d\n\nDevin nodded his head.\n\n\u201cThat\u2019s a good start. Now, since you were there, can\u2019t you understand why we find it tough to believe you absolutely have no idea what happened to the people in that convoy.\u201d\n\nDevin\u2019s eyes went wide. \u201cThat\u2019s because Tomyris sent me off on a mission before they were done.\u201d\n\nCyrus glanced to Sid, who nodded. The kid had shown up at the Falling Sky and mistakenly passed along that message to her. Maybe the kid really didn\u2019t know. He sure wasn\u2019t acting like he was trying to hide a secret.\n\n\u201cWho would know then, Tomyris?\u201d\n\nDevin nodded.\n\n\u201cWhere is she?\u201d\n\nDevin seemed better at keeping his mouth shut when he was sober. He quickly and quietly walked between the two of them as they descended into the mine, only speaking when asked a direct question. Sid and Cyrus peppered him with inquiries about what to expect at the outpost.\n\nHis answers were quick and direct. No pauses indicating that he needed to think through an answer. Devin claimed there were but five inside, including Tomyris. That number seemed low to Sid. There had to be more he wasn\u2019t telling them.\n\nSid led the way, stopping frequently to consult her scans. The deeper they got, the more old mining equipment they saw scatter around them. Some of looked as if it had been pushed down to this depth from above.\n\nAt the bottom of the mine, a massive crane sat in the middle of the pit floor. Around it were piles of old mining equipment and vehicles. Sid assessed the operation as they approached. It didn\u2019t look like they were repairing or stripping anything, just using the massive crane to organize the debris.\n\nCyrus kept his eyes peeled for signs of prisoners or strange ritual sites. So far he\u2019d seen no evidence of either. He had no idea whether that was a good or bad sign for the safety of their daughter.\n\nSid brought them to a stop behind a rusting vehicle about halfway across the pit floor. She pulled up her scanner and studied it. Then she looked up to see a faint Hathor Group logo on the side of the truck before her. Sid had seen it someplace else recently, but couldn\u2019t quite place it.\n\nShe shook it off and then glanced at their ultimate destination \u2014 the small outpost perched atop the other side. She studied a freight elevator built into the side of the mine behind the outpost. Taking it would be faster than footing it, but could attract attention.\n\nCyrus glanced at the massive crane looming overhead. A giant metal disc dangled from the jib. Intrigued, he asked, \u201cThat some kind of magnet?\u201d\n\n\u201cSuckers so strong it pops a truck off the ground like nothing,\u201d Devin said proudly.\n\nSid tapped Cyrus, returning his attention to the issue at hand.\n\n\u201cGive the lift a look.\u201d\n\nHe raised his sniper rifle and scanned the elevator. The area looked clear. Then he focused on the elevator\u2019s console. He nodded to Sid, confident he could hack it so they wouldn\u2019t see them coming.\n\n\u201cHow much ground is there between the elevator and outpost?\u201d Sid prompted Devin.\n\n\u201cI don\u2019t know . . .\u201d\n\n\u201cGuess.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m serious, I\u2019m a terrible judge of distance. Thirty meters, maybe?\u201d\n\n\u201cWhat about those turrets?\u201d\n\n\u201cWhat about them?\u201d\n\n\u201cAre they gonna turn on us?\u201d\n\nDevin shook his head. \u201cThey\u2019re only programmed to care about hostiles in front of them. I can show you the \u2014\u201d\n\n\u201cJust know this,\u201d pushed Sid. \u201cYou\u2019ll be standing right in front of us once we reach the top. If those things spin our way, they hit you first, understand?\u201d\n\nDevin nodded.\n\n\u201cSo, let me ask you again. Should we be concerned about those turrets?\u201d\n\n\u201cNo, I\u2019m telling you the truth. I\u2019m trying to help.\u201d\n\n\u201cI hope so. I really do.\u201d\n\n\u201cHave him describe the doors again,\u201d Cyrus requested.\n\n\u201cYou heard the man. Don\u2019t leave him disappointed.\u201d\n\nDevin nodded, \u201cWhen you step off the lift, there\u2019s a door straight ahead. That opens up to the main room where they\u2019ll all probably be inside. Then there\u2019s a second like garage door just to its right that I can open for you.\u201d\n\nCyrus could hack his way in, but using the kid\u2019s credentials would be quicker. The faster this plan developed for them the better. Right now, their only advantage was the element of surprise.\n\n\u201cExplain the plan back to me, one last time,\u201d Sid requested of Devin.\n\n\u201cWe, um, get to the top. Where I stay directly in front of you two as we hustle toward the garage door.\u201d\n\n\u201cAnd . . .\u201d egged on Sid.\n\n\u201cAnd . . .\u201d Devin reluctantly continued. \u201cIf I\u2019m ever more than two steps away of from either you or do anything stupid whatsoever, then you\u2019ll probably kill me.\u201d\n\n\u201cDefinitely kill you,\u201d Cyrus emphasized.\n\nDevin gulped.\n\n\u201cNow that we\u2019re all on the same page,\u201d said Sid. \u201cLet\u2019s move out.\u201d\n\nThe three crossed the pit floor to the lift. Cyrus hacked the console, took control and then killed the security cameras. They all got in and started their ascent.\n\nSid shook her head, \u201cI don\u2019t get it.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhat?\u201d Devin took the bait.\n\n\u201cWhat you\u2019re doing mixed up in all of this? Working with folks that do terrible, terrible things. I don\u2019t know, guess it just doesn\u2019t seem your style, kid.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s not,\u201d he shot back quickly. \u201cI came here to repair that crane. I stayed because I believed in the mission.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhat miss \u2014\u201d\n\nPower to the elevator was cut. The car jerked to a stop as the brakes slammed into place. All systems went offline then suddenly rebooted, powering back up.\n\nSid raised her rifle at Devin.\n\n\u201cI didn\u2019t do anything,\u201d Devin hands slowly went above his head.\n\nKeeping her gun trained at him, Sid signaled Cyrus, who stepped to the console. He turned back to her and shook his head. They weren\u2019t in control of the lift anymore. The tiny red light on the camera in the corner showed that they were being watched.\n\nSuddenly, the lift started moving upwards again.\n\n\u201cGuess they want to meet us,\u201d said Sid.\n\n\u201cYou best hope your friends like you enough to want to negotiate,\u201d said Cyrus.\n\n\u201cThey need me, I swear,\u201d said Devin. \u201cI\u2019m the only one \u2019round here that really knows anything about that damn crane.\u201d\n\nPositioning Devin in front of the gate, Sid and Cyrus prepared themselves for an ambush. The lift settled into place. The gate lowered before them. Someone was inviting them forward. They instead stayed in place.\n\nA moment later, the main outpost door opened and a figure stepped forward slowly with its hands raised.\n\n\u201cWho\u2019s that?\u201d\n\n\u201cTomyris,\u201d replied Devin.\n\nTomyris slowly stepped from the outpost and approached. Her armor had been through hell on the battlefield: impacts, gunshots, energy burns, the works. Strange symbols had been painted with loud splashes of color. About halfway across the field, the figure stopped and slowly took off her helmet. A lucky bandana held back her long brown hair.\n\nCyrus lowered his sniper rifle after seeing her face, \u201cI can\u2019t believe it . . .\u201d\n\nCyrus carelessly rushed forward.\n\nSid started to raise her weapon, but got a better look at the woman. The bandana, that defiant look in her eyes, it could be only one person.\n\nCyrus reached the figure and scooped her up in an embrace.\n\nDevin looked over at Sid, \u201cWhat the hell\u2019s going on?\u201d\n\n\u201cThat\u2019s our daughter.\u201d\n\n\u201cTomyris?\u201d\n\nSid nodded her head, looking at Immanuelle, having trouble believing it herself. \u201cApparently so.\u201d\n\nTO BE CONTINUED\u2026"},"links_count":1,"comment_count":15,"created_at":"2021-02-10T02:00:00+00:00","created_at_human":"5 years ago"},"meta":{"processed_at":"2026-05-07 20:25:47","valid_relations":["images","links"],"prev_id":17976,"next_id":17978}}