The squad members quickly adjusted their stance, falling into a standard tactical formation to keep pace with Sekhmet.
Morris remained on high alert, silently ghosting along the flanks of the team, her sensory systems fully engaged, scanning every corner.
Although Rebecca and Pilar had holstered their heavy bolters and flamethrowers on their backs or attachment points, their hands instinctively rested on their sidearms, ready for any sudden developments.
Sasha and Kiwi continuously monitored the surrounding electromagnetic environment, their neural interfaces working at high speed, attempting to analyze the network structure and data protocols of this unfamiliar world.
However, the feedback signals were filled with unidentifiable codes and strong background interference, like facing an impenetrable wall of chaotic noise, making it difficult for them to delve deeper for a while.
They passed through a wide corridor, where spherical devices emitting a steady white light were embedded in the rock walls, illuminating the entire passage as brightly as day. The light was even and cold, without the slightest flicker.
At the end of the corridor, the light gradually changed, transforming from the cold white of artificial illumination to a natural, slightly yellowish daylight.
When they finally exited the corridor and arrived at the cave's mouth, the sight before them brought a strange sense of shock, even to those accustomed to Night City's bizarre, skyscraper-filled, and bloody streets, followed by a heavy feeling of oppression.
The cave exit was located in a depression of a massive valley, and as far as the eye could see, a nascent camp spread out before them.
The architectural style of the camp was consistent with the interior of the cave, characterized by extreme ruggedness and utilitarianism throughout.
Towering watchtowers stood like steel giants on the camp's periphery, equipped with bizarrely shaped defensive weapons they had never seen before.
These weapons had polygonal barrels and complex energy focusing arrays, with thick energy conduits snaking along the towers, glowing with an ominous, lava-like dark red light in the thin air.
Some massive vehicles, resembling mobile factories or fortresses, were parked at the edge of the open ground. Their armor was thick, and their exposed exhaust pipes occasionally emitted a low, continuous roar, as if sleeping behemoths were breathing.
The entire camp was enveloped in an atmosphere of orderly yet bone-chilling coldness.
However, what made them most uncomfortable were the "residents" moving about in the camp.
Most of them wore red robes similar to Sekhmet's, varying in shade, and different parts of their bodies had been replaced with metal prosthetics.
Some had only replaced arms or legs, but many more had undergone extensive modifications, with heavy metal plating for chests and various styles of metal masks or hoods on their heads, revealing only optical lenses that glowed with different colored lights.
Their movements were precise and efficient, but lacked the natural fluidity of ordinary people. Their interactions were mostly brief, binary language with electrical static, or low-pitched commands. The entire camp exuded an inhuman, cold sense of order.
"Here... why are there so many..." Rebecca instinctively leaned closer to Dorio, whispering, a flicker of imperceptible fear in her green cybernetic eye.
These red-robed metal people made her feel more terrifying than the aggressive gang members of Night City; it was an instinctive repulsion stemming from differences in life forms.
Pilar also shrank his neck, responding in a low voice, "I feel like we've fallen into a robot nest... Are they... still human?"
Falco silently observed the camp's layout and the activities of its personnel, trying to deduce the organization's operational model.
Sasha and Kiwi, on the other hand, showed great interest in the technology and equipment used by the red-robed figures, but at the same time, they became even more wary; this world's tech tree was clearly distinct from what they were familiar with.
Sekhmet seemed accustomed to their reactions. She did not stop, leading them directly to a row of relatively independent tents, constructed from prefabricated panels, at the edge of the camp.
Sekhmet stopped in front of a row of relatively simple metal prefabricated barracks, turning to face Maine's crew.
Her synthesized, melodious voice spoke again, but the content of her words carried an undeniable seriousness.
"This will be your dwelling for the next three days." She raised a metal arm, gesturing towards the barracks behind her, her movements precise and without any superfluity.
She paused slightly, her optical lenses on her faceplate seemingly scanning each squad member's face, ensuring the information was received.
Then, she continued, her tone even more explicitly warning: "I need to remind you again, this is a planet officially designated as a 'Death World.'
The environment outside the camp is extremely harsh, far beyond your conventional understanding.
Furthermore, uncharted, unknown dangers may lurk within that vast desert."
Her voice was steady, yet carried significant weight: "Therefore, please ensure you remain within the clearly demarcated safe zones of the camp.
Do not, out of curiosity, attempt to venture into the desert, nor casually touch or investigate any equipment or devices you do not understand."
She emphasized finally, "This is both to ensure your own safety and to maintain the inviolable order and stability of this place."
Having said that, she gave a slight nod, then turned and departed with her servo-skull, leaving Maine's crew standing in front of the tents, exchanging bewildered glances.
The massive metal cave, the bizarrely styled red-robed cyborgs, the desolate planet called a "Death World," Osiris' vague purpose for the "experiment"... a flood of information bombarded their brains, leaving them feeling a strong sense of dizziness and bewilderment after their cross-dimensional transfer.
"Boss man, what exactly... is going on with us now?" Rebecca couldn't help but look at Maine, her face etched with confusion.
Maine watched Sekhmet's retreating figure, then surveyed the cold, unfamiliar, and inhuman-feeling camp, letting out a heavy sigh. He shook his head, his rugged face also full of solemnity.
"I don't know either, Rebecca," he answered honestly, "But the boss said to stay for three days. In these three days, we have to survive, and... don't cause trouble."
He pushed open the tent door; inside were simple but adequate facilities. "Get in first, rest up, check your gear. Falco, make sure to record environmental data. Sasha, Kiwi, try to establish an internal communication network and see if you can find any vulnerabilities to connect to this world's network, but be extremely careful not to be discovered."
The team members silently entered the tent, temporarily isolating themselves from the outside's doubts and unease. But they all knew that these three days would be anything but easy.
On this strange planet, known as a "Death World," they not only had to face potential environmental threats but also adapt to this world of metal, gears, and cold logic, which was entirely different from Night City.
And Osiris' true intentions still hung over their hearts like a dense fog.
Here are three updates to get started. I'll eat dinner, and there should be fifteen more today.