The scavengers of Outpost 15 watched the interaction with cynical eyes. To them, the world was a zero-sum game of masters and slaves. They saw The Sprawl’s residents as bottom-feeders, and any connection to Redrock Bastion was viewed through a lens of suspicion. In their minds, Jax wasn’t a partner; he was just another running dog, a vassal looking for scraps from the high table.

Jax ignored the whispers. He was more focused on the practicalities.

“Brother Sawyer,” Jax said, leaning against the car door. “I’m just here to restock supplies. What’s the point of getting in the car? We can talk right here. Is there a problem?”

Sawyer shook his head, his eyes scanning the crowded market with mild disdain. “This isn’t the place. Get in. I’ll drive you back to Sector 33. We can talk on the way.”

Jax’s face lit up. A free ride? That was a godsend. The trek back to the Outpost was twenty kilometers of scorching heat and rough terrain. Walking it would burn off every calorie of the meal he’d just bought for Barnaby.

“Sounds good to me,” Jax said, eyeing the rugged off-road vehicle with a pang of envy. It was old, but the tires were thick and the engine purred with a low, reliable rumble. Someday, he thought. I’m getting one of these.

Jax tossed his backpack into the rear seat and climbed in. Barnaby hopped into the front passenger seat, his eyes wide as he poked at the dashboard buttons like a curious toddler.

Once they were moving, leaving the dust of the market behind, Sawyer reached into his jacket pocket and handed a folded piece of paper to Jax.

“Orders from the top,” Sawyer said, his tone shifting to business. “Since you’re already positioned in Sector 33, HQ wants you to do some recon. Go into the valley, check the insectoid activity, and bring back tissue samples.”

Jax unfolded the paper. It was stamped with the red sun sigil of the Helios Syndicate. [Mission Directive].

The objective was clear: Enter the canyon at Mount Sepulcher, collect biological samples from specific insectoid variants, and return them for analysis.

Jax frowned as he read the briefing. “Brother Sawyer, is this because of the Black Rain?”

Sawyer nodded grimly. “Exactly. The meteorologists are confirming it. The Black Rain is imminent. Mount Sepulcher is a major breeding ground. When the rain hits, the mutation rates in there are going to spike off the charts. If a new variant emerges, it could threaten Redrock Bastion. We need to know what we’re dealing with before the storm breaks.”

Jax kept his expression neutral, but the implication wasn’t lost on him.

Threaten Redrock Bastion.

That was the only thing they cared about. The Sprawl? Sector 33? They were just speed bumps. If a swarm erupted from Mount Sepulcher, Jax’s base would be the first to fall. The Syndicate viewed the outer settlements as nothing more than a meat shield—a buffer zone to buy the city elites time to lock their gates.

“When do you need the samples?” Jax asked.

“Yesterday,” Sawyer replied. “But I’ll settle for as soon as possible. I’ll be stationed at Outpost 15 for a few days to coordinate. Don’t make me wait.”

Jax felt a cold knot of anxiety tighten in his chest. Sector 33 was literally the doorstep of Mount Sepulcher. If the swarm hit…

He thought about his Sentry Towers. His fortress. If they were overrun, the System would unbind. He’d lose everything.

“Understood,” Jax said, his voice grave. “We’ll get it done immediately.”

Sawyer glanced at him in the rearview mirror. “Don’t sweat it too much, kid. If things go south, just come to Redrock. I can find you a decent job. You’re too talented to die in a mud hut.”

It was a genuine offer, an olive branch. But Jax shook his head.

“Thanks, Brother Sawyer. But I prefer being my own boss. I’m not ready to sign away my freedom just yet.”

Sawyer chuckled. “Suit yourself. But everyone has a price eventually.”

The vehicle tore across the wasteland, kicking up a rooster tail of sand. In less than an hour, the familiar cliffs of Sector 33 loomed ahead.

On the fortress platform, Gareth and the others were on high alert.

“Vehicle approaching!” Silas called out, raising his hand to shield his eyes from the sun.

The team scrambled to the ramparts, peering down at the valley entrance. A black off-road vehicle skidded to a halt at the perimeter. The doors opened, and to their shock, Jax stepped out, followed by the pristine figure of Sawyer.

Gareth’s jaw dropped. “Holy… Jax actually has pull with the Redrock elites?”

He had assumed Jax was just blowing smoke about his connections. But seeing a Syndicate officer acting as a personal chauffeur? That changed everything.

Silas narrowed his eyes, reading the situation. “This isn’t a social call. Sawyer wouldn’t come all the way out here unless he had work for us. The partnership is real.”

He turned to the nervous group. “Relax. The Boss is just receiving orders. This confirms our status. We’re official contractors now.”

Gareth let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. He dusted off his jacket and watched as Jax and Sawyer walked toward the gate.

“Damn,” Sawyer whistled, looking up at the Sentry Towers. “You weren’t lying. Two functioning towers. You really do have capital, Jax. An Awakened is a different breed.”

Sawyer paused, looking at Jax seriously. “I mean it, brother. Instead of wasting your talent out here in the dust, join the Syndicate. You’d be an officer within a month.”

Jax smiled politely but firmly. “Thanks, but no thanks. If I ever hit rock bottom, you’ll be the first person I call.”

Sawyer sighed, adjusting his sunglasses. “Fine, fine. I’ve seen enough towers, so I won’t come up. Don’t want to get dust on the suit. Anyway, we brought some supplies. Consider it a down payment.”

Sawyer waved to his driver. “Unload the back. Leave us two bottles of water, dump the rest.”

The driver popped the trunk and began stacking crates of food and water by the gate. Barnaby watched the pile grow, his eyes sparkling with hunger, but he disciplined himself enough not to grab anything without permission.

“Alright, I’m out of here,” Sawyer said, checking his watch. “Get into the valley while the sun is up. The clock is ticking.”

Jax nodded. “Safe travels.”

Sawyer hopped back into the passenger seat, and with a roar of the engine, the vehicle sped away, disappearing into a cloud of dust.

As the dust settled, Gareth led the team down from the wall. They practically sprinted to the pile of supplies.

“Brother Jax!” Gareth beamed, looking at the branded rations. “I didn’t know you were this tight with the Syndicate!”

“It’s strictly business,” Jax said, downplaying it.

“Haha, don’t be modest!” Gareth laughed. “The Helios Syndicate is a major power in Redrock. You’ve really climbed to a high branch this time!”

Jax didn’t correct him. Let them think he had a powerful backer; it made leading them easier.

“It’s a cooperative relationship, Gareth. We aren’t vassals. Now, grab this stuff and haul it up. We have a briefing.”

While the team moved the supplies, Jax snagged a few chocolate bars from a crate and slipped them into his pocket for later.

Once everyone was gathered on the platform, munching on the high-quality rations, Jax cleared his throat.

“Listen up. The Syndicate gave us a mission. I need to head into the valley—Mount Sepulcher—to recon the insect activity.”

The chewing stopped. Mount Sepulcher was a death trap.

“I’ll be gone for a few hours,” Jax continued calmly. “I plan to be back before dark. Your job is to hold the fort. Gather firewood, reinforce the perimeter, and keep the towers fueled. Do not leave the defensive ring.”