Ryn awoke the next morning, finally feeling as if the energy had come back to her. Her muscles didn't ache as much, and she felt genuinely rested. She stretched, a yawn escaping her lips, and reached for her ear cuff as it buzzed. A video call was coming in from Yaveen. She accepted it, and his smiling face popped up on her HUD.

"Hope I didn't wake you," Yaveen said, taking a sip of his morning coffee. He looked relaxed, the soft morning light of Yaris behind him.

Ryn shook her head, a smile forming on her lips. "No, you didn't. It's good to see you." She glanced at the familiar background. "Are you at the coffee shop in Yaris?"

Yaveen nodded, his smile widening. "Yeah, I needed my morning dose of caffeine. It's just not the same without you here to share it."

Ryn chuckled softly, closing her eyes and taking a deep, imaginary sniff. "I can almost smell the coffee from here."

Yaveen laughed, the sound warm and genuine. "How's Nexus-9 treating you?"

Ryn's smile faded slightly, and she hesitated before responding. "It's...different. The city is tough, and the people are even tougher. But we're managing."

Yaveen nodded, understanding the weight of her words. "I figured it would be a rough place. Just keep your head up, okay?"

Ryn smiled, appreciating his concern. "What about you? What's going on back there?"

Yaveen's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Well, a few of us are gearing up for a mission to take down a strong boss. It's supposed to be a tough one, but we're ready."

"Be careful, Yaveen. Bosses can be unpredictable."

"I will, I promise," he assured her, his tone sincere. “What's the plan with the Syndicate?"

Ryn sighed, leaning back against the wall behind her. "It's complicated. They have a tight grip on this place. We have to be strategic about how we move."

Yaveen frowned slightly, his brow furrowing in thought. "Sounds like a tough nut to crack."

"But I’m a tough nut cracker." Ryn grinned. "But it has to be done. We can't let the Syndicate continue to control everything. Everyone here seems so miserable and they hate Dropper for some reason. I want to change that.”

"You're doing the right thing, Ryn. Just...make sure you come back in one piece, okay?"

Ryn smiled.. "I will. And you better do the same."

"I'll hold you to that," he said, raising his coffee cup in a mock toast. "Good luck out there. We'll both need it."

"Good luck to you too," Ryn replied, her voice soft. "Stay safe."

With a final exchange of smiles, the call ended, leaving Ryn staring at the now-blank HUD. She took a deep breath, trying to prepare herself for the day ahead. There was a lot to be done, and she knew the challenges would only grow from here.

Before Ryn left the room, she sent a message to Kyle and the others, letting them know she was heading out to scout the area and would be back later.

Once outside, Ryn stuck to the rooftops. The streets of Nexus-9 were teeming with activity, and she preferred the vantage point and relative safety of the higher ground. The wind whipped through her hair as she leaped from one rooftop to the next, her movements fluid and a blur in the smog. The exhilaration of the jumps made her feel alive, the thrill of the dewy morning air rushing past her face reinvigorating her.

Each landing was carefully calculated; she rolled softly on impact, then sprang back to her feet, keeping her momentum up. The rooftops were slick with puddles and morning mist, but Ryn's well-honed reflexes and experience ensured she maintained her footing. She felt like she had been doing this her entire life, every muscle memory working in perfect harmony.

As she approached a narrow alley, a cry for help pierced the air, sharp and desperate. Ryn skidded to a halt, her senses immediately alerted. She peered over the edge of the roof, scanning the scene below. An older woman was cornered by two thugs, their posture menacing and their intentions clear, they held knives close to her and she trembled with fear.

Ryn's heart pounded withanger. She couldn't let this go. Protecting those who couldn't protect themselves was the very essence of being a Dropper. She accessed her ear cuff, activating the cloak feature on her suit. With a soft hum and a shimmer, she vanished from sight, blending seamlessly with her surroundings.

Moving with the silence and grace of a shadow, she climbed down the side of the building, her eyes fixed on the thugs. She landed silently behind them, her nano-blade extending with a faint metallic hiss.

The first thug was oblivious to her presence until it was too late. With a swift motion, Ryn swept her blade behind his legs, causing him to collapse with a yelp of pain. The second thug spun around, his eyes wide with shock at the sudden turn of events.

"Who the hell are you?" he snarled, his voice shaking with fear.

"Someone who doesn't like bullies," Ryn replied coolly, deactivating her cloak and becoming visible. The look of surprise on the thugs' faces was almost comical.

The first thug scrambled to his feet, rage contorting his features. He swung a crude, makeshift weapon at her, but Ryn was faster. She parried his swing effortlessly, her blade humming as it deflected his attack. With a quick strike, she slashed at his arm, causing him to drop his weapon with a cry of pain.

The second thug lunged at her, a wild look in his eyes. Ryn sidestepped his clumsy attack, her movements controlled. She delivered a sharp kick to his midsection, knocking the wind out of him and sending him stumbling backward. He recovered quickly, his face twisted in fury, but Ryn was already on the move. She struck him in the back of the knee, her blade making contact with a satisfying thud. He crumpled to the ground, groaning.

"Go, now. That is if you want to leave with your lives intact," Ryn warned, her voice steady and commanding. The thugs exchanged a fearful glance, realizing they were outmatched.

Without another word, they turned and fled down the alley, their footsteps echoing off the walls as they disappeared into the shadows. Ryn watched them go, her blade still extended, ready for any further trouble.

Turning to the older woman, who was trembling but unharmed, Ryn retracted her blade and offered a reassuring smile. "Are you okay?" she asked gently.

The woman nodded, tears of relief welling up in her eyes. "Thank you. I don't know what I would have done without you."

"Just doing my job," Ryn said softly. "Stay safe."

Ryn was just about to leap back onto the rooftops when she felt a gentle but insistent hand on her arm. The older woman, who had just been saved, looked up at her with gratitude.

"You're a Dropper, aren't you?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly but her eyes steady.

Ryn hesitated, her instincts telling her to stay cautious. "Yes," she admitted, nodding.

"Follow me," the woman urged. "There's something you need to see."

Ryn glanced around. "I really can't," she started, thinking of the message she had sent to Kyle and the others, the importance of staying on task.

The woman's grip tightened slightly, her eyes pleading. "Please, it's important."

Sighing, Ryn nodded and followed the woman. They moved swiftly through the alleyways, the older woman leading with a surprising speed and familiarity. The alley seemed endless, the buildings looming high and the shadows deepening as they ventured further away from the main streets.

Finally, they arrived at a storm drain, its entrance obscured by grime. The woman deftly opened the grate and descended, motioning for Ryn to follow. The sound of dripping water echoed through the tunnel as they made their way down. Each step seemed to amplify in the confined space, creating an eerie symphony of noise.

"Where are we going?" Ryn asked, her voice bouncing off the damp, narrow walls.

The woman glanced back, her expression unreadable in the dim light. "You'll see," she replied simply.

They walked for what felt like an eternity, the tunnel twisting and turning, the air growing cooler and the sounds more distant from the bustling city above. Ryn's senses were on high alert, every nerve in her body taut and ready for any sudden threat.

Eventually, they reached a heavy, rusted door. The woman pushed it open with a grunt, revealing a sight that took Ryn by surprise.

Inside was a sprawling underground city, alive with activity. People bustled about, stalls and makeshift shops lining the walls. Children played in small clusters, their laughter a welcome sound to Ryn’s ears after the gloom of the tunnel. The ceiling was high, with makeshift lights strung across, casting a warm, welcoming glow over everything. The air was filled with the scent of food cooking, the sound of conversations and the hum of a community living in secret.

"Welcome to my home," the woman said, a hint of pride in her voice.

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Ryn's eyes widened as she took in her surroundings. "What is this place?" she asked, astonished.

The woman smiled. "This is the Underbelly. We're an outcast group. Everyone here has had some sort of run in with the Syndicate…and we’ve been forced into hiding. But no more.”

Ryn felt a surge of hope. She had expected Nexus-9 to be a dangerous, unwelcoming place, but here was a potential ally, a whole community united against a common enemy. "How many of you are there?" she asked, her mind racing with the possibilities.

"Enough to make a difference, but not enough to take them on alone," the woman admitted. "That's why we need people like you."

Ryn smiled. "I think we can help each other," she said.

The woman's eyes lit up. "Really? That would be incredible. We have resources, information...but we've always lacked the strength to confront them directly."

"Well, that's where we come in," Ryn said confidently.

Ryn made her way back to the council chambers. She felt a fire within her. When she arrived in the city, she didn’t know how they were going to manage it, taking down such a large faction and finding Jax. But with this new group, she knew that they stood a fighting chance but she just had to convince the others.

Kyle raised an eyebrow, his skepticism clear. "Can we trust them? I mean, we just met them. They could be using us."

Ryn nodded firmly. "I understand, but I trust them more than anyone else in this city. They're not just random people; they've been wronged by the Syndicate and are genuinely committed to fighting back."

Aurelia chimed in. "I think it's a good idea to team up with them, but we can't just take them into the line of fire in a full-blown attack on the compound. Everything has to be thought out methodically. We need a solid plan."

Kyle sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Okay, let's assume we trust them. What's our first move? Like Aurelia said, we can't just storm the base. We'd get slaughtered in an instant.”

Ryn leaned forward, her eyes sharp. "We start by gathering intel. The Underbelly has resources and information that we can use. We'll need to identify key targets within the Syndicate and weaken their power base before making any direct moves."

Aurelia nodded. "We also need to find out more about their operations, supply lines, and any weak points in their defenses. If we can disrupt their activities, it'll give us an advantage."

Kyle thought to himself for a second then spoke. "We should also keep our eyes open for potential allies within the city. There might be others who hate the Syndicate as much as the Underbelly does. The more support we have, the better our chances."

Ryn agreed. "I'll head back to the Underbelly and start coordinating with them. Kyle, you and Aurelia should start scouting the city for allies or useful information. We need to be discreet and avoid drawing attention."

Aurelia nodded, her expression serious. "Agreed. We can't afford to make any mistakes. One wrong move, and the Syndicate will come down on us hard."

Kyle sighed loudly. He wasn’t too sure about the plan but it was the only one they had. "Alright. Let's do this carefully. We owe it to Jax.”

With the plan set, they each went their separate ways. Ryn headed back to the Underbelly, following discreet markings around the city to find her way back to the storm drain. She breathed a sigh of relief, and told herself, “One step closer.”

Kyle and Aurelia took to the rooftops, the wind catching their hair as they perched on the edge, looking down at the crowded streets below. The city of Nexus-9 was a maze of alleys, market stalls, and neon lights that flickered in the dusk. From their vantage point, they could see the ebb and flow of people going about their business, unaware of the two Droppers watching from above.

Suddenly, Lucy's voice crackled through their ear cuffs. "Aurelia, Kyle. I've located some potential allies. I'm sending them to your maps now."

Their ear cuffs pinged, and their maps opened with new markers. Kyle focused on one of the new icons. He tapped it, bringing up an image of a young man with messy hair and a serious expression. The data indicated he was around Kyle's age, with a reputation for being resourceful and quick on his feet. Kyle pinged the man's location and closed his interface, a guideline appearing on his HUD, pointing him in the right direction.

Aurelia did the same, selecting an icon that revealed a woman with her hair in intricate braids and a devilish grin on her face. She looked tough, the kind of person who had seen her fair share of battles and lived to tell the tale. This woman seemed like someone who could be a valuable ally in their fight against the Syndicate, and could probably help train some of the Underbelly members how to fight.

Lucy’s voice crackled to life again. "Those two are only the beginning. I'm finding potentials all over the city."

Aurelia nodded, even though Lucy couldn't see her. "Thanks, Lucy. We'll start with these two and go from there."

Kyle and Aurelia exchanged a glance. "Let's split up," Kyle suggested. "Cover more ground that way."

Aurelia agreed. "I'll take the woman. You get the guy. Be careful, Kyle."

"Same to you," he replied, before turning and sprinting across the rooftop. Aurelia watched him for a moment before heading in the opposite direction, her footsteps light and quick on the slick rooftops.

Kyle followed the guideline on his HUD, leaping from building to building with ease. He felt the adrenaline coursing through his veins, the thrill of the chase. It didn't take long to reach his destination, a busy market square. He perched on a ledge, scanning the crowd below for his target. His eye caught the young man from the image, standing near a stall, negotiating with the vendor.

Kyle descended quickly but cautiously, blending into the crowd as he approached. "Hey," he said quietly as he reached the young man. "I have some information you might be interested in.”

The young man looked startled but didn’t hesitate. He followed Kyle into a nearby alley, where he explained quickly about their mission and the Syndicate. The young man, whose name was Ezra, agreed to help without much convincing. He had his own scores to settle with them.

Meanwhile, Aurelia navigated her way through the city, her eyes sharp as she looked for her target. She found the woman in an underground bar, surrounded by a group of tough-looking thugs. Aurelia approached confidently, making her way through the crowd until she stood before the woman.

"Nice jacket," Aurelia said with a grin. "Mind if I buy you a drink?"

The woman raised an eyebrow but smirked. "What's the catch?"

Aurelia leaned in, lowering her voice. "The catch is, we're looking to take down the Syndicate. We could use someone with your...talents."

The woman's smirk widened. "I'm in. Name's Nyssa."

With their new allies secured, Kyle and Aurelia regrouped on the rooftops, Ezra and Nyssa in tow. They shared what they had learned and planned their next steps. They still had a long way to go, but with each new ally, their chances of success grew stronger.

Lucy’s voice came through their ear cuffs once more. "I’ve got more potentials lined up. Ready for the next batch?"

Kyle and Aurelia exchanged a determined look. "Ready," they said in unison.

Back at the Underbelly, Ryn talked to a guy named Leon. He was a lean, wiry man with sharp features and a constant look of intensity in his eyes. He pulled up a terminal and started clicking through screens.

"If we want to get to the Syndicate, we'll need to target its most important people. There's three of them," Leon explained as he flipped through pictures.

The first image was of an older man with salt and pepper hair, his expression cold and calculating. "That's Victor Karne," Leon said. "He's the brains behind the Syndicate's operations, handles all the strategic planning."

The next image showed a younger man, but his eyes were equally vicious, and his stance exuded menace. "This one's Drake," Leon continued. "He's their enforcer. Rumor has it he enjoys his work a little too much."

Then Leon flipped to the last image, and Ryn's breath caught in her throat. It was Aiden. She sighed deeply, her heart sinking.

"I know that one," she said, pointing to him. "My friend helped him back in Nyon. But what's he doing working for the Syndicate?"

She shook her head in disbelief. Leon shrugged. "People change, and sometimes not for the better. Once these three are out of the way, the Syndicate stronghold should be easier to access."

Ryn stared at Aiden's image, anger and sadness washing over her. She knew Kyle trusted him once, and now he was on the other side, a significant obstacle in their path.

Leon continued, "Victor, Drake, and Aiden form a sort of triad. Each one controls a different aspect of the operations, and Aiden...well, Aiden's the wild card. He handles whatever dirty work the other two don't want to get their hands dirty with."

Ryn nodded, taking it all in. "So, what's the plan? How do we take them down?"

Leon brought up a map of the city on the terminal. "We'll need to approach this carefully. Victor is always heavily guarded, but he tends to frequent the upper levels of the city, especially the high-end clubs and casinos. Drake is usually at the Syndicate's main compound, but he also oversees several underground fighting rings. Aiden...he's unpredictable, but we've tracked him to a few locations where he likes to operate."

Ryn studied the map, noting the highlighted areas. "We need to divide and conquer," she said. "Take them down one by one. I'll need to coordinate with Kyle and Aurelia."

Leon nodded. "We'll be ready. The Underbelly has been preparing for this for a long time. Just give the word, and we'll move out."

Ryn felt determined. They had a plan, and with the support of the Underbelly, they actually had a fighting chance. "I don’t think the Syndicate will know what hit them."

Ryn couldn't help but think of Aiden. She hoped, somehow, there was still a chance to reach him, to remind him of who he used to be. But for now, she had to focus on the mission, and breaking the news to Kyle that his friend is evil, well, she hoped that would go over well.

Once Ryn and the others returned to the council chambers, they collapsed in the lounge area, exhaustion settling into their bones. Kyle and Aurelia took seats opposite Ryn, who was rubbing her temples in an attempt to ward off a headache.

Kyle broke the silence first. "We’ve sent the new people to the Underbelly," he said, his voice filled with exhaustion from the long day. "Leon is already integrating them into their operations."

Ryn took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "This used to be about killing Wastes and surviving," she said, her voice soft. "Now it's so much more." She glanced at Kyle, apprehension in her eyes. She hesitated, then decided he needed to know. "Kyle, there's something you should know. Aiden...he's with the Syndicate."

Kyle’s face twisted in disbelief. "What?" he muttered, running a hand through his hair. "I helped him. Why did he turn?"

Ryn shook her head, unable to provide an answer. "I don’t know. But we have to deal with the reality of the situation. He’s an enemy now."

Kyle shook his head, “I just can’t believe it.”

Ryn stood, stretching her stiff muscles. "Once we get Jax, we’ll head back to Yaris. We need to figure out a plan to get a Quantum Decoder to access the data we’ve gotten from the labs. Our main mission is on the back burner for now, but we can’t forget it. Each day the Wastes get stronger, and the Corruption thickens. We’re Droppers; we can’t abandon our mission like so many others before us did."

Kyle nodded. "Agreed. We need to stay focused and keep pushing forward. The Wastes won't wait for us to get our act together."

Aurelia smiled slightly. Ryn’s words echoed in her head. "We have a good team here, and with the Underbelly on our side, we stand a chance against the Syndicate. It’ll be quick work.”

Ryn walked over to the large map on the wall, tracing her finger along the routes they had taken and the areas they needed to target. "Leon mentioned three key figures in the Syndicate: Victor Karne, Drake, and Aiden. We need to take them down one by one. It won't be easy, but it's the only way to destabilize the Syndicate enough to rescue Jax and get what we need."

Kyle joined her at the map, “We’ll strike when they least expect it."

Ryn nodded, feeling a sense of purpose return to her. "We’ll rest tonight and start planning tomorrow."

The three of them shared a determined look, understanding their task. They had come a long way, and they were ready to face it head-on. They were Droppers, after all, and they were unbreakable.