✓ vigilance - the action or state of keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties:

"FOR MALAKAR'S SAKE, JESSIE!" Wylan watched as Jessie scanned the surroundings like a hawk without any results.

He had been waiting on this ridiculous rooftop for the last twenty minutes. If Jessie took any longer, his ten thousand units worth bounty would reach Noah's lair, or even Jackie's. If that happened, he would probably never hear the end of it.

Wylan crouched behind a stack of rusted metal crates. Usually, bounties weren't this difficult to acquire—quick action was sufficient. But a fugitive on the run was proving to be very difficult tonight. This time, it wasn't just some private bounty requested from a rich man from the West. It was a criminal on the run from the Verids. So yes, Wylan knew he had to be careful and that this was a bad idea, but he wasn't going to let go of ten thousand units.

Jessie surveyed the warehouse in front of her. The dim light from the single overhead bulb flickered, casting long shadows across the mud-streaked floor. Her sensors groaned.

"I'm doing things how they're supposed to be done, not how you want, Wylan."

Then, there was this—He knew he shouldn't have given Jessie more intelligence than necessary, but he needed to. She was able to provide the exact locations, analyses and draft perfect plans in the direst of times, but it had also given her a temper, and an opinion. He didn't particularly enjoy having to hear it.

"Just get it."

She hmphed, turning her eyes away from him.

Wylan let out a frustrated sigh, his fingers tapping impatiently on the grip of his self-engineered blaster. The wind on the rooftop was chilly Nights in Veridonia were always like this. The cold bit through the thin coat he'd borrowed from his father. Not many Verids patrolled this late at night, but he still had to be careful. From his vantage point, he could see the decrepit buildings that lay in from the time of the Death.

There care of those buildings, and the only beautiful sight in Veridonia was the towering Dominion Council, whose spires gleamed like mirrors. flickered in the distance, bathing the streets in the only available light . It wasn't like they could see the moon here, like in the West. Now, there were people like him hired to sweep and clean these buildings for the future of Veridonia, they said.

Eclipsia was a city of contradictions. Even if it was the residence of the Dominion Council, most of the city was scraping for . The Council building stood apart from everything else, surrounded by a forcefield. Not many people knew it was a protected, but Jessie insisted it was there.

The Verids patrolled the streets day and night, ensuring no one dared step out of line. There were occasional instances when some children dared step outside. Such a trespass led to immediate assassination of the parents.

Despite the harsh security measures, Veridonia was teeming with unrest. Eclipsia was a maze of narrow alleys and underground tunnels that contained smugglers, criminals, and people like him—bounty hunters.

All of them had the same goal—to earn one million units and run to the West as soon as possible. Wylan hadn't seen the West but based on rumors of lush landscapes and abundant resources, he presumed it was a paradise of greenery, food, and energy sources. He would be able to there.

Wylan made his living in these streets, to his bedridden father, who was convinced he was just doing extra shifts sweeping. When he was younger, his father used to work almost twelve hours a day to scrape the smallest wage, and by the time he was fourteen, Wylan realized he had to take matters into his own hands.

Slipping out of his room in the middle of the night took some practice and taking precautions to avoid the Nebulysis wasn't much of a challenge. But soon, he ran across the underground channels, and the air in the tunnels of the city was mostly okay, much better than on the streets. Soon enough, he knew which gangs controlled which areas, which merchants offered food for minimal units, and which alleys to avoid if you didn't want to get robbed—or worse. Despite the dangers, Wylan had carved out a life for himself as one of the city's most skilled bounty hunters.

If he failed tonight, that would be the end of his career.

was no longer what she used to be when Wylan first designed her. Now, she was made out of electronic parts that he found in his father's shed, as well as parts bought with old units. The robot was now more than just a tool—she was his eyes and ears in the city, an advantage the others didn't have.

But lately, her AI had managed to develop a mind of its own, and while that made her valuable in tight situations, it also meant she was becoming increasingly judgmental and annoying. But she got her work done. That's all Wylan cared about.

"Jessie, I don't have time for this," Wylan muttered, glancing at his wrist. His units were getting further away with every passing second. "We need to move."

"Well, I'm detecting movement inside the warehouse," she finally reported. "Two life forms, armed. One matches the bounty's profile. The other could be another hunter."

"Drat! What did I tell you, Jessie?"

"It's not my fault they're better than you at their job!" Jessie complained loudly, and Wylan hushed her.

"Well, let's see about that. "

activated her cloaking field, her form shimmering white and then vanishing entirely. Wylan followed her lead, slipping down the side of the building. He landed on the dirt-laden ground with a soft thump. There was no source of light near this warehouse—perhaps the Council thought it unnecessary.

"Lose the boots," Jessie whispered in his ear.

She was right, he should lose them. The noise would attract too much unwanted attention. Wylan yanked the shoes off, and tossed them to the side of the street.

Veridonia's underground network of warehouses was infamous. They were relics of an earlier time before the Death when the city sold fresh produce, and other items daily. When trade was high, the warehouses were full. Now, they were mostly abandoned, used only by those who needed to hide from the Verids. Like Wylan.

Jessie reappeared beside him, shimmering into view. "The target is on the second floor. Noah Swanson is positioned near the stairwell."

Wylan nodded. "Let's get that bounty off Noah's hands."

Jessie gave a brief nod, still perched on Wylan's shoulder. Her eyes gleamed a fainter white now, and with a fluid motion, she lifted herself off his shoulder and slipped through the doorway. Wylan's heart ran faster than he expected as he stayed back and crouched low. The cold concrete of the floor tickled his bare feet with a sensation he would rather never experience again. His eyes searched for Jessie, his earpiece waiting for the signal to move. He noted the various crates and the rusted machinery around him. The only light here came from a dying light bulb near the far end. It didn't shine enough light on him now, but if he moved, his shadow would reveal him very quickly. He tightened his grip on the blaster, its weight almost nothing in his hand.

His mind was running on overdrive, and he started to calculate the distance to the staircase where Noah Swanson stood. Noah was one of the more notorious hunters in Veridonia, and if he was here, it meant he was after the bounty.

Wylan knew Noah's reputation—ruthless, efficient. The ten thousand units weren't just about the money anymore. They were about proving that Wylan was good at this. He couldn't afford to lose this one.

"Target is stationary," Jessie's voice whispered directly into his ear. "Noah is moving, likely trying to secure a better position. He's armed with a standard issue blaster and a neural disruptor."

If Noah got a shot off with the neural disruptor, Wylan was done for. It wouldn't just stop him; it would fry his nervous system.

"I'm going to go first," Jessie whispered.

Wylan moved forward, his senses hyper-aware of every creak and every sound around him. Jessie remained invisible, scouting ahead. He hoped the shadows wouldn't give him away but blending into the crates' shadows didn't make that too difficult. Soon, they reached the stairs, and he could see the faint outline of a hulking figure.

Noah.

Noah hadn't noticed Wylan yet, which was good. He crouched lower, his feet pressed onto the floor, his movements careful to make sure he didn't trigger a reaction from Noah. Wylan held his blaster under his arm, set to stun. A lethal shot would end the game quickly, but the bounty would only be half the units if the target was dead. .

A loud crash echoed through the warehouse. Wylan froze and watched as the metal crates toppled over in a strategic domino effect. For a split second, he wondered if it was Jessie's doing, but he dismissed the thought. It wasn't her style. She was too precise for that.

Noah's head snapped up, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the area. Wylan thought he would come down now, but he stood still and bent lower.

Jessie.

"Ah, if it isn't that trashy robot of Wylan Cooper's. I should've known," Noah scoffed, picking Jessie off the floor.

Wylan turned his earpiece on, and waited for a response.

"Yeah, you asshole. At least I have brains." Jessie had an unwritten rule for herself—the only person allowed to her was Wylan himself, and it didn't matter to her that she was talking to one of the most dangerous hunters in the country.

Wylan was scared for Jessie. He could see the tension in Noah's posture, the way his muscles coiled like a spring, ready to snap. He could only hope Jessie knew what she was doing.

"Well, tell the little boy he's wasting his time."

Wylan's heart pounded as he watched Noah inspect Jessie. His large fingers flexed around her; his face twisted in a smug grin that made Wylan's blood boil. He knew he had to act if he wanted to get the bounty alive, but he couldn't risk Jessie.

"Wylan, you there? I can't believe you don't even care about me!" Jessie's voice crackled in his earpiece. Jessie was merely talking in lower decibels than recognizable by the human ear, and amplified the sound for him. Noah had no clue. "Not that you care but, I have a plan."

Wylan sighed. Jessie's plans usually involved last minute preparation, but she never lost. At least not yet. After all, he designed her to be perfect. He trusted Jessie more than himself. "I'm listening."

"So, has the famous Wylan Cooper lost a game yet?" Noah asked, his fingers tightening around Jessie.

Jessie seemed unfazed as she kept silent for Noah and talked to Wylan. "On my signal, make a break for the stairs."

Wylan nodded, though he knew Jessie couldn't see him. Now that Noah's attention was on Jessie, he positioned himself closer to the staircase, using the metal crates as cover. Jessie had developed a new habit of making plans in her head, without sharing, and right now, anticipating was kicking his ass.

Jessie turned her . "Wylan doesn't lose." Her eyes turned from the green to a miraculous azure when she whispered to Wylan. "Three...two...one...now!"

Wylan bolted from his hiding spot, and sprinted toward the stairs. Noah, caught off guard by Wylan's movement, shifted his focus from Jessie to him. Before he could react, Jessie's tiny form began to spark and sizzle in his hand.

"Argh! What the—" Noah yelped, dropping Jessie as electricity arced from her body, electrocuting his arm. Jessie automated her boosters, and in that split second, Wylan raised his blaster and fired.

The stun shot hit Noah in the chest, sending him crashing to the floor with a grunt. He lay there, twitching as the neural disruptor took effect.

Wylan didn't waste a second. He reached Jessie, who blinked her mechanical eyes. "You okay, Jessie?"

Jessie replied. "But we've got bigger problems. Target's upstairs."

The second floor was a labyrinth of narrower walkways and empty stacked crates, and it made it almost impossibly difficult to see a few feet ahead. The guy is smart, Wylan thought. He could only hope he was still there. Jessie's sensors guided him, and soon enough, they found a shadowed figure huddled near a corner.

"There," Jessie whispered.

Wylan grinned as he recognized the man from the bounty profile—a thin, wiry figure with sandy, unkempt hair and a pained look in his eyes. The guy looked up, panic taking over his face as he saw Wylan approach.

"Don't move!" Wylan ordered, his blaster ready to stun.

The guy didn't listen. With a desperate shriek, he lunged towards Wylan, a knife gleaming in his hand. Wylan sidestepped, and delivered a swift kick to the man's torso, sending him sprawling to the ground. The knife clattered away, disappearing among the many cardboard boxes.

"Stay down," Wylan said, pressing the barrel of his blaster against the man's temple. The fugitive froze, his eyes filling with tears as his breath came out in ragged gasps.

"You don't understand," the man wheezed. "The Verids... You don't know what they'll do to me if they take me back! I have a family. Please."

"Yeah, well. Not my problem," Wylan replied.

The fugitive held his palms together and bent down. "Please. Kill me instead. Don't let them take me. Please."

Wylan's frustration bubbled to the surface. Capturing bounties alive was not a moral choice. It and a reputation for being a skilled bounty hunter who'd be hired by more Verids in the future. Before he could react, Jessie's voice filled the warehouse.

"Watch out, Wylan!"

He jumped instinctively, but not before he felt the sharp pain in his ankle. He glanced down to meet the eyes of the fugitive. He was holding a pocketknife now red with Wylan's blood. Without hesitation, he pointed the blaster to the man's head, and shot. He crumpled to the ground and laid still.

Jessie floated down, her weapon systems still humming. "You really need to stop getting yourself into these situations and bringing me along," she said, annoyance dripping in her voice.

He used to like it when she sounded monotonous and mechanical, but he knew Jessie's vocal evolution was something he couldn't change.

Wylan managed a weak smile, his ankle still throbbing but dulling slightly. "You want to miss all the fun?"

Jessie's sensors rolled in what Wylan knew as a mechanical eyeroll. "You're lucky I'm around to save your ass."

Jessie must have sent the signal for the Verid that put up the bounty while Wylan was busy with the fight. He arrived a few hours later to take the fugitive and gave Wylan his prize. He knew some of the Verids, but that didn't mean they would help him out in normal situations. To be fair, it was almost humiliating that they were horrible at their job and needed to hire bounty hunters anyway, but Wylan was happy about it. They were not going to bother him in broad daylight in the mornings when he approached the town square.

"The transfer has been made," the Verid said, and Wylan wanted to ask how he qualified. This man was unlike the others—short, and lanky and looked like he had little to no muscle.

"Thanks," Wylan muttered, checking his wrist for his newly increased balance.

"Why do you do this, anyway?" the Verid asked. "You look young. You could get a job."

Wylan let out a laugh, and Jessie sniggered beside him. "A job. Right. You mean the one where I get three hundred units a day to sweep the buildings? How am I going to get into the West?"

The Verid stared at him. "Don't make me laugh. Have you got anything close to a million units?"

Wylan remained silent. He had hit him where it hurt. Behind him, Jessie's voice piped up. "Current balance. 10250 units, including this bounty, which he will spend in the next ten hours."

"Shut the hell up, Jessie!" Wylan hissed.

The Verid's face showed the hint of a grin before he left.

It was deep into the night, the zero o'clock bell toll wouldn't ring for another five hours. Wylan's eyes were starting to droop, and the blood loss in his leg made his falter in his steps. His feet had almost given up on him when a large hologram materialized in front of him.

"Wylan! A Ten Star Bounty. Never seen anything like it!"

"What do they want, Jessie?" he murmured weakly. This better be good—he wasn't in the mood for any . . The walk back home was taking up enough energy as is.

"They want Axelle Henderson. The daughter of Councilwoman Melissa Henderson. She'll arrive in the town center tomorrow and will have probable protection of the Verids. We need to pull it off in the morning. In daylight. Before she goes back to her home in the West."

"A Verid wants a girl that's being protected by the Verids?"

Jessie nodded her metal head. "Exactly. We need to commit a federal crime!"

He laughed. "Pfft. Yeah, no. I'm not in the mood to go to jail, Jessie."

Jessie's hologram lit up again and zoomed in on the reward.

"A million units," they said in unison.