Artemis stirred awake, the faint hum of machinery lulling her from restless dreams. The small cot she’d collapsed onto after training was uncomfortable, but she was too exhausted to care. The air in the undercity felt thicker, weighted with the perpetual grind of gears and the distant murmur of voices.

She sat up, her body aching from the previous day’s exertions. Her mechanical limbs felt stiff, the joints sluggish as she flexed her fingers. With a sigh, she adjusted a small dial on her forearm, releasing a faint hiss of steam. The relief was immediate, the tension in her joints dissipating.

Rhea entered the room, carrying a tray with a steaming bowl of what looked like soup. Her bright smile cut through the gloom of the undercity.

“Morning,” Rhea chirped, setting the tray on a makeshift table. “Thought you could use some fuel after yesterday.”

Artemis offered a small smile. “Thanks. I’m starving.”

As she ate, Rhea perched on a nearby crate, her curiosity evident. “So, what’s the plan for today? Viola didn’t tell me much, but she seemed... focused.”

Artemis paused, considering her answer. “She mentioned strategy. Allies, too. I’m guessing it’s going to be more intense than yesterday.”

Rhea’s expression shifted, a mix of excitement and concern. “You’re really going to take on the Consortium, aren’t you?”

“I don’t think I have a choice,” Artemis replied, setting the bowl down. “If they’re hunting me, running won’t work forever. I need to face them head-on.”

Rhea nodded, her admiration clear. “Well, whatever happens, I’ve got your back.”

Before Artemis could respond, the door creaked open, and Viola stepped inside.

“Good, you’re up,” Viola said, her tone brisk. “Finish your breakfast. We’ve got work to do.”

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They gathered in a hidden chamber deeper within the undercity, its walls lined with maps, blueprints, and glowing terminals. Viola stood at the center, a holographic projection of Eidolon flickering in the air before her.

“This,” Viola began, gesturing to the map, “is the Consortium’s primary hub in the city. If we’re going to take them on, this is where it starts.”

Artemis stepped closer, studying the projection. The hub was a sprawling fortress of steel and glass, surrounded by a labyrinth of security measures.

“It’s heavily guarded,” Viola continued. “Automated defenses, patrols, surveillance. But there’s a weakness—here.” She pointed to a section near the northern perimeter.

“A service tunnel,” Artemis said, noting the faint outline on the map.

“Exactly,” Viola confirmed. “It’s rarely used and lightly guarded, but it leads straight into the lower levels of the hub. If we can breach it, we’ll have access to their data servers.”

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Rhea frowned. “And what happens when they realize we’re inside? We won’t have long before they send reinforcements.”

“That’s why we need to be fast,” Viola said. “We get in, extract the information we need, and get out before they even know we’re there.”

Artemis’s brow furrowed. “What kind of information are we looking for?”

“Anything on Symphony,” Viola said, her voice firm. “If we can find out what the Consortium knows about the project, we’ll have a better chance of staying ahead of them.”

Artemis nodded, the weight of the mission settling on her shoulders. “When do we leave?”

“Tonight,” Viola replied. “Rest up and prepare. This won’t be easy.”

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Night fell over Eidolon, the city’s neon lights casting an eerie glow over the streets. Artemis, Viola, and Rhea made their way to the service tunnel, their movements cautious and deliberate.

The entrance was hidden beneath a tangle of pipes and debris, accessible only through a narrow passageway. Viola disabled the lock with a device on her wrist, the door sliding open with a hiss.

“Stay close,” Viola whispered as they stepped inside.

The tunnel was dark and claustrophobic, the air thick with the scent of oil and rust. Their footsteps echoed softly, the sound swallowed by the oppressive silence.

Artemis gripped the shockstaff tightly, her nerves on edge. She had faced dangers before, but the stakes felt higher now. The Consortium wasn’t just a faceless enemy—they were a force that had controlled her life, and she was walking straight into their domain.

As they moved deeper into the tunnel, the sound of machinery grew louder. The walls were lined with cables and conduits, glowing faintly with an unearthly blue light.

Viola held up a hand, signaling them to stop. She pointed to a security camera mounted on the wall ahead.

“Wait here,” she said, pulling out a small device. She approached the camera, her movements precise, and attached the device to its base. A moment later, the camera’s lens flickered and went dark.

“Clear,” Viola said, motioning for them to follow.

They reached the end of the tunnel, where a heavy metal door blocked their path. Viola worked quickly, bypassing the lock with her wrist device. The door slid open, revealing a dimly lit corridor.

“This is it,” Viola whispered. “The lower levels. Stay sharp.”

They moved through the corridor, avoiding patrols and surveillance systems. Viola’s knowledge of the hub’s layout was invaluable, guiding them through the maze of hallways with precision.

Finally, they reached a large room filled with rows of servers, their lights blinking in a rhythmic pattern.

“There,” Viola said, pointing to a terminal in the center of the room. “That’s our target.”

Artemis approached the terminal, her heart pounding. She plugged the notebook into the console, the device’s interface springing to life.

Data began to stream across the screen, lines of code and encrypted files. Artemis worked quickly, navigating the system with an ease that surprised even her.

“Hurry,” Viola urged, keeping watch at the door.

Artemis nodded, her fingers flying over the keys. She located a file labeled Symphony and initiated the download.

Just as the progress bar reached 100%, an alarm blared, the room bathed in red light.

“Damn it,” Viola hissed. “We’ve been made. Move!”

They grabbed the notebook and bolted for the exit, the sound of footsteps and mechanical whirring echoing behind them.

Automatons emerged from the corridors, their weapons aimed. Artemis activated the shockstaff, its arcs of electricity illuminating the darkness.

She struck the first automaton, disabling it with a crackling surge. Viola and Rhea fought alongside her, their movements coordinated and efficient.

The battle was chaotic, the air filled with the sounds of metal clashing and energy weapons discharging. Despite their efforts, the Consortium’s forces were relentless, their numbers overwhelming.

“Fall back!” Viola shouted, covering their retreat.

They ran through the corridors, dodging fire and narrowly avoiding capture. Finally, they reached the service tunnel, the heavy door sealing shut behind them.

Breathless and battered, they emerged into the undercity, the alarms fading into the distance.

Artemis clutched the notebook tightly, her mind racing. They had what they came for, but at what cost?