Morning. The air in the rented room was heavy with impending conflict.
They sat around a small table, a rough map of the dome district sketched between them.
VEYRA: "The attack is planned for this afternoon. Exact time, unknown. The thief got away before I could learn more, but the leader will be there. That's our priority."
AURORA: "The dome will be hit by thieves. Alone, they're weak stronger than common scavengers, with better tech, but manageable. It's their allies and their backing we should fear. The Syndicate doesn't send a boss without considerable force."
KIRO: (Nodding, a grim memory surfacing) "I had a run-in with the 'Green Chain' enforcers once. They're no joke. Which clan is behind this? Only time will tell."
VEYRA: "We need to warn someone. The Foreman, for sure. Maybe also the Guildmaster. The bounty hunters have a stake in keeping order and they like a good fight. I'll go to the Guildmaster. You two go to the Foreman."
AURORA: Her sharp eyes turned to Kiro, analytical. "Kiro. What's the registered rank of your Cube? It feels strong, but the output is... irregular."
VEYRA: (Answering flatly) "It's Negative-F."
AURORA: Blinked. "That's impossible. There's no such classification."
KIRO: "The archive logs said 'NEG-F' right before the system locked me out. How do these ranks even work?"
AURORA: Leaned forward, falling into the comfortable rhythm of explanation. "Oh, it's simple. The standard spectrum runs from E to SSS."
She traced an invisible scale in the air.
E-Grade: Everyday utility. Harmless.
D-Grade: Occupational enhancement. Excellent for skilled labor.
C-Grade: High-tier professional or management caliber.
B-Grade: Now you enter combat viability. Strong, reliable. This is where most military-grade Cubes sit. Likely where yours should be."
A-Grade: Problematic. City-level destructive potential. Usually requires state authorization.
S-Grade: The first major threshold. Classified as 'Dragon-Level'. A single entity that can threaten a metropolis.
SS-Grade: 'Continent-Level'. Think less 'two dragons' and more 'tectonic shift.'
SSS-Grade: 'Global-Threat Level'. Can't destroy the planet, but can irrevocably destabilize civilizations. Causes systemic, worldwide problems."
KIRO: Let out a low whistle. "That's some list. So from 'useful around the house' to 'causes permanent global warming.'"
AURORA: A faint, serious smile. "That's exactly right. They're not just weapons; they're problems. And your 'Negative-F'... that's not on the spectrum. It's an error. Or a secret. It means your Cube doesn't play by the rules we understand."
The revelation hung in the air, another layer of mystery around Kiro and a potential wild card for the coming fight.
AURORA: Her analytical calm fractured for a moment, replaced by dawning, profound unease. "Then what you have... could be a secret classification. A rank not on the public spectrum." She met Kiro's eyes, her voice dropping to a near-whisper. "Myth. Let's call it that. If it exists, it's not 'global threat.' It's world-ending. And I don't mean it destroys the world. I mean it could unmake the rules that hold it together." She shook her head, as if trying to dislodge the thought. "This isn't public knowledge. I only know because I've researched Cube origins for years. Forget I said anything. We should go."
KIRO: Processed this, not with fear, but with a strange, weary acceptance. "Might be because it... evolves. Every time I get damaged. Every time I'm close to death. It learns, and it changes me." He looked at her, a new question in his eyes. "You know where these things even came from?"
They gathered their things and headed for the door, the weight of the unsaid hanging between them.
VEYRA: (As they stepped into the hallway, her tone pragmatic) "Rank 'Myth' makes a terrifying amount of sense."
AURORA: (Pausing at the stairwell, her answer quiet, final) "From space. That's all anyone really knows. Or all they admit."
With that, they split up Veyra turning toward the Bounty Hunter's Guild, Kiro and Aurora moving with renewed urgency toward the Great Dome and the waiting Foreman.
They went through the same security checkpoint. The same scanner. The same officer. The same cold, metallic weight clicking around Kiro's neck.
KIRO: (Tugging at the collar, his jaw tight) "Every time. And now I feel... weak. Not up to a hundred percent."
AURORA: (Her voice low, clinical) "That's advanced EMP technology. Frequency-dampening field. It was designed for the Gifted to suppress Cube output, sever the connection. It's not just a tracker. It's a leash."
Kiro said nothing. He just walked.
They found the Foreman at the loading zone, directing a small fleet of hover-trucks and cargo airships. Logs were being strapped, scanned, and lifted with practiced efficiency.
He spotted them approaching and straightened, wiping sawdust from his forearms.
FOREMAN: "Good morning. Hope you three are ready wait." His gaze shifted, counting. "Where's the third one?"
KIRO: "About that." He glanced at Aurora, then back. "We're on a mission. Tracking down a thief. My partner here her technology was stolen. She's, uh... she likes to keep secrets. Including her name."
The Foreman's eyes flicked to Aurora, assessing. Then back to Kiro.
FOREMAN: "Could be the Thieves' Gang. They've been hitting this sector hard. Steal anything not bolted down."
AURORA: (Stepping forward, her tone sharp and urgent) "We already know who it is. That's not the point. Our intelligence indicates they're planning an attack on the dome. This afternoon. "
The Foreman's weathered face didn't flinch. Instead, a slow, grim smile spread across it.
FOREMAN: "How interesting." He crossed his thick arms. "They can't be that dumb. Which means they've got backup. They're weak, sure but they know it. They wouldn't hit us without a reason." He nodded once. "Time to prepare. Thanks for the warning. We'll handle it."
KIRO: "Our friend went to the Bounty Guild. She's rallying backup."
FOREMAN: (A short, dismissive grunt) "The Guildmaster might send two or three if you're lucky. More likely one. They don't work for free, and they don't like taking orders." He turned back to his work. "We don't need them anyway. The dome's got its own security."
KIRO: "What about me? I can help. If you take this thing off"
FOREMAN: (Not looking at him) "That's not my choice to make. And we don't need help." His voice was final. "Sit back. Watch. This is our fight."
AURORA: Her voice cut through the noise of the loading zone, cold and precise. "Then I'll take the Boss myself. He's the one who robbed me." A pause. "And you should know: the weapon he stole is an Omega Artifact. "
The Foreman stopped. Slowly, he turned to face her.
FOREMAN: "This just got more dangerous." His voice was low, stripped of its earlier confidence. "Let's hope it's in untrained hands."
Meanwhile, at the Bounty Hunter's Guild...
Veyra stood before the Guildmaster's raised podium, the chaos of the hall muted behind her. The crimson-haired woman regarded her with that single, unblinking green eye.
VEYRA: "They're attacking the Great Dome. This afternoon. Is there anything you can do?"
GUILDMASTER: Leaned back, considering. "Sounds bad. But not that bad. The dome's got teeth the Foreman's a certified B-Rank brawler, and his lead crew aren't scrubs. Still..." She tapped a finger on her desk. "I can lend a hand. Two of my boys just graduated rookie training. They need field experience. This'll do."
VEYRA: "That's... reasonable." A pause. "You say they're weak. But I've heard the Thieves' Gang has dangerous allies. Deep pockets. Deep connections."
GUILDMASTER: A thin, knowing smile. "They might have friends. But the Syndicate won't send a whole clan for a single vault job. And an Executive? Not a chance." She tilted her head. "Best you're looking at is a Manager. Maybe. If they're feeling generous."
Back at the Great Dome...
The loading zone had transformed. Workers abandoned timber and cargo, grabbing emergency tools and taking positions behind stacked crates. The Foreman stood at the center, powered axe grounded beside him, scanning the high vaulted ceiling.
Kiro stood at the perimeter, useless. The collar hummed against his throat.
KIRO: "Are you sure you don't need me?"
FOREMAN: Didn't even glance at him. "Just watch. We've got"
CRACK.
A deafening impact ripped through the dome's apex. Metal screamed. Light flooded in as a massive hole tore open in the ceiling, smoke and dust billowing downward.
Five silhouettes dropped through the breach, landing in perfect formation amid the settling debris.
The Foreman grabbed his axe.
FOREMAN: (Under his breath) "...Never mind."
Then a sixth shadow detached itself from the smoke above.
It didn't fall. It stepped out of the breach, walking on empty air as if descending invisible stairs. It raised one arm in a lazy, commanding gesture.
FIGURE IN SHADOW: "Rampage, thieves. This territory is ours now."
The five silhouettes exploded into motion splitting in multiple directions, targeting guard posts, cargo cranes, the vault entrance. One hurled a device that stuck to a support column.
SECOND EXPLOSION.
Metal shrieked. Debris rained. Alarms blared.
And then three more figures dropped through the smoke, landing in a tight cluster behind the first.
The one at the front stepped forward. He was dressed entirely in deep crimson armored coat, reinforced gloves, a polished helmet with a visor that caught the firelight. His posture radiated casual confidence.
CRIMSON red FIGURE: "We're getting paid for this, at least." His voice was smooth, almost bored. "Should be a good time."
He cracked his knuckles.
The Foreman tightened his grip on his axe. His crew, veterans of a hundred logging accidents and bar brawls, suddenly looked very, very aware that this wasn't a robbery.