The sun crept over the jagged peaks, casting pale light on the valley as the rebels prepared to move out. Snow crunched underfoot as boots, wheels, and sledges moved supplies into formation. This wasn’t just another raid—this was a gamble.

At the head of the group stood Juri Winkler, his sharp blue eyes scanning the gathered rebels. Clad in his thick coat and reinforced boots, he exuded a calm determination that belied the tension crackling through the camp. Behind him, the first wave of Adaptive Drones—sleek machines that scuttled like spiders on articulated legs—moved in formation, their sensors glinting in the light.

“This mission is a risk,” Juri began, his voice carrying over the sound of preparation. “But it’s a necessary one. The materials we need to fight the nobles are buried out there, and no one else is going to dig them up for us. If we succeed, we’ll have what we need to turn the tide.”

He paused, letting his words sink in. The rebels stared back at him, their faces a mix of resolve and apprehension.

“I won’t lie to you,” Juri continued. “There’s no guarantee this will work. But if you’ve come this far, you know there’s no turning back. We keep moving forward. We keep fighting. And we keep proving them wrong.”

Halrick clapped a hand on Juri’s shoulder, smirking. “Good speech, kid. Almost inspiring.”

Juri smirked faintly. “Let’s just hope it’s enough.”

The trek to the abandoned mining site was grueling. The rebels traveled in a long column, pulling sledges laden with supplies and equipment through snow that came up to their knees in some places. The wind howled through the mountains, biting at exposed skin and turning every breath into a visible puff of mist.

Kira walked beside Juri, her dark eyes scanning the ridges for any sign of movement. “This is the kind of place I’d set an ambush,” she said, her voice low.

“I know,” Juri replied. “That’s why we’re not taking the direct route.”

He pointed toward a narrow pass that cut through the cliffs, its entrance partially obscured by fallen rocks.

“It’s slower,” Juri said, “but it’ll keep us out of sight.”

Halrick grumbled as he trudged up beside them. “Slower and more dangerous. If anything happens, we’ll be boxed in.”

Juri didn’t respond immediately. His gaze remained fixed on the pass, calculating the risk. Finally, he said, “That’s why we have the drones.”

The Adaptive Drones scuttled ahead, their spindly legs moving with eerie precision as they scanned the path for traps, weak ground, or hidden threats. Juri had equipped them with sensors capable of detecting magical disturbances, ensuring that any ambushes would be spotted before the rebels walked into them.

By midday, the rebels reached a plateau overlooking the valley where the mining site was located. The old excavation camp lay below them, a cluster of derelict buildings half-buried in snow and ice. Massive drills and rusted equipment dotted the area, their frames coated with frost.

“There it is,” Garrick said, lowering his spyglass. “Doesn’t look like anyone’s been here in years.”

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“Doesn’t mean it’s safe,” Kira added, her tone cautious.

Juri knelt in the snow, pulling out one of his drones and reconfiguring its controls. The machine emitted a faint hum as it activated, its sensors glowing faintly.

“We send the drones first,” Juri said. “They’ll scan for any active magic or structural weaknesses. If the site is unstable, I want to know before we go digging.”

The rebels watched as the drones scuttled down the slope, their movements precise and deliberate. One by one, they disappeared into the abandoned camp, their faint hums fading into the distance.

Juri adjusted the controls on his handheld console, his sharp blue eyes focused on the live feed from the drones’ sensors.

“Anything?” Halrick asked.

“Not yet,” Juri replied. “But we’ll know soon enough.”

The quiet didn’t last.

As the rebels began descending into the valley, a deafening roar shattered the stillness. From the far side of the mining camp, a group of heavily armed soldiers emerged, their armor gleaming with enchanted runes. At their center was a new type of Sentinel, its frame bulkier than its predecessors and covered in layered plating. Its runes glowed with a menacing red light, and its arms ended in massive, claw-like appendages.

“Get to cover!” Juri shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos.

The soldiers opened fire, their enchanted rifles sending bursts of magical energy streaking across the camp. The rebels scattered, diving behind boulders and ruined machinery as the Sentinel advanced.

Juri ducked behind a rusted drill, his mind racing. He activated the Adaptive Drones, redirecting them to engage the enemy. The machines scuttled into the fray, their mounted Repeaters firing rapid bursts at the soldiers.

Halrick drew his sword, cutting down a soldier who had ventured too close. “You’ve got a plan for that thing, right?” he shouted, nodding toward the Sentinel.

“Working on it!” Juri snapped, his fingers flying over his handheld console.

The Sentinel roared, its claws slamming into the ground and sending a shockwave that knocked several rebels off their feet.

Juri’s mind raced as he analyzed the Sentinel’s movements. Its claws were devastating, but they made it slow and predictable. Its glowing runes pulsed in a distinct rhythm, suggesting a pattern in its magic flow.

“Halrick!” Juri shouted. “Distract it! I need time to disable its core!”

Halrick grinned grimly. “You got it, kid.”

He charged toward the Sentinel, his sword flashing as he parried a swipe from its massive claws. The machine roared, focusing its attention on him as Juri moved into position.

Meanwhile, Kira and Garrick picked off the soldiers with precision, their shots striking weak points in the enemies’ armor.

Juri reached the base of the Sentinel, his eyes locking onto a panel near its leg. He pried it open, exposing a tangle of wires and glowing runes.

“Just a little more…” he muttered, pulling out a small device from his satchel.

The Sentinel roared again, its claws slamming dangerously close to Juri. Halrick shouted a taunt, drawing its attention away just long enough for Juri to finish his work.

“Got it!” Juri shouted, slamming the device into the core.

The Sentinel shuddered, its runes flickering erratically. With a final, deafening roar, it collapsed, its massive frame crashing to the ground in a cloud of snow and debris.

With the Sentinel destroyed and the remaining soldiers retreating, the rebels regrouped in the mining camp. Juri’s drones scuttled across the site, scanning for any remaining threats while the rebels tended to the wounded.

Halrick approached Juri, his sword resting on his shoulder. “Well, that was fun. Got any more surprises for us?”

Juri smirked faintly. “Let’s hope not.”

Kira knelt beside one of the destroyed soldiers, examining their armor. “This is new,” she said, frowning. “Reinforced with magic, but lighter than what we’ve seen before. They’re adapting.”

“So are we,” Juri said, his tone resolute.

As the rebels began to explore the abandoned camp, one of the scouts called out.

“Juri! You’re going to want to see this!”

Juri followed the voice to a partially collapsed tunnel at the edge of the camp. Inside, faint glimmers of metal and crystal protruded from the walls—a motherlode of rare resources.

Juri’s sharp blue eyes lit up with excitement. “This is it,” he said, his voice almost a whisper.

“What now?” Garrick asked.

“Now,” Juri said, turning to face the rebels, “we dig.”