"Epimetheus, do you have a track on that drone?" Dimitri said into the internal microphone swinging the bike to a stop.

"Drone designate RC-1 has fallen off communication. Currently trying to reestablish a connection. Our sensors having it dropping off sensors at the 15km mark." the monotone voice of the AI came back through the feed.

Dimitri gave it a few moments before saying back, "Any luck? If not give me a bearing for the drones last location on sensors and I will go check it out."

"Bearing is being updated to your cyberware Contractor Krieger. Reestablishing a connection has failed, proceed with caution." said the AI cutting the connection after updating him.

Upon getting the bearing, Dimitri sped off toward the drone's last location. The pines whipped past him as he raced along on the bike.

Dimitri had almost 15 kilometers to travel before he got to the position where the drone dropped off. Having been on the opposite side of the Epimetheus when the drone lost connection to the Epimetheus. He had not encountered any creatures the drone had spotted with the thermal imaging. The stillness was still pervasive throughout the forest.

'It is not exactly surprising, while we do not have any sensor data upon entry to this place I do not imagine our entry was pleasant. Judging by the land surrounding the Epimetheus.'

When he was passing the one-kilometer mark from the last know location, Dimitri began to ease off the throttle while flipping off the engine. Letting his momentum carry the bike and him forward. Stopping several hundred meters before the location where the drone had lost connection.

Dimitri let down the stand on the bike and slid off the seat. Making his way further toward the last position of the drone. An overlay came up across his vision laying out the drone's last location and estimated location based on the scanner's last registry of its trajectory.

Dimitri slinked forward, coming upon the location indicated. His hand had slid down towards the hilt of his sword. Dimitri's hand rested up the hilt but not fully grasping onto it. Just letting his hand lay in wait in case the situation demanded its action.

The forest was the same as the last 15 kilometers, with the pines spreading upwards. Nothing moved along the ground or in the canopy. The only movement coming from Dimitri and the upper tree boughs swaying with the wind. Comping up on the point marked in the overlay, Dimitri came to a crouch next to one of the pines.

"Epimetheus, I am at the first location. I do not see anything. Continuing onto the projected location of the drone."

Not to take any longer than needed, Dimitri continued forward toward the next location. The projected location of the drone was only several hundred meters beyond where he was now.

The drones were designed upon losing connection to go into a standby mode. Bringing themselves safely to a hovering distance of 5 meters. This is put into their software for normal connection issues or more hostile action.

"Contactor Krieger, would you like a contigent of drones be...."

The transmission from the Epimetheus immediately cut out in a blast of static as Dimitri strode forward, reminiscent of an electronic warfare attack.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Immediately alert, Dimtri rushed forward into cover behind one of the pines, preparing for anything.

Seconds ticked by as he scanned through the pines.

"Epimetheus do you copy?"

No response came. The seconds turned into minutes as Dimitri waited in cover. Pushing his sensor suite to the max, trying to find an inclination of an ambush. Finally, after several more minutes of nothing happening and exhausting, his attempt to reach Epimetheus. He began to slink backward, retracing his steps.

Seemingly crossing past some form of interference, the AI returned slightly garbled.

"Contra....rieger"

Continuing past the point where the drone lost connection, Dimitri eased his grip on the hilt of his blade while running through some diagnostics in his cyberware.

His communication and sensor suite tests began just as Epimetheus's AI transmission returned.

"Please report Contractor Krieger."

Dimitri stopped and rested his back against a large evergreen, opening a link to Epimetheus.

"Run a system diagnostic on all systems. There seems to be a signal dropoff at 15km from the Epimetheus. Most likely why the drone lost connection" Pausing to review the diagnostic tests, Dimitri continued. "I started a diagnostic prior to entering back into range. It has returned nominal readings." Sighing, Dimitri leaned back further against the tree, releasing his grip on the hilt of his sword and letting his helmet brush against the trunk.

The AI aboard Epmitheus responded quickly to Dimitri's request. "All systems are nominal aboard Epmitheus rerunning diagnostics. Please continue on mission to secure the drone. Would Contractor Kreiger like for a contingent of drones to be dispatched?"

"No, however send a drone with a transmission repeater to see if we can boost the signal past this interference."

"Acknowledged, Contractor Krieger, according to guideline 45.8 Subsecti.."

Straightening back up, Dimitri pushed off and continued on the expected trajectory of the drone, not giving the AI any response as the transmission became garbled once again as he crossed over the 15km mark. There was still a pervasive silence through the forest. Not easing Dimitri's nerves. His hand returned to rest on the hilt of his sword again, ready to be drawn immediately.

His sensor suite continued to scan the area around him, sound and light waves being interpreted by the system before being translated to data the Dimitri could skim as he walked through the forest. Watching for any discrepancy indicative of an opponent wrapped in a stealth field.

Dimitri started to pick up on some broken branches in the direction he was moving. The pine boughs were wrought from the abrupt passage of the drone, likely as it came to its resting spot somewhere ahead of him.

While considered a light drone RC-1 is not really small in nature, meant for long loitering reconnaissance of an area. It had a relatively large wingspan.

Picking up the pace, Dimitri continued following the broken branches along the estimated path of the drone. The trees started to thin as the sound of running water started to be picked up by the sensor suite.

A small break in the forest came up in front of Dimitri.

The drone rested half-submerged in a small, slow-moving river that spanned less than 10 meters. Pieces of the drone littered the immediate area. Some blast shielding lay half-submerged in the river while the rest was being pried back by a green humanoid with a small group of other small green humanoids milling around the drone crash site on the opposite bank.

Covered in scraps of clothing and the mix match of weapons. Some rusty metal weapons and tree branches looked like they had just been taken off one of the trees surrounding the river. All seemed to be small in stature, with the smallest having the least imposing weapons.

Two of the humanoids stood out to Dimitri. The one currently heaving away on the drone had a slightly larger build, and his equipment was more cared for than his comrades.

The other was slightly behind the group with a somewhat bored expression. Robes hung off its small frame, with small animal bones adorning a necklace around the being's neck. A worked wood staff was used to lean on as this one seemed to be supervising the party.

Surveying the scene for a few more moments, Dimitri ensured he was not missing any other threats that may be hanging back in the dark treeline on the other bank.

Nodding to himself, he stepped forward, exiting the shadows of his treeline that were shrouding him.

With a quick movement, his sword was pulled from its scabbard, its length extending and the edge beginning to crackle with erratic blue energy.

Shouting out so his voice would carry, Dmitri began, "I believe that belongs to me."

All of the green humanoid's heads swiveled in unison. Looks of fear and surprise played across their scrunched-up faces. A few stumbled quickly, bringing up their clubs and crude rusting weaponry.

The bored humanoid's expression was immediately replaced with contemplative eyes, his lips beginning to move in what looked like a whisper as it straightened up and lifted its staff toward Dimitri. The larger being grabbed a hammer that was resting against the drone while hopping into the slow-moving water and turning to face him.

A grin started to creep on Dimitri's face.

'Time to meet the locals.'