The Thundrum dipped and zipped through the sky and I sat back harnessed in, whilst we traversed the night sky. Tryzer piloted the Thundrum with intensity and that was based on how the intensity he flashed across his face.

I watched as Stelig’s scar twitched, the moment something appeared in front of him, but the way his hands responded, it was in reverse. He responded, then twitched. Damn…this bastard could fly I thought, Naedon sat next to him, eyes fixed on what was ahead of us, cool and quiet reserve.

“Cobra Squad, where are you!” Stelyne said

“Right here,” Naedon responded.

“I’m tracking snake egg as best as we can, but this limousine isn’t meant for high-intensity pursuits. Do you have a fix on my location? Over.”

“Loud and clear.”

“Good, take over from here. I’m sending you the heat signatures we were following. I don’t think they’re as fast as the Thundrum…so you should be able to catch up.”

The line went silent for two seconds, as if The Commissioner cursed, as if unbeknown to us, then Stelyne came back on. “Code 98647,” Stelyne said, voicing echoing through speakers.

“98647…confirmed,” Naedon repeated, slapping a bright red button in the middle of the cockpit.

“Uplink Established…transference of Sonar frequency to the Black Snakelette 01 Complete.” A robotic voice confirmed.

“Good Hunting Cobra Squad, Stelyne Out.”

The Thundrum swerved left, then made a hard right, missing a tree that appeared out of nowhere. Tryzer then brought the vehicle up for two seconds, forcing us back in our seats with G’s.

A surging pain scrawled across my brain, making my body shiver. I bit my lip, closed my eyes and tried to settle my mind, trying my best to alleviate the pain.

I stimulated my SMB to display my synchronization ratio. Back in the day…I’d simply told Nova to highlight it for me. I need another Artificial Assistant I told myself.

Stancer Cybernetic Eye V3.8 Functioning at 93% Capacity

Aldur Cybernetic Arm V9.8 Functioning at 78% Capacity

Slethe Nanite Synchronization Functioning at 59% (Recommended Dosage Intake before levels drop to 30%)

Damn it, my slethe synchronization has dropped…no wonder the feedback has been so intense. I said to myself. This was the bitter truth of not having Nova anymore, she regulated my nanite usage so perfectly that I needn’t worry about my usage, but after finding myself in the middle of an operation, this was quite a concern.

“Pick up the pace Tryz, “ Naedon said. “They’re getting away.” The spooling sound of the afterburners rumbled below us as I felt my body sink further into my seat.

The rattling of the Thundrum was like a trip down memory lane, bullets dinging with each fired shot, the only they weren’t being fired at the time but shifted in their cartridge.

“You should’ve let Cypher sit in the front Cap,” Rynord said. “What are you on about?” Naedon said, annoyed. “He’s the one with the Cybernetic eye.”

“I have 20/20 Vision” Naedon responded

“Not the same, Cap,” Stelig said.

“Doesn’t matter.”

The Thundrum swerved left and varicoloured lights of Bridge City exploded into existence to my right. The colours beamed, pulsed and shone through the window, like dragonflies passing by in the distance. Roads snaked beneath blocs of concrete, consisting of apartments, stalls, malls and Skyscrapers.

No matter how many times I saw the city from the skies, it always filled me with pride, in some form or fashion. As humans, we’ve come so far…so quickly since The Imbibe.

“Shit…” Tryzer sounded off. “I think I’ve been made.” The Thundrum banked left, then right. Then went into a swan dive pushing me back in my seat as Tryzer dodged oncoming traffic.

Tryzer took us underneath an adjoining Bridge between two Skyscrapers. The vehicle began to shake so loudly as if the screws and joints were about to pull it apart. Hell, I could even feel my cybernetic arm rumbling from the strain this maniac put the Thundrum through!

The inertia I felt, made my mind go blank, which I welcomed. It was a much-needed reprieve as my SMB was working overtime.

“Activate Artificial Assistant Liza: Code 598631— Naedon: Cobra Squad…Authenticate.” Naedon said. The lights within the Armored Truck dipped and vectored lines stencilled into the vehicle came alive in the colour of emerald.

The Gunseat stationed in the middle of the Thundrum spun around, coming alive like a spider. It snapped open, showing a seat and a helmet nestled into the seat.

The lights from the HUD came alive and the holo keyboard opened up, slowly around in a semi-circle fashion.

“Colonel Levisay doesn’t skimp on tech, does he?” I asked. Rynord, who sat in the seat to my left, just turned to me and smiled happily. “The Colonel buys the best.” He said.

“Authenticating Voice confirmation……Voice Confirmed.” Said an Artificial Assistant. “Welcome Back Captain.”

“Good to be back Liza,” Naedon said.

“Hey…Liza, He’s not the only one here!” Rynord shouted.

“It’s good to hear you Sergeant Rynord too.”

“Like-wise,” Rynord said, the AA answered.

“I’m here too Liza,” Tryzen said, through gritted teeth.

“Of course, You are, I can sense the terminal velocity in your flight navigation at work Tryzer.”

“I’ve gotten better, don’t you think?”

“Unlikely.” The AA confirmed.

My lips curled into a smile, the AA was nourishing to hear. At least from my end, but the lack of Nova’s help withered in my mind once the moment passed. Get yourself in the game Cypher! I told myself, a life’s at stake!

I didn’t like this strategy of following these rat bastards to their hole, but it was our best strategy. We couldn’t outright chase after them, because we know nothing of their demands, and who they kidnapped.

Stelyne’s job was to provide support. However, that didn't matter as the show must go on, despite the kidnapping. Which I thought was crazy. There was no way in hell that The auction would continue if the President of the Antillean Federation's daughter was kidnapped.

No. Way. In. Hell.

That was the difference with The Federation’s Elite, everything was a business decision, which made me believe, that the kidnapping was related to a business deal gone bad…but whose?

My chest pounded, with each shift I made, reminding me of the infuriating poor job I did in the firefight within the maintenance room. All of my battle instincts had dulled to the point of inefficacy, which, by the way, was further evidenced by my botched assault on Akatani’s operation.

Since then, I tried making effort to re-train myself for such situations. Had I improved? Yes…was I confident with myself, at this current time? Which made me wonder why Stelyne chose me for this detail.

I don’t know what spurred her to select me, but I was grateful. All I needed was those credits to hit my account. So that Shin-Lee and I could buy the Anti-Mienyelfribosis nanites for Hannah-Lee before the prices skyrocket through the roof.

It didn’t take long for The Armored Truck to catch up to the van. I mean, we couldn’t see it, but based on how fast we enclosed on the dot, that was once speeding away said volumes about Tryzer piloting skills.

The only problem was, that we were now heading into the city.

Tryzer spun the Vehicle 360°, leaving me hanging upside down for a full eight seconds, before bringing it back normal. “KEEP THIS SHIT LEVELLED TRYZ…FOR CHRIST'S SAKE.” Rynord hissed.

“Sorry, had a blip to dodge,” Tryzer said with a laugh

“More like five…but whose counting?” Stelig joked. He then turned to me and shook his head. “Oh…I forgot, we have a guest here. Seems like Cypher isn’t a fan of your driving Try.”

“Stomp It!” I said with a laugh, but a groan in my heart. Tryzer took the armoured car around a Skyscraper, trailing behind the white van as best as he can. I watched as the driver dodged, blipped, logos and traditional signs late, trying their best to bait Tryzer into crashing.

But that didn’t work.

The Thundrum dipped, sending my stomach into my throat for a moment, then banked left…hard. Hangul characters appeared in yellow, blue and green written across the tip of a Skyscraper. The characters were tattered, in the form of stained yellow, purposefully no doubt, but ugly with sincerity.

“Boss…let’s just end this!” Stelig roared. “I’m sick of this.”

“Not yet…but don’t worry. I’ll let you warm up. Liza…Weather Report.” Naedon said.

“Light to Heavy Showers, scattered across the Bridge City, Captain.” Weather report? I questioned completely confused.

“Scattered showers?” Tryzer said, more than asked. “Rynord, Gunseat…Stelig sees if you can assist Rynord with targeting.”

“…and me, same as Rynord, but instead use that eye of yours.”

“On it.”

Rynord unstrapped his harness and grabbed the handrails of the roof, clutching them tighter than a clam. He sprung down to the Gunseat, then strapped himself in. Bastards are lucky we didn’t have to do that 360 ° manoeuvre again. I thought.

The Gunseat, reclined and snapped back, then readjusted itself to fit Rynord’s owns. The lights began blinking around him like a Christmas tree. I watched as he typed in whatever re-calibration need to be done. It was like the man was in his element.

“Cartridge PB-A7-5,” Rynord said, looking back at us. “Wouldn’t 49-X? Be better?” Rynord questioned, eyes fixed on his monitor with the glare reflecting from his face. “Yes, but we don’t know where they’re heading. I prefer a stray shot to smudge someone’s windscreen than the liability of a shattered windscreen.”

“Got it.” Rynord snapped. Stelig then pulled a Drag bag from beneath his seat and began assembling his Sniper Rifle.

The Thundrum’s side doors snapped opened on both sides, wind roaring as it rumbled through the doors beating louder than a mad drummer filled with rage on concert night.

I felt like I was at a rave party, but with the scent of gun powder, instead, sweat was my only companion. Rain flooded in, dosing my tuxedo in one splash, pissing me off in an instant. “What’s the code for the laser targeting!” I shouted.

“89563,” Rynored answered.

I stimulated the information to my SMB and watched as the laser eye gained access to the laser sight system. I unhooked my harness, then strapped it onto the hook to my right. I climbed out to the side of the Thundrum feeling the groves of its armour plating rub the tip of my fingertips, then slid my hand across the edging of the door and slowly moved up.

There I said to myself, finally watching as the van tilted left, varying off viciously, dipping below a car, then twirlers between two trailers, perfectly.

“HOLY SHIT.” Rynord celebrated. “This is gonna be a tight fit!” Tryzer said. “ SON OF A BITCH!” Naedon roared.

I fell back into Thundrum, hearing the doors slam shut right before I slammed my head onto the Gunseat’s pole. The vibrations from the pole, ran through my skull down to my back, making my teeth chatter for a second.