The hum of hines reverberated arouhan as he sat in the back of the lead truck, his gaze fixed on the distant skyline of Valeris City. Beside him, Malek was quiet, his attention oy growing closer by the mihe rescued survivors, some still visibly shaken, were huddled in the rear of the truck, while Captain Jarek's guards, positioned iher hover trucks, kept a vigint watch over the voy.

  Captain Jarek had immediately offered hover transport and security to ehe survivors' safe arrival in Valeris. As the truck glided smoothly across the rugged terraihan allowed himself a moment of reprieve, grateful for the quick journey pared to the rough hike they might've had otherwise.

  Ethan's thoughts turned back to what the survivors had told them. Raeth, one of the Bck Sun Syndicate's high-ranking officers, had been overseeing a series of experiments on a rare mineral alloy within his secluded facility. Acc to the survivors, Raeth had been refining the mineral to harness its unusual properties. Most disturbingly, the alloy seemed to have subtle, mind-altering effects. Ethan recalled the haunted looks on the survivors' faces as they'd shared their stories of being under Raeth's influehe faint horror lingering in their eyes.

  As the trucks approached the city gates, Etha a surge of relief. The dusty expanse of Kynara faded into the background, repced by the familiar energy of Valeris's bustling streets. They passed through the city's entry checkpoint, nodding to the guards who quickly ushered them through, and made their way directly to the Merary Guild Hall.

  The grarao the guild towered before them, metal doors parting smoothly as they arrived. Ethan, Malek, and the survivors climbed out of the trucks, and Captain Jarek's guards fell in lio escort them ihan took a deep breath, feeling the weight of their missiole in as he stepped into the hall's high-ceilirium. A rush of activity filled the air as meraries and guild staff bustled about, though many paused to look curiously at the group.

  Ethan and Malek were immediately directed toward a more private chamber within the guild by Kael, the guild's secretary. Kael's sharp gaze took in the survivors, and without wasting a sed, he guided them through the hall to the meeting room where the branch master awaited.

  The guild branch master, a tall, imposing figure with keen eyes and a calm, calg demeanor stood he room's holo-dispy, studying a series of reports. He looked up as they entered, giving them a quiod.

  "Good work," he said, his voice a mix of praise and urgency. "I uand you've returned with important information, as well as survivors."

  Ethan took a step fng back briefly at Malek before he spoke. "Yes, sir. The survivors firm that Raeth, one of the syndicate's officers, was dug experiments on a mineral alloy with...unique properties. The alloy has been refio influehought patterns, potentially even basic decisions. We believe the syndicate could o if they gain more resources."

  The branch master's expression darkened. "Mind-altering properties... If the syndicate successfully ohat, they'll have an unimaginable advahis information is invaluable." He turo the survivors, his toler. "Thank you for ing forward. We'll ensure you're safe and cared for while we assess this situation."

  The survivors nodded, clearly relieved. Their ordeal had taken its toll, ahan hoped the guild's prote would allow them to find some peace after all they'd been through.

  The branch master motioo Kael, who immediately approached Ethan and Malek with information tablets in hand. "In light of your efforts, the guild is both of you substantial pensation," the branch master said, his gaze direct. "Kael will hahe transfers."

  Kael tapped quickly on his tablet, and moments ter, their tablets fshed notifications with the credit transfers already in progress. "This includes payment for the intel you've provided, the safe return of the survivors, and, of course, the supply mission," Kael expined. "Well dohis information will certainly bolster our efforts against the syndicate."

  Ethan g the s, taking note of the generous credit increase in his at. It was enough to cover several essential repairs, though he knew he would need more to fully restore his ship.

  Malek caught his eye and gave a slight nod. "Not bad for a day's work," he said, a small grin tugging at his lips. "Good luck with whatever es ." They shook hands, sharing a quiet uanding. They both khat as solo meraries, they'd likely be going their separate ways for now, but they'd cross paths again soon enough.

  With Malek's departure, Ethan made his way to the guild's medical room, his shoulder ag from the strain of their skirmish with Raeth's forces. The guild's medical team worked effitly, treating his injuries with precision and ensuring his shoulder roperly mehey reended he avoid any heavy activity for a day or two, which he agreed to without hesitation.

  Once his treatment was plete, Ethahe guild hall and headed into the cool night air of Valeris City. The streets were bustling, the neon signs glowing vibrantly against the darkening sky. The familiar hum of the city settled over him, blending with the sounds of traders, travelers, and meraries exging tales of their ventures. A sense of aplishment lingered in his mind, tempered by the fatigue of the day.

  Though he'd sidered going straight back to his ship, his stomach had other ideas. He made his way to Nara's , the local tina he'd grown fond of, eager for a hot meal after the grueling mission. The warmth of the tina and the st of spices and roasted meats greeted him as he entered. Nara herself gave him a nod from behind the bar, an unspoken aowledgment of his return.

  Ethan ordered a hearty meal aled into a booth, letting himself rex for the first time sihe mission's start. As he ate, he thought back to everything he'd learhe mineral alloy, Raeth's experiments, and the syndicate's pns all poio something rger. Something that would undoubtedly bee even more plex as he delved deeper into the merary life.

  Once his meal was finished, Ethan got up, paid and made his way back to his ship. The quiet interior was a wele reprieve from the bustling tina, atled into his sleeping quarters with a tented sigh. Exhaustion hit him like a wave, and within moments, he had drifted into a deep, well-deserved rest.