The Deadline, the Gathering, and the Rumored Organization

"Executive, we still can't detect Shiva's Crystal Core signal."

Inside Marauder Prison.

The mysterious Blackfire's face was cold as frost.

Before him stood Gus, a Mechanical Augmenter.

Habal and Baku stood behind Gus, their expressions grave.

"Baku, what do you have to say? Why did Shiva leave the prison?"

"Blackfire Executive, Victor sent word early this morning. They'd found a lead on the stolen Supply Truck and suspected the thief was one of their traitors, but they couldn't confirm it. They asked us for support and offered fuel in return."

"So I sent a squad of Raiders to help. Shiva happened to see them and said he wanted to go for a ride, so..."

Baku left the rest unsaid. The outcome was obvious.

Just then, a Raider approached Baku and whispered a few words in his ear.

Baku's eyes narrowed.

"Is it confirmed?"

"Confirmed!"

"All right. Go."

Once the Raider had left, Baku turned to Blackfire and said gravely, "Blackfire Executive, we've confirmed that the one who stole the Burning Fortress's supplies was Carmen of the Black Shield Police Department. He was also the one who attacked Shiva and his men. According to the intelligence we obtained from the Black Rock Trade Association,

"a witness saw Carmen return to the Black Shield Police Department carrying half of a mechanical body. From the witness's description, it was very likely... Shiva."

"So you're saying the Black Shield Police Department had someone capable of smashing Shiva's mechanically augmented body to pieces. Is that right?"

A nearly suffocating pressure suddenly radiated from Blackfire.

His silver robe billowed without a breath of wind. Across its back was a huge emblem: a silver sword and black gear against a red background.

At the sight, Gus immediately pressed his right fist to his chest, dropped to one