After Thom admitted he couldn't do much more with the tracker, Nero's expression fell. His one solid lead—the last thread connecting him to his past—had just hit a dead end.
Drone placed a hand on Nero's shoulder.
"Hey, don't lose hope just yet," he said.
"The tracker might seem like a dead end, but what if someone's using it to look for you? They could be getting closer—right now."
He gave a faint smile. "Besides, your memories are starting to come back. So, until someone finds you… or you find yourself… stay with us."
Nero stayed quiet, eyes fixed on the floor, lost in thought.
Thom chimed in, "Elias is right. You can stay here as long as it takes."
Nero's voice was low. "But I don't think the rest of the townspeople will accept me."
Thom waved a hand dismissively. "Don't worry about them. They'll come around. Elias and I will talk to them."
Nero looked between them. "Why are you doing all this? You've only known me for three days."
Thom let out a short laugh. "Believe it or not, Elias has this weird gift. He can tell if someone's good or bad. And if he trusts you, that's enough for me."
Drone gave Nero a pat on the back. "Come scouting with me today. It might help clear your head. The walk will do you good."
Nero gave a small nod. "Okay… but what about the tracker?"
"Thom will put it back together," Drone said. "You can take it again after we return."
Nero agreed, leaving the tracker in Thom's hands for now.
As they walked toward Drone's house, Drone suddenly stopped.
"Crap. I forgot the compass at Thom's."
Nero blinked. "Want me to go get it?"
"Nah," Drone said, already turning. "You go inside and get ready. I'll grab it. Be back in ten."
Nero watched him jog off, then turned toward the house—only to pause.
Someone was standing at the front gate.
Meanwhile, back in Thom's garage, Drone entered to find him hunched over the tracker, tools in hand. Drone rummaged through a drawer, grabbed the compass, then turned to leave—but stopped at the door.
"Make sure the light keeps blinking like before," he said over his shoulder.
Thom didn't reply. Just kept working.
Drone left in a rush.
But something felt off the moment he returned.
The front gate stood wide open.
Cautious now, Drone stepped inside, silent. The house was too quiet. Then—
THUD.
A sharp sound echoed from the next room.
Drone's body tensed. He crept closer, his steps silent. As he neared the doorway, he peeked around the frame—
Nero stood there, his back turned, staring at something on the wall.
Drone didn't say a word. He stepped inside and followed Nero's gaze—
CH was there. Horns embedded deep into the plaster.
Drone sighed heavily. "What is going on in here?"
Nero turned. "This dumb, old goat attacked me the second I walked in."
Drone narrowed his eyes at CH.
"CH."
The goat flinched, then yanked his horns free with a loud crack.
Drone eyed the gaping hole in the wall. "That's it. No bananas for three days."
CH began bleating in protest, his tone almost pleading.
"I'm not listening," Drone snapped. "I warned you. You attacked Nero. That's it. No bananas. Three days. Now go to your house."
CH let out one final dramatic maaah before sulking off.
Elsewhere, the scout team pressed forward through a stretch of cracked earth and dry grass. The signal had been steady all morning—until suddenly, it was gone.
Rhea frowned, tapping her HUD. "We lost the Nomad signal."
She brought Strider to a halt and turned to Vinn. "You take the wheel. I'm calling the base."
Vinn nodded and slid into the driver's seat. Rhea grabbed the radio and keyed in the line to Ironwatch.
"Colonel Veltin, this is Specialist Tannis. Do you copy?"
A voice came through, sharp and clipped. "What's the situation?"
"Colonel, Nomad's signal just vanished."
There was a long pause on the other end.
Then Veltin's voice barked out, louder now. "What!?"
She stood up in her office, knocking aside a stack of folders. "How long until you reach the signal's last known location?"
"If we maintain pace," Rhea replied, "we'll be there by nightfall tomorrow."
"Understood. Stay on course for now. I'll inform the General. He'll issue the next orders."
"Copy that," Rhea said. She dropped the call and leaned back in her seat.
Kato's voice came from the back, uneasy. "Is it possible that… you know… the signal's gone because they're—"
Vinn kept his eyes on the road. "Could be. But the higher-ups want Angelo alive. His family too—makes him easier to control."
Rhea's voice cut through the silence.
"We can't lose focus. We need to hurry."
The tension simmered as they resumed their path through the desolate landscape.
—
At Ironwatch, Colonel Yara Veltin wasted no time. She entered General Mordane's office and relayed the news.
Mordane listened in silence, his fingers steepled.
Then, without hesitation, he reached for the secure line.
The scout team picked up immediately.
"Scout team. Specialist Rhea Tannis reporting," she said.
"This is General Kaelen Mordane," came the voice. "Your orders are as follows: proceed to the last known location of the Nomad signal. Do not engage. I repeat—do not engage. Scout the area after nightfall. I will dispatch backup. Until then, remain unseen."
Rhea straightened in her seat. "Understood, sir. We'll observe and wait for reinforcements."
"Keep me updated at all times," Mordane added.
"Copy that."
The call ended.
—
Mordane turned to Veltin. His tone was colder now.
"Prepare a backup team. You'll lead them personally. I want Major Rix Harrow, Captain Mera Dastin, Lieutenant Asha Relin, Sergeant Dren 'Ox' Kellen, and ten additional soldiers. Full gear, no exceptions."
Veltin nodded. "Understood. When should we move?"
"Be ready by tonight. The backup team leaves at first light. That boy is a mystery… and a dangerous one. He took down most of the Watchers and Angels without breaking a sweat. We can't afford to underestimate him."
As Veltin turned to leave, Mordane called out again.
"And one more thing—this doesn't reach Dr. Grant."
Veltin hesitated only a second. "Understood, sir."
She shut the door behind her.