---
The helicopter cut through the cold air.
No one spoke.
They didn't need to.
The screen flickered—
—and stabilized.
Dr. Halden.
Watching them.
Calculating.
Always.
"I've received confirmation."
Everyone focused.
"Richard—your parents are dead."
Silence.
Heavy.
Then—
"But your brother is most likely alive."
Richard didn't react.
Didn't move.
Didn't blink.
Siara looked at him—
and instantly understood.
Nothing.
That was the problem.
She stepped forward and pulled him into a tight hug.
"Hey… it's okay," she said softly. "Just let it out…"
Richard stood there.
Still.
For a few seconds—
nothing.
Then—
A single tear rolled down his cheek.
Slow.
Quiet.
Gone.
He exhaled.
"…it's okay."
It wasn't.
Everyone knew it.
No one said it.
Zero looked at him—
and looked away.
---
Devon's eyes snapped open.
Pain surged through him.
His chest.
His arm.
Everything.
"…ugh…"
He blinked, staring up at the ceiling—
then shifted his gaze.
A screen.
Scrolling data.
He frowned.
"…where am I…"
The screen flickered.
Then—
"Recovery successful."
Devon froze.
"…what?"
"I am ATLAS."
A pause.
"Artificial intelligence. Operator: Pluto."
Devon stared.
"…nah."
"You are conscious. That is sufficient."
The door opened.
Pluto walked in, holding a tray.
Protein bars.
Coke cans.
He glanced at Devon.
"…You're alive. Good."
Devon blinked.
"…your computer talks."
"It talks too much."
ATLAS: "I am efficient."
Pluto ignored that, tossing a protein bar at Devon.
"Eat."
Then a coke.
"Drink."
Devon caught both weakly.
"…this is your idea of treatment?"
"You didn't die," Pluto said. "That's treatment."
ATLAS: "Vitals stabilizing."
Devon opened the coke.
Took a sip.
Winced.
"…warm."
"Deal with it."
A pause.
Then—
ATLAS spoke again.
"Two hostiles approaching."
Pluto sighed.
"…figured."
Devon tensed.
"…those guys—"
"I know."
Pluto set the can down.
"Stay here."
He walked toward the back.
Devon frowned.
"…what are you—"
Metal shifted.
Panels opened.
A platform rose.
And on it—
TITAN Mk II.
Sleek.
Heavy.
Silent.
Waiting.
ATLAS: "Armor ready."
Pluto stepped onto the platform.
The suit activated.
Piece by piece—
It built itself onto him.
Legs first.
Then torso.
Arms.
Helmet sealing last with a clean mechanical lock.
ATLAS: "All systems online."
Pluto flexed slightly.
"…perfect."
---
The garage doors slid open.
The two hunters stood outside.
Watching.
One smirked.
"So this is the mechanic."
The other stepped forward.
"Kill him."
Pluto walked out.
Calm.
Unbothered.
The first hunter rushed in.
Fast.
Pluto didn't dodge.
Didn't block.
The hit landed—
THUD
Nothing.
The armor didn't move.
Didn't dent.
Didn't react.
The hunter froze for half a second—
That was enough.
Pluto raised his arm—
BOOM
Air cannon.
Point blank.
The hunter got launched across the scrapyard—slamming into metal, body going limp instantly.
Done.
Pluto lowered his arm.
"…one."
The second hunter moved.
Faster.
Stronger.
His strikes came sharp—
Clean.
Precise.
They all landed.
Chest.
Side.
Head.
THUD—THUD—THUD
Nothing.
No damage.
No effect.
ATLAS: "No structural compromise detected."
Pluto tilted his head slightly.
"…you done?"
The hunter stepped back—
Chrome energy flaring—
Then rushed again.
Pluto moved this time.
Faster.
He stepped in—
Electro fist—
CRACK
Direct hit.
The hunter staggered—
Pluto followed up—
Air burst—
Sonic blast—
The space warped—
The hunter lost balance—
Pluto grabbed him.
Belts snapped out—
Locked.
Charged.
Then—
Point blank—
Core discharge.
BOOOOM
The blast threw the hunter across the yard—crashing through scrap, burying him completely.
Silence.
ATLAS: "Targets eliminated."
Pluto stood there for a second.
Then turned.
Walked back inside.
The suit disengaged.
Piece by piece—
Helmet off.
Arms retracting.
Torso opening.
Until he stepped out of it completely.
No injuries.
Not even a scratch.
He walked to the fridge.
Pulled out a beer.
Cracked it open.
Took a sip.
Devon stared.
"…you took all that… and nothing?"
Pluto shrugged.
"…I build my stuff properly."
ATLAS: "Statement confirmed."
Pluto leaned back slightly.
"…they weren't worth the effort."
Devon blinked slowly.
"…I need that suit."
Pluto took another sip.
"…you can't even walk."