A figure slowly emerged from shadows.
It was a humanoid existence completely encased in metal.
She stood with posture as stable as sculptures—height similar to Maine's, approximately 1.9 meters—bringing quiet oppressive pressure.
Her limbs were purely functional metal prosthetics with zero bionic skin covering. Surfaces weren't smooth but bore minute machining marks and faint scratches from prolonged use.
Joint structures were especially thick and robust—complex hydraulic rods and multi-axis bearing structures faintly visible, ensuring movements possessed both strength and precision.
Torso covered with thick, obviously-riveted dark-red composite armor plates. These plates overlapped in layered arrangements, thickened at critical positions.
Her robes differed from Cairo's loose long robes—more resembling regulation combat attire, equipped with reinforced pauldrons plus skirt armor structures composed of overlapping metal plates, facilitating movement while providing extra protection.
Head completely covered by an archaic-styled, rigid-lined metal helmet. A set of optical lenses positioned on one helmet side, rotating with her gaze.
Helmet top decorated with a crest resembling half a precision gear—edges sharp, remaining still with her head's minute movements, adding several points of era-transcending majesty and inhumanity to her overall image.
This metal figure's appearance immediately brought intense oppressive pressure.
Her design completely differed from Night City's popular streamlined, bionic cyberware styles—filled with retro, hardcore, even savage mechanical sensations.
However, what prevented Maine's crew from immediately opening fire—besides opponents showing no obvious hostility—was this metal figure's side also hovering a familiar device: a servo-skull.
Those hollow eye sockets flickered with cold red light, identical to servo-skulls in Cairo's workshop.
Just as tense atmosphere nearly solidified, that metal figure stopped walking.
The voice that followed clearly belonged to a female. Though processed by some synthesis, carrying metal-characteristic resonant textures, careful listening still distinguished underlying gentle tonal foundations.
Her voice was steady and clear, directly propagating through air vibrations rather than relying on cyberware communicators.
"You are the guests?" Ignis turned toward them. Optical sensors beneath helmets swept fully-alert Maine's crew, ultimately landing on Maine subtly protected at center: "I am Commander of Tech-Priest Cairo's Skitarii Guard, Ignis.
The Tech-Priest has already notified me of your arrival. During these days, I'll be responsible for hosting you."
"Wait..." Maine's brow furrowed tightly. Stepping forward, using his robust body blocking between Ignis and teammates.
His tone mixed confusion and intense skepticism. A barrage of questions burst forth: "You said you already knew we were coming? What the hell is going on? Where is this place? The boss... what exactly does Tech-Priest Cairo want us doing?"
His questioning undoubtedly voiced all squad members' thoughts.
Though Rebecca didn't speak, both hands still gripped that massive heavy bolter tightly. Though muzzle wasn't explicitly raised pointing at opponents, her fingers never left trigger guards—knuckles slightly whitening from pressure.
Ignis displayed zero emotional fluctuations toward Maine's rapid-fire questioning.
Her metal-cast head merely tilted slightly at an angle. Smooth faceplates swept across everyone.
This motion was difficult deciphering—both like meticulously observing them yet possibly merely programmatic response methods.
Right during this subtle standoff moment, that servo-skull accompanying Maine's crew through dimensional rifts slowly floated to open ground between both sides.
Its hollow eye sockets—red light flickering at constant frequencies—internal precision components seemingly operating.
Immediately after, a voice they were incredibly familiar with yet felt especially distant at this moment clearly transmitted from servo-skull built-in speakers, echoing through cavernous spaces—precisely Cairo's unique, cold voice stripped of all emotional coloring.
"Explaining reasons." The voice cut straight to the point—zero pleasantries: "My original origins are precisely this world. Previously traveling to your worlds was accidents.
And this transmission experiment's primary purpose is seeking and stabilizing reliable pathways returning to this world from my current positions."
The servo-skull paused slightly—as if processing information streams—then continued in that undeniable objective tone: "As for why not disclosing full information beforehand, this avoids introducing unnecessary interference variables and complex emotional factors before mission executions, thereby affecting this experiment's collected data purity and accuracy."
Cairo's voice as always was direct—carrying coldness viewing everything as experimental parameters.
"Your missions haven't changed. Survive here at least seventy-two standard hours—three days. Adapt to local environments, collect basic physiological and perceptual data. After time arrives, I'll reopen dimensional rifts, bringing you back."
The servo-skull paused, seemingly processing information, then turned toward Ignis' direction, emitting rapid, complex binary electronic tones.
The servo-skull beside Ignis immediately flew forward, conducting brief data exchanges with counterparts from the cyberpunk world. Several small indicator lights on skull sides rapidly blinked.
Ignis—after receiving information—immediately performed strange yet solemn salutes toward that servo-skull transmitting Cairo's directives, then slightly bowed.
"Obeying Tech-Priest's edicts. Information reception complete." Ignis' voice remained steady yet audibly contained respectfulness.
Having completed directive transmissions and information handovers, that servo-skull from wasteland workshops ceased speaking, quietly hovering mid-air, entering standby states—as if completing its mission.
Ignis turned back toward Maine's crew. Though her metal face couldn't make any expressions, her posture seemed easing by barely-noticeable degrees. "Doubts answered. Now, please follow me. Your states require rest and adaptation. Camps have prepared temporary residences for you."
Finished speaking, not waiting for Maine and others' further reactions, she directly turned, striding with those rhythmic, heavy steps toward passages she'd come from.
Her servo-skull closely followed.
Maine, Dorio, and Falco rapidly exchanged glances.
Though current situations remained fog-shrouded, Cairo's personal explanations plus Ignis' displayed "hosting" postures temporarily dispelled worst conflict expectations.
"Follow up. Maintain formations. Stay alert." Maine commanded in lowered tones.
Regardless, they now stood in completely unfamiliar environments. Following this Ignis who seemed "one of their own" was currently the most reasonable choice.
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