{"data":{"id":18027,"title":"Sid & Cyrus (Part Three)","rsi_url":"https:\/\/robertsspaceindustries.com\/comm-link\/serialized-fiction\/18027-Sid-Cyrus-Part-Three","api_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-links\/18027","api_public_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/comm-links\/18027","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 Three was published originally in Jump Point 5.7. Here\u2019s where you can read previous installments Sid & Cyrus: Part One and Sid & Cyrus: Part Two.\nSid felt like she was wading through quicksand as she rushed toward her daughter. Slowed by her heavy armor, she reached Immanuelle as Cyrus released her from his embrace. Sid drew her daughter close and finally exhaled, relieved she was alive.\n\nAs the two separated, Sid looked at Immanuelle and shook her head. Nothing quite made sense. During the longest and most excruciating day of Sid\u2019s life, she thought Tomyris, the notorious leader of the Cadejos, had killed or captured her daughter, only now to discover that her little girl was Tomyris.\n\n\u201cWhat have you gotten yourself into?\u201d\n\n\u201cI should be asking you the same thing,\u201d Immanuelle said, looking her mother up and down. \u201cYou scared the hell outta me. Coming up in the elevator in heavy armor like that. Good thing I recognized Dad, otherwise . . .\u201d\n\nImmanuelle decided not to finish the sentence. She studied Sid and Cyrus, perhaps more stunned by this turn of events than them. These people weren\u2019t the mother and father she left behind in Reis. She\u2019d never seen them like this before. Together, all geared up, they cut an imposing image.\n\n\u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d she began. \u201cHell, when\u2019s the last time either of you left Reis?\u201d\n\n\u201cWe thought you\u2019d been kidnapped.\u201d\n\n\u201cOr killed,\u201d Cyrus added.\n\n\u201cWhy would you think that?\u201d\n\nSid took off her helmet and nodded toward Devin. His eyes went wide with recognition.\n\n\u201cDevin, here, wandered into the Falling Sky while I was tending bar and passed along some cryptic message from Tomyris.\u201d\n\nImmanuelle\u2019s eyes narrowed, \u201cThat doesn\u2019t make any sense.\u201d\n\n\u201cThat\u2019s what I thought. So, I poured him a few drinks until he let something slip about the attack on the convoy to Behistun.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe had to know if you were still alive,\u201d Cyrus said as he gently squeezed Immanuelle\u2019s hand.\n\nImmanuelle still couldn\u2019t believe they were here. She\u2019d taken precautions to keep her parents in the dark about what she was doing. The last thing she wanted was for them to worry . . . then, a realization hit her and she turned to Devin.\n\n\u201cWait, why\u2019d you go to the Falling Sky?\u201d\n\n\u201cBecause that\u2019s where you told me to go.\u201d Devin responded nervously.\n\n\u201cI told you that\u2019s where I grew up going,\u201d Immanuelle kept pressing him. \u201cYou didn\u2019t go to the Cliff\u2019s Edge, did you?\u201d Devin hesitated for a moment then shook his head.\n\nImmanuelle\u2019s heart sank. No wonder their reinforcements hadn\u2019t arrived. They were still at the Cliff\u2019s Edge waiting for word that the mission was a \u201cGo.\u201d\n\nThis changed everything. Without reinforcements, the spoil bank side of the mine would be unguarded, except for that turret. She turned to Devin.\n\n\u201cDid you at least fix the turret by the spoil banks?\u201d\n\nDevin shook his head.\n\n\u201cDamn it \u2014\u201d\n\n\u201cThat\u2019s not my fault. He shot it.\u201d\n\nCyrus nodded his head with a shrug. Immanuelle turned and hurried toward the outpost. Sid and Cyrus looked at each other, then hustled after. Devin trailed behind, still dazed by everything going on.\n\nAs the outpost doors slid open, Sid scanned the operation. It had been converted into a command center. Four more Cadejos were inside, geared up for a fight.\n\nMargo and Red didn\u2019t even glance up from their terminals. Dee gripped a shotgun and eyeballed Sid and Cyrus. She stood near Arch, a Tevarin who took its eyes off the hologlobe and tried to get Immanuelle\u2019s attention.\n\n\u201cListen up,\u201d Immanuelle paused until everyone was looking at her. \u201cCavalry isn\u2019t coming. It\u2019s just us.\u201d\n\nA nervous look rippled through the room. Even the two on the terminals looked away from their screens.\n\n\u201cSo, let\u2019s focus on putting up as much of a fight as we can here, but be prepared to fall back for phase two the second I make the call. That clear?\u201d\n\n\u201cCrystal,\u201d her crew answered in unison.\n\n\u201cHold on a minute,\u201d Cyrus raised his voice for Immanuelle. He got everyone\u2019s attention though, so he seized the opportunity. \u201cWe need to get out of here. The Vucari are coming.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe know,\u201d answered Immanuelle. \u201cWe lured them here.\u201d\n\nCyrus stood there, dumbfounded, then turned to Sid, who looked as if she was about to erupt.\n\n\u201cWhat in the hell is going on here?\u201d Sid finally burst out.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s a long story . . .\u201d\n\n\u201cThen start talking. We came a long damn way.\u201d\n\n\u201cMom, I know. I\u2019m sorry. I never meant \u2014\u201d\n\n\u201cSorry?\u201d Sid steamrolled. \u201cI don\u2019t even know where to begin. Ten minutes ago, I was worried you might be dead. Now, you\u2019re not only alive but Tomyris, a damn outlaw mastermind.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s not that simple.\u201d\n\n\u201cLet\u2019s make it simple. Are you responsible for the attacks on those convoys?\u201d\n\n\u201cWell . . . yes and no. But they weren\u2019t attacks \u2014\u201d\n\n\u201cDon\u2019t bullshit your mother. We saw what happened to that convoy to Behistun.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m not denying it. I\u2019m trying to tell you that we staged it.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhat? How?\u201d Cyrus asked in quick succession.\n\n\u201cEvery attack credited to the Cadejos was staged, actually,\u201d she stated matter-of-factly. \u201cDevin\u2019s been using the crane to grab old vehicles out of the mine. Then we shoot at \u2019em, maybe even blow \u2019em up a bit, so they look the part and then dump what\u2019s left into Vucari territory.\u201d\n\nCyrus pressed on, still pulling the pieces together, \u201cBut it wasn\u2019t just attacks. What about all those rumors? The ones about the Cadejos and their weird ritualistic stuff?\u201d\n\n\u201cJust rumors to make the Cadejos memorable. Some people believe anything after a few drinks. Lots of rumors start with a few folks talking in dark bars, right, Mom?\u201d\n\nSid was quiet. Immanuelle smirked. She knew her mom couldn\u2019t refute that. It was her quote, after all.\n\n\u201cPlus,\u201d she continued, \u201cthere had to be a reason there weren\u2019t bodies at the sites, only wreckage and body armor.\u201d\n\nSid shook her head. Secretly, she was impressed but dared not let her daughter know. At least, not until she answered the most obvious question.\n\n\u201cWhy are you doing all this?\u201d Sid asked.\n\n\u201cBecause someone had to before Master Kraujas and the Vucari take over the city. The UEE obviously don\u2019t care about us, otherwise they\u2019d be doing something about it. He knows that. He\u2019s more worried about other outlaw packs than anything else.\u201d\n\n\u201cBut, why\u2019d it have to be you?\u201d\n\n\u201cWhen my convoy was ambushed last year . . .\u201d Immanuelle\u2019s voice broke with emotion. \u201cI laid there, half-dead and watching the Vucari just execute my friends. After it was over, I waited for somebody, anybody, to step up and take them down, but nothing happened. Told Head Office, they just cut cheap compensation checks to the families and back to business as usual. \u201d\n\n\u201cHey,\u201d cried Margo from the comm station. \u201cRua\u2019s on the line. The Vucari are about to enter the valley.\u201d\n\nImmanuelle quickly composed herself, and then called out confidently, \u201cMake sure he doesn\u2019t do anything too risky. Looks like we\u2019re gonna need that truck.\u201d\n\n\u201cGot it.\u201d\n\n\u201cMom, Dad you gotta get outta here, now. Devin will take you back \u2014\u201d\n\n\u201cWait, what?\u201d Devin stammered. Everyone ignored him.\n\n\u201cWe all go or no one goes,\u201d stated Cyrus. Sid nodded in solidarity. A concerned look crossed their daughter\u2019s face.\n\n\u201cThis isn\u2019t a joke, Dad. With our reinforcements waiting back in the Cliff\u2019s Edge, we\u2019re outnumbered and outgunned. This is gonna be a real fight.\u201d\n\n\u201cOh, don\u2019t worry dear,\u201d replied Sid. \u201cThis is far from our first.\u201d\n\nRua sent the final scan then pressed the accelerator to the floor. The truck sped into the valley and turned to the outpost. A massive dust cloud churned behind him, proclaiming the arrival of the Vucari cavalry. They attached special brushes to their wheels that scraped the ground as they drove to kick up even more dust to feed the storm. It was a tactic they used to intimidate, and right now it was working.\n\nThe scout\u2019s jobs were to snag a few good scans, transmit them to the outpost and then lead the Vucari into the valley. He\u2019d succeeded on the first two accounts and was in the midst of the third when the ground exploded not far from his truck.\n\nSuddenly, sensors wailed, warning that the truck\u2019s rear shield was soaking up gunfire. Rua jerked the wheel sharply right and hit a button on the console. The truck\u2019s turret burst to life and ripped a volley of return fire at the horde.\n\n\u201cMargo,\u201d Rua called over comms. \u201cThey\u2019re hot on my tail coming into the valley. You guys ready?\u201d\n\n\u201cGood to go.\u201d\n\nThe truck\u2019s turret, which had been firing non-stop, sputtered to a stop. The acrid smell of burnt electronics hit Rua\u2019s nostrils.\n\nBefore Rua, the valley\u2019s steep shoulders narrowed to create a natural bottleneck that would force the Vucari vehicles to collapse into a column. Rua stopped weaving and accelerated, putting as much distance between him and the Vucari as possible.\n\nHe finally passed the first set of turrets, carefully hidden in crevices on opposite sides of the valley.\n\n\u201cPosition one cleared!\u201d\n\nAt the outpost, Margo gave Red the signal. He activated the first set of turrets. Back in the valley, they snapped to attention and turned toward the approaching Vucari cavalry. In anticipation, Rua started counting, attempting to see exactly how far ahead he was.\n\nWhen the first wave of Vucari pursuers were finally within range of the turrets, a torrent of bullets ripped through them. Some of the vehicles slammed into each other and rolled. The second wave of vehicles crashed into the unexpected roadblock, only making the mayhem worse.\n\nA few Vucari vehicles slipped through unscathed and continued their pursuit. Rua glanced at the scanner and constantly adjusted his course, so none of them could get a clear shot at him.\n\n\u201cThat\u2019s right, you bastards, keep coming,\u201d Rua muttered then hit his comms. \u201cCleared position two!\u201d\n\nMoments later, a second set of hidden turrets activated and unloaded on the Vucari vehicles still following. The few who survived the second assault halted their pursuit. Rua unleashed a celebratory roar and continued towards the outpost.\n\nThrough the outpost windows, Sid and Cyrus watched Rua\u2019s truck flee the mayhem behind him. A sense of uneasiness hung over both of them. Armed conflict was nothing new for these two, but they\u2019d never felt more unprepared. They\u2019d spent Immanuelle\u2019s whole life shielding her from this kind of world. Now they were deep in it with her, facing a fight that would\u2019ve given them pause even at the height of their merc days.\n\n\u201cDamn it! Where is he?\u201d\n\nImmanuelle\u2019s outburst drew their attention to the hologlobe, which projected Rua\u2019s scans of the advancing Vucari cavalry. Arch has been studying them intently, but still hadn\u2019t found what they needed to know \u2014 exactly where in this churning cloud of dust and machinery was Master Kraujas and his tachyon cannon?\n\nThe turrets flanking the outpost were set to fire at any hostiles within range, but they had hoped to locate Master Kraujas\u2019 vehicle in the Vucari formation so they could focus the firepower of both turrets on him. Cutting off the head of the snake would make this entire endeavor much easier.\n\n\u201cRua\u2019s almost back,\u201d called Margo, \u201cbut the truck\u2019s turret is busted.\u201d\n\nImmanuelle glanced out the window and clocked his location.\n\n\u201cHey, Dad . . .\u201d she turned to see Cyrus already walking out the door. She hurried after him when Rua\u2019s truck came to a hard stop between the outpost and the edge of the mine.\n\n\u201cWho the hell\u2019s this?\u201d Rua asked when he saw Cyrus.\n\n\u201cMy dad.\u201d\n\n\u201cYour dad . . .\u201d He shot Cyrus a wary glare. \u201cFine. I don\u2019t suppose you can fix a turret, old man.\u201d\n\n\u201cCan even do it while giving you some cover,\u201d Cyrus replied while climbing in back by the turret.\n\nOnce in, he looked up to see Sid crossing to them from the outpost. She stopped next to Immanuelle and double-tapped the armor over her heart. Cyrus responded with the same gesture, smiled and went to work.\n\n\u201cDid you see him?\u201d Immanuelle asked Rua.\n\n\u201cWho?\u201d\n\n\u201cKraujas,\u201d she persisted. \u201cWe can\u2019t ID him on any of your scans.\u201d\n\nOne of the autonomous ground turrets flanking the outpost burst to life. Moments later, the second turret fired too. From the volume of shots, clearly, they had a lot of targets to choose from. Immanuelle knew the turrets couldn\u2019t hold back the Vucari for long.\n\n\u201cDevin, what\u2019s your twenty?\u201d\n\n\u201cAlmost there.\u201d\n\n\u201cHurry, we don\u2019t have a lot of time.\u201d\n\nSuddenly, one of the turrets flanking the outpost exploded. Sid and Immanuelle ducked down against the truck.\n\n\u201cHow the hell?\u201d\n\nThen the second turret exploded as a bright flash came from the spoil banks across the mine, accompanied by the unmistakable sound of a tachyon cannon. Immanuelle and Sid looked towards it.\n\nNo wonder they couldn\u2019t find Master Kraujas on the scans. He\u2019d sent most of his forces into the maw of their defenses, while his vehicle and a few others snuck around to the other side of the mine. Without reinforcements guarding the far side, Master Kraujas and his tachyon cannon had walked right in and taken out their defenses. With the turrets down, all they could hear were the sounds of engines approaching.\n\n\u201cGet outta here. Go give Devin some help!\u201d Immanuelle yelled into the truck. Sid stepped away, as Rua spun the truck towards the hauling road that led down into the mine.\n\nImmanuelle turned to see Sid raise her rifle. A Dragonfly careened around an outpost corner with two Vucari raising guns. Sid popped off a series of shots that punched through the pilot\u2019s chestplate. He slumped forward, nosediving the bike into the ground. It hit hard, then fell over on its left side; eventually skidding to a stop not far from Immanuelle, who stood there stunned.\n\n\u201cMom . . . you can shoot.\u201d\n\n\u201cSee, I\u2019ve got my surprises too.\u201d\n\nSid suddenly snapped up her rifle and fired two more shots at the bike\u2019s passenger. Immanuelle spun around to see he had pulled a pistol off his left hip, which was trapped under the Dragonfly.\n\n\u201cYou didn\u2019t even hesitate. You just \u2014\u201d\n\n\u201cHoney, later. Right now, it might be time for phase two.\u201d\n\nImmanuelle hit her comms, \u201cOutpost team, fall back.\u201d\n\nShe then started toward the lift. Sid called after her while studying her scans.\n\n\u201cHold on, help me with this.\u201d\n\nSid beckoned Immanuelle back to the Dragonfly. The thing still purred. They might be able to use it.\n\nMeanwhile, the outpost door opened and Dee emerged with her shotgun at the ready. She held the doorway open as the others rushed to it.\n\nA sudden flash blinded Sid and Immanuelle. Both were blown back from the bike. When they looked up, the outpost entrance had been obliterated by a direct hit from Master Kraujas\u2019 tachyon cannon.\n\nSid stayed low and crawled to the other side of the bike. Immanuelle pointed to the lift. Phase two better work, she thought, because they\u2019d just lost half their forces in one shot.\n\nImmanuelle started to push herself up but Sid grabbed her, urging her to hold still. Moments later, another tachyon cannon strike lit up the outpost again, reducing a good chunk of it to rubble. A low rumble could be heard. Flashes of approaching Dragonflies and Rovers appeared through the settling dirt and debris.\n\n\u201cHelp me get this bike up,\u201d cried Sid.\n\n\u201cWe need to \u2014\u201d\n\n\u201cTrust me!\u201d Sid slid her armor\u2019s massive arms under the front of the bike and waited. \u201cGotta do this now.\u201d\n\nImmanuelle pushed herself up, grabbed the handlebar, and pulled.\n\nDeep within the mine, Devin jumped in the cab of an old truck half-hidden amidst the wreckage. The truck\u2019s cab had been ripped out and replaced with a custom console he\u2019d designed, ship-grade diamond laminate for the cab\u2019s glass and a reinforced frame that met the standards of tanks.\n\nHe flipped a switch and the dashboard lit up. Two massive turrets slowly emerged from concealed locations on opposite sides of the mine. They were phase two, and positioned perfectly to strike vehicles weaving their way down the hauling road under the outpost.\n\nDevin took control of one turret and set the other to automatic. He spun his turret away from the outpost and towards the spoil bank side of the mine. Devin consulted the scans and located three blips in a cluster near where the hauling road descended into the mine. The blips turned and headed his way.\n\nThe turret didn\u2019t have an ideal angle, but it\u2019d do. Devin squeezed off a burst of shots. A torrent of bullets ripped through one of the Vucari vehicles. The other two scrambled, reversing away from the mine\u2019s edge and back into the protection of the spoil banks.\n\nDevin couldn\u2019t tell if the vehicle he\u2019d hit was Master Kraujas\u2019 or not, so he focused on the scans, waiting until either vehicle dared creep closer. He hit his comms.\n\n\u201cGot a turret on the spoil banks and took out one of the vehicles. That leaves two to go on the far side . . . anybody else out there?\u201d\n\nHe prayed someone would respond.\n\nOn the hauling road below the outpost, Rua slid aggressively into a switchback. The momentum slammed Cyrus against the side of the truck, dropping his multi-tool. The truck drifted right up to the edge of the hauling road before finding its traction.\n\n\u201cWe can\u2019t help if we don\u2019t survive the drive down!\u201d Cyrus called while grabbing the dropped multi-tool. Rua eased off the accelerator and accessed group comms.\n\n\u201cRua reporting in. I\u2019m with the old guy. We\u2019re about a third of the way down, heading to your position.\u201d\n\nRua exhaled, relieved that Devin\u2019s turret had distracted Master Kraujas. Rua glanced in the rearview mirror to see Cyrus digging through a supply crate.\n\n\u201cHow\u2019s it going?\u201d\n\n\u201cLooking good,\u201d Cyrus used his multi-tool to cut a corner off a tarp that partially covered the back of the truck, and then laid it before him. He placed grenades from the supply crate in the middle of it and then folded all four corners around them.\n\n\u201cHow much longer?\u201d\n\n\u201cGotta wait for the diagnostic to finish,\u201d Cyrus tied a tight knot to secure the bag of grenades, then placed it at his feet.\n\nCyrus\u2019 mobi pinged and he popped open the hatch to access the turret\u2019s inner workings. Rua glanced at the truck\u2019s scanner to see blips about to swarm the outpost. Two separated from the main force to follow them down the hauling road.\n\n\u201cTangos coming our way,\u201d reported Rua. Cyrus glanced at his scan then went to work on the turret, hoping he could fix it before it was too late.\n\nThe Dragonfly had bent its front left skid and scraped its side, but it still worked. It just now naturally drifted left. Immanuelle grasped a handlebar to steady it as Sid climbed aboard.\n\n\u201cI\u2019ve got it from here,\u201d called Sid. \u201cHave the lift ready to go the second I get there.\u201d\n\nImmanuelle hurried off. Sid rotated the bike toward a pair of approaching Rovers, taking into consideration its new drift. Sid carefully climbed off the bike, but kept hold of a handlebar. Once on the ground, her free hand popped opened the saddlebag, then pulled a grenade off her armor.\n\nSid double checked the bike\u2019s aim. Satisfied, she cooked the grenade and dropped it in the saddlebag. Then she gave the Dragonfly a little juice and let go.\n\nThe bike bucked hard, causing it to slice further left than expected. It drifted over the outpost rubble as the Rovers sped between the wreckage and the edge of the mine. Though the aim wasn\u2019t true, the timing was impeccable. The grenade exploded just as the Rovers passed it, sending enough Dragonfly shrapnel into the lead vehicle to blast it onto its side. The trailing vehicle hit the brakes hard and oversteered in an attempt to avoid the wreck. It rolled over and finally came to rest upside down.\n\nSmoke and dust swirled around the crash site. Sid couldn\u2019t spot any survivors but didn\u2019t have time to confirm. Instead, she tracked flashes of movement beyond the half-destroyed outpost, heading to the other outpost corner. She drew her rifle and backed toward the elevator shaft, barrel at the ready and aimed at the area between the outpost and edge of the mine.\n\nMoments later, a swarm of Dragonflies spilled around it. Sid sprayed them with bullets. She pulled the pin on her last grenade and rolled it before her as they charged. She\u2019d tossed enough of them in her merc days to know the blast radius, but she\u2019d never had to run away from one in heavy armor before.\n\nSid sprinted towards the elevator but was soon drawing deep breaths that slowed her down. Suddenly, she wasn\u2019t sure if she could make it out of the danger zone in time. Instinctively counting down the seconds until the blast, she threw herself to the ground when she reached one.\n\nThe grenade exploded. It kicked up dirt and sent the lead Dragonfly spinning wildly enough to toss its passenger into the open expanse of the mine. A large jagged piece of shrapnel pinged harmlessly off her armor and she was suddenly very glad she had chosen to wear the heavier suit.\n\nSid pulled herself up and scrambled the final few meters into the elevator. The second she was in the lift, Immanuelle started their descent. The lift dropped out of sight as the dust from the blast settled. Sid tried to catch her breath, hoping she\u2019d done enough to keep the Vucari at bay until they reached the pit floor.\n\nImmanuelle hit the group comms, \u201cImmanuelle checking in. My mom and I \u2014\u201d\n\nAn explosion echoed through the mine outside and rocked the elevator. The turret controlled by Devin went up in a flash. Immanuelle glanced nervously at Sid. Their defenses were dwindling.\n\nStill, Immanuelle hit group comms again, \u201cWe\u2019re coming down in the elevator. Let\u2019s get that second turret on Master Kraujas to keep him occupied. We\u2019re sitting ducks in this thing.\u201d\n\nDevin grabbed the controls of the remaining turret and deactivated autonomous mode. He swung it towards the spoil bank side of the mine and glanced at the scanner. The two blips had separated. One remained topside, near the spoil banks. The other blip darted across the screen, a sure sign they were moving down the hauling road and into the mine.\n\nDevin wasn\u2019t sure which blip was Master Kraujas, so he took a guess. He panned the turret to the top of the mine by the spoil banks, figuring it was a perfect perch for Master Kraujas\u2019 tachyon cannon. The turret scanned for Master Kraujas\u2019 vehicle, until a flash of light betrayed its position. Devin turned the turret toward it and fired.\n\nMaster Kraujas\u2019 tachyon blast missed the elevator car but struck the shaft higher up. Debris rained down on the elevator car, denting the reinforced roof above their heads. Sid pulled Immanuelle close and then forced them to the floor in a corner of the elevator, using her heavy armor to shield her daughter from falling debris.\n\nSuddenly, Sid\u2019s stomach spun and for a second it felt like she was floating. A chunk of debris had knocked the elevator\u2019s counterweight free, sending the elevator car into freefall. Even though it wasn\u2019t far from the ground, when the elevator car hit the bottom of the shaft, a shockwave of pain jolted through both Sid and Immanuelle.\n\nFor a split second, Sid thought the worst was over. Then a large chunk of debris slammed into the reinforced elevator roof and brought it down upon them. Everything went black.\n\nDevin scanned the top side of the mine, as Master Kraujas\u2019 vehicle had again retreated into the spoil banks where it was out of the turret\u2019s range and line of fire. His intense focus on taking out Kraujas\u2019 vehicle made him forget about the other Vucari vehicle. That is, until it attacked his turret.\n\nThe turret soaked up a few more bullets as Devin arced its barrel from the top of the mine to the pit floor. The Vucari Rover raced away from its position and squeezed off another burst of shots that missed the turret.\n\nDevin returned fire and landed a few hits, but it didn\u2019t matter. Seconds later the turret exploded from a tachyon pulse. Master Kraujas had taken advantage of the distraction to line up a perfect shot.\n\nDevin slammed his fist into the console. He sat in the cab, completely defanged as Master Kraujas\u2019 vehicle sped down the hauling road into the mine. He drew his pistol and rested it on his lap, unsure of what to do next.\n\nTwo Vucari buggies expertly slid through the switchback behind Rua\u2019s truck. They were getting a little too close for comfort without that turret working.\n\n\u201cLet\u2019s go, let\u2019s go!\u201d Rua pleaded.\n\nCyrus completed an adjustment to the turret, rebooted the system and mentally crossed his fingers. While waiting, he raised his sniper rifle and sighted in the closest pursuer. The truck bucked as he took the shot, sending it high.\n\nHe made a few quick adjustments then grabbed the makeshift bag of grenades by his feet. Rua slowed the truck and spun it into the final switchback before the pit floor. The truck careened around the corner, then began its final descent.\n\nCyrus dropped the bag of grenades just after the turn, and then raised his sniper rifle. He sighted the bag and breathed deep. Dirt soon swirled into the turn as the pursuing buggies slid through it. Cyrus exhaled and took the shot.\n\nThe bag exploded and blew away the first buggy, while blinding the second with dust and debris. The blast also shaved off a section of the road, narrowing it significantly. The second buggy fell victim to this new trap and tumbled headfirst to the floor of the mine.\n\nCyrus checked his mobi and was relieved to see his repairs worked.\n\n\u201cTurret is up and running on auto. I\u2019ll provide support with my rifle.\u201d\n\n\u201cCopy that,\u201d Rua said while spinning the truck onto the pit floor. He then hit the group comms, \u201cReinforcements have arrived!\u201d\n\nOnly then did Rua realize that with both turrets down, they might be the only force left. He steered the truck behind a pile of wreckage. Then he noticed a blip on the scanner weaving its way towards them from across the pit floor. The Vucari vehicle that had distracted Devin was now searching for them.\n\n\u201cRua, come in,\u201d Immanuelle hoarsely whispered over comms.\n\n\u201cWhere are you?\u201d\n\n\u201cNot far from the elevator,\u201d she answered, out of breath. She had just pulled Sid out of the wreckage and dragged her behind the nearest pile of scrap. Once safe, Immanuelle had stuck her mom with a medpen, bringing her back from the brink.\n\n\u201cWhere are you?\u201d\n\n\u201cBetween you and the crane.\u201d Rua replied.\n\n\u201cCan you double back to us?\u201d\n\nSid tapped Immanuelle and motioned to the hauling road coming from the outpost. The remaining Vucari forces streamed down the road and toward the pit floor.\n\n\u201c. . . and we need you here fast. There\u2019s a lotta company coming from the outpost side.\u201d\n\nCyrus hopped out of the truck and circled to the driver\u2019s side door.\n\n\u201cTell \u2019em we\u2019ll be there soon. Just hold this position for a second. Wanna use you as bait to get a good angle on that Vucari stalking us.\u201d\n\nCyrus hustled away before Rua could respond. As Cyrus edged around a pile of wreckage, Rua hit the group comm.\n\n\u201cWe\u2019ll be there soon.\u201d\n\n\u201cCopy that. Head toward the elevator when you can. We\u2019ll be on your right.\u201d\n\nCyrus spotted the Vucari vehicle cautiously crossing the pit floor and toward their location, its windshield already badly damaged from the earlier exchange with the turret. Cyrus hustled behind the next scrap pile and checked the angle. This was it.\n\nHe made a final few adjustments on his sniper rifle and then fired two patient shots. Before the vehicle even reacted, Cyrus changed positions and moved toward the truck. At his next cover point, he stopped to see the buggy drift until it slammed into a pile of scrap. Once it came to a rest, he sighted in on the vehicle to see the driver slumped over the wheel.\n\n\u201cGot him,\u201d Cyrus commed to Rua. \u201cLet\u2019s go get my girls.\u201d\n\nRua moved the truck past the edge of the scrap pile in the direction Cyrus had disappeared. Master Kraujas spotted the movement as his truck reached the pit floor. He fired and struck the pile of wreckage before Rua\u2019s truck. The explosion sent the scrap flying and flipped the truck.\n\nThe shockwave blew Cyrus off his feet into a pile of wreckage. Around him the world faded in and out of focus.\n\nImmanuelle heard the impact of the tachyon pulse. She glanced around the corner to see Rua\u2019s truck roll to a stop. She looked away and shook her head, despondent.\n\n\u201cCyrus!\u201d cried Sid over group comms. The two waited for a response, but got none.\n\n\u201cWhat now?\u201d Asked Immanuelle, unsure how they could ever escape.\n\n\u201cWe make Kraujas pay.\u201d\n\nImmanuelle took a second and then nodded in agreement.\n\n\u201cYou have a plan?\u201d\n\nSid\u2019s eyes drifted up. Immanuelle followed them to see the massive magnet dangling from the jib. \u201cYou head there and I\u2019ll try to flush him to it.\u201d\n\nImmanuelle hesitated, suddenly worried that this might be the last time they saw each other. Sid had no time for sentimentality.\n\n\u201cGet moving.\u201d\n\nImmanuelle nodded and then took off towards the crane. Sid turned towards Kraujas, wishing she hadn\u2019t used all her grenades.\n\nMaster Kraujas swept his tachyon cannon from left to right. Everything seemed still on the pit floor except for a figure slowly pulling itself from the wreckage. Master Kraujas ordered his truck forward slowly.\n\nThe truck crept toward the crash site until Master Kraujas stopped it. He released his magnetic boots and hopped out of the vehicle, intent on finding out if the wounded figured was alive enough to give him any information on the Cadejo. He wanted to ensure this was the end of them.\n\nAs Master Kraujas strode to the crash site, Sid stepped from the shadows with her rifle raised. She fired off several shots at him. They plinked off his Titan armor. Master Kraujas stopped and turned toward his attacker.\n\nSid released the trigger. A smile spread across Master Kraujas\u2019 face, but fell when he saw Sid wink at him and point to something high above his head.\n\nIt was only now that Master Kraujas heard the mechanical noise. He looked up to see the crane\u2019s jib moving a massive metal plate above his head.\n\nInside the crane\u2019s cab, Immanuelle flipped the switch that activated the electromagnet. It ripped Master Kraujas off the ground. His Titan armor slammed into the magnet with incredible force.\n\nImmanuelle turned the jib and raised the magnet as high as it could go. Then she cut the power. Master Kraujas plummeted to the ground from the great height. Not even his Titan armor could save him now.\n\nThe twisted pile of metal and flesh didn\u2019t move.\n\nThe Vucari outlaw behind the wheel of Master Kraujas\u2019 vehicle was too stunned by the turn of events to notice Devin sneak up on him. A headshot from his pistol took the driver out. Devin pulled him out of the truck, slid behind the wheel and raced to Rua\u2019s truck.\n\nSid was already there by Rua\u2019s side. He\u2019d dragged himself from the wreckage, then collapsed. She checked his vitals, but it was too late.\n\nDevin climbed out of the truck and joined her. Sid ordered him to help her check the wreckage, but neither of them could find Cyrus.\n\nImmanuelle jogged up, euphoric from their unlikely victory. She slowed when she saw the worry on Sid\u2019s face.\n\n\u201cWhat . . .\u201d she said slowly, then realized. \u201cWhere\u2019s Dad?\u201d\n\nSid shook her head, \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe gotta keep looking for him.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m not sure that\u2019s such a good idea,\u201d interjected Devin.\n\n\u201cHe\u2019s right. It\u2019s too dangerous. There are still some Vucari coming. Go while you can.\u201d Sid checked the rounds on her rifle. Engines thundered from the hauling road by the outpost as they approached the pit floor.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m not going anywhere.\u201d Immanuelle shot back defiantly.\n\n\u201cDon\u2019t argue with your mother,\u201d Cyrus\u2019 voice crackled over comms. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t end well.\u201d\n\nThey all turned to see Cyrus stumble forward from where he had landed, clutching his side. Sid and Immanuelle rushed to him. Sid fished a medpen out and treated his wounds.\n\nThe world sharpened into focus around Cyrus. The two stood over him, looking relieved.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m so happy to see you . . .\u201d started Immanuelle.\n\n\u201cMe too. Now, let\u2019s go,\u201d said Cyrus as he tried to stand.\n\nSid and Immanuelle pulled him to his feet and helped him into the truck cab. Then Sid pulled up into the cab herself and fired it up. Immanuelle knocked on the side once she and Devin were in the back. Sid stepped on the accelerator.\n\nUnder the outpost, the lead Vucari vehicle raced around the last switchback before the pit floor, not realizing the road suddenly narrowed because of the previous blast. Its right front wheel slipped into the crater, dragging the rest of the vehicle with it. The trailing vehicles came around the corner more cautiously and finally poured onto the pit floor. They fanned out across it, surveying the destruction. They soon discovered Master Kraujas\u2019 crushed Titan Armor and gathered around it. Leaderless, they were unsure of what they should do next.\n\nThe remaining Vucari were too stunned by the loss of their leader to notice his old truck escaping up the hauling road. Sid sped it out of the mine, past the spoil banks and onto the Platean Plain.\n\nImmanuelle brought up her mobi and keyed in a sequence.\n\n\u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d Asked Devin.\n\n\u201cPhase three,\u201d she said as she pressed the final trigger.\n\nIn response, a massive series of explosions triggered from the pit floor, collapsing the mine.\n\nCyrus watched the massive plume of dust rise behind them for a moment, then turned to his daughter. \u201cOkay, starting now, no more secrets.\u201d\n\nThe End","de_DE":"Anmerkung des Autors: Sid & Cyrus: Teil Drei wurde urspr\u00fcnglich in Jump Point 5.7 ver\u00f6ffentlicht. Hier k\u00f6nnen Sie die vorherigen Teile Sid & Cyrus: Teil Eins und Sid & Cyrus: Teil Zwei lesen.\nSid f\u00fchlte sich, als w\u00fcrde sie durch Treibsand waten, als sie auf ihre Tochter zueilte. Gebremst durch ihre schwere R\u00fcstung erreichte sie Immanuelle, als Cyrus sie aus seiner Umarmung befreite. Sid zog ihre Tochter an sich und atmete schlie\u00dflich erleichtert aus, dass sie noch am Leben war.\n\nAls die beiden sich trennten, sah Sid Immanuelle an und sch\u00fcttelte den Kopf. Nichts machte wirklich Sinn. W\u00e4hrend des l\u00e4ngsten und qu\u00e4lendsten Tages in Sids Leben dachte sie, Tomyris, der ber\u00fcchtigte Anf\u00fchrer der Cadejos, h\u00e4tte ihre Tochter get\u00f6tet oder gefangen genommen, nur um jetzt zu entdecken, dass ihr kleines M\u00e4dchen Tomyris war.\n\n\"Worauf haben Sie sich da eingelassen?\"\n\n\"Das sollte ich dich auch fragen\", sagte Immanuelle und sah ihre Mutter von oben bis unten an. \"Du hast mich zu Tode erschreckt. In so einer schweren R\u00fcstung in den Aufzug zu kommen. Gut, dass ich Papa erkannt habe, sonst . . .\"\n\nImmanuelle beschloss, den Satz nicht zu beenden. Sie betrachtete Sid und Cyrus, vielleicht noch fassungsloser \u00fcber diese Wendung der Ereignisse als sie. Diese Leute waren nicht die Mutter und der Vater, die sie in Reis zur\u00fcckgelassen hatte. Sie hatte sie noch nie so gesehen. Zusammen, in voller Montur, gaben sie ein imposantes Bild ab.\n\n\"Was macht ihr denn hier?\", begann sie. \"Verdammt, wann hat einer von euch Reis das letzte Mal verlassen?\"\n\n\"Wir dachten, Sie w\u00e4ren entf\u00fchrt worden.\"\n\n\"Oder get\u00f6tet\", f\u00fcgte Cyrus hinzu.\n\n\"Warum solltet ihr das denken?\"\n\nSid nahm ihren Helm ab und nickte in Richtung Devin. Seine Augen wurden gro\u00df vor Erkennen.\n\n\"Devin, hier, wanderte in den Falling Sky, w\u00e4hrend ich die Bar bediente und gab eine kryptische Nachricht von Tomyris weiter.\"\n\nImmanuelles Augen verengten sich: \"Das ergibt keinen Sinn.\"\n\n\"Das habe ich auch gedacht. Also schenkte ich ihm ein paar Drinks ein, bis er etwas \u00fcber den Angriff auf den Konvoi nach Behistun durchsickern lie\u00df.\"\n\n\"Wir mussten wissen, ob Sie noch am Leben sind\", sagte Cyrus, w\u00e4hrend er sanft Immanuelles Hand dr\u00fcckte.\n\nImmanuelle konnte immer noch nicht glauben, dass sie hier waren. Sie hatte Vorsichtsma\u00dfnahmen getroffen, um ihre Eltern im Unklaren dar\u00fcber zu lassen, was sie tat. Das Letzte, was sie wollte, war, dass sie sich Sorgen machten . . dann kam ihr eine Erkenntnis und sie drehte sich zu Devin um.\n\n\"Warte, warum bist du in den Falling Sky gegangen?\"\n\n\"Weil du mir gesagt hast, dass ich dorthin gehen soll.\" antwortete Devin nerv\u00f6s.\n\n\"Ich habe dir gesagt, dass ich dorthin gegangen bin\", dr\u00e4ngte Immanuelle ihn weiter. \"Du bist nicht zum Cliff's Edge gegangen, oder?\" Devin z\u00f6gerte einen Moment lang und sch\u00fcttelte dann den Kopf.\n\nImmanuelles Herz sank. Kein Wunder, dass ihre Verst\u00e4rkung nicht angekommen war. Sie waren immer noch am Cliff's Edge und warteten auf die Nachricht, dass die Mission ein \"Go\" war.\n\nDas \u00e4nderte alles. Ohne Verst\u00e4rkung w\u00fcrde die Abraumhalde auf der Seite der Mine unbewacht sein, abgesehen von diesem Gesch\u00fctzturm. Sie drehte sich zu Devin um.\n\n\"Hast du wenigstens den Gesch\u00fctzturm bei den Abraumhalden repariert?\"\n\nDevin sch\u00fcttelte den Kopf.\n\n\"Verdammt noch mal -\"\n\n\"Das ist nicht meine Schuld. Er hat es geschossen.\"\n\nCyrus nickte achselzuckend mit dem Kopf. Immanuelle drehte sich um und eilte in Richtung des Au\u00dfenpostens. Sid und Cyrus sahen sich an, dann eilten sie hinterher. Devin lief hinterher, immer noch benommen von allem, was vor sich ging.\n\nAls die T\u00fcren des Au\u00dfenpostens aufglitten, scannte Sid den Betrieb. Es war zu einer Kommandozentrale umgebaut worden. Vier weitere Cadejos waren drinnen, bereit f\u00fcr einen Kampf.\n\nMargo und Red sahen nicht einmal von ihren Terminals auf. Dee hielt eine Schrotflinte in der Hand und be\u00e4ugte Sid und Cyrus. Sie stand in der N\u00e4he von Arch, einem Tevarin, der seinen Blick von der Hologlobe nahm und versuchte, Immanuelles Aufmerksamkeit zu bekommen.\n\n\"H\u00f6rt zu\", Immanuelle hielt inne, bis alle sie ansahen. \"Die Kavallerie wird nicht kommen. Es sind nur wir.\"\n\nEin nerv\u00f6ser Blick kr\u00e4uselte sich durch den Raum. Selbst die beiden an den Terminals sahen von ihren Bildschirmen weg.\n\n\"Konzentrieren wir uns also darauf, uns so gut wie m\u00f6glich zu wehren, aber seien Sie darauf vorbereitet, sich f\u00fcr Phase zwei zur\u00fcckzuziehen, sobald ich den Befehl dazu gebe. Ist das klar?\"\n\n\"Kristall\", antwortete ihre Crew unisono.\n\n\"Moment mal\", erhob Cyrus seine Stimme f\u00fcr Immanuelle. Er hatte aber die Aufmerksamkeit aller, also nutzte er die Gelegenheit. \"Wir m\u00fcssen von hier verschwinden. Die Vucari kommen.\"\n\n\"Das wissen wir\", antwortete Immanuelle. \"Wir haben sie hergelockt.\"\n\nCyrus stand fassungslos da und wandte sich dann an Sid, die aussah, als w\u00fcrde sie gleich ausbrechen.\n\n\"Was zum Teufel ist hier los?\" platzte Sid schlie\u00dflich heraus.\n\n\"Das ist eine lange Geschichte ...\"\n\n\"Dann fangen Sie an zu reden. Wir haben einen verdammt langen Weg hinter uns.\"\n\n\"Mom, ich wei\u00df. Es tut mir leid. Ich wollte nie -\"\n\n\"Entschuldigung?\" Sid dampfte ab. \"Ich wei\u00df gar nicht, wo ich anfangen soll. Vor zehn Minuten war ich besorgt, dass Sie tot sein k\u00f6nnten. Jetzt sind Sie nicht nur am Leben, sondern Tomyris, ein verdammtes gesetzloses Superhirn.\"\n\n\"So einfach ist das nicht.\"\n\n\"Machen wir es einfach. Sind Sie f\u00fcr die Angriffe auf die Konvois verantwortlich?\"\n\n\"Nun ja ... ja und nein. Aber es waren keine Angriffe -\"\n\n\"Verarschen Sie Ihre Mutter nicht. Wir haben gesehen, was mit dem Konvoi nach Behistun passiert ist.\"\n\n\"Ich leugne es nicht. Ich versuche, Ihnen zu sagen, dass wir es inszeniert haben.\"\n\n\"Was? Wie?\" fragte Cyrus in schneller Folge.\n\n\"Jeder Angriff, der den Cadejos zugeschrieben wird, war eigentlich inszeniert\", erkl\u00e4rte sie sachlich. \"Devin hat den Kran benutzt, um alte Fahrzeuge aus der Mine zu holen. Dann schie\u00dfen wir auf sie, jagen sie vielleicht sogar ein bisschen in die Luft, damit sie so aussehen, wie sie aussehen, und laden dann das, was \u00fcbrig ist, auf Vucari-Gebiet ab.\"\n\nCyrus fuhr fort, immer noch die St\u00fccke zusammenziehend, \"Aber es waren nicht nur Angriffe. Was ist mit all diesen Ger\u00fcchten? Die \u00fcber die Cadejos und ihr seltsames rituelles Zeug?\"\n\n\"Nur Ger\u00fcchte, um die Cadejos unvergesslich zu machen. Manche Leute glauben alles nach ein paar Drinks. Viele Ger\u00fcchte fangen mit ein paar Leuten an, die in dunklen Bars reden, stimmt's, Mama?\"\n\nSid war still. Immanuelle schmunzelte. Sie wusste, dass ihre Mutter das nicht widerlegen konnte. Es war ja schlie\u00dflich ihr Zitat.\n\n\"Au\u00dferdem\", fuhr sie fort, \"musste es einen Grund geben, warum es an den Fundorten keine Leichen gab, nur Wrackteile und Schutzwesten.\"\n\nSid sch\u00fcttelte den Kopf. Insgeheim war sie beeindruckt, aber sie wagte nicht, es ihre Tochter wissen zu lassen. Zumindest nicht, bis sie die offensichtlichste Frage beantwortet hatte.\n\n\"Warum machst du das alles?\" fragte Sid.\n\n\"Weil es jemand tun musste, bevor Meister Kraujas und die Vucari die Stadt \u00fcbernehmen. Die UEE k\u00fcmmert sich offensichtlich nicht um uns, sonst w\u00fcrden sie etwas dagegen tun. Er wei\u00df das. Er macht sich mehr Sorgen um andere Verbrecherpacks als um alles andere.\"\n\n\"Aber, warum musstest du es sein?\"\n\n\"Als mein Konvoi letztes Jahr in einen Hinterhalt geriet ...\" Immanuelles Stimme brach vor R\u00fchrung. \"Ich lag da, halbtot, und sah zu, wie die Vucari meine Freunde hinrichteten. Nachdem es vorbei war, wartete ich darauf, dass jemand, irgendjemand, auftaucht und sie zur Strecke bringt, aber nichts passierte. Ich habe es dem Hauptquartier gesagt, aber sie haben nur billige Entsch\u00e4digungsschecks an die Familien ausgestellt und sind wieder zur Tagesordnung \u00fcbergegangen. \"\n\n\"Hey\", rief Margo von der Kommunikationsstation. \"Rua ist in der Leitung. Die Vucari sind dabei, das Tal zu betreten.\"\n\nImmanuelle beruhigte sich schnell und rief dann selbstbewusst: \"Pass auf, dass er nichts zu Riskantes tut. Sieht so aus, als w\u00fcrden wir den Truck brauchen.\"\n\n\"Verstanden.\"\n\n\"Mom, Dad, ihr m\u00fcsst hier weg, sofort. Devin wird euch zur\u00fcckbringen -\"\n\n\"Warte, was?\" Devin stammelte. Alle ignorierten ihn.\n\n\"Wir gehen alle oder keiner geht\", erkl\u00e4rte Cyrus. Sid nickte solidarisch. Ein besorgter Blick ging \u00fcber das Gesicht ihrer Tochter.\n\n\"Das ist kein Scherz, Dad. Mit der Verst\u00e4rkung, die in Cliff's Edge auf uns wartet, sind wir zahlenm\u00e4\u00dfig und waffentechnisch unterlegen. Das wird ein echter Kampf werden.\"\n\n\"Oh, mach dir keine Sorgen, Schatz\", antwortete Sid. \"Das ist bei weitem nicht unser erster.\"\n\nRua schickte den letzten Scan und dr\u00fcckte dann das Gaspedal durch. Der Truck raste in das Tal und wendete auf den Au\u00dfenposten. Eine gewaltige Staubwolke wirbelte hinter ihm auf und verk\u00fcndete die Ankunft der Vucari-Kavallerie. Sie befestigten spezielle B\u00fcrsten an ihren R\u00e4dern, die w\u00e4hrend der Fahrt \u00fcber den Boden kratzten, um noch mehr Staub aufzuwirbeln und den Sturm zu n\u00e4hren. Es war eine Taktik, die sie zur Einsch\u00fcchterung verwendeten, und im Moment funktionierte sie.\n\nDie Aufgabe des Sp\u00e4hers war es, ein paar gute Scans zu erhaschen, sie an den Au\u00dfenposten zu \u00fcbermitteln und dann die Vucari ins Tal zu f\u00fchren. Die ersten beiden Aufgaben waren ihm gelungen und er war mitten in der dritten, als der Boden nicht weit von seinem Truck explodierte.\n\nPl\u00f6tzlich heulten die Sensoren auf und warnten, dass der hintere Schild des Trucks Gesch\u00fctzfeuer aufsaugte. Rua riss das Lenkrad scharf nach rechts und dr\u00fcckte einen Knopf auf der Konsole. Der Gesch\u00fctzturm des Trucks erwachte zum Leben und feuerte eine Salve Gegenfeuer auf die Horde ab.\n\n\"Margo\", rief Rua \u00fcber Funk. \"Sie sind mir dicht auf den Fersen und kommen ins Tal. Seid ihr bereit?\"\n\n\"Startklar.\"\n\nDer Gesch\u00fctzturm des Trucks, der ununterbrochen gefeuert hatte, stotterte und kam zum Stillstand. Der bei\u00dfende Geruch von verbrannter Elektronik schlug Rua in die Nasenl\u00f6cher.\n\nVor Rua verengten sich die steilen Schultern des Tals zu einem nat\u00fcrlichen Engpass, der die Vucari-Fahrzeuge dazu zwang, sich zu einer Kolonne zusammenzufinden. Rua h\u00f6rte auf zu winken und beschleunigte, um so viel Abstand zwischen sich und die Vucari zu bringen wie m\u00f6glich.\n\nSchlie\u00dflich passierte er die erste Reihe von Gesch\u00fctzt\u00fcrmen, die sorgf\u00e4ltig in Felsspalten auf gegen\u00fcberliegenden Seiten des Tals versteckt waren.\n\n\"Position eins ger\u00e4umt!\"\n\nAm Au\u00dfenposten gab Margo Red das Signal. Er aktivierte die erste Gruppe von Gesch\u00fctzt\u00fcrmen. Zur\u00fcck im Tal, schalteten sie auf Alarmbereitschaft und drehten sich in Richtung der sich n\u00e4hernden Vucari-Kavallerie. In Erwartung begann Rua zu z\u00e4hlen und versuchte, genau zu sehen, wie weit er voraus war.\n\nAls die erste Welle der Vucari-Verfolger endlich in Reichweite der Gesch\u00fctzt\u00fcrme war, brach ein Kugelhagel \u00fcber sie herein. Einige der Fahrzeuge knallten ineinander und \u00fcberschlugen sich. Die zweite Welle von Fahrzeugen krachte in die unerwartete Stra\u00dfensperre und machte das Chaos nur noch schlimmer.\n\nEin paar Vucari-Fahrzeuge schl\u00fcpften unversehrt hindurch und setzten ihre Verfolgung fort. Rua warf einen Blick auf den Scanner und passte seinen Kurs st\u00e4ndig an, damit keiner von ihnen eine freie Schussbahn auf ihn hatte.\n\n\"So ist es richtig, ihr Bastarde, kommt weiter\", murmelte Rua und schlug dann sein Comms auf. \"Position zwei ger\u00e4umt!\"\n\nAugenblicke sp\u00e4ter aktivierte sich ein zweiter Satz versteckter Gesch\u00fctzt\u00fcrme und entlud sich auf die noch folgenden Vucari-Fahrzeuge. Die wenigen, die den zweiten Angriff \u00fcberlebt hatten, brachen ihre Verfolgung ab. Rua stie\u00df einen Jubelschrei aus und fuhr weiter in Richtung des Au\u00dfenpostens.\n\nDurch die Fenster des Au\u00dfenpostens beobachteten Sid und Cyrus, wie Ruas Truck dem Chaos hinter ihm entkam. Ein Gef\u00fchl des Unbehagens hing \u00fcber beiden. Bewaffnete Konflikte waren nichts Neues f\u00fcr die beiden, aber sie hatten sich noch nie so unvorbereitet gef\u00fchlt. Sie hatten Immanuelles ganzes Leben damit verbracht, sie von dieser Art von Welt abzuschirmen. Jetzt waren sie mit ihr mittendrin und standen einem Kampf gegen\u00fcber, der sie selbst auf dem H\u00f6hepunkt ihrer S\u00f6ldnert\u00e4tigkeit innehalten lie\u00df.\n\n\"Verdammt noch mal! Wo ist er?\"\n\nImmanuelles Ausbruch lenkte ihre Aufmerksamkeit auf den Hologlobus, der Ruas Scans der anr\u00fcckenden Vucari-Kavallerie projizierte. Arch studierte sie aufmerksam, hatte aber immer noch nicht gefunden, was sie wissen wollten - wo genau in dieser aufgew\u00fchlten Wolke aus Staub und Maschinen Meister Kraujas und seine Tachyonkanone waren?\n\nDie Gesch\u00fctzt\u00fcrme, die den Au\u00dfenposten flankierten, waren so eingestellt, dass sie auf jeden Feind in Reichweite feuerten, aber sie hatten gehofft, Meister Kraujas' Fahrzeug in der Vucari-Formation ausfindig zu machen, damit sie die Feuerkraft beider Gesch\u00fctzt\u00fcrme auf ihn konzentrieren konnten. Den Kopf der Schlange abzuschneiden, w\u00fcrde dieses ganze Unterfangen viel einfacher machen.\n\n\"Rua ist fast zur\u00fcck\", rief Margo, \"aber der Gesch\u00fctzturm des Trucks ist kaputt.\"\n\nImmanuelle warf einen Blick aus dem Fenster und erfasste seine Position.\n\n\"He, Papa . .\" Sie drehte sich um und sah, dass Cyrus bereits zur T\u00fcr hinausging. Sie eilte ihm hinterher, als Ruas Truck zwischen dem Au\u00dfenposten und dem Rand der Mine zum Stehen kam.\n\n\"Wer zum Teufel ist das?\" fragte Rua, als er Cyrus sah.\n\n\"Mein Vater.\"\n\n\"Dein Vater . . .\" Er warf Cyrus einen misstrauischen Blick zu. \"Gut. Ich nehme nicht an, dass Sie einen Gesch\u00fctzturm reparieren k\u00f6nnen, alter Mann.\"\n\n\"Ich kann es sogar tun, w\u00e4hrend ich dir etwas Deckung gebe\", erwiderte Cyrus, w\u00e4hrend er hinten beim Gesch\u00fctzturm einstieg.\n\nSobald er drin war, schaute er auf, um zu sehen, wie Sid vom Au\u00dfenposten zu ihnen her\u00fcberkam. Sie blieb neben Immanuelle stehen und tippte doppelt auf die R\u00fcstung \u00fcber ihrem Herzen. Cyrus antwortete mit der gleichen Geste, l\u00e4chelte und machte sich an die Arbeit.\n\n\"Hast du ihn gesehen?\" Immanuelle fragte Rua.\n\n\"Wen?\"\n\n\"Kraujas\", beharrte sie. \"Wir k\u00f6nnen ihn auf keinem Ihrer Scans identifizieren.\"\n\nEiner der autonomen Bodent\u00fcrme, die den Au\u00dfenposten flankierten, explodierte zum Leben. Augenblicke sp\u00e4ter feuerte auch der zweite Gesch\u00fctzturm. Der Menge der Sch\u00fcsse nach zu urteilen, hatten sie offensichtlich eine Menge Ziele zur Auswahl. Immanuelle wusste, dass die Gesch\u00fctzt\u00fcrme die Vucari nicht lange zur\u00fcckhalten konnten.\n\n\"Devin, was ist dein Zwanziger?\"\n\n\"Fast fertig.\"\n\n\"Beeil dich, wir haben nicht viel Zeit.\"\n\nPl\u00f6tzlich explodierte einer der Gesch\u00fctzt\u00fcrme, die den Au\u00dfenposten flankierten. Sid und Immanuelle duckten sich gegen den Truck.\n\n\"Wie zum Teufel?\"\n\nDann explodierte der zweite Gesch\u00fctzturm, als ein heller Blitz von den Abraumhalden auf der anderen Seite der Mine aufleuchtete, begleitet von dem unverwechselbaren Ger\u00e4usch einer Tachyonkanone. Immanuelle und Sid blickten in Richtung des Gesch\u00fctzes.\n\nKein Wunder, dass sie Meister Kraujas nicht auf den Scans finden konnten. Er hatte den Gro\u00dfteil seiner Streitkr\u00e4fte in den Schlund ihrer Verteidigung geschickt, w\u00e4hrend sein Fahrzeug und ein paar andere sich auf die andere Seite der Mine schlichen. Ohne Verst\u00e4rkung, die die andere Seite bewachte, waren Meister Kraujas und seine Tachyon-Kanone direkt hineingelaufen und hatten ihre Verteidigungsanlagen ausgeschaltet. Da die Gesch\u00fctzt\u00fcrme ausgeschaltet waren, konnten sie nur die Ger\u00e4usche der sich n\u00e4hernden Motoren h\u00f6ren.\n\n\"Raus hier. Geh und hilf Devin!\" Immanuelle schrie in den Truck. Sid trat zur Seite, als Rua den Truck in Richtung der F\u00f6rderstra\u00dfe drehte, die in die Mine hinunterf\u00fchrte.\n\nImmanuelle drehte sich um und sah, wie Sid ihr Gewehr hob. Ein Dragonfly raste um die Ecke eines Au\u00dfenpostens mit zwei Vucari, die ihre Gewehre erhoben. Sid feuerte eine Reihe von Sch\u00fcssen ab, die den Brustpanzer des Piloten durchschlugen. Er sackte nach vorne und lie\u00df die Maschine im Sturzflug auf den Boden fallen. Es schlug hart auf, fiel dann auf die linke Seite und kam schlie\u00dflich nicht weit von Immanuelle zum Stehen, die fassungslos dastand.\n\n\"Mama ... du kannst schie\u00dfen.\"\n\n\"Siehst du, ich habe auch meine \u00dcberraschungen.\"\n\nSid riss pl\u00f6tzlich ihr Gewehr hoch und gab zwei weitere Sch\u00fcsse auf den Beifahrer des Motorrads ab. Immanuelle wirbelte herum und sah, dass er eine Pistole von seiner linken H\u00fcfte gezogen hatte, die unter dem Dragonfly eingeklemmt war.\n\n\"Du hast nicht einmal gez\u00f6gert. Du hast einfach -\"\n\n\"Schatz, sp\u00e4ter. Im Moment ist es vielleicht Zeit f\u00fcr Phase 2.\"\n\nImmanuelle dr\u00fcckte auf ihr Comms: \"Au\u00dfenposten-Team, R\u00fcckzug.\"\n\nDann machte sie sich auf den Weg zum Lift. Sid rief ihr nach, w\u00e4hrend er ihre Scans studierte.\n\n\"Warten Sie, helfen Sie mir dabei.\"\n\nSid winkte Immanuelle zur\u00fcck zum Dragonfly. Das Ding schnurrte immer noch. Vielleicht konnten sie es benutzen.\n\nW\u00e4hrenddessen \u00f6ffnete sich die T\u00fcr des Au\u00dfenpostens und Dee kam mit ihrer Schrotflinte im Anschlag heraus. Sie hielt die T\u00fcr\u00f6ffnung offen, w\u00e4hrend die anderen herbeieilten.\n\nEin pl\u00f6tzlicher Blitz blendete Sid und Immanuelle. Beide wurden vom Motorrad zur\u00fcckgeschleudert. Als sie aufblickten, war der Eingang des Au\u00dfenpostens durch einen Volltreffer von Meister Kraujas' Tachyonkanone ausgel\u00f6scht worden.\n\nSid blieb unten und kroch auf die andere Seite des Motorrads. Immanuelle zeigte auf den Aufzug. Phase zwei sollte besser funktionieren, dachte sie, denn sie hatten gerade die H\u00e4lfte ihrer Kr\u00e4fte mit einem Schuss verloren.\n\nImmanuelle begann, sich hochzudr\u00fccken, aber Sid packte sie und dr\u00e4ngte sie, still zu halten. Augenblicke sp\u00e4ter erhellte ein weiterer Tachyonen-Kanonenschlag den Au\u00dfenposten und legte einen guten Teil davon in Schutt und Asche. Ein leises Grollen war zu h\u00f6ren. Blitze von sich n\u00e4hernden Dragonflies und Rovern erschienen durch den sich absetzenden Schmutz und Schutt.\n\n\"Helft mir, das Motorrad hochzuziehen\", rief Sid.\n\n\"Wir m\u00fcssen -\"\n\n\"Vertrau mir!\" Sid schob die massiven Arme der R\u00fcstung unter die Vorderseite des Motorrads und wartete. \"Wir m\u00fcssen es jetzt tun.\"\n\nImmanuelle schob sich hoch, packte den Lenker und zog.\n\nTief in der Mine sprang Devin in das F\u00fchrerhaus eines alten Lastwagens, der halb versteckt inmitten der Tr\u00fcmmer lag. Die Fahrerkabine des Trucks war herausgerissen und durch eine ma\u00dfgeschneiderte Konsole ersetzt worden, die er entworfen hatte, mit schiffstauglichem Diamantlaminat f\u00fcr das Glas der Kabine und einem verst\u00e4rkten Rahmen, der den Standards f\u00fcr Panzer entsprach.\n\nEr legte einen Schalter um und das Armaturenbrett leuchtete auf. Zwei massive Gesch\u00fctzt\u00fcrme tauchten langsam aus versteckten Positionen auf gegen\u00fcberliegenden Seiten der Mine auf. Sie befanden sich in Phase zwei und waren perfekt positioniert, um Fahrzeuge anzugreifen, die sich ihren Weg durch die F\u00f6rderstra\u00dfe unter dem Au\u00dfenposten bahnten.\n\nDevin \u00fcbernahm die Kontrolle \u00fcber den einen Gesch\u00fctzturm und stellte den anderen auf Automatik. Er drehte seinen Gesch\u00fctzturm vom Au\u00dfenposten weg und in Richtung der Abraumhalde der Mine. Devin konsultierte die Scans und lokalisierte drei Blips in einer Gruppe in der N\u00e4he der Stelle, an der die F\u00f6rderstra\u00dfe in die Mine hinabf\u00fchrt. Die Blips drehten sich und flogen in seine Richtung.\n\nDer Gesch\u00fctzturm hatte keinen idealen Winkel, aber es w\u00fcrde reichen. Devin dr\u00fcckte eine Reihe von Sch\u00fcssen ab. Ein Schwall von Kugeln durchschlug eines der Vucari-Fahrzeuge. Die anderen beiden wichen aus, fuhren vom Minenrand weg und zur\u00fcck in den Schutz der Abraumhalden.\n\nDevin konnte nicht sagen, ob es sich bei dem Fahrzeug, das er getroffen hatte, um das von Meister Kraujas handelte oder nicht, also konzentrierte er sich auf die Scans und wartete, bis eines der beiden Fahrzeuge es wagte, n\u00e4her heranzuschleichen. Er dr\u00fcckte auf seinen Kommunikator.\n\n\"Habe einen Gesch\u00fctzturm auf den Abraumhalden und habe eines der Fahrzeuge ausgeschaltet. Damit bleiben noch zwei auf der anderen Seite \u00fcbrig ... Ist noch jemand da drau\u00dfen?\"\n\nEr betete, dass jemand antworten w\u00fcrde.\n\nAuf der Transportstra\u00dfe unterhalb des Au\u00dfenpostens rutschte Rua aggressiv in eine Serpentine. Der Schwung schleuderte Cyrus gegen die Seite des Trucks, wobei er sein Multitool fallen lie\u00df. Der Lkw driftete bis an den Rand der Transportstra\u00dfe, bevor er seine Traktion wiederfand.\n\n\"Wir k\u00f6nnen nicht helfen, wenn wir die Fahrt nach unten nicht \u00fcberleben!\" rief Cyrus, w\u00e4hrend er das fallengelassene Multitool ergriff. Rua ging vom Gaspedal und griff auf die Gruppenkommunikation zu.\n\n\"Rua meldet sich. Ich bin bei dem alten Mann. Wir sind etwa ein Drittel des Weges runter und steuern auf Ihre Position zu.\"\n\nRua atmete aus, erleichtert, dass Devins Gesch\u00fctzturm Meister Kraujas abgelenkt hatte. Rua warf einen Blick in den R\u00fcckspiegel und sah, wie Cyrus eine Vorratskiste durchw\u00fchlte.\n\n\"Wie l\u00e4uft's?\"\n\n\"Sieht gut aus\", Cyrus schnitt mit seinem Multitool eine Ecke von einer Plane ab, die teilweise die R\u00fcckseite des Trucks bedeckte, und legte sie dann vor sich hin. Er platzierte Granaten aus der Vorratskiste in der Mitte und faltete dann alle vier Ecken um sie.\n\n\"Wie lange noch?\"\n\n\"Ich muss warten, bis die Diagnose beendet ist.\" Cyrus kn\u00fcpfte einen festen Knoten, um die Tasche mit den Granaten zu sichern, und legte sie dann zu seinen F\u00fc\u00dfen.\n\nCyrus' Mobi piepte und er klappte die Luke auf, um Zugang zum Innenleben des Turms zu erhalten. Rua warf einen Blick auf den Scanner des Trucks, um zu sehen, dass Blips im Begriff waren, den Au\u00dfenposten anzugreifen. Zwei trennten sich von der Haupttruppe, um ihnen auf der Transportstra\u00dfe zu folgen.\n\n\"Tangos kommen in unsere Richtung\", berichtete Rua. Cyrus warf einen Blick auf seinen Scan und machte sich dann an die Arbeit am Gesch\u00fctzturm, in der Hoffnung, dass er ihn reparieren konnte, bevor es zu sp\u00e4t war.\n\nDie Dragonfly hatte ihre vordere linke Kufe verbogen und ihre Seite aufgesch\u00fcrft, aber sie funktionierte noch. Es driftete jetzt nur nat\u00fcrlich nach links. Immanuelle griff nach einer Lenkstange, um sie zu stabilisieren, w\u00e4hrend Sid an Bord kletterte.\n\n\"Ich habe es von hier aus im Griff\", rief Sid. \"Halten Sie den Lift bereit, sobald ich da bin.\"\n\nImmanuelle eilte los. Sid drehte das Motorrad in Richtung eines sich n\u00e4hernden Rover-Paares, wobei er die neue Drift ber\u00fccksichtigte. Sid kletterte vorsichtig vom Motorrad, hielt sich aber an einer Lenkstange fest. Auf dem Boden angekommen, \u00f6ffnete sie mit der freien Hand die Satteltasche und zog dann eine Granate aus ihrer R\u00fcstung.\n\nSid \u00fcberpr\u00fcfte noch einmal das Ziel des Motorrads. Zufrieden kochte sie die Granate und lie\u00df sie in die Satteltasche fallen. Dann gab sie dem Dragonfly ein wenig Saft und lie\u00df es los.\n\nDas Motorrad bockte stark, wodurch es weiter nach links rutschte als erwartet. Es driftete \u00fcber die Tr\u00fcmmer des Au\u00dfenpostens, w\u00e4hrend die Rover zwischen den Tr\u00fcmmern und dem Rand der Mine hindurchbrausten. Obwohl das Ziel nicht richtig war, war das Timing tadellos. Die Granate explodierte gerade, als die Rover sie passierten und schickte genug Dragonfly-Splitter in das f\u00fchrende Fahrzeug, um es auf die Seite zu schleudern. Das nachfolgende Fahrzeug trat hart auf die Bremse und \u00fcbersteuerte, um dem Wrack auszuweichen. Es \u00fcberschlug sich und kam schlie\u00dflich kopf\u00fcber zum Stillstand.\n\nRauch und Staub wirbelten um die Absturzstelle. Sid konnte keine \u00dcberlebenden ausmachen, hatte aber keine Zeit, sich zu vergewissern. Stattdessen verfolgte sie Blitze von Bewegungen jenseits des halb zerst\u00f6rten Au\u00dfenpostens, die auf die andere Ecke des Au\u00dfenpostens zusteuerten. Sie zog ihr Gewehr und ging mit dem R\u00fccken zum Aufzugsschacht, den Lauf im Anschlag und zielte auf den Bereich zwischen dem Au\u00dfenposten und dem Rand der Mine.\n\nAugenblicke sp\u00e4ter schw\u00e4rmte ein Schwarm von Libellen um sie herum. Sid bespr\u00fchte sie mit Kugeln. Sie zog den Stift ihrer letzten Granate und rollte sie vor sich her, als sie angriffen. Sie hatte in ihrer Zeit als S\u00f6ldnerin genug von ihnen geworfen, um den Explosionsradius zu kennen, aber sie hatte noch nie in schwerer R\u00fcstung vor einer davon weglaufen m\u00fcssen.\n\nSid sprintete in Richtung Aufzug, aber schon bald holte sie tief Luft, was sie verlangsamte. Pl\u00f6tzlich war sie sich nicht mehr sicher, ob sie es noch rechtzeitig aus der Gefahrenzone schaffen w\u00fcrde. Instinktiv z\u00e4hlte sie die Sekunden bis zur Explosion herunter und warf sich auf den Boden, als sie eine erreichte.\n\nDie Granate explodierte. Sie schleuderte Schmutz auf und lie\u00df die bleierne Libelle wild genug herumwirbeln, um ihren Passagier in die offene Weite der Mine zu schleudern. Ein gro\u00dfes, gezacktes St\u00fcck Schrapnell prallte harmlos von ihrer R\u00fcstung ab und sie war pl\u00f6tzlich sehr froh, dass sie sich f\u00fcr den schwereren Anzug entschieden hatte.\n\nSid zog sich hoch und krabbelte die letzten paar Meter in den Aufzug. In der Sekunde, in der sie im Aufzug war, begann Immanuelle mit dem Abstieg. Der Aufzug verschwand aus dem Blickfeld, als sich der Staub der Explosion legte. Sid versuchte, Luft zu holen, und hoffte, dass sie genug getan hatte, um die Vucari in Schach zu halten, bis sie den Boden der Grube erreichten.\n\nImmanuelle meldete sich \u00fcber den Gruppenkommunikationskanal: \"Immanuelle meldet sich. Meine Mutter und ich -\"\n\nEine Explosion hallte drau\u00dfen durch die Mine und ersch\u00fctterte den Aufzug. Der von Devin gesteuerte Gesch\u00fctzturm ging blitzschnell hoch. Immanuelle blickte nerv\u00f6s zu Sid. Ihre Abwehrkr\u00e4fte wurden immer schw\u00e4cher.\n\nTrotzdem w\u00e4hlte Immanuelle wieder den Gruppenkommunikationskanal: \"Wir kommen mit dem Aufzug runter. Lasst uns den zweiten Gesch\u00fctzturm auf Meister Kraujas richten, um ihn abzulenken. In diesem Ding sind wir leichte Beute.\"\n\nDevin griff nach der Steuerung des verbliebenen Gesch\u00fctzturms und deaktivierte den autonomen Modus. Er schwenkte ihn in Richtung der Abraumhalde der Mine und warf einen Blick auf den Scanner. Die beiden Blips hatten sich getrennt. Einer blieb oben, in der N\u00e4he der Abraumhalden. Der andere Blip huschte \u00fcber den Bildschirm, ein sicheres Zeichen, dass sie sich die F\u00f6rderstra\u00dfe hinunter und in die Mine hinein bewegten.\n\nDevin war sich nicht sicher, welcher Blip Master Kraujas war, also stellte er eine Vermutung an. Er schwenkte den Gesch\u00fctzturm auf das obere Ende der Mine bei den Abraumhalden, da er dachte, dass dies ein perfekter Platz f\u00fcr Meister Kraujas' Tachyon-Kanone sei. Der Gesch\u00fctzturm scannte nach Meister Kraujas' Fahrzeug, bis ein Lichtblitz seine Position verriet. Devin drehte den Gesch\u00fctzturm darauf zu und feuerte.\n\nMeister Kraujas' Tachyonschlag verfehlte die Aufzugskabine, traf aber den h\u00f6her gelegenen Schacht. Tr\u00fcmmer regneten auf die Aufzugskabine herab und verbeulten das verst\u00e4rkte Dach \u00fcber ihren K\u00f6pfen. Sid zog Immanuelle dicht an sich heran und dr\u00fcckte sie dann in einer Ecke des Aufzugs auf den Boden, wobei sie ihre schwere R\u00fcstung benutzte, um ihre Tochter vor herabfallenden Tr\u00fcmmern zu sch\u00fctzen.\n\nPl\u00f6tzlich drehte sich Sids Magen und f\u00fcr eine Sekunde f\u00fchlte es sich an, als w\u00fcrde sie schweben. Ein Tr\u00fcmmerst\u00fcck hatte das Gegengewicht des Aufzugs losgeschlagen und die Aufzugskabine in den freien Fall geschickt. Obwohl sie nicht weit vom Boden entfernt war, durchzuckte eine Schockwelle des Schmerzes sowohl Sid als auch Immanuelle, als die Aufzugskabine auf dem Boden des Schachtes aufschlug.\n\nF\u00fcr den Bruchteil einer Sekunde dachte Sid, das Schlimmste sei vorbei. Dann schlug ein gro\u00dfer Tr\u00fcmmerbrocken in das verst\u00e4rkte Aufzugsdach ein und brachte es auf sie herunter. Alles wurde schwarz.\n\nDevin scannte die Oberseite der Mine, da sich Meister Kraujas Fahrzeug wieder in die Abraumhalden zur\u00fcckgezogen hatte, wo es au\u00dferhalb der Reichweite und Schusslinie des Gesch\u00fctzturms lag. Seine intensive Konzentration auf das Ausschalten von Kraujas' Fahrzeug lie\u00df ihn das andere Vucari-Fahrzeug vergessen. Das hei\u00dft, bis es seinen Gesch\u00fctzturm angriff.\n\nDer Gesch\u00fctzturm saugte noch ein paar Kugeln auf, als Devin seinen Lauf von der Oberseite der Mine auf den Boden der Grube lenkte. Der Vucari Rover raste von seiner Position weg und feuerte eine weitere Salve von Sch\u00fcssen ab, die den Turm verfehlten.\n\nDevin erwiderte das Feuer und landete ein paar Treffer, aber das machte nichts. Sekunden sp\u00e4ter explodierte der Gesch\u00fctzturm durch einen Tachyonimpuls. Meister Kraujas hatte die Ablenkung ausgenutzt, um einen perfekten Schuss abzugeben.\n\nDevin schlug mit der Faust auf die Konsole. Er sa\u00df in der Kabine, v\u00f6llig entkr\u00e4ftet, als Meister Kraujas' Fahrzeug die F\u00f6rderstra\u00dfe in die Mine hinunter raste. Er zog seine Pistole und legte sie auf seinen Scho\u00df, unsicher, was er als n\u00e4chstes tun sollte.\n\nZwei Vucari-Buggys schoben sich gekonnt durch die Serpentine hinter Ruas Truck. Ohne den funktionierenden Gesch\u00fctzturm kamen sie ihm etwas zu nahe.\n\n\"Auf geht's, auf geht's!\" Rua flehte.\n\nCyrus f\u00fchrte eine Anpassung am Gesch\u00fctzturm durch, startete das System neu und kreuzte mental seine Finger. W\u00e4hrend er wartete, hob er sein Scharfsch\u00fctzengewehr und zielte auf den n\u00e4chstgelegenen Verfolger. Der Truck ruckte, als er den Schuss abgab, und schickte ihn hoch.\n\nEr nahm ein paar schnelle Anpassungen vor und griff dann nach der behelfsm\u00e4\u00dfigen Tasche mit Granaten an seinen F\u00fc\u00dfen. Rua verlangsamte den Truck und lenkte ihn in die letzte Kurve vor der Grube. Der Truck fuhr um die Ecke und begann dann seine letzte Abfahrt.\n\nCyrus lie\u00df die Tasche mit den Granaten kurz nach der Kurve fallen und hob dann sein Scharfsch\u00fctzengewehr. Er visierte die Tasche an und atmete tief durch. Bald wirbelte Dreck in die Kurve, als die verfolgenden Buggys durch sie hindurchrutschten. Cyrus atmete aus und gab den Schuss ab.\n\nDie T\u00fcte explodierte und sprengte den ersten Buggy weg, w\u00e4hrend der zweite von Staub und Tr\u00fcmmern geblendet wurde. Die Explosion rasierte auch einen Teil der Stra\u00dfe ab und verengte sie erheblich. Der zweite Buggy fiel dieser neuen Falle zum Opfer und st\u00fcrzte kopf\u00fcber auf den Boden der Mine.\n\nCyrus \u00fcberpr\u00fcfte sein Mobi und war erleichtert, dass seine Reparaturen funktionierten.\n\n\"Der Gesch\u00fctzturm steht und l\u00e4uft auf Automatik. Ich werde mit meinem Gewehr Unterst\u00fctzung leisten.\"\n\n\"Verstanden\", sagte Rua, w\u00e4hrend er den Truck auf den Boden der Grube drehte. Dann schlug er auf den Gruppenkommunikationskanal: \"Verst\u00e4rkung ist eingetroffen!\"\n\nErst dann wurde Rua klar, dass sie mit den beiden Gesch\u00fctzt\u00fcrmen die einzige verbliebene Kraft sein k\u00f6nnten. Er lenkte den Truck hinter einen Haufen Tr\u00fcmmer. Dann bemerkte er einen Fleck auf dem Scanner, der sich von der anderen Seite der Grube auf sie zubewegte. Das Vucari-Fahrzeug, das Devin abgelenkt hatte, war nun auf der Suche nach ihnen.\n\n\"Rua, melde dich\", fl\u00fcsterte Immanuelle heiser \u00fcber die Comms.\n\n\"Wo bist du?\"\n\n\"Nicht weit vom Aufzug\", antwortete sie au\u00dfer Atem. Sie hatte gerade Sid aus dem Wrack gezogen und sie hinter den n\u00e4chsten Schrotthaufen geschleppt. Sobald sie in Sicherheit war, hatte Immanuelle ihre Mutter mit einem Medpen gestochen und sie so vom Rande des Abgrunds zur\u00fcckgeholt.\n\n\"Wo bist du?\"\n\n\"Zwischen dir und dem Kran.\" Rua antwortete.\n\n\"Kannst du wieder zu uns zur\u00fcck?\"\n\nSid tippte Immanuelle an und wies auf die Transportstra\u00dfe, die vom Au\u00dfenposten kam. Die verbleibenden Vucari-Kr\u00e4fte str\u00f6mten die Stra\u00dfe hinunter und in Richtung des Grubenbodens.\n\n\". . und wir brauchen Sie hier schnell. Es kommt eine Menge Gesellschaft von der Seite des Au\u00dfenpostens.\"\n\nCyrus h\u00fcpfte aus dem Truck und kreiste zur T\u00fcr auf der Fahrerseite.\n\n\"Sagen Sie ihnen, dass wir bald da sein werden. Bleiben Sie noch einen Moment in dieser Position. Wir wollen Sie als K\u00f6der benutzen, um einen guten Blickwinkel auf den Vucari zu bekommen, der uns verfolgt.\"\n\nCyrus eilte davon, bevor Rua antworten konnte. Als Cyrus um einen Haufen Tr\u00fcmmer herumkam, dr\u00fcckte Rua auf das Gruppenkommunikationsger\u00e4t.\n\n\"Wir werden bald da sein.\"\n\n\"Verstanden. Gehen Sie in Richtung Aufzug, wenn Sie k\u00f6nnen. Wir werden zu Ihrer Rechten sein.\"\n\nCyrus entdeckte das Vucari-Fahrzeug, das sich vorsichtig \u00fcber den Boden der Grube auf ihren Standort zubewegte, dessen Windschutzscheibe durch den fr\u00fcheren Zusammensto\u00df mit dem Gesch\u00fctzturm bereits stark besch\u00e4digt war. Cyrus huschte hinter den n\u00e4chsten Schrotthaufen und pr\u00fcfte den Winkel. Das war es.\n\nEr nahm ein paar letzte Einstellungen an seinem Scharfsch\u00fctzengewehr vor und gab dann zwei geduldige Sch\u00fcsse ab. Noch bevor das Fahrzeug reagierte, wechselte Cyrus die Position und bewegte sich auf den Truck zu. An seinem n\u00e4chsten Deckungspunkt hielt er an, um zu sehen, wie der Buggy driftete, bis er in einen Schrotthaufen knallte. Als er zum Stehen kam, visierte er das Fahrzeug an und sah, dass der Fahrer \u00fcber das Lenkrad gebeugt war.\n\n\"Hab ihn\", kommandierte Cyrus zu Rua. \"Holen wir meine M\u00e4dels.\"\n\nRua bewegte den Truck am Rand des Schrotthaufens vorbei in die Richtung, in der Cyrus verschwunden war. Meister Kraujas entdeckte die Bewegung, als sein Truck den Grubenboden erreichte. Er feuerte und traf den Schrotthaufen vor Ruas Truck. Die Explosion lie\u00df den Schrott herumfliegen und brachte den Lkw zum Umkippen.\n\nDie Schockwelle schleuderte Cyrus von den F\u00fc\u00dfen in einen Haufen von Wrackteilen. Um ihn herum verschwamm die Welt in und aus dem Fokus.\n\nImmanuelle h\u00f6rte den Einschlag des Tachyonimpulses. Sie blickte um die Ecke und sah, wie Ruas Truck zum Stehen kam. Sie schaute weg und sch\u00fcttelte mutlos den Kopf.\n\n\"Cyrus!\", rief Sid \u00fcber den Gruppenkommunikationskanal. Die beiden warteten auf eine Antwort, bekamen aber keine.\n\n\"Was nun?\" Fragte Immanuelle, unsicher, wie sie jemals entkommen k\u00f6nnten.\n\n\"Wir lassen Kraujas b\u00fc\u00dfen.\"\n\nImmanuelle brauchte eine Sekunde und nickte dann zustimmend.\n\n\"Sie haben einen Plan?\"\n\nSids Augen wanderten nach oben. Immanuelle folgte ihnen, um den massiven Magneten zu sehen, der vom Ausleger baumelte. \"Du gehst dorthin und ich versuche, ihn dorthin zu sp\u00fclen.\"\n\nImmanuelle z\u00f6gerte, pl\u00f6tzlich besorgt, dass dies das letzte Mal sein k\u00f6nnte, dass sie sich sahen. Sid hatte keine Zeit f\u00fcr Sentimentalit\u00e4ten.\n\n\"Beeil dich.\"\n\nImmanuelle nickte und machte sich dann auf den Weg zum Kran. Sid drehte sich zu Kraujas um und w\u00fcnschte sich, sie h\u00e4tte nicht alle ihre Granaten verbraucht.\n\nMeister Kraujas schwenkte seine Tachyonkanone von links nach rechts. Auf dem Boden der Grube schien alles still zu stehen, bis auf eine Gestalt, die sich langsam aus dem Wrack zog. Meister Kraujas befahl seinen Truck langsam vorw\u00e4rts.\n\nDer Truck kroch auf die Absturzstelle zu, bis Meister Kraujas ihn stoppte. Er l\u00f6ste seine Magnetstiefel und sprang aus dem Fahrzeug, in der Absicht, herauszufinden, ob die verwundete Gestalt lebendig genug war, um ihm irgendwelche Informationen \u00fcber den Cadejo zu geben. Er wollte sicherstellen, dass dies das Ende von ihnen war.\n\nAls Meister Kraujas zur Absturzstelle schritt, trat Sid mit erhobenem Gewehr aus den Schatten. Sie feuerte mehrere Sch\u00fcsse auf ihn ab. Sie prallten von seiner Titan-R\u00fcstung ab. Meister Kraujas blieb stehen und drehte sich zu seiner Angreiferin um.\n\nSid lie\u00df den Abzug los. Ein L\u00e4cheln breitete sich auf Meister Kraujas' Gesicht aus, fiel aber ab, als er sah, wie Sid ihm zuzwinkerte und auf etwas hoch \u00fcber seinem Kopf zeigte.\n\nErst jetzt h\u00f6rte Meister Kraujas das mechanische Ger\u00e4usch. Er schaute auf und sah, wie der Ausleger des Krans eine massive Metallplatte \u00fcber seinem Kopf bewegte.\n\nIn der Kabine des Krans legte Immanuelle den Schalter um, der den Elektromagneten aktivierte. Das riss Meister Kraujas vom Boden weg. Seine Titan-R\u00fcstung prallte mit unglaublicher Kraft gegen den Magneten.\n\nImmanuelle drehte den Ausleger und hob den Magneten so hoch, wie es ging. Dann schaltete sie den Strom ab. Meister Kraujas st\u00fcrzte aus gro\u00dfer H\u00f6he auf den Boden. Nicht einmal seine Titan-R\u00fcstung konnte ihn retten jetzt.\n\nDer verdrehte Haufen aus Metall und Fleisch bewegte sich nicht.\n\nDer Vucari-Gesetzlose hinter dem Steuer von Meister Kraujas' Fahrzeug war zu bet\u00e4ubt von der Wendung der Ereignisse, um zu bemerken, dass Devin sich an ihn heranschlich. Ein Kopfschuss aus seiner Pistole setzte den Fahrer au\u00dfer Gefecht. Devin zog ihn aus dem Wagen, schl\u00fcpfte hinter das Lenkrad und raste zu Ruas Wagen.\n\nSid war bereits dort an Ruas Seite. Er hatte sich aus dem Wrack geschleppt und war dann zusammengebrochen. Sie \u00fcberpr\u00fcfte seine Vitalwerte, aber es war zu sp\u00e4t.\n\nDevin kletterte aus dem Truck und kam zu ihr. Sid befahl ihm, ihr bei der Untersuchung des Wracks zu helfen, aber keiner von ihnen konnte Cyrus finden.\n\nImmanuelle joggte hoch, euphorisch von ihrem unwahrscheinlichen Sieg. Sie wurde langsamer, als sie die Sorge auf Sids Gesicht sah.\n\n\"Was ...\", sagte sie langsam, dann begriff sie. \"Wo ist Papa?\"\n\nSid sch\u00fcttelte den Kopf: \"Ich wei\u00df es nicht.\"\n\n\"Wir m\u00fcssen weiter nach ihm suchen.\"\n\n\"Ich bin mir nicht sicher, ob das so eine gute Idee ist\", warf Devin ein.\n\n\"Er hat recht. Es ist zu gef\u00e4hrlich. Es kommen noch einige Vucari. Gehen Sie, solange Sie noch k\u00f6nnen.\" Sid \u00fcberpr\u00fcfte die Patronen auf ihrem Gewehr. Die Motoren donnerten von der Transportstra\u00dfe beim Au\u00dfenposten, als sie sich dem Grubenboden n\u00e4herten.\n\n\"Ich werde nirgendwo hingehen.\" Immanuelle schoss trotzig zur\u00fcck.\n\n\"Streiten Sie nicht mit Ihrer Mutter\", knisterte Cyrus' Stimme \u00fcber die Comms. \"Das geht nicht gut aus.\"\n\nSie drehten sich alle um und sahen, wie Cyrus nach vorne stolperte, wo er gelandet war und sich die Seite umklammerte. Sid und Immanuelle eilten zu ihm. Sid fischte ein Medpen heraus und behandelte seine Wunden.\n\nDie Welt um Cyrus herum wurde sch\u00e4rfer. Die beiden standen \u00fcber ihm und sahen erleichtert aus.\n\n\"Ich bin so froh, dich zu sehen . .\", begann Immanuelle.\n\n\"Ich auch. Jetzt lass uns gehen\", sagte Cyrus, w\u00e4hrend er versuchte, aufzustehen.\n\nSid und Immanuelle zogen ihn auf die Beine und halfen ihm in das Fahrerhaus des Trucks. Dann stieg Sid selbst in das Fahrerhaus und lie\u00df den Motor an. Immanuelle klopfte an die Seite, als sie und Devin hinten sa\u00dfen. Sid trat auf das Gaspedal.\n\nUnterhalb des Au\u00dfenpostens raste das f\u00fchrende Vucari-Fahrzeug um die letzte Serpentine vor dem Grubenboden, ohne zu bemerken, dass sich die Stra\u00dfe durch die vorherige Explosion pl\u00f6tzlich verengte. Sein rechtes Vorderrad rutschte in den Krater und riss den Rest des Fahrzeugs mit sich. Die nachfolgenden Fahrzeuge kamen vorsichtiger um die Ecke und str\u00f6mten schlie\u00dflich auf den Boden der Grube. Sie schw\u00e4rmten aus und begutachteten die Zerst\u00f6rung. Bald entdeckten sie Meister Kraujas' zertr\u00fcmmerte Titan-R\u00fcstung und versammelten sich um sie. Ohne Anf\u00fchrer waren sie unsicher, was sie als n\u00e4chstes tun sollten.\n\nDie verbliebenen Vucari waren zu bet\u00e4ubt vom Verlust ihres Anf\u00fchrers, um zu bemerken, dass sein alter Truck die F\u00f6rderstra\u00dfe hinauffuhr. Sid fuhr ihn aus der Mine heraus, vorbei an den Abraumhalden und auf die Platean-Ebene.\n\nImmanuelle fuhr ihr Mobi hoch und tippte eine Sequenz ein.\n\n\"Was machst du da?\" Fragte Devin.\n\n\"Phase drei\", sagte sie, w\u00e4hrend sie den letzten Ausl\u00f6ser dr\u00fcckte.\n\nAls Reaktion darauf l\u00f6ste eine massive Serie von Explosionen vom Boden der Grube aus und brachte die Mine zum Einsturz.\n\nCyrus beobachtete einen Moment lang die massive Staubwolke, die hinter ihnen aufstieg, dann wandte er sich an seine Tochter. \"Okay, ab jetzt keine Geheimnisse mehr.\"\n\nDas Ende","zh_CN":"Writer\u2019s Note: Sid & Cyrus: Part Three was published originally in Jump Point 5.7. Here\u2019s where you can read previous installments Sid & Cyrus: Part One and Sid & Cyrus: Part Two.\nSid felt like she was wading through quicksand as she rushed toward her daughter. Slowed by her heavy armor, she reached Immanuelle as Cyrus released her from his embrace. Sid drew her daughter close and finally exhaled, relieved she was alive.\n\nAs the two separated, Sid looked at Immanuelle and shook her head. Nothing quite made sense. During the longest and most excruciating day of Sid\u2019s life, she thought Tomyris, the notorious leader of the Cadejos, had killed or captured her daughter, only now to discover that her little girl was Tomyris.\n\n\u201cWhat have you gotten yourself into?\u201d\n\n\u201cI should be asking you the same thing,\u201d Immanuelle said, looking her mother up and down. \u201cYou scared the hell outta me. Coming up in the elevator in heavy armor like that. Good thing I recognized Dad, otherwise . . .\u201d\n\nImmanuelle decided not to finish the sentence. She studied Sid and Cyrus, perhaps more stunned by this turn of events than them. These people weren\u2019t the mother and father she left behind in Reis. She\u2019d never seen them like this before. Together, all geared up, they cut an imposing image.\n\n\u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d she began. \u201cHell, when\u2019s the last time either of you left Reis?\u201d\n\n\u201cWe thought you\u2019d been kidnapped.\u201d\n\n\u201cOr killed,\u201d Cyrus added.\n\n\u201cWhy would you think that?\u201d\n\nSid took off her helmet and nodded toward Devin. His eyes went wide with recognition.\n\n\u201cDevin, here, wandered into the Falling Sky while I was tending bar and passed along some cryptic message from Tomyris.\u201d\n\nImmanuelle\u2019s eyes narrowed, \u201cThat doesn\u2019t make any sense.\u201d\n\n\u201cThat\u2019s what I thought. So, I poured him a few drinks until he let something slip about the attack on the convoy to Behistun.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe had to know if you were still alive,\u201d Cyrus said as he gently squeezed Immanuelle\u2019s hand.\n\nImmanuelle still couldn\u2019t believe they were here. She\u2019d taken precautions to keep her parents in the dark about what she was doing. The last thing she wanted was for them to worry . . . then, a realization hit her and she turned to Devin.\n\n\u201cWait, why\u2019d you go to the Falling Sky?\u201d\n\n\u201cBecause that\u2019s where you told me to go.\u201d Devin responded nervously.\n\n\u201cI told you that\u2019s where I grew up going,\u201d Immanuelle kept pressing him. \u201cYou didn\u2019t go to the Cliff\u2019s Edge, did you?\u201d Devin hesitated for a moment then shook his head.\n\nImmanuelle\u2019s heart sank. No wonder their reinforcements hadn\u2019t arrived. They were still at the Cliff\u2019s Edge waiting for word that the mission was a \u201cGo.\u201d\n\nThis changed everything. Without reinforcements, the spoil bank side of the mine would be unguarded, except for that turret. She turned to Devin.\n\n\u201cDid you at least fix the turret by the spoil banks?\u201d\n\nDevin shook his head.\n\n\u201cDamn it \u2014\u201d\n\n\u201cThat\u2019s not my fault. He shot it.\u201d\n\nCyrus nodded his head with a shrug. Immanuelle turned and hurried toward the outpost. Sid and Cyrus looked at each other, then hustled after. Devin trailed behind, still dazed by everything going on.\n\nAs the outpost doors slid open, Sid scanned the operation. It had been converted into a command center. Four more Cadejos were inside, geared up for a fight.\n\nMargo and Red didn\u2019t even glance up from their terminals. Dee gripped a shotgun and eyeballed Sid and Cyrus. She stood near Arch, a Tevarin who took its eyes off the hologlobe and tried to get Immanuelle\u2019s attention.\n\n\u201cListen up,\u201d Immanuelle paused until everyone was looking at her. \u201cCavalry isn\u2019t coming. It\u2019s just us.\u201d\n\nA nervous look rippled through the room. Even the two on the terminals looked away from their screens.\n\n\u201cSo, let\u2019s focus on putting up as much of a fight as we can here, but be prepared to fall back for phase two the second I make the call. That clear?\u201d\n\n\u201cCrystal,\u201d her crew answered in unison.\n\n\u201cHold on a minute,\u201d Cyrus raised his voice for Immanuelle. He got everyone\u2019s attention though, so he seized the opportunity. \u201cWe need to get out of here. The Vucari are coming.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe know,\u201d answered Immanuelle. \u201cWe lured them here.\u201d\n\nCyrus stood there, dumbfounded, then turned to Sid, who looked as if she was about to erupt.\n\n\u201cWhat in the hell is going on here?\u201d Sid finally burst out.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s a long story . . .\u201d\n\n\u201cThen start talking. We came a long damn way.\u201d\n\n\u201cMom, I know. I\u2019m sorry. I never meant \u2014\u201d\n\n\u201cSorry?\u201d Sid steamrolled. \u201cI don\u2019t even know where to begin. Ten minutes ago, I was worried you might be dead. Now, you\u2019re not only alive but Tomyris, a damn outlaw mastermind.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s not that simple.\u201d\n\n\u201cLet\u2019s make it simple. Are you responsible for the attacks on those convoys?\u201d\n\n\u201cWell . . . yes and no. But they weren\u2019t attacks \u2014\u201d\n\n\u201cDon\u2019t bullshit your mother. We saw what happened to that convoy to Behistun.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m not denying it. I\u2019m trying to tell you that we staged it.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhat? How?\u201d Cyrus asked in quick succession.\n\n\u201cEvery attack credited to the Cadejos was staged, actually,\u201d she stated matter-of-factly. \u201cDevin\u2019s been using the crane to grab old vehicles out of the mine. Then we shoot at \u2019em, maybe even blow \u2019em up a bit, so they look the part and then dump what\u2019s left into Vucari territory.\u201d\n\nCyrus pressed on, still pulling the pieces together, \u201cBut it wasn\u2019t just attacks. What about all those rumors? The ones about the Cadejos and their weird ritualistic stuff?\u201d\n\n\u201cJust rumors to make the Cadejos memorable. Some people believe anything after a few drinks. Lots of rumors start with a few folks talking in dark bars, right, Mom?\u201d\n\nSid was quiet. Immanuelle smirked. She knew her mom couldn\u2019t refute that. It was her quote, after all.\n\n\u201cPlus,\u201d she continued, \u201cthere had to be a reason there weren\u2019t bodies at the sites, only wreckage and body armor.\u201d\n\nSid shook her head. Secretly, she was impressed but dared not let her daughter know. At least, not until she answered the most obvious question.\n\n\u201cWhy are you doing all this?\u201d Sid asked.\n\n\u201cBecause someone had to before Master Kraujas and the Vucari take over the city. The UEE obviously don\u2019t care about us, otherwise they\u2019d be doing something about it. He knows that. He\u2019s more worried about other outlaw packs than anything else.\u201d\n\n\u201cBut, why\u2019d it have to be you?\u201d\n\n\u201cWhen my convoy was ambushed last year . . .\u201d Immanuelle\u2019s voice broke with emotion. \u201cI laid there, half-dead and watching the Vucari just execute my friends. After it was over, I waited for somebody, anybody, to step up and take them down, but nothing happened. Told Head Office, they just cut cheap compensation checks to the families and back to business as usual. \u201d\n\n\u201cHey,\u201d cried Margo from the comm station. \u201cRua\u2019s on the line. The Vucari are about to enter the valley.\u201d\n\nImmanuelle quickly composed herself, and then called out confidently, \u201cMake sure he doesn\u2019t do anything too risky. Looks like we\u2019re gonna need that truck.\u201d\n\n\u201cGot it.\u201d\n\n\u201cMom, Dad you gotta get outta here, now. Devin will take you back \u2014\u201d\n\n\u201cWait, what?\u201d Devin stammered. Everyone ignored him.\n\n\u201cWe all go or no one goes,\u201d stated Cyrus. Sid nodded in solidarity. A concerned look crossed their daughter\u2019s face.\n\n\u201cThis isn\u2019t a joke, Dad. With our reinforcements waiting back in the Cliff\u2019s Edge, we\u2019re outnumbered and outgunned. This is gonna be a real fight.\u201d\n\n\u201cOh, don\u2019t worry dear,\u201d replied Sid. \u201cThis is far from our first.\u201d\n\nRua sent the final scan then pressed the accelerator to the floor. The truck sped into the valley and turned to the outpost. A massive dust cloud churned behind him, proclaiming the arrival of the Vucari cavalry. They attached special brushes to their wheels that scraped the ground as they drove to kick up even more dust to feed the storm. It was a tactic they used to intimidate, and right now it was working.\n\nThe scout\u2019s jobs were to snag a few good scans, transmit them to the outpost and then lead the Vucari into the valley. He\u2019d succeeded on the first two accounts and was in the midst of the third when the ground exploded not far from his truck.\n\nSuddenly, sensors wailed, warning that the truck\u2019s rear shield was soaking up gunfire. Rua jerked the wheel sharply right and hit a button on the console. The truck\u2019s turret burst to life and ripped a volley of return fire at the horde.\n\n\u201cMargo,\u201d Rua called over comms. \u201cThey\u2019re hot on my tail coming into the valley. You guys ready?\u201d\n\n\u201cGood to go.\u201d\n\nThe truck\u2019s turret, which had been firing non-stop, sputtered to a stop. The acrid smell of burnt electronics hit Rua\u2019s nostrils.\n\nBefore Rua, the valley\u2019s steep shoulders narrowed to create a natural bottleneck that would force the Vucari vehicles to collapse into a column. Rua stopped weaving and accelerated, putting as much distance between him and the Vucari as possible.\n\nHe finally passed the first set of turrets, carefully hidden in crevices on opposite sides of the valley.\n\n\u201cPosition one cleared!\u201d\n\nAt the outpost, Margo gave Red the signal. He activated the first set of turrets. Back in the valley, they snapped to attention and turned toward the approaching Vucari cavalry. In anticipation, Rua started counting, attempting to see exactly how far ahead he was.\n\nWhen the first wave of Vucari pursuers were finally within range of the turrets, a torrent of bullets ripped through them. Some of the vehicles slammed into each other and rolled. The second wave of vehicles crashed into the unexpected roadblock, only making the mayhem worse.\n\nA few Vucari vehicles slipped through unscathed and continued their pursuit. Rua glanced at the scanner and constantly adjusted his course, so none of them could get a clear shot at him.\n\n\u201cThat\u2019s right, you bastards, keep coming,\u201d Rua muttered then hit his comms. \u201cCleared position two!\u201d\n\nMoments later, a second set of hidden turrets activated and unloaded on the Vucari vehicles still following. The few who survived the second assault halted their pursuit. Rua unleashed a celebratory roar and continued towards the outpost.\n\nThrough the outpost windows, Sid and Cyrus watched Rua\u2019s truck flee the mayhem behind him. A sense of uneasiness hung over both of them. Armed conflict was nothing new for these two, but they\u2019d never felt more unprepared. They\u2019d spent Immanuelle\u2019s whole life shielding her from this kind of world. Now they were deep in it with her, facing a fight that would\u2019ve given them pause even at the height of their merc days.\n\n\u201cDamn it! Where is he?\u201d\n\nImmanuelle\u2019s outburst drew their attention to the hologlobe, which projected Rua\u2019s scans of the advancing Vucari cavalry. Arch has been studying them intently, but still hadn\u2019t found what they needed to know \u2014 exactly where in this churning cloud of dust and machinery was Master Kraujas and his tachyon cannon?\n\nThe turrets flanking the outpost were set to fire at any hostiles within range, but they had hoped to locate Master Kraujas\u2019 vehicle in the Vucari formation so they could focus the firepower of both turrets on him. Cutting off the head of the snake would make this entire endeavor much easier.\n\n\u201cRua\u2019s almost back,\u201d called Margo, \u201cbut the truck\u2019s turret is busted.\u201d\n\nImmanuelle glanced out the window and clocked his location.\n\n\u201cHey, Dad . . .\u201d she turned to see Cyrus already walking out the door. She hurried after him when Rua\u2019s truck came to a hard stop between the outpost and the edge of the mine.\n\n\u201cWho the hell\u2019s this?\u201d Rua asked when he saw Cyrus.\n\n\u201cMy dad.\u201d\n\n\u201cYour dad . . .\u201d He shot Cyrus a wary glare. \u201cFine. I don\u2019t suppose you can fix a turret, old man.\u201d\n\n\u201cCan even do it while giving you some cover,\u201d Cyrus replied while climbing in back by the turret.\n\nOnce in, he looked up to see Sid crossing to them from the outpost. She stopped next to Immanuelle and double-tapped the armor over her heart. Cyrus responded with the same gesture, smiled and went to work.\n\n\u201cDid you see him?\u201d Immanuelle asked Rua.\n\n\u201cWho?\u201d\n\n\u201cKraujas,\u201d she persisted. \u201cWe can\u2019t ID him on any of your scans.\u201d\n\nOne of the autonomous ground turrets flanking the outpost burst to life. Moments later, the second turret fired too. From the volume of shots, clearly, they had a lot of targets to choose from. Immanuelle knew the turrets couldn\u2019t hold back the Vucari for long.\n\n\u201cDevin, what\u2019s your twenty?\u201d\n\n\u201cAlmost there.\u201d\n\n\u201cHurry, we don\u2019t have a lot of time.\u201d\n\nSuddenly, one of the turrets flanking the outpost exploded. Sid and Immanuelle ducked down against the truck.\n\n\u201cHow the hell?\u201d\n\nThen the second turret exploded as a bright flash came from the spoil banks across the mine, accompanied by the unmistakable sound of a tachyon cannon. Immanuelle and Sid looked towards it.\n\nNo wonder they couldn\u2019t find Master Kraujas on the scans. He\u2019d sent most of his forces into the maw of their defenses, while his vehicle and a few others snuck around to the other side of the mine. Without reinforcements guarding the far side, Master Kraujas and his tachyon cannon had walked right in and taken out their defenses. With the turrets down, all they could hear were the sounds of engines approaching.\n\n\u201cGet outta here. Go give Devin some help!\u201d Immanuelle yelled into the truck. Sid stepped away, as Rua spun the truck towards the hauling road that led down into the mine.\n\nImmanuelle turned to see Sid raise her rifle. A Dragonfly careened around an outpost corner with two Vucari raising guns. Sid popped off a series of shots that punched through the pilot\u2019s chestplate. He slumped forward, nosediving the bike into the ground. It hit hard, then fell over on its left side; eventually skidding to a stop not far from Immanuelle, who stood there stunned.\n\n\u201cMom . . . you can shoot.\u201d\n\n\u201cSee, I\u2019ve got my surprises too.\u201d\n\nSid suddenly snapped up her rifle and fired two more shots at the bike\u2019s passenger. Immanuelle spun around to see he had pulled a pistol off his left hip, which was trapped under the Dragonfly.\n\n\u201cYou didn\u2019t even hesitate. You just \u2014\u201d\n\n\u201cHoney, later. Right now, it might be time for phase two.\u201d\n\nImmanuelle hit her comms, \u201cOutpost team, fall back.\u201d\n\nShe then started toward the lift. Sid called after her while studying her scans.\n\n\u201cHold on, help me with this.\u201d\n\nSid beckoned Immanuelle back to the Dragonfly. The thing still purred. They might be able to use it.\n\nMeanwhile, the outpost door opened and Dee emerged with her shotgun at the ready. She held the doorway open as the others rushed to it.\n\nA sudden flash blinded Sid and Immanuelle. Both were blown back from the bike. When they looked up, the outpost entrance had been obliterated by a direct hit from Master Kraujas\u2019 tachyon cannon.\n\nSid stayed low and crawled to the other side of the bike. Immanuelle pointed to the lift. Phase two better work, she thought, because they\u2019d just lost half their forces in one shot.\n\nImmanuelle started to push herself up but Sid grabbed her, urging her to hold still. Moments later, another tachyon cannon strike lit up the outpost again, reducing a good chunk of it to rubble. A low rumble could be heard. Flashes of approaching Dragonflies and Rovers appeared through the settling dirt and debris.\n\n\u201cHelp me get this bike up,\u201d cried Sid.\n\n\u201cWe need to \u2014\u201d\n\n\u201cTrust me!\u201d Sid slid her armor\u2019s massive arms under the front of the bike and waited. \u201cGotta do this now.\u201d\n\nImmanuelle pushed herself up, grabbed the handlebar, and pulled.\n\nDeep within the mine, Devin jumped in the cab of an old truck half-hidden amidst the wreckage. The truck\u2019s cab had been ripped out and replaced with a custom console he\u2019d designed, ship-grade diamond laminate for the cab\u2019s glass and a reinforced frame that met the standards of tanks.\n\nHe flipped a switch and the dashboard lit up. Two massive turrets slowly emerged from concealed locations on opposite sides of the mine. They were phase two, and positioned perfectly to strike vehicles weaving their way down the hauling road under the outpost.\n\nDevin took control of one turret and set the other to automatic. He spun his turret away from the outpost and towards the spoil bank side of the mine. Devin consulted the scans and located three blips in a cluster near where the hauling road descended into the mine. The blips turned and headed his way.\n\nThe turret didn\u2019t have an ideal angle, but it\u2019d do. Devin squeezed off a burst of shots. A torrent of bullets ripped through one of the Vucari vehicles. The other two scrambled, reversing away from the mine\u2019s edge and back into the protection of the spoil banks.\n\nDevin couldn\u2019t tell if the vehicle he\u2019d hit was Master Kraujas\u2019 or not, so he focused on the scans, waiting until either vehicle dared creep closer. He hit his comms.\n\n\u201cGot a turret on the spoil banks and took out one of the vehicles. That leaves two to go on the far side . . . anybody else out there?\u201d\n\nHe prayed someone would respond.\n\nOn the hauling road below the outpost, Rua slid aggressively into a switchback. The momentum slammed Cyrus against the side of the truck, dropping his multi-tool. The truck drifted right up to the edge of the hauling road before finding its traction.\n\n\u201cWe can\u2019t help if we don\u2019t survive the drive down!\u201d Cyrus called while grabbing the dropped multi-tool. Rua eased off the accelerator and accessed group comms.\n\n\u201cRua reporting in. I\u2019m with the old guy. We\u2019re about a third of the way down, heading to your position.\u201d\n\nRua exhaled, relieved that Devin\u2019s turret had distracted Master Kraujas. Rua glanced in the rearview mirror to see Cyrus digging through a supply crate.\n\n\u201cHow\u2019s it going?\u201d\n\n\u201cLooking good,\u201d Cyrus used his multi-tool to cut a corner off a tarp that partially covered the back of the truck, and then laid it before him. He placed grenades from the supply crate in the middle of it and then folded all four corners around them.\n\n\u201cHow much longer?\u201d\n\n\u201cGotta wait for the diagnostic to finish,\u201d Cyrus tied a tight knot to secure the bag of grenades, then placed it at his feet.\n\nCyrus\u2019 mobi pinged and he popped open the hatch to access the turret\u2019s inner workings. Rua glanced at the truck\u2019s scanner to see blips about to swarm the outpost. Two separated from the main force to follow them down the hauling road.\n\n\u201cTangos coming our way,\u201d reported Rua. Cyrus glanced at his scan then went to work on the turret, hoping he could fix it before it was too late.\n\nThe Dragonfly had bent its front left skid and scraped its side, but it still worked. It just now naturally drifted left. Immanuelle grasped a handlebar to steady it as Sid climbed aboard.\n\n\u201cI\u2019ve got it from here,\u201d called Sid. \u201cHave the lift ready to go the second I get there.\u201d\n\nImmanuelle hurried off. Sid rotated the bike toward a pair of approaching Rovers, taking into consideration its new drift. Sid carefully climbed off the bike, but kept hold of a handlebar. Once on the ground, her free hand popped opened the saddlebag, then pulled a grenade off her armor.\n\nSid double checked the bike\u2019s aim. Satisfied, she cooked the grenade and dropped it in the saddlebag. Then she gave the Dragonfly a little juice and let go.\n\nThe bike bucked hard, causing it to slice further left than expected. It drifted over the outpost rubble as the Rovers sped between the wreckage and the edge of the mine. Though the aim wasn\u2019t true, the timing was impeccable. The grenade exploded just as the Rovers passed it, sending enough Dragonfly shrapnel into the lead vehicle to blast it onto its side. The trailing vehicle hit the brakes hard and oversteered in an attempt to avoid the wreck. It rolled over and finally came to rest upside down.\n\nSmoke and dust swirled around the crash site. Sid couldn\u2019t spot any survivors but didn\u2019t have time to confirm. Instead, she tracked flashes of movement beyond the half-destroyed outpost, heading to the other outpost corner. She drew her rifle and backed toward the elevator shaft, barrel at the ready and aimed at the area between the outpost and edge of the mine.\n\nMoments later, a swarm of Dragonflies spilled around it. Sid sprayed them with bullets. She pulled the pin on her last grenade and rolled it before her as they charged. She\u2019d tossed enough of them in her merc days to know the blast radius, but she\u2019d never had to run away from one in heavy armor before.\n\nSid sprinted towards the elevator but was soon drawing deep breaths that slowed her down. Suddenly, she wasn\u2019t sure if she could make it out of the danger zone in time. Instinctively counting down the seconds until the blast, she threw herself to the ground when she reached one.\n\nThe grenade exploded. It kicked up dirt and sent the lead Dragonfly spinning wildly enough to toss its passenger into the open expanse of the mine. A large jagged piece of shrapnel pinged harmlessly off her armor and she was suddenly very glad she had chosen to wear the heavier suit.\n\nSid pulled herself up and scrambled the final few meters into the elevator. The second she was in the lift, Immanuelle started their descent. The lift dropped out of sight as the dust from the blast settled. Sid tried to catch her breath, hoping she\u2019d done enough to keep the Vucari at bay until they reached the pit floor.\n\nImmanuelle hit the group comms, \u201cImmanuelle checking in. My mom and I \u2014\u201d\n\nAn explosion echoed through the mine outside and rocked the elevator. The turret controlled by Devin went up in a flash. Immanuelle glanced nervously at Sid. Their defenses were dwindling.\n\nStill, Immanuelle hit group comms again, \u201cWe\u2019re coming down in the elevator. Let\u2019s get that second turret on Master Kraujas to keep him occupied. We\u2019re sitting ducks in this thing.\u201d\n\nDevin grabbed the controls of the remaining turret and deactivated autonomous mode. He swung it towards the spoil bank side of the mine and glanced at the scanner. The two blips had separated. One remained topside, near the spoil banks. The other blip darted across the screen, a sure sign they were moving down the hauling road and into the mine.\n\nDevin wasn\u2019t sure which blip was Master Kraujas, so he took a guess. He panned the turret to the top of the mine by the spoil banks, figuring it was a perfect perch for Master Kraujas\u2019 tachyon cannon. The turret scanned for Master Kraujas\u2019 vehicle, until a flash of light betrayed its position. Devin turned the turret toward it and fired.\n\nMaster Kraujas\u2019 tachyon blast missed the elevator car but struck the shaft higher up. Debris rained down on the elevator car, denting the reinforced roof above their heads. Sid pulled Immanuelle close and then forced them to the floor in a corner of the elevator, using her heavy armor to shield her daughter from falling debris.\n\nSuddenly, Sid\u2019s stomach spun and for a second it felt like she was floating. A chunk of debris had knocked the elevator\u2019s counterweight free, sending the elevator car into freefall. Even though it wasn\u2019t far from the ground, when the elevator car hit the bottom of the shaft, a shockwave of pain jolted through both Sid and Immanuelle.\n\nFor a split second, Sid thought the worst was over. Then a large chunk of debris slammed into the reinforced elevator roof and brought it down upon them. Everything went black.\n\nDevin scanned the top side of the mine, as Master Kraujas\u2019 vehicle had again retreated into the spoil banks where it was out of the turret\u2019s range and line of fire. His intense focus on taking out Kraujas\u2019 vehicle made him forget about the other Vucari vehicle. That is, until it attacked his turret.\n\nThe turret soaked up a few more bullets as Devin arced its barrel from the top of the mine to the pit floor. The Vucari Rover raced away from its position and squeezed off another burst of shots that missed the turret.\n\nDevin returned fire and landed a few hits, but it didn\u2019t matter. Seconds later the turret exploded from a tachyon pulse. Master Kraujas had taken advantage of the distraction to line up a perfect shot.\n\nDevin slammed his fist into the console. He sat in the cab, completely defanged as Master Kraujas\u2019 vehicle sped down the hauling road into the mine. He drew his pistol and rested it on his lap, unsure of what to do next.\n\nTwo Vucari buggies expertly slid through the switchback behind Rua\u2019s truck. They were getting a little too close for comfort without that turret working.\n\n\u201cLet\u2019s go, let\u2019s go!\u201d Rua pleaded.\n\nCyrus completed an adjustment to the turret, rebooted the system and mentally crossed his fingers. While waiting, he raised his sniper rifle and sighted in the closest pursuer. The truck bucked as he took the shot, sending it high.\n\nHe made a few quick adjustments then grabbed the makeshift bag of grenades by his feet. Rua slowed the truck and spun it into the final switchback before the pit floor. The truck careened around the corner, then began its final descent.\n\nCyrus dropped the bag of grenades just after the turn, and then raised his sniper rifle. He sighted the bag and breathed deep. Dirt soon swirled into the turn as the pursuing buggies slid through it. Cyrus exhaled and took the shot.\n\nThe bag exploded and blew away the first buggy, while blinding the second with dust and debris. The blast also shaved off a section of the road, narrowing it significantly. The second buggy fell victim to this new trap and tumbled headfirst to the floor of the mine.\n\nCyrus checked his mobi and was relieved to see his repairs worked.\n\n\u201cTurret is up and running on auto. I\u2019ll provide support with my rifle.\u201d\n\n\u201cCopy that,\u201d Rua said while spinning the truck onto the pit floor. He then hit the group comms, \u201cReinforcements have arrived!\u201d\n\nOnly then did Rua realize that with both turrets down, they might be the only force left. He steered the truck behind a pile of wreckage. Then he noticed a blip on the scanner weaving its way towards them from across the pit floor. The Vucari vehicle that had distracted Devin was now searching for them.\n\n\u201cRua, come in,\u201d Immanuelle hoarsely whispered over comms.\n\n\u201cWhere are you?\u201d\n\n\u201cNot far from the elevator,\u201d she answered, out of breath. She had just pulled Sid out of the wreckage and dragged her behind the nearest pile of scrap. Once safe, Immanuelle had stuck her mom with a medpen, bringing her back from the brink.\n\n\u201cWhere are you?\u201d\n\n\u201cBetween you and the crane.\u201d Rua replied.\n\n\u201cCan you double back to us?\u201d\n\nSid tapped Immanuelle and motioned to the hauling road coming from the outpost. The remaining Vucari forces streamed down the road and toward the pit floor.\n\n\u201c. . . and we need you here fast. There\u2019s a lotta company coming from the outpost side.\u201d\n\nCyrus hopped out of the truck and circled to the driver\u2019s side door.\n\n\u201cTell \u2019em we\u2019ll be there soon. Just hold this position for a second. Wanna use you as bait to get a good angle on that Vucari stalking us.\u201d\n\nCyrus hustled away before Rua could respond. As Cyrus edged around a pile of wreckage, Rua hit the group comm.\n\n\u201cWe\u2019ll be there soon.\u201d\n\n\u201cCopy that. Head toward the elevator when you can. We\u2019ll be on your right.\u201d\n\nCyrus spotted the Vucari vehicle cautiously crossing the pit floor and toward their location, its windshield already badly damaged from the earlier exchange with the turret. Cyrus hustled behind the next scrap pile and checked the angle. This was it.\n\nHe made a final few adjustments on his sniper rifle and then fired two patient shots. Before the vehicle even reacted, Cyrus changed positions and moved toward the truck. At his next cover point, he stopped to see the buggy drift until it slammed into a pile of scrap. Once it came to a rest, he sighted in on the vehicle to see the driver slumped over the wheel.\n\n\u201cGot him,\u201d Cyrus commed to Rua. \u201cLet\u2019s go get my girls.\u201d\n\nRua moved the truck past the edge of the scrap pile in the direction Cyrus had disappeared. Master Kraujas spotted the movement as his truck reached the pit floor. He fired and struck the pile of wreckage before Rua\u2019s truck. The explosion sent the scrap flying and flipped the truck.\n\nThe shockwave blew Cyrus off his feet into a pile of wreckage. Around him the world faded in and out of focus.\n\nImmanuelle heard the impact of the tachyon pulse. She glanced around the corner to see Rua\u2019s truck roll to a stop. She looked away and shook her head, despondent.\n\n\u201cCyrus!\u201d cried Sid over group comms. The two waited for a response, but got none.\n\n\u201cWhat now?\u201d Asked Immanuelle, unsure how they could ever escape.\n\n\u201cWe make Kraujas pay.\u201d\n\nImmanuelle took a second and then nodded in agreement.\n\n\u201cYou have a plan?\u201d\n\nSid\u2019s eyes drifted up. Immanuelle followed them to see the massive magnet dangling from the jib. \u201cYou head there and I\u2019ll try to flush him to it.\u201d\n\nImmanuelle hesitated, suddenly worried that this might be the last time they saw each other. Sid had no time for sentimentality.\n\n\u201cGet moving.\u201d\n\nImmanuelle nodded and then took off towards the crane. Sid turned towards Kraujas, wishing she hadn\u2019t used all her grenades.\n\nMaster Kraujas swept his tachyon cannon from left to right. Everything seemed still on the pit floor except for a figure slowly pulling itself from the wreckage. Master Kraujas ordered his truck forward slowly.\n\nThe truck crept toward the crash site until Master Kraujas stopped it. He released his magnetic boots and hopped out of the vehicle, intent on finding out if the wounded figured was alive enough to give him any information on the Cadejo. He wanted to ensure this was the end of them.\n\nAs Master Kraujas strode to the crash site, Sid stepped from the shadows with her rifle raised. She fired off several shots at him. They plinked off his Titan armor. Master Kraujas stopped and turned toward his attacker.\n\nSid released the trigger. A smile spread across Master Kraujas\u2019 face, but fell when he saw Sid wink at him and point to something high above his head.\n\nIt was only now that Master Kraujas heard the mechanical noise. He looked up to see the crane\u2019s jib moving a massive metal plate above his head.\n\nInside the crane\u2019s cab, Immanuelle flipped the switch that activated the electromagnet. It ripped Master Kraujas off the ground. His Titan armor slammed into the magnet with incredible force.\n\nImmanuelle turned the jib and raised the magnet as high as it could go. Then she cut the power. Master Kraujas plummeted to the ground from the great height. Not even his Titan armor could save him now.\n\nThe twisted pile of metal and flesh didn\u2019t move.\n\nThe Vucari outlaw behind the wheel of Master Kraujas\u2019 vehicle was too stunned by the turn of events to notice Devin sneak up on him. A headshot from his pistol took the driver out. Devin pulled him out of the truck, slid behind the wheel and raced to Rua\u2019s truck.\n\nSid was already there by Rua\u2019s side. He\u2019d dragged himself from the wreckage, then collapsed. She checked his vitals, but it was too late.\n\nDevin climbed out of the truck and joined her. Sid ordered him to help her check the wreckage, but neither of them could find Cyrus.\n\nImmanuelle jogged up, euphoric from their unlikely victory. She slowed when she saw the worry on Sid\u2019s face.\n\n\u201cWhat . . .\u201d she said slowly, then realized. \u201cWhere\u2019s Dad?\u201d\n\nSid shook her head, \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe gotta keep looking for him.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m not sure that\u2019s such a good idea,\u201d interjected Devin.\n\n\u201cHe\u2019s right. It\u2019s too dangerous. There are still some Vucari coming. Go while you can.\u201d Sid checked the rounds on her rifle. Engines thundered from the hauling road by the outpost as they approached the pit floor.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m not going anywhere.\u201d Immanuelle shot back defiantly.\n\n\u201cDon\u2019t argue with your mother,\u201d Cyrus\u2019 voice crackled over comms. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t end well.\u201d\n\nThey all turned to see Cyrus stumble forward from where he had landed, clutching his side. Sid and Immanuelle rushed to him. Sid fished a medpen out and treated his wounds.\n\nThe world sharpened into focus around Cyrus. The two stood over him, looking relieved.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m so happy to see you . . .\u201d started Immanuelle.\n\n\u201cMe too. Now, let\u2019s go,\u201d said Cyrus as he tried to stand.\n\nSid and Immanuelle pulled him to his feet and helped him into the truck cab. Then Sid pulled up into the cab herself and fired it up. Immanuelle knocked on the side once she and Devin were in the back. Sid stepped on the accelerator.\n\nUnder the outpost, the lead Vucari vehicle raced around the last switchback before the pit floor, not realizing the road suddenly narrowed because of the previous blast. Its right front wheel slipped into the crater, dragging the rest of the vehicle with it. The trailing vehicles came around the corner more cautiously and finally poured onto the pit floor. They fanned out across it, surveying the destruction. They soon discovered Master Kraujas\u2019 crushed Titan Armor and gathered around it. Leaderless, they were unsure of what they should do next.\n\nThe remaining Vucari were too stunned by the loss of their leader to notice his old truck escaping up the hauling road. Sid sped it out of the mine, past the spoil banks and onto the Platean Plain.\n\nImmanuelle brought up her mobi and keyed in a sequence.\n\n\u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d Asked Devin.\n\n\u201cPhase three,\u201d she said as she pressed the final trigger.\n\nIn response, a massive series of explosions triggered from the pit floor, collapsing the mine.\n\nCyrus watched the massive plume of dust rise behind them for a moment, then turned to his daughter. \u201cOkay, starting now, no more secrets.\u201d\n\nThe End"},"links_count":2,"comment_count":10,"created_at":"2021-03-10T02:00:00+00:00","created_at_human":"5 years ago"},"meta":{"processed_at":"2026-05-07 20:20:47","valid_relations":["images","links"],"prev_id":18026,"next_id":18028}}