"Hey Aléssio wake up !"
Cassandra slapped my face hard, snapping me awake. I jolted upright and looked around, realizing I was still inside the TerraRider. When I peeked outside, the Noctryix were nowhere in sight... for now.
I grabbed Cassandra by her shoulders and urged her, panic creeping into my voice,
"Whatever you do, stay aware of your surroundings and don't let the intruder out of your sight. If there's any gunshots or anything suspicious, do what you think is right."
She raised an eyebrow and sighed,
"Chillax, there won't be any problem like tha—"
A gunshot cracked through the air.
Cassandra immediately looked outside and shouted for Sheng Yue to drive faster. She tossed weapons to Shin Hayato before climbing onto the external cargo racks.
Seeing that she wasn't paying attention to the intruder, I stepped in and restrained him myself. The intruder kicked wildly, but thankfully, Arlo quickly tossed me a rope.
I wrapped it tightly around the intruder and the chair, securing him in place, then told IRIS and Arlo to keep watch. Gunfire tore through the air. Metal shrieked as bullets slammed the TerraRider's plating, sparks bursting across the cabin frame.
Before I could react, a massive shadow vaulted into view.
A Noctryix has landed on the roof.
Its mechanized claws dug in, crushing the metal like a paper. Black alloy teeth ripped through the plating, peeling it back like flesh. The intruder struggled violently, trying to reach the Noctryix. I tightened the restrain harder, making him unable to move.
Sheng Yue shouted as she fought to keep control the TerraRider as it swerved violently,
"Roof breach !"
More Noctryix circled around us, blue optics flashing as riders fired from their backs. One of them raised its segmented tail, locking it into place before firing.
The tail fired a hardened metal pin that screamed through the air and slammed into the left rear wheel.
The impact was immediate. The wheel seized and the suspension snapped. The TerraRider skidded sideways across dirt and stone until... the entire cabin lurched.
Alarms blared while glitching,
"Gyro-Stabilized Suspension Core destabilized. Gyro-Stabilized Suspension Core destabilized."
My stomach dropped.
If we didn't fix it soon enough, there won't be any second chance left.
I immediately look around, everyone was fighting for their lives, locked into their roles. A Noctryix tried to leaped onto the side, its claws scraping sparks before being thrown off by the vehicle's momentum.
I hesitated for a moment, thinking if this is the right thing to do.
I grabbed a rope and tied it up around a frame rail. I took a deep breath and dropped beneath the vehicle as it continued skidding forward. The ground blurred inches below me, rocks and debris flashing past fast, enough to kill me if I slipped.
The intruder tried to cut the rope off, but Shin Hayato shot his arms before he could. I focused on the Gyro-Stabilized Suspension Core, or GSSC as we mechanics called it.
It was a spinning ring of alloy and light, wobbling violently. One of its stabilizer arms was twisted inward, scraping against the ring as sparks sprayed everywhere. I crawled closer while gunfire thundered above.
If that arm snapped, the TerraRider would flip in full speed, causing us all to die.
I tore open the emergency release panel, ignoring the heat that is running to my gloves. The gyro spun violently, enough to rip an arm if mishandled.
And all of a sudden, a shadow fell upon me.
I groaned under my breath while trying to fix the stabilizer arm,
"Of course, worst timing as always ! A Noctryix just had to show up."
The Noctryix crouched, its head sliding beneath the vehicle. Its blue eyes locked onto mine as its jaws slowly opens.
Panicking, I immediately slammed my shoulder into the stabilizer arm, nearly losing my grip. I twisted it with everything I had.
CLANG !
The arm snapped back into its place. The ring spins steadily as the magnetic field surge to life.
The Noctryix lunged.
I kicked off the frame and scrambled back into the cabin just in time, its jaws snapping inches behind me. The TerraRider surged forward under Sheng Yue's control, leaving that Noctryix stumbling into dust.
Sheng Yue whooped loudly,
"We did it ! No actually, it's all thanks to you Blondie ! Also is that ugly intruder still with us ?"
The intruder growled in frustration, still tied down. As I looked around, something felt wrong.
I turned to Cassandra and Shin Hayato. My eyes widen slightly as fear started creeping to my voice,
"Where are Arlo and IRIS..?"
Sheng Yue slammed the brakes and turn to the rearview mirror.
Behind, riders on the Noctryix stood tall, holding Arlo hostage.
One of them shouted,
"If you want this boy alive, give him to us !"
Shin Hayato dragged the intruder out of the TerraRider while Cassandra aimed her weapon at his head. Sheng Yue and I watched tensely from behind.
Unit 6's leader came forward and gripping Arlo harshly by his hair.
He took out a dagger and press it near Arlo's neck,
"If you want this boy alive, hand that man over."
Shin Hayato replied in a firm tone,
"You release him first, then we'll give this intruder to you. A fair trade ?"
The intruder screamed,
"Don't do it ! Remember the purpose of us coming here !? Burn their flag in front of their eye—"
"Silence !" The leader snapped.
He shoved Arlo forward. Arlo stumbled as he kept hold of IRIS with him. Shin Hayato pushed the intruder towards them,
"Now... Will you stop burning this flags ?"
The leader paused and looked around before extending his hand,
"Well, how about we introduced each other respectfully ? My name is Varelius Andersen, born into wealth. I assume you recognize that name. And that intruder is my brother, Skov Andersen."
Shin Hayato took his hand and shook it firmly,
"Shin Hayato. State your purpose of why you chose to burn flags from other teams."
Varelius eyes widen and hesitated,
"Well... How about we... have peace instead ! Shall we ? I'll help you retrieve your flag in exchange of... you helping us..?"
Shin Hayato narrowed his eyes before nodding,
"Fine. But if you dare betray us, I'll make your life a living hell."
As the deal was made, unease settled to my chest.
It felt like we were being watched by someone or something far stronger and superior...