The trio, Lanor, Mentos, and Hao were together in an adjoining complex to Vicky's warehouse. The place was a peculiar blend of squalor and decency, a result of the harsh reality of life in the Wranglers District. The walls were stained with years of grime, yet there was a certain charm to the worn-out furniture and the faded rugs that adorned the floor. An open refrigerator was in the corner, its door revealing a few items within: a half-empty bottle of milk, a couple of apples, and a box of leftover pizza.

Around a rickety table, the trio was engaged in a hearty meal. Hao, who hadn't eaten for three days, was attacking his food with a ferocity that would put a starved beast to shame. His hands moved like a blur, shovelling food into his mouth with a slightly terrifying intensity.

"Slow down mate, you're eating more than I am," Mentos commented while his own mouth was full of food. He watched Hao with wide eyes. It was a sight to behold, the usually composed Hao reduced to a ravenous eater.

"So barbaric," Lanor added, staring at the mess on Hao's face. She shook her head in mock disapproval. It was a rare sight, seeing Hao let his guard down, and she found herself cherishing the moment.

During their afternoon repast, Hao turned to Lanor with a more serious expression. "When is Vicky coming back? I’ve been meaning to ask her about something important."

Her eyes flicked to the sword leaning against the table, its presence was a silent reminder of their shared mission. "That sword I presume?" she asked, gesturing towards Judgment Day.

Hao didn't respond, he kept his attention solely on his meal. He was using Wheelz to eat his slum burger with surprising ease. The mechanical arm moved with an almost human fluidity; precise and controlled.

Lanor got fed up with being ignored, "Fine, don't say anything, but mum won't be coming back until she finishes her business. I know things too you know, so I might have the answer to your question."

“Nah, I’ll wait until Vicky gets back.” The question that was sitting atop Hao’s head was the mindboggling hack that Vicky installed into Judgment Day which disabled its Bio Esp functionality. If he hope to unsheathe this ancient sharpness of destruction then figuring out how to use Bio Esp was a crucial prerequisite.

Hao was impatient. He wanted answers, and he wanted them now. Additionally, his mind ran on Vibe Edge, the familiar weight of it in his hand, the way it vibrated in sync with his heartbeat. "I miss my Vibe Edge," he admitted out loud to the group.

"Your mum must be done with the repairs by now, right?" Mentos inquired.

Portraying a thoughtful expression, Hao responded, "She should be. I mean, it's been a while since we last saw it. If those Imperial Hounds didn’t intervene when they did, it would be in my hands by now."

“Well, there is nothing we can do about that. What’s done is done, Vee.” Licking his fingers, Mentos added, “We should be thinking of a way to get back into the city without landing on those hounds' radar.”

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

“I reckon they will mostly be sniffing me out and not you, Mentos.” Hao was spot-on with his conjecture. “And if that is the case, then maybe you might be able to slip into Sphero’s Inc and contact my mother.”

“Oh, I don’t know about that part, Vee.” Mentos sighed while shaking his head. “The last time I ran into your mother, my blood vessels almost popped. That gaze of hers was just too damn sharp. I don’t want to become chopped liver, facing her again.”

“You’re over-exaggerating,” stated Hao, licking the grease from his lips. “Mum would be relieved to know that I’m fine and not dead in a dumpster somewhere.”

“Hmm…?” Looking between the two mates, Lanor couldn’t paint the full picture of what they were talking about, but she felt left out and decided to join the conversation. “If you want to contact your mum, you can use my Sword Link. I don’t mind.” She pushed forth the hilt of her Rapier.

“No that won’t be necessary.” Hao declined her offer and explained, “Those Imperial Hounds are probably monitoring all of mum’s transmission, hoping that I might contact her.”

“Then what do you suggest?” Mentos asked curiously.

“The best method would be to send someone in who my mum is familiar with and who the Imperial Hounds won’t suspect.”

“And who might that be?” Seconds after he uttered these words, a familiar image flashed in Mentos’s mind. He and Hao said simultaneously: “Ciara.”

“Right, she’s the perfect fit.” Added Hao “She’s been to one of my mum’s workshops before and she left quite the impression. If we can get into contact with Ciara, she will be more than willing to help me retrieve Vibe Edge.”

‘Ciara…?’ Lanor thought about the identity of this mysterious person as she listened to the conversation.

Mentos posed a question to Hao, “What makes you so sure that she would be willing to put herself in harm’s way to get a sword for you?” Furrowing his brows in suspicion, he continued, “Have you already sheathed your sword in her scabbard and didn’t share the juicy tale with me?” He bumped Hao’s shoulder for good measure while showing off an implicit wink.

Hao looked miffed, “Tsk, I warned you to get those smutty concepts out of your damn mind.”

“Why aren’t you denying it? Does that mean that you two actually smashed?” Mentos covered his mouth in shock while scanning Hao’s features, “Oh my God, you dirty boy. You actually dip your chip into her hot sauce.” He smiled broadly.

“Enough jokes!” BOOM! Hao slammed Wheelz on the table which, to his surprise, the table shattered.

“What the hell, Hao! I liked this table!” Rising to her feet, Lanor yelled at Hao for destroying her property.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to. This arm just… I lost control.” Hao apologized while motioning Wheelz towards Lanor.

“Get that arm away from me!” She didn’t want to end up shattering like the table.

“Damn, what a waste of delicious food.” Mentos sighed, looking at the food on the floor while brushing off sauce from his pants. “Well, I reckon that’s it for lunchtime. I’m going outside to digest my food.”

“I’m coming with you.” Said Hao following Mentos towards the exit.

“Not so fast you two!” Lanor ran ahead and block their path, staring at them with her pernicious eyes. “Neither of you is leaving here until that mess is cleaned up!” She pointed at the dirty floor.

Mentos complained, “Hey, why am I being stopped? I didn’t cause that mess. It’s all on him.” He glanced at Hao.

“I don’t give a damn! Both of you go and clean it up!” She threatened them with her sword.

“Alright, alright, chill lady.” Lifting his hands in a defensive posture, Mentos backed away from the door and scooted closer to the messy floor. “Where do you keep the tissues…?”

“Over there.” She directed him to a roll of napkins. When Mentos came back with it, he and Hao got to work on the floor, picking up the pieces of wood and setting them aside.

“How cruel of you, having a blind bloke wipe your damn floor.” Despite his complaints, Hao still rectified the mess he had caused.

“Hey, you missed a spot.” Lanor was strict to the bone.