Ignis did not fail to care about the safety of the Jaxcalibur Squad; on the contrary, he actually liked this team quite a bit. He did not know how long this hostage-exchange negotiation would last, but he had to accelerate the process somehow.
Now the enemy was in the shadows while they stood exposed. Only by triggering a massive blaze and dragging New Eridu's official forces into the scene could they force the opposing side to lower their demands.
After all, tonight the members of the Jaxcalibur Squad and the Obol Squad did not exist in any official record.
Ignis ignited an even wider area of junk. Most of the items inside this narcotics factory were highly flammable. Or rather, the Ether Fuel refined through a secondary process by the Defense Force was potent enough to outright melt ordinary steel. And the steel frame of this warehouse certainly wasn't made from any kind of specialized alloy. After all, when it was originally built, it was only meant to store surplus basic Ether Fuel, and its fire-resistance rating had been fully compliant.
However, after this place was converted into a narcotics factory, some of the automatic fire-suppression systems were removed, replaced with virtual signals. After all, if this facility kept detecting toxic or hazardous smoke, the New Eridu Public Security and firefighters would inevitably show up.
"I know you can hear me." Ignis called into the comms channel. "The fire's growing. You can choose to wait until your squadmates get burned alive, or you can reduce your demands a little. Your time is running out."
Static burst across the comm channel, followed by a processed electronic voice: "And what about you? Aren't you afraid of burning to death?"
"We don't exist." Replied by Jaxcalibur-01. "But as a member of the Defense Force, losing a soldier—especially one equipped with a W-Engine and Ether weapons—won't be easy to explain, will it? One for two. Accept, and we can keep talking."
The comm channel fell silent for a moment. Ignis glanced at Soldier 11. The young woman remained calm, showing no fear even as the flames grew.
"If you're planning to abandon her, how are the rest of your squad supposed to trust you?" Ignis questioned the unknown commander.
"One for two is acceptable, but I need something to bring back. I can't return from a mission empty-handed; I have superiors to answer to, and they won't accept that. Hand over a copy of the data you pulled from their terminal, and I'll agree to the deal." The Obol Squad's commander named his new price.
But this price was far from cheap for the Jaxcalibur Squad. The data belonged to the boss. Even though handing over a backup wouldn't affect their report, it was impossible to predict what would happen if such data fell into someone else's hands. The lives of all Jaxcalibur members were in Markus's hands. Although he was usually reasonable—even amiable—everyone in this line of work knew that leaking intel was tantamount to betraying one's superior. Many times, even if they died or failed the mission, they still could not allow any intel to slip away.
"Captain?" asked Jax-05. "What do we do? Should we give it to them? Making another backup doesn't take long."
"Impossible!" Jaxcalibur-01 blurted out. "The boss said the data has to be brought back. It's for someone above him. If even the boss can't afford to offend them, we definitely can't."
"But Jax-03… he only recently got married… we're just going to abandon him like this?" Jax-05's voice trembled as he maneuvered the yet-to-be-recovered drone to search for the opponent's position, simultaneously attempting to infiltrate their communications equipment.
But his attempt failed almost instantly; the opponent's cyberwarfare capability far exceeded his. Not only did the drone quickly fall out of his control, his own terminal was breached as well. Fortunately, the drone containing the stored data used onboard memory and had already been disconnected and shut down. Otherwise, the enemy would have taken all of it.
Jax-05 stared at the little figure jumping around on his terminal screen and slammed a fist onto the keyboard in frustration. But all it achieved was pain in his hand and absolutely nothing else.
"I advise you not to try anything unnecessary. Our electronic-warfare capabilities are far superior to yours. My conditions are clear: the data and the person, in exchange for two of yours." The Obol Squad's commander sounded entirely certain of victory. "Well? My terms are generous."
Jaxcalibur-01 looked at Ignis. He understood why this giant had taken action: time could not drag on. The situation had to be resolved before dawn. After all, the Defense Force could always find excuses to cover themselves, but the Jaxcalibur Squad lived in the shadows—they couldn't afford any exposure. Forcing the enemy to concede was the only option, but their conditions were completely unacceptable.
Though they had botched missions before, messing up something of this scale left them deeply uneasy.
The flames continued to roar, and the toxic raw materials began releasing poisonous fumes. Ignis and the two Jaxcalibur members had air-filtration systems, but Soldier 11 had none. She could only cover her mouth and nose as best she could, yet she still coughed continuously, her complexion worsening.
"Did you hear that?" Ignis remained calm. "Your soldier is choking on the toxic smoke. We didn't prepare an extra gas mask for her. Time is short for both sides."
"If you ask me, we can lower the price a bit. A valuable regular-army soldier in exchange for two shadow-crawling rats—pretty good deal, isn't it? Oh, and by the way, your soldier's carrying a Fuel tank on her back. Aren't you worried it'll overheat and explode any moment?"
Time pressured both sides equally, but Ignis had contingency plans. Worst-case, he would activate his Iron Halo, shove Soldier 11 into the vehicle, and escape—negotiations could continue later.
Of course, if the enemy simply decided to blow up the vehicle on the way out, that would actually make things easier for him: avenge the Jaxcalibur Squad, then return to Markus with the report. His mission was to provide heavy-fire support; gathering intel was the Jaxcalibur Squad's job. If they failed, he would simply withdraw unharmed.
Though Markus valued this squad, he had said himself that he had many such teams. Losing one was not unacceptable.
Ignis suspected Markus's background was tied to the Defense Force, though whether or not he had ties to the Obsidian Division was hard to say. After all, in the Astra Militarum and the Adeptus Astartes, factionalism ran deep. Outwardly, everyone served The Emperor and protected the Imperial borders—but in reality… internal sabotage was far from rare.
As a member of the Son of Vulkan's founding generation, holding extraordinary status, nearly all other Imperial forces treated Ignis with courtesy.
The Jaxcalibur Squad had clearly undergone significant military training. Without exaggeration, they could have been a competent mortal regiment in the Astra Militarum. They likely had committed some offense while in the Defense Force before being pushed underground, becoming Markus "Lightning" Red's black-glove operatives—handling troublesome affairs for the black-market merchant.
"Put Soldier 11 on comms." The Obol Squad leader finally responded.
"Not necessary." Jaxcalibur-01 had already taken Soldier 11's communicator. "We can talk directly. You didn't let your people speak to you either."
After another brief silence, Jax-03's voice came through. The chatterbox spoke endlessly once he started.
"Captain! Captain! Listen—just trade for Jax-04. Forget about my life. We've been dead for a long time anyway, but Jax-04 just joined us. She shouldn't die with us. And we cannot hand over the data—Lightning may look easy-going, but you can't fool him. Don't even think about pretending you failed to get the intel; he'll find out."
"Captain! Last time, you saved us… this time it's my turn to pay you back—"
His words cut off abruptly.
"What a loyal squadmate—willing to sacrifice himself." The Obol Squad commander said mockingly. "Well? Brother on the other side, made up your mind? One for one, or two if you include the data."
"So? At least you can save one. Which will it be? The chatterbox? Or the little rookie?"
The flames drew nearer and nearer. Ignis prepared to activate The Emperor's blessing, raise his shield, and charge out. Jaxcalibur-01 clenched his fists tightly. His bottom line was to bring back one person—but which one?
Jax-03 had served under him for years, a reliable veteran. Jax-04 was a newcomer, but precisely because she was new, she was someone he had a responsibility to protect.
Rationally speaking, choosing to exchange Jax-03 was undoubtedly the best decision. His abilities were strong, and he had recently married the woman he truly loved. They couldn't let a newlywed couple be torn apart by death.
But if they really did that, Jax-03—given his personality—would understand his captain's choice, yet would still shoot him in the back during some future operation, then put a gun to his own head afterward.
"Make a choice." Ignis said when he saw him silent for too long. "This place is going to collapse soon."
Jaxcalibur-01 really wanted to blame the giant for setting this fire, but he knew that the destruction of this place was both part of the mission and part of the bargaining conditions. The air grew hotter and hotter, and even his thoughts started to ache. He wanted to choose both, but the enemy would never agree to that.
Everyone was waiting for his answer—whether to save two, or only one… and which one that one would be.
Drawing in a deep breath of searing air, Jaxcalibur-01 forced himself to calm down. Jax-03 had to be saved, whether for the sake of old camaraderie or because they needed his skills.
So, the answer could only be one.
Jax-04, I'll make sure someone visits your grave.
Jaxcalibur-01 pressed down on the communicator: "One-for-one. I choose Jax-03."
"Captain! You can't do that! Don't you dare choose me! Jax-04 is still young—she has a future. She's clean! Even if she quits this line of work, she can still live! I'm already dirty—if they ever catch me, I'm dead anyway! Dying a bit earlier makes no difference!" Jax-03's voice suddenly burst out, hysterical and breaking. "I'm done being a coward— mffh!"
It seemed Jax-03 had suddenly lunged to seize the communicator, but before he got many words out, the enemy subdued him. Sounds of punches and kicks rang through the comm channel for quite a while.
"Very good. Looks like you've made your decision." said the Obol Squad's captain. "Shall we exchange the hostages on the street where your truck is parked?"
"Alright." Jaxcalibur-01's calm was frightening—he felt his mind freeze entirely. Giving the order to abandon a comrade was never easy.
Under the continuous blaze, the warehouse's steel structure had already begun to soften and warp. In areas where the fire raged the fiercest, the pillars and beams were melting, dripping down like molten iron. At most, they had only a few minutes before the entire place collapsed.
Ignis activated The Emperor's blessing—his psychic shield—and charged out of the inferno with the other three.
Jaxcalibur-01's body trembled. He didn't know how to face Jax-03 now. If they parted ways forever, that would be the mildest outcome. The worst was that this tough man might seize a weapon and end his own life on the spot.
But regardless, the choice had already been made.
When they reached the truck, both Jax-03 and Jax-04 were already standing at the corner of the street.
"What is this supposed to mean?" Jaxcalibur-01 demanded over the comm channel when he saw the two of them standing there.
"Just wanted to see if you'd choose again." the enemy replied. "It was the talkative one's request. Don't get any ideas—they've swallowed miniature remote-detonation bombs. You can pick only one. Once you choose, I detonate the one in the other's stomach."
Jax-03 and Jax-04 walked toward them slowly. Jax-03 limped, clearly beaten badly.
How was he supposed to choose?
When Jaxcalibur-01 saw the look in Jax-03's eyes, he wavered.
"So? Have you decided which one?"
Jaxcalibur-01 remained silent, his gaze shifting between his two squadmates.
"I…" He looked at Jax-03. The chatterbox of a man kept shaking his head. Upon closer look, his mouth had been gagged, and his hands were cuffed behind his back, unable to remove it himself. Jax-03 let out a string of mmph mmph mmph noises, shaking his head hard toward Jax-04.
At that very moment, a familiar voice cut in.
"Jaxcalibur-01, give them the data."
It was their boss—Markus "Lightning" Red.
"Our employer is cautious indeed. Sending two separate teams at the same time—did he ever consider they might bump into each other?" he said over comms. "Hand over the data. Then pull your squad back."
"Listen carefully, no funny business." he added, directing it to the Obol Squad. "My people may not be as elite as yours, but I have many people. You don't want someone coming after you every time you take a job, do you?"
Jaxcalibur-01 took the terminal retrieved by the drone from his gear and stuffed it into Soldier 11's hands. He patted her shoulder, signaling she was free to go.
"Relax, that little bomb can be removed." The Obol Squad captain left them with those words before disconnecting from their channel.
The group completed their mission with danger but without losses, regrouping inside the container. Jax-02 had bandages wrapped around his arm; he had tried rushing out to save someone, but the enemy sniper had already taken aim. The moment he stepped out, his arm got shot.
As the warehouse collapsed behind them, the truck's engine roared loudly, carrying them away from the scene.