The noble's expression never softened as he concluded his deal with Bluejam. "Find the stockpiles of accelerant scattered through the Terminal. Most are hidden where the filth hoards its trash. Once the fire starts, it will spread like a plague. Ashes are easier to clean than vermin."
At his gesture, two servants entered, straining under the weight of massive canisters filled with the pungent liquid. They set them down with a hollow clank before quickly retreating, their noses wrinkling against the stench.
Bluejam's grin spread wide. "So, you nobles want the trash gone… I'll see it done. And when it's finished, I'll be swimming in your reward."
The noble's eyes glinted coldly, but he said nothing more. With a swirl of fine cloth, he departed.
"Oi! You lot!" Bluejam barked. A few of his men stepped forward. "Take these canisters and fetch the rest. Spread it wide. When the fire goes up, I want the Grey Terminal screaming."
The pirates obeyed, hefting the canisters and vanishing into the night. Bluejam turned back toward his hideout, unaware of the storm closing in.
The storm had a name: Tessal.
At the edge of the clearing, his swarm deployed in silence. Trapper Spiders skittered through the brush, laying down glinting snares. Iron Shield Beetles and Ironclad Clusters clamped into place, shifting and locking until Tessal stood armored head to toe in a living exosuit, plates hissing and grinding as they sealed tight. His visor snapped shut with a final click.
Beside him, Ace crouched low atop Bulwark, firelight flickering at his fists. Sabo balanced on Crawler, staff at the ready, eyes sharp with focus. Rend stalked the flank, blades humming softly.
Through the darkness, Bluejam's hideout loomed.
"Brothers," Tessal said, voice metallic through the helm. "Tonight, we remind them what happens when they take one of ours."
They surged forward.
The first pirate stepped out to check the perimeter, but never finished his shout. A burst of thunk-thunk-thunk! echoed as Tessal's bullet hoppers launched, streaking through the air and exploding in sharp bursts. Bluejam's men were thrown into chaos, shouts and curses rising into the night.
Out of the smoke, Tessal strode, clad in his iron suit, each step heavy and unyielding. His swarm spread across the battlefield, spiders tangling men in metallic webs, beetles shielding Ace and Sabo as they dove into the fray.
Bluejam himself stepped out of the hideout, sword in hand, eyes narrowing. "So. The rats come crawling to bite back, eh?"
Tessal leveled his gun, armor gleaming in the firelight.
"No," he said coldly. "The family comes to take back what's ours."
The battle had begun.