A figure slowly emerged from the shadows.
It was a humanoid entity completely encased in metal.
She stood as stable as a sculpture, her height similar to Maine's, about 2.5 meters, exuding a quiet sense of oppression.
Her limbs were purely functional metal prosthetics, uncovered by synthetic skin; their surfaces were not smooth, but bore subtle machining marks and faint scratches from prolonged use.
The joint structures were particularly massive and sturdy, with complex hydraulic rods and multi-axis bearings vaguely visible, ensuring her movements possessed both strength and precision.
Her torso was covered with thick, dark red composite armor plates, clearly riveted; these plates were layered and reinforced in critical areas.
The robe she wore differed from Osiris' loose long robe, more akin to a standardized combat suit, equipped with reinforced shoulder pads and a skirt-like structure made of overlapping metal plates, allowing for mobility while providing additional protection.
Her head was completely covered by an antique-styled, hard-lined metal helmet, with a set of optical lenses positioned on one side of the helmet, rotating with her gaze.
Adorning the top of the helmet was a crest resembling half of a precision gear, its edges sharp, remaining still with her slightest head movement, adding a touch of timeless majesty and inhumanity to her overall appearance.
The appearance of this metallic figure immediately brought a strong sense of oppression.
Her design was starkly different from the streamlined, bio-engineered body modification styles popular in Night City, filled with a retro, hardcore, even barbaric sense of machinery.
However, the reason Maine's crew didn't immediately open fire, besides the other party showing no obvious hostility, was that next to this metallic figure, a familiar device also floated—a servo-skull.
The hollow eye sockets gleamed with a cold red light, identical to the servo-skulls in Osiris' workshop.
Just as the tense atmosphere was almost solidifying, the metallic figure stopped.
The voice that followed was distinctly female; although go through some synthesis, carrying a metallic resonance, careful listening could still discern the soft vocal base hidden beneath.
Her voice was steady and clear, transmitted directly through air vibrations, rather than relying on body modification communicators.
"Are you the guests?" Sekhmet turned to them, her helmet's optical sensor sweeping over the fully alert Maine's crew, finally resting on Maine, who was subtly protected in the center of the group: "I am Sekhmet, the commander of Magos Osiris' Cult Guard.
Magos has informed me of your arrival, and I will be responsible for hosting you these next few days."
"Wait..." Maine frowned deeply, stepping forward, his sturdy body blocking Sekhmet from his teammates.
His tone was a mix of confusion and strong doubt, a string of questions tumbling out: "You said you knew we were coming? What exactly is going on here? What is this place? Boss... what exactly does Magos Osiris want us to do?"
His insistent questioning undoubtedly voiced the feelings of all squad members.
Although Rebecca did not speak, her hands remained tightly gripped on the massive heavy bolter; though its muzzle was not explicitly raised towards the other party, her fingers never left the trigger guard, her knuckles slightly white from the effort.
Sekhmet showed no emotional fluctuation in response to Maine's barrage of questions.
Her metal-forged head simply tilted slightly, her smooth faceplate sweeping over everyone.
This action was difficult to interpret, seeming both like a meticulous observation of them and possibly just a programmed response.
In this delicate moment of standoff, the servo-skull that had accompanied Maine's crew through the dimensional rift slowly floated into the open space between the two parties.
In its hollow eye sockets, a red light flickered at a constant frequency, and intricate components seemed to be operating within.
Immediately, a voice they were incredibly familiar with, yet at this moment seemed particularly distant, clearly emanated from the servo-skull's built-in speaker, echoing in the empty cavern—it was Osiris' unique, cold, emotionless voice.
"I shall explain," the voice said, getting straight to the point without any pleasantries: "My original source is this world. The previous journey to your world was an accident.
And the primary purpose of this teleportation experiment is to find and stabilize a reliable path to return to this world from my current location."
The servo-skull paused slightly, as if processing a data stream, then continued in that unquestionable objective tone: "As for why I did not disclose all information to you in advance, it was to avoid introducing unnecessary interfering variables and complex emotional factors before the mission's execution, thereby affecting the purity and accuracy of the data collected from this experiment."
Osiris' voice was as direct as ever, carrying a cold indifference that treated everything as experimental parameters.
"Your mission has not changed: survive here for at least seventy-two standard hours, which is three days. Adapt to this environment, collect basic physiological and sensory data, and when the time comes, I will reopen the dimensional rift and bring you back."
The servo-skull paused, seemingly processing information, then turned towards Sekhmet and emitted a rapid and complex series of binary electronic tones.
Sekhmet's servo-skull immediately flew forward and engaged in a brief data exchange with its counterpart from the Cyberpunk Universe; several small indicator lights on the side of the skull rapidly flickered a few times.
Upon receiving the information, Sekhmet immediately performed a strange and solemn gesture towards the servo-skull transmitting Osiris' instructions, then bowed slightly.
"As per Magos' command, information received," Sekhmet's voice remained steady, but the reverence within it was discernible.
Having completed the command transmission and information handover, the servo-skull from wasteland workshop ceased to speak, floating silently in mid-air, entering a standby state, as if its mission was accomplished.
Sekhmet turned back to Maine's crew; although her metallic face could not express any emotion, her posture seemed to soften by an infinitesimal degree. "Your questions have been answered. Now, please follow me. Your condition requires rest and adaptation; a temporary dwelling has been prepared for you at the camp."
With that, she didn't wait for Maine and the others to react further, but turned directly and walked with her regular, heavy steps towards the passage she had emerged from.
Her servo-skull followed closely behind her.
Maine quickly exchanged glances with Dorio and Falco.
Although the situation remained shrouded in mystery, Osiris' personal explanation and Sekhmet' "hosting" demeanor temporarily dispelled the worst expectations of conflict.
"Keep up, maintain formation, stay alert," Maine ordered in a low voice.
Regardless, they were now in a completely unfamiliar environment, and following Sekhmet, who seemed to be "one of their own," was the most reasonable choice for now.