The Fractured Age

The ash-filled streets of Cinder's Cross hummed with their usual chaotic energy as Kael wandered through the market square, his mind preoccupied with thoughts of the mysterious cylinder tucked away in his shed. His routine day was interrupted when a familiar voice called out from behind him.

"Kael!"

Turning, he saw Davin weaving through the crowd, his patched coat flapping as he approached. Davin's wild grin was a familiar sight, but today it seemed tinged with urgency.

"What is it now, Davin?" Kael asked, crossing his arms.

Davin stopped, panting slightly. "Got a job for you."

Kael raised an eyebrow. "Who's the client?"

Davin hesitated before replying, his grin faltering for just a moment. "The Crossbones."

Kael's expression darkened. "Since when do raiders need tech support?"

"They don't, usually," Davin admitted. "But let's just say this job is... out of their depth. They need someone with more than just brute force."

Kael frowned, his curiosity piqued despite himself. "What's the task?"

Davin leaned closer, lowering his voice. "Remember that commotion along the old rail line? Turns out it was the Crossbones looting a cargo vessel. They've got the ship under control but can't crack open the containers. That's where you come in."

Kael considered the offer. The Crossbones were dangerous, but they paid well when they wanted something badly enough. Still, working with raiders came with risks—double-crosses were common, and raiders weren't known for their patience.

After a moment's silence, Kael nodded. "Fine. I'm in."

Back at his shed, Kael methodically gathered the tools he'd need for the job. Years of scavenging had taught him to plan for every eventuality, and he wasn't about to take chances with a crew like the Crossbones.

First, he packed his NDT (non-destructive testing) device, a portable scanner capable of analyzing the structure of materials. It would help him locate weak points in the containers without causing unnecessary damage. Next came his self-made plasma cutter, an amalgamation of salvaged parts and precision engineering.

He added a set of thermite charges for situations requiring brute force, as well as a few smoke bombs for quick escapes. A small vial of concentrated acid went into his satchel—a versatile tool for cutting through locks or incapacitating opponents in a pinch. Finally, he checked his revolver, spinning the cylinder before tucking it into its holster.

Kael also slipped a few surprises into the hidden compartments of his trench coat: a shock emitter disguised as a handheld tool and a compact EMP device capable of disabling electronics within a short radius.

As he zipped his satchel closed, Kael paused for a moment, staring at his reflection in a cracked mirror. He wasn't fond of working with raiders, but the promise of a good payout—and the potential to salvage something valuable for himself—was too tempting to ignore.

The old rail line was deep in the neutral zone, a stretch of land that even factions avoided unless absolutely necessary. The area was a graveyard of rusting train cars and abandoned stations, overgrown with twisted vegetation and plagued by packs of feral creatures.

Davin led Kael to the meeting point, a derelict station half-buried under a landslide of rubble. A group of Crossbones raiders waited there, their makeshift armor patched together from scavenged materials.

The raiders were an eclectic mix. Some wore crude body paint in jagged patterns, while others sported cybernetic enhancements that looked more functional than fashionable. Their leader, a scarred woman with a cybernetic arm, exuded authority with her sharp gaze and clipped commands. A younger raider with a bright green mohawk sharpened a blade absentmindedly, while another with augmented legs adjusted a modified rifle.

"You're Kael?" the leader asked, her tone sharp.

Kael nodded, keeping his expression neutral. "That's me."

She motioned toward the wreckage ahead. "You crack open the containers, we split the spoils. Fast and clean, or you're out of here in pieces."

Kael's lips twitched into a faint smirk. "Fair enough."

The ship was a hulking beast, its metal hull battered but intact. Consortium-grade containers were stacked in its hold, their reinforced locks gleaming under the flickering light of portable lamps. Kael's trained eye quickly assessed the challenge—these weren't standard locks.

"This is heavy-duty," he muttered, pulling out his NDT device.

As Kael worked, his thoughts wandered. What could be inside that warranted such security? Consortium containers were known to carry everything from advanced medical tech to experimental AI cores. Whatever it was, it was worth enough for the Crossbones to risk holding onto it.

Kael started by sweeping the NDT device across the first container, marking weak points with chalk. The raiders watched him intently, their hands never far from their weapons.

"Relax," Kael said without looking up. "Rushing me won't make this go faster."

When he reached the lock, Kael retrieved his EMP device and triggered it with a short pulse. The circuitry flickered and died, leaving only the mechanical reinforcement intact. Next, he placed a thermite charge, stepping back as it burned through the final layer with a brilliant flash.

The door groaned open, revealing crates of high-grade medical supplies, energy cells, and protective suits designed for hazardous environments. Kael noticed a few unmarked cases in the back, their surfaces unmarred by wear.

As the raiders moved to unload the container, Kael spoke up. "I've got one condition."

The leader's eyes narrowed. "What?"

"I want some of those crates," Kael said. "Empty ones. I'm not interested in the contents, just the containers themselves."

The raiders exchanged glances, confused. The leader shrugged. "Fine. Take as many as you want. Just don't slow us down."

Kael nodded, satisfied. The containers could be repurposed for storage—or, if he was lucky, modified into something more valuable.

The atmosphere grew tenser as the raiders argued over how to divide the loot. The younger ones, like the mohawked raider, were already eyeing the unmarked cases, their greed barely contained.

Kael kept his focus on his work, opening another container with similar precision. This one held racks of portable fusion batteries—small but incredibly powerful.

"These are worth a fortune," Kael murmured to himself, wondering if the Crossbones realized just how valuable their haul was.

The scarred leader stepped beside him, her cybernetic arm whirring softly. "You've got what you wanted. Don't push your luck."

Kael met her gaze, unfazed. "I know when to quit."

As Kael packed up his tools, he noticed a small, scratched device half-buried under debris. It was a data core—intact despite its condition. Slipping it into his coat, Kael straightened up and slung his satchel over his shoulder.

"Pleasure doing business," he said, giving the leader a nod.

The sound of shouting broke out behind him as he walked away. The raiders were already fighting over the spoils, their fragile unity crumbling. Kael didn't look back, his pace quickening as the echoes of their argument faded into the distance.