Alexander burst into the chamber with Elijah right beside him, moving so fast the hunters barely had time to register the threat. Valeria and Riva fnked out instantly, creating a perfect four-point entry that momentarily froze the hunting party in confusion.

  "What the—" the lead hunter started, but Alexander was already in motion.

  He delivered a precise strike to the nearest hunter's interface connector, temporarily disrupting the man's systems. Beside him, Elijah moved with surprising grace, sidestepping a clumsy counter-attack and positioning himself between two hunters and their cornered prey.

  "We've got company!" shouted one of the hunters – a stocky man who seemed to be their leader. "Defensive positions!"

  The hunting party scrambled to reorient, splitting their attention between their original target and the new arrivals. The cornered woman didn't waste the opportunity, immediately activating another of her devices – this one emitting a focused sound pulse that disoriented the closest hunter.

  Alexander noted her quick adaptation with approval. She'd instantly recognized their intervention as an opportunity rather than a new threat. Smart.

  "Riva, left side!" Alexander called as two hunters tried to circle around.

  Riva stepped forward, deploying a modified med tool that released a cloud of sedative particles. The hunters stumbled back, coughing and disoriented.

  Valeria, despite her earlier objections, executed her role perfectly, cutting off the escape route of a hunter trying to flee with what looked like the cornered woman's stolen equipment. A quick leg sweep followed by a precision strike left him groaning on the ground, the stolen gear cttering beside him.

  The dark-haired woman took advantage of the chaos to recim her position. Rather than attempting to escape, she moved strategically to a better defensive position, somehow managing to recover one of her scattered devices in the process. With impressive speed, she reconfigured it into what appeared to be an electrical discharge weapon.

  "These aren't your credits, Architect!" the leader shouted at Alexander, backing toward the tunnel entrance with three of his remaining hunters. "You'll regret this interference!"

  "I doubt that," Alexander replied calmly, maintaining his position between the hunters and the woman.

  The leader – "Dren," one of his companions had called him – made a quick hand signal, and the remaining hunters retreated toward the tunnel entrance, maintaining defensive positions.

  "This isn't over," Dren called back. "Nobody steals Sector 8's quota credits."

  Alexander watched them withdraw, assessing the threat. A standard hunting party wouldn't risk confrontation with an Architect team, but their unusual persistence suggested they might return with reinforcements.

  Once the hunters disappeared into the tunnel, Alexander turned his attention to the woman they'd rescued. She stood warily against the wall, her makeshift weapon still active, eyes darting between each member of his team with careful assessment.

  "You're welcome," Alexander said, deliberately keeping his distance. Her stance made it clear she wasn't yet convinced of their friendly intentions.

  "Why?" she asked simply, the single word carrying yers of suspicion.

  Smart again. Not expressing gratitude, not lowering her guard, just demanding the underlying motive.

  "Your interface modifications," Alexander replied honestly. "They're beyond standard capabilities for this floor. Especially for an Unaligned."

  Her eyes narrowed slightly at his direct assessment. "So you want my tech. Just like they did."

  "I want to understand it," Alexander corrected. "There's a difference."

  Elijah had been strangely quiet during the entire confrontation. Now he moved slightly closer, his expression a mix of curiosity and confusion.

  "I'm Alexander," he offered, gesturing to his team. "That's Elijah, Riva, and Valeria."

  The woman hesitated, then replied cautiously. "Lyra."

  Just her first name. No sector designation or affiliation. Definitely Unaligned.

  "You held off seven hunters with improvised equipment," Alexander observed. "Impressive."

  "Until you showed up, I was about to be eliminated," Lyra pointed out, though she finally lowered her electrical device slightly.

  "No, you weren't," Elijah spoke up suddenly, drawing surprised looks from everyone. "You had another countermeasure ready. Left boot compartment."

  Lyra's eyes widened almost imperceptibly. "How did you—"

  "Your stance shifted when they closed in," Elijah expined quickly. "Weight distribution changed to access something in your boot."

  Alexander noted the exchange with interest. Elijah was showing unusual perceptiveness, even for him. And the woman – Lyra – was clearly more prepared than she'd appeared.

  Elijah approached slowly, his interface glowing slightly as he activated his healer abilities. "You're injured. Several cerations on your arms and a possible mild concussion based on your pupil dition."

  "I'm fine," Lyra replied automatically.

  "You're not," Elijah countered gently. "And those hunters might return with reinforcements. At least let me heal the worst of it while we talk."

  Lyra hesitated, then gave a short nod, though she maintained her defensive posture.

  As Elijah began treating her injuries, Alexander conducted a more thorough assessment. Lyra's equipment was a fascinating mixture of salvaged components and custom modifications. Her interface connections showed sophisticated alterations that should have been impossible with standard Unaligned access.

  "Your interface," he nodded toward her temple, "that's a custom neural pathway configuration, isn't it?"

  Lyra's eyes narrowed. "You know a lot about interface tech for a combat specialist."

  "We were well-prepared before entry," Alexander replied simply.

  Valeria, who had been securing the chamber perimeter, rejoined the group. "Area's clear for now, but I detected movement in the north tunnel. They might be regrouping."

  "Then we should move," Alexander decided. He turned back to Lyra. "We have a proposition for you."

  "I'm listening," she replied cautiously.

  "Temporary alliance. Your technical expertise combined with our resources." Alexander id it out directly. "You clearly have skills we could benefit from, and we have equipment and supplies you could use."

  Valeria didn't bother hiding her disapproval. "Alexander, we haven't discussed—"

  "Strategic decision," he cut her off, keeping his eyes on Lyra. "Assessment based on observed capabilities."

  Lyra looked between them, clearly weighing her options. "Why would Architect-css pyers want to team up with an Unaligned?"

  "Because skill matters more than cssification," Alexander replied. "And you've got skills we don't."

  Elijah had moved closer to Lyra during this exchange, still with that strange, almost distracted expression. He turned to Alexander, speaking quietly. "I think we should trust her."

  Lyra caught this and raised an eyebrow. "You don't even know me."

  "No," Alexander agreed. "But we know what we saw. You've got technical abilities beyond standard training, combat skills despite minimal equipment, and you managed to hold off seven hunters alone. That's someone worth allying with."

  Riva finished treating the worst of Lyra's injuries and stepped back. "The hunters took significant equipment from you, didn't they? I notice several empty attachment points on your gear."

  Lyra nodded reluctantly. "Had to leave my best tools out at camp when my previous team turned on me. I had them id out to upgrade our gear when they decided my quota credits were worth more than my skills."

  "Which we can help repce," Alexander offered. "Our resources are... substantial."

  Lyra studied them all carefully, her amber eyes calcuting. After a long moment, she lowered her makeshift weapon completely.

  "Temporary alliance," she agreed cautiously. "Until we reach Floor 5. Then we reassess."

  Alexander nodded. "Agreed. We should move immediately. This chamber isn't secure."

  "There's a defensible cavern about two hundred meters southwest," Lyra offered. "Narrow entrance, good visibility, water source."

  "You know the local yout well," Alexander observed.

  "I've been mapping these caves for three days," she replied with a slight shrug. "Had to know escape routes."

  Alexander turned to his team. "We move to Lyra's suggested location. Standard travel formation, but adapted for five. Elijah on point with Lyra for navigation. Valeria and I on fnks, Riva center with medical."

  Valeria's expression made her feelings about the arrangement clear, but she nodded professionally. "Understood."

  As they gathered their equipment, Alexander noticed Elijah and Lyra exchange an odd look – not quite recognition, but something more complex. Elijah seemed both drawn to and confused by her presence.

  Lyra collected her remaining devices with practiced efficiency, tucking them into various pockets and compartments built into her clothing. Even her garments had been modified for optimal utility – another sign of resourcefulness that reinforced Alexander's decision.

  "Ready?" he asked the newly expanded team.

  Four nods answered him, Lyra's the most hesitant.

  "Then let's move," Alexander directed. "We've got a lot to discuss when we reach shelter."

  As they filed into the tunnel with practiced coordination, Alexander reflected on the unexpected turn of events. His instinct to investigate the confrontation had led to something potentially valuable – a new ally with unique skills. But Elijah's unusual reaction to Lyra suggested there might be more to this chance encounter than simple strategic advantage.

  For now, though, reaching safe ground took priority. The rest could be sorted out once they were secure.

  None of them were aware that this was a fateful encounter.