# CHAPTER 9:- WANTED
Kavya Chandan, Rox, and Psycho walked along the footpath, casually chatting as they moved through the bustling city.
Kavya's eyes darted around, still absorbing every unfamiliar detail of this futuristic world. The towering buildings, the hovering cars, the strange glowing signs—it all felt like a dream she hadn't fully woken up from.
As they walked, a woman passed by on the sidewalk. At her side trotted a small robotic dog, barking with surprising realism. It wagged its metallic tail and let out a series of high-pitched yips, just like a real one.
Kavya blinked. "That thing barks?"
Rox laughed. "Yeah, they're everywhere. Kids love them."
They kept walking until they came to a stop in front of a large, rectangular building. Its walls shimmered in a soft sky-blue hue, with a sleek, minimalistic design that made it look like it belonged in a sci-fi film.
Rox placed both hands on his hips and grinned. "All right—let's go!"
The three of them headed toward the building's main entrance, the doors sliding open automatically as they approached.
As they stood at the front entrance, a small security camera slid out from a hidden panel above the door.
Rox leaned forward and waved. "Hey, it's me—Rox! Hexa, open up!"
The camera scanned his face briefly, then shifted toward Psycho, hovering just long enough to confirm his identity.
Finally, it turned to Kavya Chandan.
Before it could react, Rox quickly stepped in front of it again, raising both hands. "Ahhh—wait, she's with me! I'll explain everything, I promise!"
A soft hiss escaped as the door slid open.
"Thanks!" Rox said with a grin, guiding Kavya and Psycho inside.
They stepped inside the building.
A long, dimly lit corridor stretched out before them. Faint blue lights lined the ceiling, casting an eerie glow over the space—most of it shrouded in shadow.
Along both sides of the hallway, weapons hung neatly on display—guns, swords, axes—all kinds, all shapes, gleaming faintly in the low light. Their silhouettes looked sharp and dangerous, like a silent warning to anyone who didn't belong here.
They walked for a while until they reached a junction with three doors—one ahead, one to the left, and one to the right.
Rox pointed forward. "This way…"
He approached the door in front, which slid open with a soft hiss.
Inside, the room was brightly lit, almost twice as intense as the dim corridor behind them. White lights reflected off the metallic surfaces, and rows of advanced machines filled the space—some already running with a low mechanical hum.
Near the left side of the room, a girl about Rox's age worked beside a glowing forge-like machine. She wore sleek visor-glasses designed for eye protection, a green-and-black tech-patterned top, and fitted black trousers. Her hands were covered in black, high-tech gloves. She seemed focused, heating what looked like a sword.
Hexa glanced up from her station, visor reflecting the bright glow of the machine she was working on.
"Yo. What are you doing here? And… who's the guest?" Her tone was casual, but her eyes flicked toward Kavya with sharp curiosity.
Rox raised a hand in mock greeting. "Yo. Well… I'll explain everything in a sec."
He paused, then grinned. "But your real first question should be—do you need water or something? Maybe a seat?"
Hexa smirked, unimpressed. "Cute. Now start talking."
Hexa stepped closer, her gaze narrowing as it landed on Kavya.
"Hmm… by the way, isn't her skin kinda different?" she said, tilting her head. "It's shinier… like, unnaturally smooth."
Rox chuckled softly. "Yeah, yeah, that's exactly what I was about to explain. Sit down—this one's gonna need context."
To the right of the room, two large red sofas were placed beside a panel of flickering monitors. Psycho flopped down onto one. Rox and Kavya followed, taking their seats.
Novy, the robot, approached silently, offering each of them a glass of water from her tray.
Kavya took hers with a polite nod. The glass was unusually light—almost too perfect. Even the water inside shimmered with faint blue tints.
Kavya Chandan tilted her head slightly toward Psycho, then toward Novy, subtly gesturing between the two with a raised eyebrow.
She mouthed silently, "You and her?" then gave a playful smirk.
Psycho's screen-face flickered in surprise—his digital eyes widening comically. He quickly raised both metallic hands in defense and shook his head vigorously, the LED on his chest blinking red in embarrassment.
Kavya stifled a laugh behind her glass of water.
"Okay, okay, just checking," she teased.
Rox began explaining everything to Hexa—the mission, the black hole, how they found Kavya, and what happened afterward. He spoke calmly, placing his glass on the small table between the two sofas as he talked.
Hexa listened intently, her expression growing more serious with each word. Once he finished, she leaned back slightly, resting her gloved hand under her chin in thought.
"Hmmm… I don't think the government's going to let this slide," she said at last. "There hasn't been any public announcement yet, but I have a feeling they'll make one soon. And when they do…" —her gaze shifted toward Rox and Kavya— "…you might end up with a bounty on your heads."
Rox and Kavya turned to face each other for a moment—unease silently shared between them.
Then Rox looked back at Hexa. "So… what's the plan?"
Hexa leaned forward, resting both hands on her lap. Her tone was steady, but serious.
"Listen, once a bounty is placed—especially on someone like her—it won't be small. She's an unknown, an anomaly… and that makes her valuable."
She paused.
"There are dozens of bounty hunter groups roaming the city, and with her case being so unique, the reward might be higher than anything they've seen in a while. And when that happens..."
Her eyes narrowed.
"Even the underground organizations might get involved."
The tension in the room thickened like smoke. Every word she spoke landed heavy, pulling the air tighter around them.
"Hmm… You'll have to fight. That time is coming soon."
Hexa stood up, her back now facing them, and turned her eyes toward Kavya Chandan.
Kavya raised her brows slightly, then gave a simple, steady nod.
Without saying more, Hexa walked toward the exit.
"Now… come with me."
Rox and Kavya stood up together and silently followed.
Psycho, who had been lounging quietly, hopped down to join them. As he passed Novy, he tilted his screen-face toward her. Novy turned away shyly.
Psycho hesitated for a second—then sprinted to catch up with Kavya.
Hexa entered the room to the left. Behind her, Rox and Kavya followed quietly, with Psycho trailing close.
The moment they stepped inside, Kavya's eyes widened.
It was a stockroom—but unlike anything she had seen before. The walls were lined with weapons: guns, laser blades, energy axes, pulse rifles, and a few strange weapons whose purpose she couldn't even guess. Some glowed faintly; others looked ancient and heavy, forged from darker metals.
Hexa stepped to the center of the room, standing still as her eyes scanned the arsenal.
"My father was a weapon maker," she said, her tone calm but proud.
"Some of these were forged by him. Others—I built myself."
She turned to Kavya.
"Pick the one that calls to you. The right weapon doesn't just feel right — it chooses you back."
A massive LED billboard blinked to life above the street.
The screen flashed red—then a woman's image appeared, crisp and unmistakable.
"KAVYA CHANDAN
DEAD OR ALIVE
REWARD: 20 MILLION RON"
People on the street stopped.
A few turned toward the screen, stunned.
Someone murmured under their breath,
"Twenty million… for her?"