Chapter 7 – Into the Shadows

-Volaris System, Sector 7-42D

Collapsed Highway Ruins, Wastelands of Xyphora

The world had gone eerily silent.

Rei crouched behind the remains of a destroyed transport vehicle, his breath shallow, his heart pounding in his ears.

Seyra was beside him, still as stone, her spear resting lightly in her grip.

Across from them, Garek and the rest of the Scavenger squad huddled behind a half-buried metal beam, weapons clutched tight.

No one moved.

Somewhere beyond the ruins, the Killer Drones were searching.

Their metallic footsteps echoed faintly through the wasteland—thud-thud-thud—slow, methodical.

Rei swallowed. One wrong move, one sound, and they'd be dead.

"Unit four, scanning sector."

The cold, robotic voice drifted through the air. Rei risked a glance.

Through a gap in the rubble, he saw them—a squad of six machines, their glowing red optics scanning the debris, weapons primed to fire at the first sign of movement.

One of the scavengers shifted slightly. A small piece of loose gravel tumbled down.

Rei held his breath.

The closest drone stopped moving.

"Sound detected. Investigating."

Its head swiveled, red optics glowing brighter as it approached.

Rei's muscles tensed. If it got any closer, they were dead.

Seyra's fingers twitched near her spear. Garek's squad gripped their weapons.

Not yet…

The drone stopped just a few feet away, scanning.

BEEEEEP.

A second drone signaled from further away.

"Negative contact. Resuming patrol."

The machine turned away.

The squad of drones moved on.

Rei didn't breathe until the footsteps faded.

Only when several minutes had passed in absolute silence did Garek finally mutter, "They're gone. For now."

Seyra exhaled, shifting back into a more relaxed stance. "We need to move. Fast."

Garek gave her a sharp look but didn't argue. He turned to his squad. "Let's get back to base before they circle back."

Rei wiped the sweat from his brow and followed.

 -Underground Tunnels, Near Scavenger Clan Headquarters-

The journey through the wasteland had been long and silent, with everyone moving carefully to avoid drawing attention.

Eventually, Garek led them through a hidden tunnel entrance, descending into the underground network beneath the ruins.

Rei couldn't believe what he saw.

The tunnels stretched far and wide, illuminated by dim energy lamps strapped to the walls. Scrap-built fortifications lined the corridors, with makeshift barricades, weapon racks, and warning signs clearly marking paths.

They've turned this place into a fortress.

Seyra didn't look impressed. She simply muttered, "You lot expanded."

Garek shot her a look but didn't respond.

The further they walked, the more activity Rei saw—people working, fixing weapons, trading supplies, checking patrol reports. Some were human, others not quite.

Finally, they reached a large open chamber, where a group of scavengers were gathered around a reinforced command table.

And at the center of it all stood Keven.

 -Scavenger Clan Headquarters -

Unlike Garek, Keven had an easy air about him.

He was in his late 30s, with dark hair streaked with silver, a scar running across his left eyebrow, and an effortlessly confident expression.

Where Garek's stance was always tense and guarded, Keven stood with calm authority—the kind that didn't need to prove itself.

His sharp green eyes landed on Seyra first, and he smiled.

"Well. Seyra Val'kir. Now that is a face I didn't expect to see."

Seyra clicked her tongue. "Tch. Figures you'd still be running this place, Keven."

Keven let out a short laugh. "And figures you'd still be too stubborn to admit when you need help."

Seyra looked away.

Keven turned to Rei next.

"And you must be the new face. Name?"

Rei hesitated. "Rei. Rei Kaelson."

Keven nodded. "Well, Rei, you've walked straight into a mess. But don't worry—we're a friendly kind of mess."

Garek scoffed. "That's debatable."

Keven raised an eyebrow at him but didn't engage. Instead, he turned his attention back to Seyra.

"So. Care to explain why you're here?"

Seyra crossed her arms. "We ran into some issues in the ruins. No choice but to move."

Keven smirked. "So you finally ran out of luck, huh?"

Seyra scowled. "It's temporary."

Keven chuckled. "Sure it is."

Rei glanced between them, picking up on something strange.

Unlike with Garek, there was no hostility between Keven and Seyra.

She still doesn't like him. But she doesn't hate him either.

Before the conversation could continue, one of the scavenger scouts rushed into the chamber.

"Sir!" the scout panted. "We've got confirmed drone activity near the eastern tunnels. We need to prepare defenses."

Keven's face darkened.

He looked at Garek. "Looks like you brought more than just two strays back with you."

Seyra clicked her tongue. "Great."

Rei felt his stomach tighten.

We're not safe here either, are we?

Keven clapped his hands together. "Alright, people! Lock the outer gates, check our stock, and get ready for a potential assault."

His eyes flicked to Seyra and Rei.

"Looks like you two came just in time for the fun."

Rei swallowed.

This isn't over.