The ship landed on the planet Arkanis. The air was thick, and the red light of the sun reflected off the desert plains.
Kael scanned the horizon. "It doesn't look peaceful. We need to be careful."
Zara jumped out of the bridge with her guns at the ready. "I can't wait to scare someone."
Rex closed the ship's door. "Let's not start a war right away. Although some people will probably want to."
Lira approached Taro. "Do you have a map of the area? We need to find a clue to the artifact."
Taro nodded. "I have a few clues. The latest data points to the volcanic station in the north."
Kael took a deep breath. "All right. Let's go. Stay in formation."
Zara jumped out first and ran across the rocky terrain. "If anyone wants to stand up to me, I'll make room for them to fall."
Rex followed right behind her, his rifle ready to fire. "It doesn't look like a friendly place. We need to be alert."
The swirling dust around their feet revealed movement in the distance. Several figures were approaching quickly, their metallic fragments reflecting the sunlight.
Kael took a breath. "Gangster rats. They won't leave us alone."
Zara smiled coldly. "They wanted to challenge us? Okay, I accept."
Shots tore through the air. Plasma bounced off the rocks, sending sparks flying everywhere. Zara jumped between the stones, taking out enemies as she went.
Rex covered her rear. "They don't look like ordinary mercenaries. They're more than just mercenaries."
Lira ran up a high rock and aimed precisely. "The artifact must be close. You can see them moving. They're looking for it, just like us."
Taro attached the terminal to a makeshift shield. "I'll try to jam their communications. Give me a minute."
Kael looked into the distance. "We don't have much time. We need to get to the volcanic station."
Zara was the first to run in, her guns still at the ready. "There's no time for boredom. Just how I like it."
The gangsters gave chase, their metallic footsteps echoing off the rocks. Kael led the way, guiding the group through a narrow passage.
Rex fired, eliminating the threats one by one. Zara laughed as she swung her weapon in the air. "I don't like silence. It's better when it's loud!"
Lira pointed the way. "There it is: the volcanic station. That's our target."
Taro connected the terminal to the station's systems. "I hope the false signals work. I can't jam them for too long."
Kael nodded. "There's no turning back now. We're in this together."
The artifact was still safe, but Kael knew that each passing second could cost them their lives.
Zara rolled her eyes as she jumped over the gap. "No boredom, no problem! Let's do this."
The gangsters were still following them, but the terrain favored the group. Kael led them to the volcanic station, where the next clue awaited them.
Volcanic dust hung in the air as the group headed straight into the fiery maze. Kael felt that the real game had just begun.
The fog of volcanic dust thickened as they approached the station. The air was hot, and the metallic ground creaked beneath their feet.
Kael stopped at the edge of the platform. "Check every corridor. We can't let anyone catch us by surprise."
Zara ran ahead, her guns ready to fire. "There's no way I'm waiting! Anyone want to play? I'll strike first."
Rex shifted his rifle. "Don't underestimate them. They have the advantage in numbers."
Lira approached the terminal at the entrance. "The artifact is still in the secure container. We need to keep an eye on it and look for clues about the next one."
Taro connected the terminal to the station's system. "I'll try to block the surveillance. We should be invisible for a few minutes."
Kael nodded. "Okay. Let's go in. Stay quiet until we need to act."
Kael nodded. "Okay. Let's go in. Stay quiet until we need to act."
Zara rolled her eyes. "Quiet? That's not for me. I prefer it loud and bloody."
The first group of gangsters jumped out from behind the containers. Zara leaped over the obstacle, shooting as she ran. The first one was hit by the plasma, and the next fell before he could fire a shot.
Rex ran after her, shooting and eliminating the opponents. "They don't look like ordinary mercenaries. They have something we didn't expect."
Lira ran higher up the platform. A precise shot to another opponent's legs caused him to fall, and the rest panicked.
Kael scanned the corridors. "We have to get to the center of the station. That's where we should find a trace of the artifact."
Zara jumped over pipes and crates as she moved on. Her guns spat fire, eliminating everything in her path. "We're not stopping! There's no room for hesitation!"
The gangster drones followed them. Plasma from the rifles bounced off the metal walls. Rex covered their rear while Kael led the group toward the center of the station.
Lira pointed to a side corridor. "There! I can see traces of energy similar to the artifact. This could be a lead."
Taro connected the terminal to the control panel. "I'm jamming the surveillance. We have a moment's advantage."
Kael nodded. "Let's not waste time. Let's go together."
Zara ran in first with the artifact in a secure container. Her movements were fluid, fast, and almost frenzied. "No mercy. Anyone who gets in my way will fall."
Gangsters tried to stop her. Shots and explosions filled the corridors. Kael, Rex, and Lira followed close behind, eliminating threats and clearing the way.
In the center of the station, they saw a hologram of another artifact—a metallic object pulsing with red energy. Kael gasped. "This is what we're looking for."
Zara smiled wildly. "I can't believe it's that simple. But I like simple things in chaos."
Rex looked at the hologram. "It doesn't look like a trap, but something tells me someone's going to show up here soon."
Kael nodded. "This is just the beginning. We have to be ready for anything."
Volcanic dust lingered in the air, and alarms wailed in the background. The gangster units were slowly entering the station, and the group realized they didn't have much time.
Zara aimed her guns at the entrance. "Let them try. I want some entertainment."
Kael looked at her. "Zara, focus. This isn't fun."
Zara just smiled coldly. "For me, every fight is fun. But don't worry; we'll survive."
Rex scanned the radar. "They're getting closer. We have to move."
Kael raised his hand. "Prepare maximum firepower. There's no turning back."
The artifact pulsed in its container, its light reflecting off the station's metal walls. Kael felt that what had started as a mission had turned into a war with the entire gangster organization in Draxon.
Zara laughed maniacally as she jumped from crate to crate, eliminating opponents along the way. "Let it be hell!"
Rex fired another burst at the approaching gangsters. Kael moved to the console and activated the station's emergency systems, generating traps for the enemies.
Lira secured the rear. "The artifact is safe, but if anyone comes in, it won't be easy."
A fog of dust and plasma sparks filled the corridors. Kael felt the tension mount. "This is just the beginning. Did you see how crazy Zara is? It's going to be a long night."
Zara looked at them with a twinkle in her eye. "Don't worry. I've got everything under control. I think."
Suddenly, an explosion tore through the air. The station doors slammed shut—the trap was set. The gangster units were trapped.
Kael took a deep breath. "Good. But this isn't over. This is just the prelude to the real game."