Sirens and vehicles wailed in the distance. The team regrouped with the others at an abandoned cargo depot on the edge of the industrial sector.
The other five were already in civilian disguises with their equipment placed to the side. One of them, a tall former naval tactician stepped forward.
"The main power supply of the settlement has been disrupted. Results better than expected".
"The ammunition helped," Derek replied.
"What is the status?" Kael asked.
"The cruiser to Dwaro is almost ready to leave. We may catch up before our path is blocked".
A rumble shook the depot. Low frequency hum followed and then a woosh buzzing sound. A shadow past by their area with a flashlight as if looking for suspicious people.
The group did not waste time and began moving being mindful of the search crew. They sneaked out the depot into dark alleyways, going as fast as they could. Across the district, they could see the cruiser accepting passengers.
They had to hurry.
"How long until departure?" Kael asked.
"Seven minutes sir" replied one of the technicians.
At the mention of that, they heard the sweeping party get closer and closer to them. Security vehicles rolled into adjacent streets, while boots hit pavement.
"We have to hurry".
They moved quickly, spreading into cover behind cargo containers and structural pillars while outside voices echoed.
In minutes they reach the cruiser. Because they did not want to draw suspicion, they wore their earlier clothes. To hide, themselves Kael opted to go through customs with two female officers in the group, moving like a playboy. Arms on the girls waist and dashing a charming smile.
To the outside, it looked like the group was just talking a break from a road trip. Derek entered with one of the other girls, walking casually. They did not follow each other, but it was certain they were a party by their atmosphere.
Fortunately there was not security yet at the terminal. Other families who had departed with the team, boarded once more so it was not suspicious.
Moments later, they crossed the boarding gate and the cruiser sealed up, destination Dwaro.
The cruiser lifted smoothly into orbit, engines vibrating beneath the deck. Kael stood near a viewport with the two girls, watching the moon shrink beneath them.
The cruiser soared towards the planet. It flew through the sandstorms the ravaged the upper atmosphere and revealed Dwaro. A dark world wrapped in shifting grey-red clouds and huge tornados on every section.
The cruiser descended through turbulence, emerging above a dome city. In were platforms, towers and hanging rails. The dome did not have any other huge settlement as a neighbour.
Despite that, there were many citizens just from the size alone, about 50 times the size of the third moon's settlement. The cruiser settled down near, the dome and docked safely.
The hatch opened to special corridor tube that connected the cruiser to a safe section inside of the dome. The reception was procedure, just like exiting the moon settlement.
Kael and the others exited, bags in hand, all carrying the relaxed aura of people visiting for leisure.
The corridor tube led them into a spacious reception hall beneath the dome's inner shell. Compared to Dwaro III, which had a certain expensive sheen all around despite there being cheap unsightly places.
Dwaro, at least that dome settlement was not as funded. Such that it was glaring how poor the place was. There was no light inside, no view of the outside just layered metallic panels above with a holographic banner shimmering in midair.
It read. "Welcome to Dwaro-"
Citizens moved in steady currents, even outside the reception area. Workers in grey utility suits, merchants in layered cloaks and machinery moving around. Compared to Velmora, which was a paradise planet in the galactic era, Dwaro was the definition of a sci fi city.
Upon exiting they were welcomed by loud sounds of day to day workers. Moving vehicles and clanking metal. The first notable thing about Dwaro compared Velmora and the moon that Kael noticed was that there were a lot more aliens roaming around them.
There were many, from different races and sizes all compatible with the humans as if they had lived together for centuries.
Of course the team was amazed and as "tourists" they observed the area. Despite the dome being "less advanced" it was still a sight fitting for tourists.
Just seeing the different races interacting together made the trip worth but the most impressive thing was how there was a hybrid of human architecture and alien foreign architecture seamlessly blended together.
As Kael and the rest were eager for sightseeing, Derek leaned slightly toward him and spoke into his ear.
"We are being watched."
Kael did not react, his gaze still observing.
"Expected. They might have been informed to watch the passengers of the cruise".
"Change of plan, " Kael continued. "let's separate and regroup later. Derek lets go have a drink, maybe Dwaro's alcohol is better than the cruiser's."
The team separated, each going their separate ways. Derek fell into step behind Kael.
***
Derek and Kael both walked into a bar. The time was still day almost night so there was basically no one in the bar.
Derek and Kael stepped inside, the bar was dim despite it being early evening. Blue strip lights ran along the ceiling edges, flickering faintly. A thorny sculpture hung in the air made of recycled atmosphere mixed with cheap vapor smoke.
Behind the counter stood, a broad shouldered alien with scaled skin and golden slit pupils. He wiped a glass slowly but did not greet them, he was those watching them through the corner of his eyes.
Kael chose a table near the wall, back to solid structure, full view of the entrance and the side corridor.
"Two of whatever this establishment prides itself on" Kael said casually.
The bartender's eyes lingered on them half a second and began cooking something. Kael caught sight of a box above the bartender. It was on mute, but he recognised the presenters. It was playing another rerun related to him.
"Do you think they followed us?" Kael asked. Bending on the table towards Derek.
"Negative, but they might have marked us."
"We might end up fighting them one way or another."
"Sir" began Derek. "If I may ask, why did you choose me. There are many more suitable and would be of much assistance to you."
Kael sighed, he could see the enquiry on Derek's face.
"Because of my situation, I need to advance faster and to advance faster I need danger, excitement and courage." Began Kael. "You are one of the best at your job, but by far not the best. With you, I can be useful and risk my life. But even if I risk my life, I trust in you to be there in case."
Derek was startled.
"I am honoured…" he began then two glasses of strange liquid were slammed on their table.
"Here!" commented the bartender, his figure towering over the two. On his other hand was a handheld device with a message. 'tap to pay.'
Kael pulled out, a card from his inside pocket and tapped on the device.
"Don't go far, we will be needing more of your service for today" he replied with a smirk.
The bartender turned and returned to his position. Leaving Kael and Derek with that suspicious liquid in the glass. It was red and almost sludgy but did not seem too ominous.
"Bottoms up" commented Kael as downed the entire glass. Derek followed him shortly after.
After, a smile filled Kael's face. He was used to cheap alien liquor even from before his term. "This stuff is good. Bartender… keep them coming" he shouted back.
Kael leaned back as another round was poured. The bar slowly filled as night settled over the dome. Workers were off shifts, traders packing up and going home. the noise increased, conversations overlapped.
Then, a subtle vibration came from their earpiece. They tensed up a little but returned to finish their bottles.
"Found secure makeshift base and booked lodgings."
After finishing their last glass, they rose up and left the bar with other ordinary customers. Still duffle bags in hand and as unsuspicious as they could force themselves.
***
When morning had long passed and workers had started their day, the group found themselves at a safehouse located in the lower industrial district. It was abandoned so it was in rough shape but the team did not mind.
The team gather around a metal table scarred with burn marks and old welding cuts, their weapons and tools were laid bare on the table. One was busy cleaning them while going through the debrief.
Besides the weapons on the table was images of people.
"These are the targets" noted Kael. "They are responsible for the damages occurred to the corporations around this dome. Intel says they will be gathering outside the safe zone."
"How did you get this intel?" inquired one of the officers.
Kael smirked as the image of last night appeared. In the many orderings of drink, the bartender had slipped some documents into his pocket without anyone seeing.
"House Voss has loyal subordinates" he replied.
Derek pulled out a large paper map of the dome and laid it down. On it were marks, one mark was far from the dome, deep in the mountain areas of Dwaro. That was the meeting site for the enemies.
On the edge of the dome was a mark, written assistance.
"We need to go by tonight."
"Yes, sir"