Chapter 7: The Shadows of Xylos

Jarek adjusted the unfamiliar controls of the sleek, silver starfighter, his heart hammering against his ribs. Araya Nix, her calm voice a stark contrast to the roaring engine, guided him through the pre-flight sequence. They were on a clandestine mission to Xylos, a once-thriving moon orbiting a gas giant, now a desolate wasteland shrouded in rumors and whispers.Xylos had been a neutral territory, a haven for smugglers and outcasts, until a distress signal, faint and erratic, had reached the Enclave. Now, weeks later, with tensions mounting between the Enclave and the Krell, the signal's source remained a mystery."Remember, Jarek," Araya's voice crackled through the comm system, "Xylos is a lawless place. Keep your guard up and trust no one."Jarek swallowed, the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. He was still a rookie, barely a month into his training. This mission, his first outside the Enclave's secure airspace, felt a world away from the sterile training sims.As they exited hyperspace, Xylos loomed before them, a scarred and barren rock bathed in the sickly green glow of its gas giant companion. The sole settlement, a sprawling network of neon-lit metal tubes clinging precariously to the moon's surface, pulsed with a chaotic energy.Their starfighter docked in a dimly lit hangar, the air thick with the scent of oil and ozone. Jarek and Araya emerged, their imposing forms encased in their shimmering Neon Light battle suits, a stark contrast to the ragged figures milling about the hangar.Following Araya's lead, they navigated the labyrinthine corridors of the settlement. The air crackled with a nervous energy, punctuated by the occasional drunken brawl spilling out from dimly lit taverns. Whispers followed them, a mix of curiosity and suspicion."Enclave scum," a hulking figure spat, his voice laced with venom. Jarek tensed, his hand instinctively going to the energy pistol holstered at his hip. Araya placed a restraining hand on his arm, her gaze unwavering."We come in peace," she announced, her voice amplified by her suit. "We seek information about the recent distress signal."A tense silence followed. Then, a wizened figure, his face obscured by the shadows of his hood, stepped forward. "Information costs credits, Enclave lapdog."Jarek bristled. Credits, the galactic currency, meant little to the Enclave, which operated on principles of service and duty. But Araya, ever the pragmatist, fished out a small, glowing orb from a pouch at her belt."This should suffice," she said, handing it to the figure. The orb pulsed, then settled into a steady hum. The figure's eyes gleamed in the dim light. "The signal," he rasped, "came from the Scrapyard. But be warned, Enclave dogs, the Scrapyard is no place for outsiders."The Scrapyard, a notorious dumping ground for salvaged technology, was said to be patrolled by ruthless scavengers and rogue AIs gone haywire. Jarek felt a tremor of apprehension, but Araya's steely gaze held his."Thank you for the information," she said, her voice curt. With a final, lingering look at the informant, they turned and continued their trek.The Scrapyard was a desolate wasteland, a graveyard of twisted metal and flickering lights. The air hung heavy with the stench of burning ozone and lubricants. As they ventured deeper, the silence was broken only by the groaning of the wind and the occasional clang of unseen metal.Suddenly, a shrill screech tore through the air. A swarm of metallic drones, their red optic eyes glowing with malevolent intent, descended upon them. Jarek reacted instinctively, his Neon Light blasting a drone into smoldering wreckage.Araya fought back-to-back with him, her energy blasts carving a path through the metallic horde. But more drones kept coming, their relentless assault pushing them back towards a towering mountain of scrap metal.Jarek stumbled, his ankle twisting beneath him. Just as a drone swooped down for the kill, a blinding flash illuminated the scrapyard. A figure, clad in a battered but familiar suit, materialized from the shadows, dispatching the remaining drones with a flurry of energy blasts."Xander?" Jarek gasped, his voice barely audible above the din.The figure turned, a wry smile playing on his lips beneath the helmet. "Looks like you rookies could use a little backup."