Ryn’s pyramid stood prominently on the beach, half-buried in sand, its ancient structure melding seamlessly with the natural surroundings. The door responded to her presence, sliding open smoothly as she approached.

The lights flickered on as soon as Ryn stepped inside, illuminating a narrow hallway lined with worn, metallic walls. Her footsteps echoed softly, the only sound in the otherwise silent corridor. At the end of the hall, she found an elevator, its doors slightly ajar as if inviting her in. She stepped through, pressing the single button on the panel. The elevator hummed to life, and began to descend. Ryn leaned against the wall, arms crossed.

When the elevator doors slid open, Ryn walked out into a spacious underground lab. It looked similar to the other ones she had explored, but there were notable differences. This lab was much cleaner; the walls were free of the usual muck and grime, and the monitors weren't covered in dust. The air smelled faintly of disinfectant, and the hum of machinery filled the space.

Ryn moved closer to the central console, her eyes scanning the rows of screens that lined the walls. The data they displayed was sparse, and many of the screens showed only error messages or blank interfaces. With a sigh, she activated her voice chat, connecting with Lucy.

"Lucy, I'm in the lab," Ryn said, her voice echoing slightly in the empty room. "But it looks like someone has already been here. The data’s been wiped clean."

There was a brief pause before Lucy's voice crackled through. "That's not good. Can you see if there's any residual data left? Sometimes there can be fragments that weren't completely erased."

Ryn nodded. She began tapping on the console, navigating through various menus and subdirectories. The system was slow, and many files were completely corrupted, displaying nothing but static when she tried to open them.

She continued to sift through the digital debris, her frustration growing. "There's not much here," she muttered, more to herself than to Lucy. "Most of the files are either gone or too damaged to read."

"Keep looking," Lucy encouraged. "There might be something hidden deeper in the system."

Ryn moved to another terminal, this one embedded in the far wall. As she accessed it, she noticed a faint, almost imperceptible glow around the edges of the screen. She entered a few commands, and a new menu appeared, one she hadn't seen before. It was an encrypted folder, its contents protected by layers of security protocols.

"I found something," she said, her voice holding a hint of apprehension. "An encrypted folder. It's heavily secured.”

Lucy’s voice was quick and focused. "Good. Try to break the encryption."

Ryn’s fingers flew over the keyboard. She inputted the decryption sequence, watching as the system worked to bypass the security measures. Minutes felt like hours as the progress bar slowly inched forward.

Finally, with a soft beep, the encryption was broken. The folder opened, revealing a series of files labeled with unfamiliar codes. Ryn clicked on the first one, and a series of blueprints appeared on the screen. They detailed various components of what looked like advanced technology, but the specifics were beyond her immediate understanding.

"Lucy, I’ve got blueprints here," Ryn said, her eyes scanning the designs. "They’re for some kind of tech, but I can’t make out what exactly."

Lucy’s excitement was evident even through the comms. "Download everything. We can analyze it later.”

Ryn initiated the download, watching as the files transferred to her personal storage. She moved to another screen, hoping to find more information, but the rest of the data was similarly encrypted. She repeated the decryption process, uncovering more blueprints, technical specifications, and a few scattered notes that hinted at experiments conducted within the lab.

Just as she was about to download the final file, the room’s lighting flickered, and a low, ominous hum filled the air. Ryn’s heart skipped a beat as she glanced around, her instincts telling her something was wrong.

"Lucy, something’s happening," she said, her voice edged with urgency. "I think someone’s trying to regain control of the system."

"Finish the download and get out of there," Lucy instructed. "I’ll monitor from here and see if I can stall whoever’s interfering."

Ryn quickly completed the download, her eyes darting around the room as the hum grew louder. She shut down the terminal, making her way back to the elevator. As the doors closed and the elevator began its ascent, Ryn couldn’t shake the feeling that she had just dodged something she wanted no part in. She let out a sigh of relief, no boss battle this time and she was thankful for that. She didn’t know if she had it in her to fight at the moment.

When she stepped back onto the beach, the sun was beginning to set. The ship was already descending towards her Ryn boarded quickly, collapsing into the seat beside Lucy.

"I’ve got the data," Ryn said, her voice tired. "But I think we’re not the only ones interested in what’s down there."

Lucy nodded, guiding the ship back into the sky. "We’ll analyze it together later.."

With Ryn and Aurelia in tow, Lucy set a course for Kyle’s location. Ryn, still catching her breath from her recent mission, looked at Lucy with a confused expression.

"I thought you were picking up Kyle after Aurelia?" Ryn asked, concern in her voice.

Lucy shook her head, her eyes focused on the controls. "I couldn't get a hold of him. I thought it would be best to have you and Aurelia there to check things out. He might be in trouble."

Ryn took a deep breath, her worry deepening. The business with Jax had been weighing heavily on all of them, but Kyle seemed particularly affected. He had been determined to find their missing friend, and his silence now was alarming.

She tapped on her ear cuff, pulling up her interface. Kyle's picture was grayed out, indicating he was offline. However, there was no X over his image, which meant he was still alive.

Ryn glanced at Aurelia, who was sitting quietly, her face a mask of determination. Aurelia had just faced a tough battle herself, but there was no sign of hesitation in her eyes.

"Any idea where he could be?" Aurelia asked, her voice steady.

Lucy adjusted their course slightly. "He was last seen near the eastern edge of the Forgotten Dunes. It’s a dangerous area, especially with all the recent activity from rogue Droppers."

Ryn nodded, her mind racing through the possibilities. Kyle was strong, but the isolation and stress could have driven him to take unnecessary risks. She clenched her fists, determined to find him and bring him back safely.

"Let's hope he's just laying low," Ryn said, trying to inject some optimism into her voice.

Aurelia placed a reassuring hand on Ryn's shoulder. "Don’t worry, Kyle is tough."

The ship flew on, slicing through the sky towards the Dunes. The atmosphere inside was tense, each of them lost in their own thoughts about what might have happened. The stakes were higher than ever, and the uncertainty gnawed at them, but they pressed on.

The ship soared over the pyramid where Kyle had last been seen. As they passed overhead, Ryn's heart sank. The pyramid was in ruins, partially buried in the sand, its once formidable structure now crumbled and decrepit.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"I hope he wasn't inside," Ryn murmured. She took a deep breath and stood, preparing herself to leave the ship.

Lucy’s voice crackled over the comms. "We’re approaching his last scanned location. Get ready."

As the ship began its descent, it kicked up clouds of sand, creating a haze around them. The heat was oppressive, the sun beating down relentlessly as Ryn and Aurelia stepped out into the scorching desert. Immediately, beads of sweat formed on their brows, the intensity of the heat nearly overwhelming.

Ryn adjusted her ear cuff, readying herself to scan for Kyle. "Let's get to it," she said.

Lucy, still inside the ship, called out, "Be careful and come back in one piece!”

With a quick tap on her ear cuff, a sonar-like sound emitted from the device, sending a wave of pixels cascading outward. Slowly, a holographic image of Kyle began to form in front of them, flickering momentarily before stabilizing.

"There," Ryn pointed. "It’s Kyle. We need to follow the trail."

The hologram depicted Kyle moving forward, his movements captured in ghostly pixels. Ryn and Aurelia followed the spectral guide, each step bringing them closer to understanding what had happened. Every few feet, another hologram of Kyle appeared, leading them further across the sandy expanse.

The sand shifted beneath their feet, making every step a struggle. Sweat poured down their faces, their clothes clinging uncomfortably to their bodies. Yet, they pressed on.

The trail of holograms led them to the outskirts of a small, half-destroyed town. The buildings were in shambles, remnants of their former selves. Walls were crumbled, roofs caved in, and the entire place had an eerie, abandoned feel to it.

"This must be where he went," Aurelia said, her eyes looking around the desolate landscape.

Ryn nodded, fixed on the path ahead. "We’re close. He has to be here somewhere."

They continued following the holograms, which now led them through the streets of the ruined town. Their footsteps echoed through the empty buildings, the silence weighing heavily on them.

The holographic images of Kyle became more frequent, guiding them towards the heart of the settlement. Each new hologram depicted him in various states of distress—running, fighting, hiding. It was clear he had encountered something dangerous here.

Finally, they reached the center of the town, where the last hologram showed Kyle standing still, looking around as if searching for something. The hologram flickered out, leaving Ryn and Aurelia alone in the eerie silence.

"We're here," Ryn said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But where is he?"

Aurelia scanned the area, her eyes sharp and alert. "He has to be close. Let’s spread out and search."

They began to scour the surroundings, calling out Kyle's name, their voices echoing through the deserted town. Each passing moment amplified their anxiety.

Just as hope began to wane, Ryn heard a faint sound—a muffled cry for help. She spun around, her eyes locking onto a partially collapsed building nearby.

"This way!" she shouted to Aurelia, sprinting towards the sound.

Aurelia followed closely behind, her weapon at the ready. As they neared the building, they could hear the cries more clearly.

"Kyle! We're here!" Ryn called out, her heart pounding.

They reached the building, carefully picking their way through the rubble. Inside, amidst the debris and dust, they found Kyle, pinned under a fallen beam. His face was pale, and his breathing labored, but he was alive.

"Ryn...Aurelia…" he gasped, relief flooding him.

"Hang on, Kyle. We've got you," Ryn said quickly.

With combined strength, Ryn and Aurelia lifted the beam, freeing Kyle from its weight. He winced in pain but managed to sit up.

"We thought we lost you," Aurelia said, her voice soft with relief.

Kyle shook his head weakly. "I’m not that easy to get rid of."

Aurelia opened her inventory and retrieved a health core. She carefully administered it to Kyle, who instantly perked up, his pallor fading as strength returned to his body. He took a deep breath, the relief evident on his face.

"Thanks," Kyle muttered, his voice stronger now. "I needed that."

Ryn looked at him intently, her eyes filled with concern. "What happened? Who did this?"

Kyle's expression darkened. "It was Vex. He destroyed the lab with his crew. I followed him here after he fled the scene."

Ryn's eyes widened in shock. "Vex? Do you know where he is now?"

Kyle shook his head, frustration evident in his eyes. "No, I lost track of him."

Before they could say more, a sudden explosion rocked the area, sending debris flying in all directions. The ground trembled beneath them as they instinctively ducked, shielding themselves from the falling rubble.

In the distance, through the smoke and chaos, they saw Vex and his crew of Rogue Droppers. The sight sent a surge of adrenaline through Ryn and Aurelia.

Kyle took another deep breath, steadying himself. "Vex has Jax. He's holding him in their stronghold."

Ryn's heart skipped a beat. "Jax..."

Vex smirked at the sight of Ryn. "I heard about your friend Elara. That's too bad," he said with a grin that sent chills down Ryn's spine. His voice was mocking, dripping with malicious satisfaction. "You should know, I'm closer to finding out what the Silent Moon Project is than you'll ever be. I've been to the rest of the labs, and now I'll take the rest of the data from you."

Ryn's grip tightened around her bracelet as she yanked it off, the sleek metal extending into her nano-blade with a satisfying hum. She glanced at Kyle and Aurelia, anger blazing in her eyes. "I'll take care of Vex. You two hold off his friends."

Kyle and Aurelia nodded, moving swiftly to intercept the approaching Rogue Droppers. Ryn turned her full attention to Vex, who had already leaped forward, his blade slashing through the air. Ryn's instincts took over as she cartwheeled out of the way, barely dodging his attack.

Vex landed gracefully, his blade glinting in the sunlight as he turned to face her. "You're fast," he sneered, "but you'll need more than that to beat me."

Ryn didn't respond with words. Instead, she lunged at him, her blade aiming for his midsection. Vex parried with a swift motion, their blades clashing. He countered with a low swipe at her legs, but Ryn jumped back, avoiding his attack by a hair's breadth.

The two circled each other, eyes locked, searching for an opening. Vex feinted left, then right, trying to throw her off balance. Ryn saw through his tactic and remained focused, her blade steady. She made a quick thrust, but Vex twisted, deflecting her strike and following up with a powerful downward slash. Ryn blocked it, their blades locked in a test of strength.

"You can't win, Ryn," Vex taunted, pushing her back. "I'm stronger, faster, and-"

She quickly socked him in the jaw, then pushed back with all her might. "Why don’t you just shut the hell up!" She broke the lock, spinning away and launching a series of quick attacks. Vex blocked and parried, but one of her strikes grazed his arm, drawing blood.

Vex hissed in pain, his eyes narrowing. "You'll pay for that," he snarled, launching into a flurry of aggressive attacks. Ryn was forced on the defensive, her blade moving in a blur as she deflected his strikes. One of his hits connected, slicing across her side. She winced, feeling the sting of the wound, but didn't let it slow her down.

Ryn retaliated with a powerful slash, forcing Vex to retreat. She pressed her advantage, her blade dancing through the air in a series of intricate patterns. Vex was knocked back, struggling to keep up with her relentless assault. He managed to land a punch to her shoulder, sending her staggering, but she quickly regained her footing.

Both fighters sustained wounds but refused to give in. Ryn's side ached, and she could see blood trickling from a cut on Vex's forehead. Despite the pain, she felt a surge of adrenaline, her focus sharpening. She had to win this, for Elara, for Jax, for everyone counting on her.

Suddenly, Vex's expression shifted, a calculating look crossing his face. He glanced over at his crew, who were struggling against Kyle and Aurelia. "This isn't over, Ryn," he spat, disengaging and taking a step back. "But for now, we'll retreat."

Ryn lunged forward, trying to stop him, but Vex was already moving. He threw a smoke bomb at the ground, and a thick cloud enveloped the area. Ryn coughed, waving her hand in front of her face to clear the smoke. When it dissipated, Vex and his crew were gone.

She lowered her blade, breathing heavily, and looked around. Kyle and Aurelia approached, their expressions a mix of relief and concern. "Are you okay?" Kyle asked, glancing at her wound.

Ryn nodded, though she felt the ache of her injuries. "I'll be fine. But Vex...he's getting closer to uncovering the Silent Moon Project. We can't let him win."

Aurelia placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We'll stop him, Ryn.."

Ryn took a deep breath, nodding. “We will…together. Let’s get back to the ship.”

The crew hobbled away in the hot sun. Ryn took a look back at the city as they climbed over a wall, lading in the sand on the other side. She was searching for Vex, but knowing him, and she knew him well by now, he’s long gone, probably back in his hideout drinking margaritas and laughing about how he always has the upper hand. She growled at the thought, then slowly made the trek back to the ship.