Adventure of Behemoth 1

Behemoth hauls himself off the bridge into a maintenance lift bay wedged under the far rooftop. The air turns hot and metallic, carrying ozone, old oil, and wet concrete.

Below, the city moans through the gap in the slab. Above, the rooftop access hatch hangs crooked, its frame glowing with fresh sparks from a torn uplink cable.

The Fixer drops in after him, one hand on the rail, breathing hard. A small courier drone spins out of control overhead, its light strobing against cracked tiles.

From the roof access, a hooded signal tech steps into view, frozen between the sparking hatch and the two mercs. Their scanner sweeps once, then stops on Behemoth's armor.

The Fixer shifts closer to Behemoth, wary. The drone jitters, one blade arm smoking, while the city wind drives ash across the rooftop.

Behemoth's words hit the lift bay like a slammed door. The Signal Tech lowers the scanner a fraction, reading the armor, the gun, and the distance between them.

The smoking courier drone stutters past the hatch and drops a trail of sparks onto the wet tiles. Ash skates along the floor in a thin black ribbon.

The Signal Tech eases one step back from the hatch, shoulders loosening, already choosing survival over pride. The Fixer watches them go, then looks to Behemoth for the next move.

Behemoth raises the gun slow and steady. The muzzle points past The Fixer, straight at the hatch, and the lift bay goes still.

The Signal Tech backs away from the hatch with both hands open, scanner lowered, boots skimming the wet tiles instead of daring a sound.

The torn uplink cable spits blue sparks over the drifting ash. The smoking courier drone twitches once above them, then drifts higher, ignored.

The Signal Tech reaches the far edge of the bay and turns their shoulder away from Behemoth, taking the exit route without looking back. The Fixer stays planted, watching for any last trick from the tech.