Ray gripped the ship's wheel tightly as the vessel glided through the night sky, its thrusters humming softly against the silence. The stars above shimmered faintly, but his eyes were fixed ahead. He gestured forward, his voice calm but focused. "We're almost there," he said, pointing toward the glowing city below.
Miles squinted into the darkness. As the city came into view, his breath hitched. A sprawling market stretched out ahead of them, its maze of streets crowded with tents and stalls. The stalls overflowed with strange, glimmering technologies—holograms, cybernetic enhancements, and gadgets that looked like they'd been ripped straight out of a sci-fi fever dream. Suspicious figures loitered around the edges of the streets, their faces obscured by cloaks and masks, their movements shadowy and deliberate.
In stark contrast to the chaos of the market, a single towering structure dominated the skyline. Its sharp, angular design pierced the air like a dagger, surrounded by a smattering of half-constructed buildings that loomed like forgotten skeletons. Suspended ships, similar to their own, floated around the tower in a loose, chaotic orbit, their lights blinking faintly against the gloom.
The tower itself was illuminated by a pale, artificial glow, casting long shadows over the streets below. The light barely reached the ground, leaving alleys and corners steeped in darkness, a stark reminder of the danger lurking in Nexus.
"Whoa," Miles murmured, his eyes wide as he took in the scene. "So… this is Nexus?"
Ray smirked, his grip on the wheel steady. "Yeah," he said, his voice laced with both familiarity and caution. "And that tower in the middle? It's the beating heart of this place. Owned by the biggest crime boss in Nexus—Korrin."
Miles's gaze snapped back to the tower, his curiosity shifting into unease. "Korrin, huh? I take it he's not exactly the friendly neighborhood type?"
Ray chuckled darkly, his tone carrying a warning. "Friendly? No. Powerful? Absolutely. Korrin doesn't just run Nexus—he owns it. Everything and everyone here answers to him even his customers, one way or another. So, if you're planning to stick around, keep your head down and your mouth shut. This place doesn't forgive mistakes."
Ray gripped the gear beside the ship's wheel and shoved it forward with precision. The thrusters roared to life, their dull orange glow suddenly flaring bright. In an instant, the ship surged forward, cutting through the night sky like a meteor.
Miles yelped as the sudden acceleration threw him off balance. He stumbled, barely managing to grab onto the edge of the ship to steady himself. "You idiot! Can't you at least warn me before you pull something like that?" he barked, his voice sharp with irritation.
Ray remained silent, his focus unwavering as he pulled the gear back. The thrusters dimmed, and the ship began to slow, its once-blistering pace easing into a smooth glide. As they approached the tower, the thrusters finally cut off, leaving the ship hovering silently in the air just in front of the looming structure.
"Get Page," Ray ordered, his tone flat but firm.
Before Miles could respond, a voice rang out from behind them. "There's no need," Page snapped, stepping out from the shadows of the ship's interior. Her expression was stormy, her tone sharp enough to cut. "Let's just get this over with so you can go wherever the hell you want."
Ray turned to face her, his expression calm but his eyes darkened with something unspoken. "I'm just doing what I think is best for you," he said evenly. "If you don't like it, too bad—I'll keep doing it anyway."
Page's eyes narrowed, her frustration palpable. Without another word, she spun on her heel and marched toward the ship's door, her movements brisk and determined.
Miles, sensing the thick tension in the air, leaned toward Ray and whispered, "What's going on between you two? Did I miss something?"
Ray shot him a glare, his patience clearly wearing thin. "Just shut up and let's get this over with," he muttered, his voice low but laced with irritation.
The ship hung motionless in front of the towering structure, its shadow looming over them like a silent observer. The night seemed to press closer around them, heavy with the weight of unresolved tensions and the danger that awaited inside the tower.
------
The group had descended from the ship, their boots clanking against the cold metal platform as they stood before the imposing tower. Page took the lead, her steps purposeful and unyielding. Ray hesitated for a moment before reaching out, gripping her hand firmly.
"Page," he said, his voice steady but urgent. "I know you're determined to find your father, but think about it—if he ever cared, don't you think he'd have come looking for you by now? We can fix the Finder, use it to track Miles' friend, and be done with this. After that, we destroy it, no questions asked."
Page turned to face him, her gaze unwavering. Slowly, she pulled her hand free from his grip. "Maybe he didn't bother. Maybe he never cared. But that doesn't matter to me," she said, her tone cold yet resolute. "There are things I need to ask him—things I deserve answers to. Don't get in my way, Ray."
Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and continued forward, her determination an unspoken challenge. Ray sighed heavily but followed, Miles trailing close behind as the trio approached the tower gates.
Two guards stood at attention, their broad frames casting long shadows under the pale moonlight. Their skin gleamed unnaturally, catching the silver glow—it looked metallic, as though their bodies were fused with steel.
Miles squinted, uneasy. "What's up with those guys?"
Ray didn't break stride, his voice low. "Cybernetic enhancements. They're still human—mostly—but their bodies have been modified with integrated weapons. Korrin doesn't hire anyone without upgrades, and he's the same way, only worse."
As they neared, one of the guards stepped forward, his eyes scanning the group before settling on Page. He raised a hand, blocking their path. "Stop," he said gruffly, his voice tinged with an echo. "What business do you have with the boss? I've never seen you here before, woman."
Page smiled, her expression calm but calculating. "We're buyers," she said smoothly. "And if you want Korrin to know you just turned away a valuable customer from Alpha Dawn, be my guest. But I wouldn't recommend it."
The guard's face twisted into a frown, his metallic skin catching the moonlight. After a tense moment, he let out a low growl. "Follow me," he said reluctantly, stepping aside and gesturing for them to enter.
The group moved forward, stepping into the tower's shadowed interior. The air inside was heavier, thick with the hum of unseen machinery and the faint scent of ozone. The walls gleamed with polished steel, and faint red lights blinked rhythmically along the ceiling, casting eerie shadows that danced with each step they took.
Miles leaned toward Ray as they walked. "I don't like this," he muttered.
Ray gave a shaky nod, his voice barely above a whisper. "Yeah, me neither."
Page, however, didn't falter. Her steps were steady, her gaze fixed straight ahead. Whatever lay beyond these walls, she was ready to face it.