The wrecked drone lay in pieces on Nathaniel's shop floor, steam curling from its severed wires.
SaiXyr shoved the scorched data core into his pocket. If the Black Circuit wanted to send a message, he'd return it tenfold.
Nathaniel wiped sweat from his brow. "You can't keep fighting them alone, Sai. This city eats loners alive."
"I'm not looking for a partner," SaiXyr said.
"You might not have a choice."
The bell above the door chimed.
A tall figure stepped inside, water dripping from his armored coat. His helmet hissed as it retracted, revealing a face with sharp eyes and a faint scar cutting across his cheek. There was something unsettling in the way he scanned the room — like he was measuring every possible way to kill or escape.
"You're SaiXyr?" he asked.
SaiXyr's grip tightened on his baton. "Who's asking?"
"Name's ZypherX. I heard you're hunting the Black Circuit." He glanced at the dismantled drone. "Looks like they're hunting you, too."
SaiXyr didn't answer, but his silence was enough.
ZypherX stepped closer, his voice low. "I've fought them before. I know their tactics, their safehouses. And I know Russel."
That last name made the air feel heavier. "You've met him?" SaiXyr asked.
"Met him. Fought him. Barely lived." ZypherX's gaze was hard. "If you want to get to him, you'll need more than anger. You'll need precision."
Nathaniel folded his arms. "This guy's trouble."
SaiXyr kept his eyes on ZypherX. "Why help me?"
"Because Russel's not just your problem," ZypherX said. "He's mine. And I don't plan on letting him finish what he started."
Outside, thunder rumbled over the city, rain falling harder against the glass.
SaiXyr looked at the wrecked drone, then at ZypherX. "Fine. But if you slow me down—"
ZypherX smirked. "You'll have to catch me first."