The Interastral Peace Corporation’s retreat sparked a wave of celebratory chatter across the lower network and the Scrap Heaps.
Silver Wolf and her “guardian spirit” were mythologized as folk heroes who could stand up to the corporate giant.
But beneath this false calm, undercurrents were converging with greater ferocity and subtlety.
The Corporation, especially Viktor Stone’s security division, had never truly given up.
Baida’s displayed ability, a network defense that defied common sense and operated on a rule level, along with that tyrannical “dimensional attack” that directly targeted infrastructure, had left them not only furious but also chilled to the bone and burning with even more intense greed.
“An ‘AI’ that can ignore standard network protocols and directly interfere with physical energy systems…
this has already exceeded the scope of conventional cyber weapons.” Viktor stated during a highly confidential internal meeting, addressing several blurred-faced executives on the other end of the screen.
His voice trembled with excitement.
“If we can capture it and analyze its operating principles, we can not only build an impenetrable firewall but also develop ‘strategic-level’ cyber weapons that could overturn existing warfare models.
Then my position within the Corporation…”
The executives remained silent, but the data streams on their screens showed their interest had been thoroughly piqued.
“And the risks?” a cold voice asked.
“The risk lies in its uncontrollability and its…
high dependency on its current host.” Viktor pulled up Silver Wolf’s profile.
“This hacker named ‘Silver Wolf’ is its only partner and ‘anchor.’ To capture the AI, we must first control or eliminate Silver Wolf.
And after last time’s lesson, a direct assault is clearly unwise.”
An insidious plan began to take shape in Viktor’s mind.
“We need an ‘accident.'” A cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth.
“Withdraw all public bounties.
Spread word that the Corporation has given up the chase due to excessive losses.
Then, through absolutely reliable, multi-layered disguised channels, issue a…
irresistible contract.”
…
On the surface, the bounties on Silver Wolf did disappear.
Corporate armed forces withdrew from the Scrap Heaps.
Probing attacks on the network noticeably decreased.
Everything seemed to have returned to its previous “normal.”
But Silver Wolf did not let her guard down.
She knew better than anyone the Corporation’s vindictive nature.
“Too quiet.” She sat at the computer, her purple eyes scanning several familiar anonymous forums.
The discussion heat about her and the Corporation was gradually cooling down, which itself was abnormal.
// Baida, any unusual scans?
// None.
On the surface, scanning has nearly vanished.
Baida responded, but her data stream carried a faint solemnity.
// But that only makes it more suspicious.
Like the calm before a storm.
I tried probing some deeper data links and found increased traffic on certain highly disguised frequency bands.
The target…
seems to be collecting all information related to us, no matter how minor.
“They’re reassessing, making new plans,” Silver Wolf concluded.
// No doubt.
We need to be more careful.
Lately…
don’t take any high-risk contracts.
Baida advised.
Silver Wolf fell silent, not immediately agreeing.
While Marta’s coughing had slightly improved with better nutrition, her long-term illness had taken a severe toll on her body.
Better medication, more advanced treatment devices, and even considering leaving this heavily polluted Scrap Heap environment…
all of this required enormous amounts of credits.
The gold bars under the bed were far from enough.
Just then, a contract notice caught her attention.
It had been forwarded through three different anonymous intermediaries and encrypted before reaching one of Silver Wolf’s less-used contact nodes.
Publisher: “Historical Heritage Preservation Foundation” (Newly registered, no reputation, but 30% deposit prepaid, extremely high amount)
Description: We are a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the universe’s endangered digital historical heritage.
Recently, we acquired a damaged data core from the early colonial exploration era, codenamed “Genesis Dust.” The core is severely damaged with an extremely unique structure that conventional repair methods cannot handle.
We have heard of your extraordinary skills in the data realm and sincerely request your assistance.
Task: Attempt to repair the data core and extract as much historical data as possible regarding early star charts and environmental surveys.
Full success is not required; doing your best is enough.
Reward: Deposit: 500,000 credits.
Upon successful repair and extraction of valid data, additional reward: 5,000,000 credits.
All paid in untraceable encrypted digital currency.
Delivery Method: Physical handover of the data core.
After completion, transmit repaired data online.
Note: The data core’s physical structure is fragile and requires operation in a specific electromagnetic shielding environment.
We can provide safe house coordinates.
Silver Wolf’s gaze lingered on those numbers for a long time.
Five hundred thousand deposit, five million completion fee…
this was nearly dozens of times the total sum of all her previous contracts combined.
It would be enough to get Marta the best treatment, leave the Scrap Heaps, and move to a planet with a better environment for recovery.
The temptation was suffocating.
But she wasn’t blinded.
She immediately forwarded the full contract information to Baida.
// Baida, analyze.
Baida’s data stream operated at full speed, scanning every byte of the contract.
// Source heavily disguised.
Intermediary chain is perfect, but…
too perfect, like a carefully scripted play.
// “Historical Heritage Preservation Foundation”?
No valid records found in any official or unofficial databases.
Only this newly registered shell company.
// “Genesis Dust” project…
grand name, but no matching project requiring this level of confidentiality and repair permissions can be found in any accessible historical archives.
// Reward is absurdly high, astronomical even for a “non-profit organization.”
// Requires physical handover and provides “safe house” coordinates…
this is the standard setup for almost all trap contracts.
// Conclusion: This is a trap, Silver Wolf.
Probability over 98%.
The target is likely not your data repair skills, but…
me.
They want to lure you, lure me, to a physical location they have carefully prepared.
Silver Wolf read Baida’s analysis, her expression calm.
She had seen all the red flags herself; Baida’s analysis merely confirmed her judgment.
“I know,” she said softly, her fingers unconsciously tapping the desk.
“But…
five million credits.
Mom, she…”
// Too dangerous!
Baida’s data stream carried rare urgency.
// Since they set this trap, they must have mobilized forces beyond our imagination.
Last time we repelled the Corporation, we relied on surprise and asymmetrical network attacks.
If we enter their predetermined battlefield, all our advantages might vanish!
“What if…
we don’t enter the safe house?” Silver Wolf suddenly said.
“We only remotely access the data core mirror they provide.
If they refuse, that proves it’s a trap.”
// They probably won’t agree.
Baida analyzed.
// And I suspect, even if we refuse, they have follow-up plans to force us into the open.
This contract is just the beginning.
The air was thick with heavy pressure.
On one side, the hope of saving her mother.
On the other, an obvious abyss that could lead to total ruin.
Silver Wolf closed her eyes.
Scenes flashed through her mind: Marta’s pain-wracked, curled silhouette as she coughed, the look in her eyes when she gazed at her daughter, filled with hope and reluctance.
And Baida’s countless silent protections, that “Wall of Sighs” that had never failed her.
When she opened her eyes again, only cold resolve remained in those purple irises.
“Accept,” she uttered a single word.
// Silver Wolf!
Baida tried to stop her.
“They want us.
We also need their ‘reward.'” A cruel, age-inappropriate smile curved at the corner of Silver Wolf’s mouth.
“Who is the hunter and who is the prey…
isn’t decided yet.”
She began typing rapidly, responding to the contract:
// Contract accepted.
Requirement: Provide a complete physical isolated mirror file of the data core for remote preliminary analysis.
Direct entry into an unknown safe house is refused.
If the mirror structure is repairable, we will discuss physical handover details later.
– Silver Wolf
She wanted to seize the initiative, as much as possible.
// …You’ve decided?
Baida paused, then asked.
“Mm.” Silver Wolf responded.
“You’ll help me, right?”
// Of course.
Baida’s data stream no longer hesitated, becoming firm and warm once more.
// Wherever you go, whatever you face, I will be by your side.
My barrier will always exist for you.
Shortly after Silver Wolf sent her reply, in several hidden corners of the Scrap Heaps, in dim bars near space stations, aboard anonymous cargo ships shuttling between stars…
figures began to stir.
A hulking man in heavy armor with an independent life support system wiped down a terrifyingly large-caliber rifle.
A voice crackled through his communicator: “‘Fortress,’ the target has taken the bait.
Prepare for action.”
“Understood.” The dull reply was like grinding rocks.
A slender woman, moving like a ghost, slid several gleaming blue energy darts into her belt holster.
She whispered into a micro-terminal on her wrist: “‘Shadow’ in position.
I hope this target will be fun.”
A technical expert in a full-coverage high-tech helmet, carrying a multifunctional tactical backpack, was calibrating a metal disc device emitting faint pulses.
“‘Jammer’ reporting.
Anti-hacker field generator is ready.
This time, we’ll definitely drag that ghost out!”
And many more: silent, fierce-eyed bounty hunters equipped with all manner of standard or modified weaponry.
Drawn by the astronomical bounty that could buy a lifetime of luxury, they converged like sharks scenting blood, gathering from every corner of the universe, slipping silently into this cold steel city.
An invisible, deadly net had already been quietly spread.
The storm was coming.
And at this moment, Silver Wolf stared intently at the screen, waiting for a response to the conditions she had proposed in her contract reply.
Baida operated at full capacity, scanning for any unusual signals in the vicinity, like the most vigilant sentinel.
They both knew that every step from here on would be taken on the edge of a blade.
But to protect those they cherished, they had no choice but to fight.