The safehouse was suffocating, a place where time stretched and resources dwindled. Ayla paced near the cold, empty shelves, her lips pressed into a thin line. Kael leaned against the wall, his arms crossed as he tracked her movements.

  "We can't stay here," Ayla said abruptly, breaking the silence. "We'll starve—or worse, get caught."

  Kael exhaled slowly. "Figured as much."

  "The Concord doesn't lose trails," she continued, yanking a cord free from the terminal. "They'll find us eventually."

  "What's the plan?" Kael asked.

  Her eyes flicked to his, hesitation rippling through her usually unshakable demeanor. "We're going back to the Feelers."

  Kael studied her for a moment, then pushed off the wall. "I doubt they'll roll out the welcome mat."

  "If I can show them what we've found, they might help us," she replied.

  Kael raised an eyebrow. "Might?"

  "They're... stubborn," Ayla said carefully. "And they're not going to like you."

  "Good to know," Kael grumbled.

  The journey to the Feeler cell was grueling. The Outskirts sprawled like a wasteland, their crumbling structures and tangled vegetation forming a harsh labyrinth. The hum of distant drones kept them on edge, their every movement calculated to avoid detection. Kael's eyes scanned the landscape constantly, his training as an enforcer kicking in. He noticed the faint drone sweeps and traces of recent patrols etched in the dirt.

  "They've been here," Kael said, pointing to fresh tracks.

  Ayla's gaze followed his gesture, her jaw tightening. "Let's keep moving. The Feelers' territory is less monitored."

  Kael nodded but didn't relax. The Outskirts may have been less monitored, but they were no less dangerous. The ruins were a breeding ground for desperation, filled with scavengers and survivors who had little reason to trust strangers.

  "Tell me about them," Kael said as they maneuvered through a narrow alley.

  "The Feelers?" Ayla asked without looking back.

  "Yeah. What should I expect?" Kael pressed.

  "They don't take risks," she said. "They've survived this long by staying hidden, by trusting no one."

  Kael glanced at her. "Including you?"

  Ayla shrugged. "They think I'm reckless. That I don't see the bigger picture. But this time..." She trailed off. "This time, I have proof."

  Kael nodded, though his unease lingered. "And what about me? How do you think they'll react to an ex-enforcer waltzing into their safe haven?"

  "They won't trust you," Ayla warned, her tone neutral. "Try not to look like an enforcer."

  Kael frowned. "What does that even mean?"

  "You're about as 'Concord' as they come," she chuckled.

  Kael glanced down at his uniform. "Not much I can do about that."

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  "Just don't talk too much," Ayla added with a faint smirk. "They'll listen to me... I hope—at least long enough to decide whether you're worth keeping around."

  "Reassuring," Kael muttered dryly.

  They reached the Feeler cell at dusk. The entrance was hidden beneath a crumbling overpass, its access point marked only by a faint glyph etched into the concrete. Ayla knelt by the glyph, her hand hovering over a concealed panel. She glanced at Kael. "Don't say anything. Don't even breathe loudly. They'll be listening."

  Kael raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

  Ayla pressed her hand against the panel, a faint beep signaling the activation of the security system. "Ayla Grehn," she announced, her voice clear.

  A synthesized voice crackled to life. "Passcode."

  Ayla leaned closer, reciting a string of numbers. Moments later, a portion of the wall shifted, revealing a narrow passageway.

  "Stay close," Ayla instructed, stepping inside.

  Kael followed, his eyes scanning the corridor. Cameras and concealed turrets lined the walls, their presence subtle but threatening. The air grew colder as they descended deeper into the cell's territory.

  At the end of the passage, in front of second door, a group of heavily armed guards awaited them. They were a mismatched bunch, armed with salvaged rifles and makeshift blades. The moment their eyes landed on Kael, their hostility sharpened.

  "Ayla?" one of the guards asked, disbelief coloring his tone. "Didn't think we'd see you again."

  Wes," Ayla replied, her voice laced with sarcasm. "Missed me?"

  Wes ignored the jab, his gaze narrowing as it flicked to Kael. "Who's this? A Concord dog?"

  Kael bristled but kept his composure.

  "Former," Ayla corrected, stepping forward. "He's with me."

  "Not good enough," Wes snapped. "You know the rules. Outsiders don't get in."

  Ayla squared her shoulders, defiance flashing in her eyes. "I'm not asking. I've got intel. If you want me gone, fine—but you'll listen first."

  Tension rippled through the group, the guards exchanging uncertain glances. Before Wes could respond, a tall figure emerged from behind the guards. His presence was commanding, his sharp features cutting through the dim light.

  "Ayla," he said evenly. "You've got some nerve coming back here."

  "Kiran," Ayla replied, her tone equally cool.

  Kiran's eyes flicked to Kael, his expression hardening. "And what is this?"

  "He's with me," Ayla said, her voice steady.

  "An enforcer?" Kiran's voice was icy.

  "Former," Kael repeated, his tone calm.

  "That's supposed to mean something?" Kiran shot back.

  Ayla stepped between them, her posture defiant. "He's not the enemy. Look, I need to talk to you about this." She held up the drive containing the salvaged data.

  Kiran's gaze narrowed. "And what exactly is that?"

  "Proof," Ayla said. "Of what The Concord is doing."

  Kiran folded his arms, his expression skeptical. "And you think that's enough to make up for you walking out on us?"

  "I didn't walk out," Ayla snapped. "You were too stubborn to listen, so I needed to get proof."

  "And you were too reckless to see the consequences," Kiran retorted.

  The tension crackled between them, the weight of unspoken grievances hanging heavy in the air. Kael shifted uncomfortably, his gaze flicking between the two.

  "You need to hear this," Ayla insisted. "This place... Facility 12-B isn't just another Concord base. They're doing terrible things there. If we can expose it—"

  "Enough," Kiran interrupted, his voice firm. "You don't get to make demands here. Not after you left. And especially not with him."

  Kael remained silent.

  Kiran's gaze bore into Ayla's. "You want back in? Fine. But as for him..." He gestured to Kael.

  Ayla's expression faltered, but she quickly recovered, her chin lifting defiantly. "Please. Hear me out first."

  Kiran didn't respond, his gaze on Kael. Finally, he gestured to the guards. "Take him to the holding area. We'll decide what to do with him later."

  Kael tensed, his hand twitching toward his side. Ayla stepped in front of him. "You can't do this. He's not a prisoner."

  "He's not one of us," Kiran countered. "And until we're sure he's not a threat, he stays there."

  The guards moved to escort Kael, their weapons drawn. Kael's eyes met Ayla's, his expression calm. "I'll be fine."

  Ayla's lips pressed into a thin line, but she nodded reluctantly.

  As Kael was led away, Ayla turned to Kiran, anger simmering in her voice. "You're making a mistake."

  Kiran didn't flinch. "We'll see."

  Kael's steps slowed as he entered the Feeler settlement. The cell was a stark contrast to the sterile uniformity of Neutra. It pulsed with life. Children darted between salvaged tech and makeshift living spaces, their laughter mingling with the hum of machinery. Adults moved with purpose, their faces etched with weariness and determination.

  His gaze lingered on a cluster of utility bikes and walkers, their exteriors patched with scavenged parts. The sharp eyes of the Feelers followed him, distrust written plainly on their faces.

  Kael inhaled deeply, his thoughts a whirl of uncertainty. He wondered if Ayla had made the right choice coming here—or if she'd just condemned him.