The Price of Trust

The Scrap Runner leader sized Veyna up, their glowing visor reflecting the flickering lights of the Undervault. Tension hung thick in the air. Behind her, the Sentinels were closing in.
Veyna kept her stance firm. Showing weakness wasn’t an option.
> "I need safe passage," she said, holding up the data chip. "And I have something worth your time."
The leader didn’t move for a long moment. Then, with a slight tilt of their helmet, they gestured toward the scrap piles.
> "You got five seconds to convince me not to sell you out."
A Dangerous Bargain
Veyna stepped forward, forcing herself to stay calm. She needed them. The Scrap Runners had access to places the Sentinels didn’t. If she was going to reach the last power relay, she couldn’t do it alone.
> "The Cortex is lying. The Core isn’t failing—someone is shutting it down."
That got their attention. The surrounding scavengers shifted, some exchanging uneasy glances.
The leader’s visor dimmed slightly, a silent thought passing behind their mask. They weren’t surprised.
> "What’s on the chip?"
Veyna hesitated. She hadn’t checked it yet. The Architect had given it to her just before vanishing.
> Do I bluff, or do I tell them the truth?
Before she could answer, a sharp alarm rang through the tunnels. The Scrap Runners stiffened. Sentinels.
A voice crackled over their stolen comms:
> "Fugitive located. Immediate termination authorized."
The leader cursed, then snapped their fingers. Two Runners raised their weapons.
> "Looks like your problem just became ours."
The Underground’s Choice
The leader turned back to Veyna, voice sharp.
> "If we help you, we want something in return."
Veyna’s mind raced. She had no credits, no resources—nothing they would normally trade for.
> "What do you want?"
The leader’s visor flickered, scanning her. Then they nodded toward the data chip.
> "You."
Veyna’s breath caught. Not the chip. Not the information. Her.
> "You work for us now. Take it or leave it."
The Sentinels’ heavy footsteps grew louder. Time was up.
And Veyna had no choice.
> "Deal."
The Scrap Runners moved instantly, pulling her deeper into the scrapyard just as the first Sentinel descended into the tunnels.
> [00:44:29] UNTIL CORE FAILURE.