The red lights above them began to pulse faster. Metallic footsteps approached from both directions of the tunnel, casting long shadows over the concrete floor. The smell of oil and cold electronics hung heavy in the air.
Mara instinctively stood in front of Lio. “Nova, options?”
Nova appeared faintly, her light dimmed, almost camouflaged. “Limited mobility. The units are equipped with jamming filters. But… Track 12 is not fully secured.”
Pixel tensed up. 🦊 “Does that mean there’s a way out?”
“A very narrow one,” Nova replied.
The first security forces stepped into the light. Dark armor, closed helmets, no badges. They moved coordinated, efficient – and clearly unofficial.
“Step back,” commanded a distorted voice. “The handover will take place without resistance.”
Mara crossed her arms. “You really have a talent for showing up at the wrong time.” 😐
Lio swallowed. “They’ve been following me. For years. I just wanted… someone to listen.”
Pixel glanced at him briefly. “Now we’re listening. Later we’ll save you.”
A dull bang – a warning shot against the tunnel wall. Dust trickled down.
“Final warning,” said the voice.
Mara took a deep breath. Then she smiled crookedly. “Nova. Chaos now, please.”
At the same moment, the lights went out. Total darkness.
A scream, sparks, the screech of metal. Pixel shot off, barely visible, using the echo and confusion. He jumped over a railing, tore out a cable, disappeared again.
“Left!” Nova shouted directly into Mara’s ear. “Three meters. Maintenance shaft.”
Mara grabbed Lio’s arm and ran. Behind them, frantic orders sounded, footsteps collided, someone stumbled.
The shaft was narrow, barely lit. Mara pushed the cover open, shoved Lio inside, and followed him. Pixel jumped in at the last moment behind them.
The cover fell shut. Darkness. Heavy breathing.
Lio leaned panting against the wall. “You… you’re crazy.”
Mara grinned in the dim light. “Thanks.” 😄
Nova materialized again more clearly. “The units have lost the trail. For now.”
Pixel shook the dust from his fur. “That was a nice little adventure. But I have the feeling we should move.”
Mara nodded. “Lio. You wanted to clarify something. Start.”
Lio hesitated, then raised his gaze. “The incident with the transformer station… was a test. A prototype. And it wasn’t the only one.”
Silence spread, heavier than before.
Mara felt her stomach tighten. The lie was bigger than she had thought.
Above them, a train rolled over the old track as if nothing had happened. But deep beneath Neon City, the course of this adventure had changed once again.