The neon-soaked underbelly of Moreau City pulsed with a sinister energy as Rei, Luna, Snow, and Flake made their way through the winding alleyways. Shadows danced across grimy walls, cast by flickering holographic advertisements that promised everything from genetic enhancements to illicit thrills. Rei's feline ears twitched, picking up the distant thrum of bass-heavy music growing louder with each step.
"We're getting close," she murmured, her pink hair a stark contrast to the muted colors of her new stealth gear. The form-fitting bodysuit hugged her curves, its matte black surface absorbing light rather than reflecting it. A utility belt hung low on her hips, laden with an array of gadgets Hiro had cobbled together for this mission.
Luna nodded, her blue eyes scanning their surroundings with predatory focus. "Remember, we're here for information, not trouble. Let's try to keep a low profile."
Snow scoffed, her white fur bristling slightly. "In this crowd? We'll be lucky if we don't start a brawl just by walking in."
"Speak for yourself," Flake retorted, a hint of excitement coloring her voice. "I wouldn't mind a little action to liven things up."
Rei shot the tiger hybrid a warning glance. "We stick to the plan. No unnecessary risks."
As they rounded a corner, the entrance to The Neon Crystal Club came into view. A hulking boar hybrid stood guard, his cybernetic eye glowing an ominous red as it scanned the approaching group. Rei squared her shoulders, adopting the confident swagger she'd perfected on stage. It was showtime.
"Names?" the bouncer grunted, his voice a low rumble.
"We're here to see Vinny the Rat," Rei replied smoothly, her tone brooking no argument.
The boar's organic eye narrowed, but after a tense moment, he stepped aside. "Down the stairs, third door on the left. Watch yourselves."
The group descended into the pulsing heart of the club, the air thick with sweat, pheromones, and something more acrid - the telltale scent of illegal genetic mods being peddled in dark corners. Rei's nose wrinkled in disgust, but she pressed on, weaving through the crowd of hybrids and humans alike.
It was crazy the underworld people remained in the city during the feral outbreak. Maybe they stayed so they could do whatever they want unsupervised.
They found Vinny exactly where the bouncer had directed them, lounging in a private booth surrounded by an eclectic mix of hangers-on. His beady eyes gleamed with intelligence as he took in the newcomers, whiskers twitching in what might have been amusement. He wore a fancy black suit with golden medallions and diamond rings on his fingers. His nails painted gold, and he has shiny silver grills on his sharp teeth.
They found Vinny exactly where the bouncer had directed them, lounging in a private booth surrounded by an eclectic mix of hangers-on. His beady eyes gleamed with intelligence as he took in the newcomers, whiskers twitching in what might have been amusement.
"Well, well," he drawled, setting down a glass of luminescent green liquid. "If it isn't the famous Kat-X duo and their... companions. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Rei leaned in close, her voice barely audible over the pounding music. "We need information on the Acolyte. Word is, you're the one to talk to."
The rat man’s tail swished lazily. "Information comes at a price, kitten. What are you offering?"
"Name it," Luna interjected, her tone sharp.
A slow grin spread across Vinny’s face, revealing yellowed incisors. "There's a little competition happening tonight. High-stakes air car race through the lower levels. I've got... significant interests riding on the outcome. You win it for me, and I'll tell you everything I know about your cyborg friend."
Rei's stomach clenched. Air car racing was notoriously dangerous, even more so in the lawless under city. But they were running out of options and time.
"Deal," she said, ignoring the way Luna's tail bristled in alarm. "What are the details?"
Vinny’s eyes glittered with malicious glee. "Oh, it's simple enough. No rules, no limits. First one across the finish line wins. Of course, making it there in one piece... well, that's the real challenge."
Snow stepped forward, her voice a low growl. "And how do we know you'll hold up your end of the bargain?"
"You don't," Vinny replied with a shrug. "But I'm the best lead you've got, aren't I? Clock's ticking, kittens. Race starts tomorrow night at the old Helix Corp factory. Don't be late."
As they left the booth, Luna pulled Rei aside, her expression a mix of concern and frustration. "This is insane, Rei. We can't risk everything on some underground death race!"
Rei met her sister's gaze, determination burning in her eyes. "We don't have a choice. Every second we waste, the Acolyte gets closer to unleashing that virus city-wide. We need that intel."
"And what if it's a trap?" Snow interjected, her tail lashing behind her. "For all we know, that rat boy is working with the Acolyte."
Flake nodded in agreement. "It's not like we can trust anyone in this cesspool."
Rei closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to center herself. When she opened them again, her resolve was clear. "It's a risk we have to take. But we're not going in blind. Hiro?"
She tapped her earpiece, and their tech genius's voice crackled to life. "I'm here, Rei. Heard everything. Already working on hacking into the race's systems. If there's any funny business, we'll know."
"Good," Rei replied. "Now we just need to get our hands on an air car that can actually win this thing."
Luna's ears perked up. "What about Chico? Doesn't he owe you a favor after you helped him kick some losers out of his bar?”
Rei nodded slowly, a plan forming in her mind. "The cyborg chihuahua bartender... Yeah, he might be our best shot. Hiro, can you get in touch with him?"
"On it," Hiro chirped. "He’s still at his bar, doing the usual I guess.”
As they made their way back through the crowded club, Rei couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. Her instincts screamed danger, but there was no turning back now. They had less than an hour to secure a vehicle and make it to the starting line.
*****
The neon-drenched lights in the HUB pulsed with an electric heartbeat as Rei and her motley crew approached the Laser Blast Bar. Holographic advertisements flickered overhead, casting eerie shadows across their faces. Rei's pink cat ears twitched, picking up the thrumming bass that leaked from the bar's entrance.
Luna nudged her sister's arm. "You sure about this, Rei? Chico's not exactly known for his generosity."
Rei's lips curled into a determined smirk. "We don't have much choice. His air car is our best shot at winning that race."
The group slipped into the pulsing heart of the Laser Blast Bar. The air inside was thick with synthetic smoke and the mingled scents of a hundred different genetic cocktails. Rei's enhanced senses picked out each distinct smell - the musky odor of wolf hybrids, the metallic tang of cyborgs, and underneath it all, the acrid stench of fear and desperation.
They weaved through the crowd, dodging writhing dancers and avoiding the hungry stares of predatory patrons. In a secluded corner booth, they found their target.
Chico lounged behind the bar counter, cleaning and pouring drinks as usual. The little chihuahua cyborg seemed to enjoy his busy job as if he was born to do it.
As the group approached, Chico's beady eyes lit up with recognition. "Well, well! If it isn't the famous Kat-X duo and the Tiger Girls. To what do I owe this pleasure?"
Rei stepped forward, her voice low and urgent. "We need to borrow your air car, Chico. It's important."
Chico's whiskers twitched with amusement. "My air car? That's a mighty big ask, kitten. What's in it for me?"
Luna bristled at the condescending tone, but Rei placed a calming hand on her sister's arm. "Name your price."
The rat hybrid's eyes gleamed with avarice. "Oh, I'm not interested in money. Not from you lovely ladies." His gaze raked over them appreciatively. "How about a private show? Just for me and my friends here?"
Flake snarled, her claws extending. "Watch it, doggy. Or you'll be singing soprano for the rest of your miserable life."
Chico raised his hands in mock surrender. "Easy there, tiger. Can't blame a guy for trying. I thought you girls were into that before you became hunters.”
Snow leaned in close, her voice a silky purr. "Come now, Chico. Surely we can come to some sort of... arrangement."
The chihuahua’s eyes widened as Snow trailed a claw along his jawline. Flake caught on quickly, sidling up to Chico's other side.
"After all," Flake murmured, her breath hot against his ear, "we tigers know how to show our appreciation."
Chico swallowed hard, his resolve visibly crumbling. "W-well, when you put it that way..."
Rei watched the scene unfold, a mix of admiration and discomfort churning in her gut. She caught Luna's eye, and her sister nodded slightly. Sometimes, you had to play dirty to get what you needed.
After a moment of hesitation, Chico reached into his pocket and produced a small key card. "Fine. Here's the access code and location. But I swear, if there's so much as a scratch on her-"
"You have our word," Rei interjected, snatching the chip before he could change his mind. "We'll take good care of your baby."
As they turned to leave, Chico called after them. "Hey! What about my private show?"
Snow glanced back over her shoulder, a predatory smile playing on her lips. "Maybe next time, handsome. If you're lucky."
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They exited the club, the cool night air a welcome relief after the stifling atmosphere inside. Rally, who had been keeping watch outside, fell into step beside them.
"Well?" he asked, his canine ears perked with curiosity.
Rei held up the key card triumphantly. "Mission accomplished. Let's go check out our new ride."
They made their way through the winding streets of the HUB, following the coordinates on the chip. As they walked, Luna leaned in close to her sister.
"That was some quick thinking back there," she whispered. "I thought for sure we'd have to fight our way out."
Rei shrugged, a hint of unease coloring her voice. "Sometimes brains beat brawn. Besides, Snow and Flake seemed to have it under control."
Luna's eyes narrowed. "You okay with that? Using... those kinds of tactics?"
Rei was saved from answering as they rounded a corner and came face to face with their prize. Chico's air car gleamed under the streetlights, its sleek lines and chrome accents a testament to innovative engineering.
"Whoa," Rally breathed, circling the vehicle with an appreciative eye. "This baby's got some serious modifications. Turbo thrusters, anti-grav stabilizers... Chico wasn't kidding about her capabilities. I bet this thing could beat our Thunderbolt.”
Flake ran a hand along the car's smooth surface. "Think it'll be enough to win the race?"
"It better be," Rei muttered, inserting the key card into the car's access port. With a soft hum, the vehicle came to life, holographic displays flickering to life across its interior.
As the group piled in, Rei couldn't shake the gnawing anxiety in her gut. Tomorrow night's race would determine everything - their shot at finding the Acolyte, their chance to save Moreau City, maybe even their very survival.
She gripped the controls, feeling the air car's power thrumming through her enhanced body. "Alright, team. Let's take her for a spin and see what she can do."
The engine roared to life, and they shot into the neon-lit sky of Moreau City. As buildings blurred past and the wind whipped through her hair, Rei allowed herself a small smile. For just a moment, she could forget the weight of their mission and lose herself in the sheer exhilaration of flight.
But reality crashed back as Luna's voice crackled over the comms. "Don't forget, sis. We've got a big day tomorrow. Better not wreck this thing before the real race."
Rei's grip tightened on the controls. "Roger that. Just getting a feel for her. We'll head back to base soon."
As they soared over the glittering expanse of Moreau City, Rei couldn't help but wonder what challenges tomorrow would bring. The race, the information they desperately needed, the ever-present threat of the Acolyte and his virus... It was all coming to a head.
She glanced at her teammates, each lost in their own thoughts. Luna, her constant companion and other half. Rally, the gruff but loyal bounty hunter who'd stolen her heart. Snow and Flake, dangerous allies with their own agenda. And somewhere down there, Hiro, working tirelessly to support them from afar.
They were an unlikely group, thrown together by circumstance and desperation. But as Rei guided the air car through a series of complex maneuvers, testing its limits, she realized something important. They might be a ragtag bunch, but they were all she had. And together, just maybe, they stood a chance of saving this crazy, messed-up city they called home.
*****
The following evening, tension crackled through the air like static electricity as Rei and her team made final preparations for the race. They had gathered in an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city, converted into a makeshift base of operations.
Hiro's voice crackled over their comms, tinny but urgent. "Alright, team. I've got the lowdown on the race route. It's not gonna be pretty."
A holographic map flickered to life in the center of the room, outlining a treacherous course that wound through some of the most dangerous parts of Moreau City.
"They're really not pulling any punches, are they?" Luna muttered, studying the glowing path with a frown.
Rally growled low in his throat, his canine instincts on high alert. "This isn't just a race. It's a death trap."
"Good thing we've got the best pilot in the city," Flake purred, shooting Rei an appraising look.
Rei felt the weight of their expectations settle on her shoulders like a physical burden. She squared her jaw, pushing down the flutter of nerves in her stomach. "We don't have a choice. That rat hybrid's intel is our only lead on the Acolyte."
Snow nodded, her white fur gleaming under the harsh warehouse lights. "Then we better make sure we win."
As the others continued to discuss strategy, Rei slipped away to the far corner of the warehouse where Chico's air car waited. She ran her hand along its smooth surface, feeling the thrum of raw power beneath the metal skin.
"Hey."
Rei turned to find Rally approaching, his expression uncharacteristically soft.
"You okay?" he asked, coming to stand beside her.
Rei forced a smile. "Just peachy. You know me, I live for this kind of pressure."
Rally's ears twitched, picking up on the tension in her voice. "You don't have to put on a brave face for me, you know. It's okay to be scared."
For a moment, Rei considered brushing off his concern. But something in Rally's warm brown eyes broke through her defenses.
"What if I'm not good enough?" she whispered, voicing the fear that had been gnawing at her since they'd hatched this crazy plan. "What if I mess up and we lose our only chance to stop the Acolyte?"
Rally's brawny arms encircled her, pulling her close. Rei allowed herself to lean into his warmth, drawing comfort from his solid presence.
"You're the most talented, stubborn, infuriating woman I've ever met," Rally rumbled, his voice a soothing growl against her ear. "If anyone can pull this off, it's you."
Rei pulled back slightly, a ghost of a smile tugging at her lips. "Infuriating, huh?"
"Among other things," Rally grinned, then sobered. "But seriously, Rei. You've got this. And we've got your back. All of us."
She nodded, feeling some of the tension drain from her body. "Thanks, Rally. I needed that."
"Anytime, kitten," he replied, pressing a quick kiss to her forehead before stepping back. "Now let's go show these punks how real bounty hunters race."
As they rejoined the group, Luna caught Rei's eye with a knowing look. Rei gave her sister a small nod, silently communicating that she was ready.
"Alright, team," Rei announced, her voice steady and determined. "Let's go over the plan one more time."
They huddled around the holographic map as Hiro's voice guided them through the intricacies of the course. Rei committed every twist and turn to memory, her enhanced mind cataloging potential shortcuts and danger zones.
"Remember," Snow interjected, her ice-blue eyes intense, "this isn't just about winning. We need to keep an eye out for any of the Acolyte's goons. They might try to sabotage the race."
Flake nodded in agreement. "And watch your backs. Just because we're working together doesn't mean the other racers won't try to take us out."
"Charming bunch," Luna muttered, but her claws were already extending, ready for a fight.
As the hour of the race drew near, the warehouse buzzed with nervous energy. Rei did one last check of the air car's systems while the others armed themselves with an assortment of weapons and gadgets.
"Hey, Hiro," Rei called over the comms. "You got eyes on the start line yet?"
"Affirmative," came the reply. "Looks like a real rogues' gallery out there. Cyborg street racers, gene-spliced speed junkies... even spotted a few black market military prototypes."
Rei's stomach clenched, but she forced her voice to remain steady. "Nothing we can't handle, right?"
"You know it, boss," Hiro chirped, his optimism a balm to her frayed nerves. "Just remember, I'll be monitoring the whole thing from here. If anything goes sideways, I'll bail you out."
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that," Rei murmured.
With one final deep breath, she turned to face her team. "Alright, people. This is it. We've got one shot at this, so let's make it count."
They piled into the air car, with Rei taking the pilot's seat and Luna beside her as co-pilot. Rally, Snow, and Flake squeezed into the back, weapons at the ready.
As the warehouse doors creaked open, revealing the neon-drenched cityscape beyond, Rei felt a familiar rush of adrenaline course through her veins. This was what she lived for - the thrill of the hunt, the razor's edge between victory and disaster.
She gunned the engine, feeling the air car lift off with a satisfying hum. "Alright, team. Let's show these amateurs how it's done."
They shot out into the night, leaving the relative safety of their hideout behind. As they wove through the towering skyscrapers towards the starting line, Rei allowed herself one last moment of doubt.
Was she really ready for this? Could she pull off the impossible and win this insane race?
*****
The neon-drenched streets of lower Moreau City blurred past as Rei and Luna weaved through the congested traffic. Chico's sleek air car hummed beneath them, its polished chrome exterior reflecting the kaleidoscope of lights that bathed the city's underbelly. Rei's grip tightened on the steering wheel, her cat-like reflexes allowing her to navigate the chaotic streets with precision.
"You sure you remember how to drive this thing?" Luna teased, her blue hair whipping in the wind as she leaned out the passenger window.
Rei's lips curled into a smirk. "Please. It's just like dancing - all about rhythm and timing."
They descended deeper into the bowels of Moreau City, leaving behind the glittering skyscrapers and entering a maze of dilapidated buildings and flickering holograms. The air grew thick with smog and the acrid scent of burning chemicals.
As they approached the starting line near the Helix Corp factory building, Rei's enhanced hearing picked up the thunderous roar of souped-up engines. A motley crew of racers had gathered - everything from slick corporate types to rough-and-tumble street punks. Each vehicle was a unique monstrosity of welded metal and pulsing neon, more weapon than transportation.
Rei maneuvered Chico's air car into formation with the others. The vehicle purred softly, a stark contrast to the growling beasts that surrounded them. Luna fidgeted in her seat, her tail twitching with nervous energy.
"You see, the rat?" Rei murmured, scanning the crowd.
Luna's keen eyes swept over the assembled spectators. "There," she hissed, nodding towards a hunched figure in a tattered coat.
The rat hybrid skulked at the edge of the gathering, his beady eyes darting nervously. As he caught sight of Rei and Luna, a yellowed grin spread across his pointed face. He scurried over to their vehicle, keeping low to avoid drawing attention.
"Well, well," he squeaked, his whiskers twitching. "You made it. Hope you're ready for a real race, not just prancing around on stage."
Rei's ears flattened against her head, but she forced a smile. "We're ready. Just make sure you hold up your end of the bargain."
The rat's grin widened, revealing rows of sharp teeth. "Oh, I always pay my debts. IF you win, that is." He glanced over his shoulder, then leaned in close. "Word of advice - watch out for the red air car. Driver's got a nasty habit of... eliminating the competition."
Before Rei could respond, Vinny darted away, melting into the shadows. Luna shot her sister a worried look. "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea."
Rei's jaw clenched. "Too late to back out now. We need that information."
A hush fell over the crowd as a lithe figure sauntered onto a makeshift stage. The purple cat girl's fur seemed to shimmer under the harsh neon lights, her tight-fitting outfit leaving little to the imagination. She raised a checkered flag high above her head, her voice cutting through the night air.
"Racers! You know the rules - which means there are no rules!" A cheer went up from the crowd. "First one across the finish line wins. Everyone else... well, let's hope you've got good insurance." She winked, eliciting another round of raucous laughter.
Rei's hands tightened on the wheel, her heartbeat quickening. She could feel the familiar rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins - the same thrill she got before stepping on stage. But this time, the stakes were far higher than a missed note or a flubbed dance move.
The cat girl's tail swished back and forth, building the tension. "On your marks..."
Engines revved to life, a cacophony of mechanical growls and whines.
"Get set..."
Rei's foot hovered over the accelerator, every muscle in her body coiled and ready to spring.
"GO!"
The checkered flag dropped, and chaos erupted. Air cars lurched forward in a screaming mass of metal and exhaust. Rei slammed on the accelerator, and Chico's air car shot forward like a bullet.
A storm of vehicles immediately engulfed them, jostling for position. Luna yelped as a hulking truck sideswiped them, leaving a streak of paint along their door.
"Watch it!" she hissed, her claws digging into the seat.
Rei gritted her teeth, focusing on threading their way through the pack. The race course wound its way through the abandoned industrial sector, a treacherous maze of rusty factories and crumbling overpasses.
As they rounded the first turn, Rei caught sight of the red air car the rat had warned them about. It was a monstrous thing, covered in spikes and adorned with what looked suspiciously like blood stains. The driver, a burly cyborg with glowing red eyes, leered at them as he pulled alongside.
"Incoming!" Luna shouted as the red car swerved towards them.
Rei reacted on instinct, dropping back just as the cyborg's vehicle slammed into the space they had occupied. The move cost them several positions, but kept them in the race.
"We can't keep playing defense," Rei growled, pushing the accelerator to the floor. Chico's air car responded beautifully, surging forward with a burst of speed.
They weaved through the pack, Luna calling out obstacles and openings. Rei pushed her enhanced reflexes to the limit as she navigated the treacherous course. They ducked under low-hanging pipes, squeezed through gaps barely wider than their vehicle, and skimmed over pools of toxic waste that hissed and bubbled ominously.
As they entered the last stretch, Rei found herself neck and neck with the red car once again. The cyborg driver snarled, revealing a mouthful of serrated metal teeth. He slammed his vehicle into theirs; the impact sending shudders through the frame.
"He's trying to force us into the wall!" Luna cried, bracing herself against the dashboard.
Rei's mind raced, searching for a way out. Then she spotted it - a narrow ramp leading to an elevated highway. It was a risky move, but their only chance.
"Hold on!" she shouted, cranking the wheel hard.
Chico's air car veered sharply, tires screeching as they hit the ramp at breakneck speed. For a heart-stopping moment, they were airborne; the ground falling away beneath them. Luna's scream mingled with the howl of the wind.
They hit the elevated highway with a bone-jarring thud, the suspension groaning in protest. But they were still moving, and more importantly, they were ahead of the red car.
The finish line loomed ahead, a shimmering holographic banner stretched across the road. Rei pushed the air car to its limits, the engine whining as they rocketed towards victory.
A shadow fell over them as the red car appeared, having taken a different route to catch up. The cyborg driver leaned out his window, a wicked-looking cannon extending from his arm.
"Luna, countermeasures!" Rei yelled.
Her sister fumbled with the control panel, frantically searching for the right button. "Which one?"
"The red one!"
Luna slammed her palm down on a glowing red button. For a terrifying second, nothing happened. Then a cloud of thick, black smoke erupted from the rear of their vehicle, engulfing the red car.
The cyborg's aim went wide, his energy blast harmlessly dissipating into the night sky. Blinded by the smoke, he veered off course, crashing through the guardrail in a shower of sparks and twisted metal.
Rei and Luna burst through the holographic finish line, Chico's air car groaning and sputtering as it finally gave out. They skidded to a stop amidst a cacophony of cheers and angry shouts from the crowd.
For a moment, the sisters sat in stunned silence, their ragged breathing the only sound in the cabin. Then Luna let out a whoop of joy, throwing her arms around Rei.
"We did it! We actually did it!"
Rei allowed herself a small smile, the tension slowly draining from her body. "Yeah, we did. Now let's hope it was worth it."
They clambered out of the battered air car, wincing at the many dents and scrapes that marred its once-pristine surface. "Chico's going to kill us," Luna muttered.
Before Rei could respond, the crowd swarmed them. Rough hands clapped them on the back, voices raised in a mixture of congratulations and curses. Through the press of bodies, Rei caught sight of a familiar pointed snout.
The rat hybrid materialized at their side, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of admiration and calculation. "Well, well," he chuckled, "looks like the pop stars have some real skills after all. Come on, let's talk somewhere a bit more... private."
He led them away from the crowd, ducking into a grimy alley lit by flickering holo-ads. Once they were out of earshot, the rat's demeanor changed, becoming all business.
"Alright, a deal's a deal. What do you want to know about the Acolyte?"
Rei and Luna exchanged a glance. This was it - the moment they'd risked everything for.
"We need to know where to find him," Rei said, her voice low and intense. "And how to stop him."
The rat's whiskers twitched nervously. "Finding him? That's the easy part. Stopping him?" He let out a harsh laugh. "You'd have better luck trying to put out a fusion reactor with a water pistol."
Luna's tail lashed in frustration. "Just tell us what you know."
Vinny held up his paws placatingly. "Alright, alright. There's a scientist, used to work for one of the big corps. Folks called him Dr. Splicer, for his… unethical methods. Word is, he helped design the bio-bomb tech the Acolyte used. If anyone knows how to stop it, it'd be him."
Rei leaned in, her ears perked forward. "Where can we find this scientist?"
The rat's eyes darted around, as if checking for eavesdroppers. "He's holed up in the old junkyard on the outskirts of the city. Runs some kind of underground fighting ring for genetically modified creatures."
Luna's brow furrowed. "A fighting ring? What does that have to do with the bio-bomb?"
Vinny shrugged. "Beats me. But I hear he's always looking for new blood in the ring. Might be your best bet for getting close to him."
Rei nodded slowly, her mind already racing with possibilities. "Thank you. This information could save a lot of lives."
Vinny waved a dismissive paw. "Yeah, yeah. Just remember - you didn't hear any of this from me. The Acolyte's got eyes and ears everywhere. And trust me, you don't want to end up on his bad side."
With that ominous warning, the rat scurried away, disappearing into the shadows as quickly as he had appeared.
Rei and Luna stood in silence for a moment, processing the information they'd received. The distant sounds of the race crowd celebrating drifted to them on the polluted air.
"So," Luna said finally, "I guess we're going to a junkyard."
Rei nodded grimly. "Looks like it. But first, we need to get back to the others. And figure out how we're going to explain the state of Chico's car to him."
As they made their way back to where they'd left Rally, Snow, and Flake, Rei couldn't shake a growing sense of unease. They were getting closer to the Acolyte, but every step forward seemed to plunge them deeper into a world of danger and moral ambiguity.