CLERK:"He's a high-ranking member of the Red Dragon Clan. Assistant manager. I don't know how he got it, but they value strength."
AURORA:"I've heard of the clans. They're all bad."
RAIJI:"Are they at least strong? What about the Red Clan members?"
CLERK:"Extremely. That one who was here? He's the weakest rank."
RAIJI:"That means I've got a lot to improve."
The clerk brings out the red blade.
CLERK: *"This blade is fire-based too. That's why it's red. And it's rare... due to the curse, I had to drop the price to 150k credits. Could have been 1 million."*
He holds it up.
"This sword is like a living blade. Has a soul. But no one can confirm it. The last user never experienced it... but he was weak."
RAIJI:"I'll take it."
He pays for the blade.
They leave and head back to the base.
AURORA:"We moved bases. To the plumber's place. He doesn't get customers anyway. And we were taking up too much space at Doc's, so we moved everything there."
RAIJI:"It was cramped there. So... moving day."
They arrive at the new base.
The plumber's shop.
RAIJI:"It's bigger... but empty."
They go into the basement.
Kiro punches the air. Practicing.
VEYRA:"As I told you, you need new gloves. The current ones are fire and shock resistant, but Aurora needs to modify them first. Then you can control that lightning of yours better... and shoot fire too."
KIRO:"Cool."
He notices them.
"Oh, Raiji and Aurora. You're back. We've got the plan all set. Just rest up, then we go."
They head to the ship to rest. Wake up early for the heist.
Everyone is set.
Not Aurora she has the night shift.
Raiji is in position. Kiro is ready to cause chaos.
Aurora sets up C4 in four areas, then goes back on patrol.
AURORA (through comms):"All set, Veyra. You can come in through the back entrance. I'm waiting."
She grapple-hooks through a window. Goes through the door.
VEYRA:"This way. Secretly."
She leads Veyra through vents to the target room.
AURORA:"I studied this place for two days. This is the only way so far. Just set the bombs off."
She pauses.
"I'll go cut off the right hand."
Veyra enters the vent.
VEYRA (through comms):"Kiro. Your time to shine."
Kiro walks up to the front entrance.
KIRO:"Hi, boys. Is this the toilets?"
GUARD 1:"No."
GUARD 2:"Go away. This place is off limits."
KIRO:"Too bad. I like it. I'm going in anyway."
He walks past them like nothing.
One guard hits him with a shock baton. The other grabs him.
Kiro kicks the door down.
Grabs the shock baton.
Hits Guard 2 with it.
*Zzzzzzzz. *
GUARD 1 (into comms):"Backup! Send it fast!"
Back in the secret room.
Guard gets on a call with the Paladin.
GUARD:"Paladin, you're closest. Could you check out the front entrance? Someone's trying to get in. Kicked the door open."
Veyra drops from the vents.
Knocks out each of them.
Inserts a stick corrupts all the cameras.
Then sets off the bombs.
*BOOOOOM. *
VEYRA (through comms):"Raiji, you're up. Get through the back. The Paladin is in the center."
A pause.
"Aurora, the bodyguard is still on guard. High alert now. Do your thing. Might have to back up Kiro."
AURORA (through comms):"Got it."
VEYRA:"Next disable the EMP. But first, handle that Paladin."
She types rapidly.
"All turrets set. Targeting anyone who works here. Other than Aurora."
Guards get shot with laser beams.
A few laser beams hit the Paladin.
PALADIN:"Why me first?"
He looks around.
"A call for backup. Four bombs. Now lasers pointed at me?"
He draws his blade.
Slices the turrets.
His arm burns. Side opens.
Gush of blood.
Then it heals.
Slow. But visible.
VEYRA (on cams):"He's got healing."
RAIJI (through comms):"He has regeneration. Be careful."
RAIJI:"Got it. Heading to him now."
VEYRA:"Next the main computer. Unlocked."
She types.
"Now the EMP"
*ACCESS DENIED. *
She tries again.
"Hard security system"
*ACCESS DENIED. *
VEYRA (through comms):"Kiro, seems like the EMP is still a threat. Be careful. Avoid the Pastor for now."
A pause.
"Aurora, I've located the EMP control center. Disable it."
AURORA (running):"Got it."
KIRO (almost at the Pastor's location):"Say again?"
Meanwhile
The Paladin looks at the camera.
The cameras are compromised.
VEYRA (over mic, taunting):"Come and get me... weak."
Then over comms
VEYRA:"Raiji, he knows. Stay out of the secret room if you arrive first."
The Paladin places two sensors.
Turns invisible.
THE PALADIN'S APPROACH
He doesn't run.
He moves. Purposeful. Each step measured.
Turrets lock on. Fire.
His blade moves before the lasers leave the barrels.
Slice. Slice. Slice.
Three turrets fall in pieces before they hit the ground.
He doesn't slow down.
The security room door is closed.
He doesn't try the handle.
He cuts through the wall. Steel groans. Sparks fly.
He steps inside.
Empty.
Veyra's chair is still spinning. A half-empty cup of cold tea on the desk.
Her shadow flickers on the monitor behind her a recording. Looping.
A single word flashes on the screen:
*"BOOM." *
He turns.
Too late.
THE EXPLOSION
White.
Then orange.
Then nothing but pressure.
The room becomes fire. Walls buckle. Ceiling collapses. The force throws him through the corridor through two walls into the open air.
He lands on his back.
Smoke curls off his body. His uniform is shredded. Skin blackened in patches.
For a moment
He doesn't move.
THE AFTERMATH
Then his fingers twitch.
Burned flesh knits. Cracked bone fuses. Steam rises from his wounds as they close.
He gets to one knee.
Breathing heavy.
Not dead.
But close.
He looks at the burning room.
Veyra's laughing voice echoes through the remaining speakers:
*"Miss me?" *
The feed cuts.
The Paladin stays on one knee for three full seconds.
Then stands.
Slowly.
His eyes cold find Raiji in the distance.
And Raiji knows: he's not fighting a man.
He's fighting something that doesn't stay down.
RAIJI (low, to himself):"...That's why I can't enter."