The Sugar Rush cruises down the imperial highway to Cairo, no longer blacklisted by the Caliphate. They make haste to save the Princess again. Austin, restless at the idea that he allowed Nobuko to be kidnapped, paces around his room. Sugar appears, finding him in distress.

"What if... no, they’ll sink us. How about... they’ll outlaw us?" Austin mutters, his mind racing with worries.

Sugar interrupts, "Don’t worry, Austin. I’m sure we’ll find a way."

But Austin is not easily reassured. "Easy to say but hard to do. What’s our ETA? We're still six hours away," he moans. "Can’t we go cross-country, get us there faster?"

Sugar explains, "We just came off the blacklist. It will look suspicious if they catch a known nomad smuggler off the highways. We can’t risk going into the Mediterranean Basin; it's filled with sea monsters."

"Ugh!" Austin groans, kicking a bucket across the room in frustration.

Milson drops down from the ceiling duct, prompting Sugar to tease, "You spying on us?" Milson cowers, running behind Austin.

Boyle follows, dropping down from the duct after Milson. Austin questions, "And you too?"

"I'm sorry; I can’t sleep ever," Boyle confesses, looking at his feet. "I was a little hard on the princess, but hearing what happened to her..." Boyle tears up.

Austin's tone softens, "Hey, hey, it's going to be okay. I’ve got an idea. What if we disguise ourselves?"

Sugar questions, "The Palace Guards are all known as Nubian elite; you will stick out."

“I’ll need to find me a palace guard armour,” Austin excitedly proclaims.

“Austin, you're ginger; that's a giveaway,” Boyle had a faint smile, wiping away a tear.

"Well, we will work something out. Once we locate the princess, I’ll have a better idea," Austin declares.

With a ping, Sugar announced, "I've just boiled the kettle. Tea for Austin, warm milk for a cheeky monkey, and hot chocolate for you, Boyle. Grab it and head to bed. We'll figure this out in the morning when we arrive in Cairo."

The next morning, as the crew approaches Cairo, they are greeted by a mesmerising sight. The city seamlessly blends modern architecture with an ancient Egyptian theme, showcasing a determined effort to preserve the landmarks and monuments lost during the great flood. The inhabitants of Cairo cosplay as ancient Egyptians, striving to recreate what was once lost.

Docking at the private port granted by Emir Reyhad, they bypassed border control, allowing us to discreetly enter the main bubble. The bustling city enveloped us in its unique ambiance, streets adorned with replicas of grand pyramids and towering obelisks.

With no time to waste, Sugar tapped into the local communication networks, however struggling with hacking into palace systems, Sugar furrowed her brows, eyes locked onto the holographic interface projected from her wrist-comm. Lines of code raced across the display, and her fingers danced across the virtual keyboard with practised precision. The palace systems were proving to be a formidable adversary, their virtual defences a labyrinth of firewalls and encryption protocols.

Austin, pacing anxiously, couldn't help but voice his concern. "Sugar, how's it going? We need those palace schematics."

Sugar's gaze remained fixed on the interface, her brow now dotted with sweat. "It's not as easy as I thought, Austin. The Caliphate has upgraded their security protocols since our last run-in. This isn't a simple data grab; it's a digital fortress."

The ambient hum of the Sugar Rush's engines seemed to echo the tension in the room. Milson, peeking over Sugar's shoulder, scratched his head, clearly out of his depth in the realm of hacking.

Boyle, leaning against a console, added, "We can't afford any hiccups, Sugar. The princess's life is on the line."

Sugar nodded, her fingers never ceasing their intricate dance. "I know, Boyle. But the palace systems are adaptive. They're detecting my intrusion attempts and reinforcing their defences in real-time."

As the seconds ticked away, Sugar's frustration became palpable. Lines of code turned from green to red, indicating unsuccessful penetration attempts.

Austin, unable to contain his restlessness, stopped pacing and leaned in closer. "Sugar, we can't linger here. If you can't crack it, we might need to consider an alternative approach."

Sugar shot him a determined look. "I'm not giving up, Austin. But breaking through this wall will take time. And time is a luxury we might not have."

Austin speaks up “could you not initiate a low-level disturbance to draw the palace's cybersecurity focus away from the mainframe."

Boyle raised an eyebrow, "A diversion, huh?"

Sugar nodded, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "It might buy me the window I need, ready for a virus bomb.” Sugar grinned, a mischievous spark in her eyes. A little commotion on the outskirts of the palace ground might be just the distraction I need."

Boyle smirked, "I like it. Let's show the Caliphate we can play their game."

Sugar resumed her hack with renewed determination. The virus signal echoed across the cybernet, creating a ripple of concern among the Caliphate authorities. Although the virus aided Sugar in her attempt she still struggled accessing the palaces network.

Boyle and Austin kept a low profile, concealing themselves in the servant quarters of the city. Their strategy involved gathering information by eavesdropping on conversations, observing the routines of the guards and slaves, and bribing the right people.

Milson, not one to be left out, focused on finding a less guarded or overlooked entry point into the palace. He scoured the surroundings for options such as ventilation shafts, maintenance hatches, or secluded servant entrances and identified any vulnerabilities in the palace's security.

Austin and Boyle arrive at a bar, in the deepest part of the city, Welcome to trash town. The smell of waste and foul was overpowering, Boyle was green to the gills, Austin even coneplaced using his mask. The AMC has abandoned this place to the low lifes.

Austin with a grunt, to not waste a breath, “This is it, we’ll find Shadow Serpent Syndicate”

Boyle, holding back for vomiting “Lets just hurry up”

Sugar was in there ear, “Be care, they’re nothing more than thieves and kills”

Entering the Den of Vipers, the place stop, clearly eying up the two outsides, boyle muttered “I think we’re in the wrong place”

Austin places a reassuring hand on his shoulder “They are more scared of us than you of them” as he surveys the dimly lit bar was shrouded in a thick haze, a mix of cigarette smoke and the pungent odour of the surrounding trash town. The flickering neon lights barely illuminated the worn-out furniture and the rough faces of the patrons.

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Boyle, still battling nausea, eyed the patrons with suspicion, his hand nervously gripping the hilt of his concealed weapon. Austin, seemingly unfazed, moved through the crowd with purpose, his eyes scanning for any signs of the elusive Shadow Serpent Syndicate.

The air was thick with tension as Austin and Boyle made their way further into the den. Conversations hushed, and eyes followed their every move.

As they approached the darker recesses of the bar, Austin whispered to Boyle, "Keep your wits about you. We might be surrounded by lowlifes, but that doesn't mean they're not dangerous."

Boyle nodded, trying to push past the overwhelming stench and maintain his composure.

Approaching the barkeeper, Austin askes “Am looking for information”

Barkeeper wipes down the counter, “your in trash town, pick a pile and start digging”

Austin smirks, “with my nails, I prefer to pay for dirt”, sliding a dozen credits on the counter.

Barkeep, “who do you want? Or are do you just want to find the way to the bathroom”

Austin leans in, “Am told Shadow Serpent’s known palace business, point me in there direction?”

Out of nowhere, a giant of a man, scarred and disfigured approach, placing his hands on Boyle's shoulders, “Boss man, how much for the boy?”

Leaping out his skin, Boyle cowards behind Austin, pulling out his concealed weapon, Pulsar pistol.

“Hey creep! We’ve got business here, move along” Austin holds Boyle behind him as he stares the giant down.

“Am not asking, I could make a lot of money hosting a smooth skin like him, name a price before I take him!” The giant grunts

“Last chance, leave it, or lose it” Austin fist clenched.

“Boys, get them, I’ll match whatever you rob of him”

Tense silence as the giant's threat hung in the air. The rough patrons exchanged knowing glances, and a few began to inch toward Austin and Boyle. Austin, unfazed, maintained a steely gaze, ready for whatever may unfold.

Boyle, still recovering from the initial shock, tightened his grip on the Pulsar pistol, his eyes darting nervously between the approaching crowd and the imposing figure before them.

The barkeeper, sensing the escalating tension, nervously wiped the counter with a rag, eyes darting between the trio. Austin's voice cut through the silence like a blade, "You're making a big mistake, friend. Walk away now, and we can all forget this ever happened."

The giant, a sinister grin on his scarred face, gestured to his accomplices, and the tension snapped. The bar erupted into chaos as the patrons lunged towards Austin and Boyle.

Austin, quick on his feet, grabbed Boyle and ducked behind the bar for cover. The Pulsar pistol hummed to life, sending pulses of energy into the approaching assailants. Boyle, though still queasy, demonstrated impressive marksmanship, fending off the immediate threat.

Austin, firing calculated shots, managed to create a temporary barrier between them and the aggressors. The giant, now angered, roared commands to his companions. It became evident that this was more than a mere shakedown for money; they had stumbled upon something bigger.

As the scuffle intensified, Austin shot a glance at Boyle, "We need to end this quickly before it attracts unwanted attention.”

Boyle Radios “Sugar, any intel on the Shadow Serpent Syndicate yet?"

Sugar's response was drowned out by the chaos, but Austin didn't wait for confirmation. With calculated precision, he directed Boyle to cover while he moved towards the giant, aiming to neutralise the source of the aggression and send a clear message.

Austin's movements were swift and strategic as he closed the distance to the giant, avoiding the swings of other attackers.

The giant, despite Austin's agility, proved to be an overwhelming force. In the midst of the brawl, the sheer size and strength of their opponent began to take its toll. Austin dodged and weaved, but the giant's relentless attacks started to connect. Each blow felt like a sledgehammer, and Austin struggled to maintain his footing.

Boyle, still providing cover fire, found himself increasingly outnumbered as more thugs joined the fray. The Pulsar pistol's energy blasts managed to keep some at bay, but it was clear they were in over their heads.

With a powerful swing, the giant landed a brutal blow on Austin, sending him crashing into a nearby table. The wooden surface splintered on impact, and Austin grimaced in pain. Blood trickled from a cut on his forehead as he struggled to rise.

The giant, fueled by his apparent victory, advanced menacingly. Austin, battered and on the defensive, realised he needed to change the tide of the fight. In a swift motion, he activated his helmet, nanobot faceplate.

As the giant swung his massive fist toward Austin. The giant's fist crashed against the protective shield, and the force of the impact echoed through the bar. Surprised by the unexpected resistance, the giant recoiled, clutching his injured hand. Austin, seizing the opportunity, shifted from defence to offence.

With a calculated strike, Austin delivered a powerful blow to the giant's midsection. The giant staggered backward, temporarily disoriented by the unexpected turn of events.

Boyle, witnessing the sudden shift, took advantage of the opening. His Pulsar pistol unleashed a series of precise energy blasts, targeting the giant and the surrounding assailants. The bar erupted in chaos as the attackers struggled to regroup.

Austin uses the lull to grab a nearby table leg, Just as it seemed Austin and Boyle were gaining the upper hand, the entrance to the bar burst open. Several operatives of the Shadow Serpent Syndicate, clad in dark attire and exuding an air of danger, stormed into the bar.

Austin, his fists still clenched on the table leg and ready for the next move, shot a wary glance at the approaching operatives. Boyle, with the Pulsar pistol trained on the intruders, braced for whatever might come next.

The leader of the Shadow Serpent Syndicate group, cut a cunning silhouette, with a serpent-shaped tattoo on his neck, stepped forward. His gaze shifted between Austin, Boyle, and the fallen giant. A sinister smile played on his lips as he spoke, "Well, well, what do we have here? A couple of pests causing a ruckus in our favourite watering hole."

Austin, catching his breath, retorted, "We were just passing through. Didn't expect such a warm welcome."

The gangsters chuckled, surveying the room, "You've got spunk, I'll give you that. But this is our territory. Trash Town belongs to the Shadow Serpent Syndicate. What brings you here?"

Before Austin could respond, Boyle interjected, "We're just looking for information. We don't want trouble."

The gangster smile widened, "Information, you say? Well, you've certainly caught our attention. Let's take this outside, away from the prying eyes of Trash Town. We have matters to discuss."

As the gang escorted Austin and Boyle out of the bar, leaving the chaos behind, and took them to The Shadow Serpent Syndicate hideout.

Inside the Shadow Serpent Syndicate's hideout, a dimly lit and clandestine space adorned with stolen treasures, the gang leader took a seat on a throne made from repurposed ship parts. His eyes glinted with a mix of curiosity and amusement as he observed Austin and Boyle. “Omar, we have the interrupters, '' our escort introduced us.

"So, strangers, what business do you have in Cairo?" Omar inquired, his tone a blend of menace and intrigue.

Austin, leaning on the table leg he still held, responded cautiously, "I am Captain Austin of the Nomad vessel, the Sugar Rush, and we're on a mission. Looking for someone. We heard the Shadow Serpent Syndicate might have information we need."

Omar’s sinister smile deepened, "Information comes at a price, my friend. What can you offer in return?"

Boyle, glancing nervously around the room, spoke up, "We're not here to cause trouble. We just need intel. We're willing to pay for it."

Omar's eyes flickered with interest. "Payment is always welcome, but we're not in the charity business. What exactly are you looking for, and what are you willing to trade?"

Austin, sensing an opportunity, leaned in, "We're looking for a kidnapped princess. The Caliphate's royal blood. You help us find her, and we can make it worth your while."

Omars leaned back in his makeshift throne, contemplating the proposal. The room fell into a tense silence as the Shadow Serpent Syndicate operatives watched their leader's response.

After a moment, the gang leader smirked, "A princess, you say? That's not your usual Trash Town fare. Very well, we might have some leads. But it won't come cheap. We want credits, valuable tech, and a guarantee of protection from the Caliphate if things go south."

Austin, exchanging glances with Boyle, nodded, "We can work with that. Just lead us to her, and you'll get what you want."

Omar stood up, a malicious glint in his eyes. "Good. We have an understanding," he said with a sly smile. He leaned in, whispering, "Prince Yusuf, the very man holding your princess captive, is planning a grand gladiatorial games to celebrate his engagement to her. During the event, she'll be in public for the first time showing as a trophy, making a move here will be the opportune moment to rescue her."

Austin's eyes narrowed, absorbing the information. Omar continued, "It won't be easy. It will nearly be as heavily guarded as the palace, and Prince Yusuf is not one to underestimate. But if you're willing to pay the price we agreed upon, we can provide you with the necessary details to get in and out."

Boyle, exchanging glances with Austin, nodded in agreement. "We'll pay what's owed, but we need solid intel on the gladiatorial arena layout, guard schedules, and any weaknesses we can exploit."

Omar smirked, "You'll get what you need, but remember, crossing Prince Yusuf comes at a cost. The Caliphate won't be pleased if you disrupt their prince's engagement celebration."

Austin clenched his fists, determination burning in his eyes. "We're not afraid of the Caliphate. We're doing what's right."

Omar chuckled, "Right or wrong, it matters little in Trash Town. The only thing that counts is surviving another day. Now, follow us. We'll take you to the edge of Cairo's secrets, and from there, it's up to you."