We flew down the road toward the research center. Soon we heard sirens going off quietly in the distance. I began to slow to reduce the noise of my bike as we crept closer. Suddenly, an engine revved behind us. Tessara and I quickly turned to face the noise. The vehicle sped up until it was right beside us. It was black with small yellow accents and seemed familiar.
I slowed my bike to a stop as they pulled ahead and blocked our path. It didn't seem like a car the militia would use, but I had my feet poised, ready to move.
The doors opened and a man with shaggy blonde hair stepped out along with a woman who had dirty blonde hair. The guy had an armored vest with a pistol on his side. The woman was wearing a light blue tank top with gray cargo pants and a silver gauntlet on her right arm. It was Colt and Eliana from the guild.
"What the hell are you doing here?" I yelled, clearly shocked.
"Could ask you the same question, Vera," said Eliana.
"Kato asked you to come back, you didn't listen, so he sent us," remarked Colt, "We need you to come back. You're in way over your head on a wild goose chase. I understand how you feel, bu-"
"No, you don't! Because I don't feel anything, I'm following a job to its end. There's something important here involving Nazul," I shot back.
"Normally I'd agree with you guys, but Vera is right. They're planning something in Nazul and it doesn't sound good."
"Alright since you're the one with a straight and clear mind, Tessara, tell us — what's going on? Wait, why are you covered in blood?!" Said Eliana, in a serious tone.
"Yeah, sure, Tessara. Tell them," I said, rolling my eyes.
"It's a long story. So what we did was we left super early a few days ago, Vera acted like she was gonna leave without me, but I know she would never do that, because we're friends and all. So yeah anyways we left and drove a long time through the freaky tall mountains and such-" She proceeded to give them the Tessara retelling of our trip, which includes every minute detail of anything and everything she saw or did. Immediately, Eliana's face dropped.
"Ok, ok. That's enough, Tessara. We get it. Just come back before you cause some serious trouble," she said impatiently, cutting her off.
"Oh well, uh, we blew up a mountain."
"I'm sorry, you what?!" They both yelled in near unison.
"It was to free a bunch of slaves and stop the militia from getting the resources. A friend of ours died while helping, that's why there's blood on me," she said the last part much quieter.
"What the fuck is going on?" Eliana yelled.
"Come with us and you'll see."
"You're funny," retorted Eliana.
"I'm serious! If there truly is nothing after this, I'll go back. No questions asked."
"No fighting?" asked Colt.
"You can't be serious," said Eliana in disbelief.
"No fighting."
"Deal."
"Colt, are you for real?"
"Yes, I am. She's a part of the guild. We should treat her with the respect and trust of that bond."
"Ugh, fine. But only because you said so. Vera might be part of the guild, but I don't like working with people when they're not thinking straight. It's a liability."
"Whatever. I don't expect you to listen to me. Just don't get in the way." I remarked.
"Oh really? You wanna play that game, hot shot? Let's dance!" she said, putting her fists together. Blue sparks danced around her hands in a flash.
"Just stop it! I understand you're frustrated, but this is not helping."
"Frustrated? I spent the past two days trying to track down this dumbass across two continents. I'm not frustrated, I'm pissed!"
"I understand, but please. I'd rather not have to drag you two unconscious back to the guild. So can we just focus and move on?"
As Colt said that, she lowered her arms and relaxed.
"Fine. Let's go."
We moved the vehicles slowly down the road. The sirens got louder. We parked off to the side and moved toward the jungle tree line. We carefully moved through the brush towards the noises until we saw the building.
This is it. It looks exactly like the one in the pictures. Soldiers and people in lab coats were quickly packing vehicles and leaving.
"Is this it?" asked Colt.
"Yeah." I said.
"What's the plan?" whispered Tessara.
"Lets take advantage of the chaos while we can. Eliana, Colt, take the back. Tessara you're with me We'll take the side entrance right here. Meet on the first floor."
"Why am I taking orders from you?" said Eliana
"Because it's my mission. Now go while we still have an opportunity."
Colt grabbed her arm and began to pull her away.
"Hey!"
"Alright, let's go after this truck leaves."
A truck inside of a garage door near the side entrance started with a loud roar and quickly pulled out.
"Now!"
We ran as fast as we could, sliding under the doors as they shut behind us.
The garage was empty aside from some metal crates and scattered shelves.
"They really are in a hurry, which means we should be too. I'm assuming our little mountain excursion expedited their plans," I said as I looked back at Tessara.
The garage was dim, but I could see her face. A small shimmer swept down her face.
"Are you crying?"
"It's nothing. Let's just keep going."
The dried blood was still caked to her clothes. I know what she was thinking, but now isn't the time.
I swiftly moved up to the nearest doorway and pushed the activation key. It slid open into a small hallway. The left and right side seemed clear.
"Wait, wait whoa!", I heard someone yell from the left side down another hallway as a loud crack and bright blue light flared. The lights flickered rapidly and a few shattered. Eliana and Colt then rounded the corner.
"Can you not fry the building? The computers have valuable information."
"I know how to control my lightning. Your computers will be fine," said Eliana, rolling her eyes.
"Look for a terminal or a main computer room. That'll be our access point. Let's just hope there's still some information left."
We jogged down the hallway until we came across a large array of windows. The room inside was covered in screens and computer stations.
"This must be it," I said, trying to open the door. "It's locked."
"I got this."
Eliana pushed a button on her mechanical glove and a small arm came out and over her finger, turning it into a fine point.
A small blue flash sparked on the door panel and it opened.
"Piece of cake."
I walked in and immediately hooked my wristech into a port on the main interface. Information started flowing into my deck.
"Just our luck, they left the system unlocked in their rush to leave."
"What do you see?"
I pushed a button and the information began displaying itself in a small hologram. Dozens of blueprints for weapons. Guns, melee weapons, launchers, bombs, vehicle weapons, all sorts of designs. Then something caught my eye. I pushed a button on my wristech to focus on the file.
"Oh, no."
"What is it? What am I looking at?" asked Eliana, squinting her eyes.
"Those are Artech's new robots." said Colt, "and they have an order to produce thousands, with these new weapons."
"No way, they found a way to stabilize eloq crystals," I said.
"What does that mean?" asked Tessara.
"It means anyone can use magic. They can create tools with it. Manufacturing is going to be revolutionized, energy distribution on a scale like we've never seen. And weapons—"
"Looks like you were onto something after all Vera," said Colt.
"So what does this have to do with Nazul?" asked Eliana.
"Artech is a weapons company in competition with Freearms and Triage armory. They just arguably made the largest breakthrough in technology we've ever seen. Nazul is theirs and, with these robots, it doesn't look like they're going to be taking no for an answer."
"We need to get back now."
I unplugged my wristech. We darted out of the room and through a door outside. Dust was flying around as a cargo ship was being ready to take off with the last few people and crates.
"Get in! We need to get back to Nazul, now!" yelled a guy to a man grabbing up some dropped tools.
"Colt, you're with me now. Meet you back at the guild, Vera!" she yelled as she grabbed Colt by the collar and dragged him towards the ship.
"Wait!" I tried to yell but it was too late. She had hopped onto the carrier as it was taking off and the doors were closing.
"Did they just leave their car?"
"Yup, they definitely did."
"Now what?" Asked Tessara
"We need to grab my bike and go. Now."