Habitat-733's reactor zone hums, pipes glowing and steam hissing around us. I'm Alex, with Squad Zero—Fiona, Dmitri, Lyra, and Kaelis—fresh off teleporting from our penthouse, our upgraded gear ready. We've tracked Rykor, the 4th Elder's right-hand man, to this maze of reactors, aiming to capture him without killing to prove the 13th Elder's strength. Our Eldari cover keeps our human roots hidden, and we're set for an ambush. Rykor's shadow moves ahead, optics glinting in the dim light.
I signal the team, voice low. "Time for a cosmic takedown. Let's trap this legend."
Fiona grips her staff, eyes sharp. "He's fast, but we're five deep."
Dmitri hefts his spear. "Let's see if he's as tough as they say."
Lyra's scanner hums softly. "Got his heat signature. He's close."
Kaelis's hacking tool beeps. "I've locked the exits. No escape."
We fan out, creeping through the reactor maze, pipes casting long shadows. I spot Rykor—lean, quick, optics scanning like a predator. I raise my power fist, signaling. "Now!"
Fiona's staff shifts to bow mode, firing a flux arrow to pin him. Rykor twists, dodging it like it's nothing, his frame a blur. "Eldari pups," he taunts, voice smooth. "You'll need more."
Dmitri charges, spear thrusting with amped force. Rykor sidesteps, grabbing the shaft and flipping Dmitri into a pipe with a clang. "Nice try," Rykor says, smirking.
Lyra darts in, her Veltari speed a whirlwind, aiming to tackle him. Rykor spins, kicking her back with precision, sending her skidding. "Too predictable," he calls.
Kaelis hacks a nearby panel, dropping a flux net from the ceiling. Rykor leaps, clearing it, landing with a grin. "Cute trick, rookie."
I lunge, power fist swinging with its new flux boost. Rykor ducks, countering with a jab that rattles my ribs. "Slow, aren't you?" he says, already gone.
I grit my teeth. "Blimey, he's like a gym champ on steroids!"
Fiona fires another arrow, grazing his shoulder, but Rykor rolls, unscathed. "You're persistent," he says, dodging into a side corridor.
We chase, boots pounding. Dmitri's shield spins a fire vortex, blocking a path, but Rykor vaults over it, landing clean. "Is this your best?" he laughs.
Lyra tries again, flanking with speed, but Rykor anticipates, tripping her with a flick of his wrist. "Stay sharp, Veltari."
Kaelis hacks a steam vent, blasting hot air to slow Rykor. He weaves through it, untouched. "Tech's not enough," he says, optics gleaming.
I rally the team. "Together, now! Like a cosmic relay!"
We surround him in a tight chamber, pipes humming. Fiona's arrows fly, Dmitri's spear jabs, Lyra dives, Kaelis drops another net, and I swing my fist. Rykor moves like liquid, dodging every strike, countering with kicks and jabs that keep us stumbling. He's one guy against five A-ranks, but he's a legend—S-rank, maybe higher.
"Gotta be S-rank," I pant, dodging a punch. "He's schooling us."
Fiona's staff whirls. "We're not done, Coach!"
Dmitri grunts, spear sparking. "He's too bloody fast."
Lyra smirks, scrambling up. "I like a challenge, fire guy."
Kaelis's tool beeps, locking another door. "He's trapped—sort of."
Rykor laughs, slipping through a gap we didn't see. "You're fun, but not enough."
We sprint after him, reactor lights flickering, his shadow always a step ahead. Fiona nudges me, breathless. "This guy's unreal."
I wink, despite the bruises. "We'll get him, babe."
The chase tears through Habitat-733, Rykor dodging, fighting, outsmarting us at every turn. The 13th Elder's alliance hangs on this, but this ghost is winning—for now.