After Thom admitted he couldn't do much more with the tracker, Nero's expression dimmed—not in defeat, but in quiet recalibration. The device had failed him, but the name hadn't. That thread was still there. Still tight in his grip.
Drone placed a hand on Nero's shoulder.
"Hey, don't lose hope just yet," he said. "The tracker might feel like a dead end—but what if someone's using it to look for you? They could be getting closer as we speak."
He offered a faint smile.
"Besides, your memories are starting to come back. So until someone finds you… or you find yourself… stay with us."
Nero stayed quiet, eyes fixed on the floor.
Thom let out a breath. "Elias is right. You can stay here as long as it takes."
Nero spoke softly. "I don't think the rest of the town will accept me."
Thom waved a hand. "They'll come around. Elias and I will talk to them."
Nero hesitated, then looked between them.
"Why are you doing all this? You've only known me for three days."
He glanced at Thom. "Besides… weren't you against it a moment ago?"
Thom snorted. "Yeah. Changed my mind."
He shrugged. "Believe it or not, Elias has this weird gift. He can tell if someone's good or bad. If he trusts you, that's enough for me."
Drone gave Nero a light pat on the back.
"You know what? You should join me on scouting today. The fresh air might clear your head a bit."
Nero nodded faintly. "Okay. But what about the tracker?"
"I'll put it back together," Thom said. "You can take it after you return."
Nero agreed, leaving it behind.
Drone and Nero headed toward Drone's house. Halfway there, Drone stopped short.
"Crap. I forgot the compass at Thom's."
Nero blinked. "Want me to get it?"
"Nah." Drone was already turning. "You go inside and get ready. I'll be back in ten."
Nero watched him jog off, then turned and opened the front door—
—and froze.
Someone was already inside.
Meanwhile, back in Thom's garage, Drone entered to find him hunched over the tracker, tools in hand. Drone rummaged through a drawer, grabbed the compass, then turned to leave—but stopped at the door.
"Make sure the light keeps blinking like before," he said over his shoulder.
Thom didn't reply. Just kept working.
Drone left in a rush.
But something felt off the moment he returned.
The front gate stood wide open.
Cautious now, Drone stepped inside, silent. The house was too quiet. Then—
THUD.
A sharp sound echoed from the next room.
Drone's body tensed. He crept closer, his steps silent. As he neared the doorway, he peeked around the frame—
Nero stood there, his back turned, staring at something on the wall.
Drone didn't say a word. He stepped inside and followed Nero's gaze—
CH was there. Horns embedded deep into the plaster.
Drone sighed heavily. "What is going on in here?"
Nero turned. "This crazy old goat attacked me the second I walked in."
Drone narrowed his eyes at CH.
"CH."
The goat flinched, then yanked his horns free with a loud crack.
Drone eyed the gaping hole in the wall. "That's it. No bananas for three days."
CH began bleating in protest, his tone almost pleading.
"I'm not listening," Drone snapped. "I warned you, didn't I? You still attacked Nero. That's it. No bananas. Three days. Now go to your house."
CH let out one final dramatic maaah before sulking off.
Somewhere between the town where Nero was staying and Ironwatch Hold, the scout team pressed forward through a stretch of cracked earth and dry grass. The Nomad signal had been steady all morning—until it wasn't.
Rhea frowned, tapping her HUD. "We lost the Nomad signal."
She brought Strider to a halt and turned to Vinn, urgency cutting into her voice. "Take the wheel. I'm calling the base."
Vinn nodded and moved around the vehicle as Rhea slid out of the driver's seat. Moments later, Strider was rolling again, Vinn steady at the controls.
Rhea grabbed the radio and keyed the channel.
"Ironwatch, come in. Ironwatch. This is Specialist Tannis from Echo Needle. Do you copy?"
A sharp, clipped voice answered. "This is Colonel Veltin. We hear you loud and clear, Specialist. What's the situation?"
"Colonel, the Nomad signal just vanished."
A pause. Too long.
Then Veltin's voice snapped back, louder now. "What? How long has it been?"
"Just moments ago, Colonel."
On the other end, Veltin stood abruptly, knocking a stack of folders aside. "How long until you reach the signal's last known location?"
"If we maintain pace," Rhea replied, "by nightfall tomorrow."
"Understood. Stay on course. I'll inform the General. Further orders will follow."
"Copy that."
Rhea cut the transmission and leaned back in her seat.
From the rear, Kato's voice broke the silence, uneasy. "Is it possible that… you know… the signal's gone because they're—"
Vinn kept his eyes on the road. "Could be. But command wants Angelo alive. His family too. Makes him easier to control."
Rhea's voice cut in, firm. "Speculation won't help. We stay focused and move fast."
Strider rumbled on, the tension riding with them through the desolate landscape.
At Ironwatch Hold, Colonel Yara Veltin wasted no time. She entered General Mordane's office and delivered the report in full. Mordane listened in silence, fingers steepled beneath his chin.
Then he reached for the secure line.
The scout team answered immediately.
"Echo Needle. Specialist Rhea Tannis awaiting orders."
"This is General Kaelen Mordane," came the reply. "Your orders are as follows: proceed to the last known location of the Nomad signal. Do not engage. I repeat—do not engage. Scout the area after nightfall. Backup is being dispatched. Until then, remain unseen."
Rhea straightened. "Understood, sir. We'll observe and wait for reinforcements."
"Maintain constant updates," Mordane added.
"Copy that."
The line went dead.
Mordane turned to Veltin, his tone colder now. "Prepare a backup team. You'll lead them personally. I want Major Rix Harrow, Captain Mera Dastin, Lieutenant Asha Relin, Sergeant Dren 'Ox' Kellen, and ten additional soldiers.Full gear. No exceptions."
Veltin nodded. "When do we move?"
"Be ready tonight. The team deploys at first light." His eyes narrowed. "That boy is a mystery—and a dangerous one. He wiped out most of the Watchers and Angels with those abilities of his. We will not underestimate him."
As Veltin turned to leave, Mordane spoke again.
"And make sure this doesn't reach Dr. Grant."
She hesitated only a fraction of a second. "Understood, sir."
The door closed behind her.