The van bumped along the cracked road, dust kicking up behind them as they crossed the badlands. The heat was oppressive, and Zhu could feel it seeping into her bones, each mile dragging on like the last. Sweat beaded on her forehead, and a dry film of dust caked the windshield, blurring the barren horizon.

Through the haze, pockets of life flickered past—a makeshift stall, a group of Outringers leaning against battered cars, a child running barefoot over cracked earth, kicking up small clouds of dirt. They carried on with their routines, unflinching in the brutal heat, their faces tanned and weathered by the sun. For Zhu, it was almost surreal; the landscape felt timeless, but she was anything but calm. She tightened her grip on the steering wheel, nerves wearing thin from the relentless stretch of road and the mind-numbing quiet in the van.

She shot a glance over her shoulder. Seth had slumped against the window, his mouth slightly open, oblivious to the jostling ride, while Qingyi sat with her head resting on her shoulder, looking for all the world like she hadn't a care. Zhu envied them. She'd kill for even ten minutes of sleep—but here she was, wide awake, held captive by her own thoughts.

Maybe Uncle Henry's would bring some relief. With any luck, Burnice would be behind the bar, still willing to indulge a tired officer on a half-baked mission to nowhere. At least that way she could unwind a bit, find a reason to laugh, forget the heat, the dust, and the grit stuck in her teeth.

Her silence and focus was cut short, she slowed down waving her hands for the approaching bikers ahead. "Hey! Uncle Henry's stop—did I miss it?" She shouted even though her voice where overpowered by the hum of the approaching bike

The pack past by the van but one of the bikers, a woman with mirrored sunglasses and an effortless cool, slowed down, riding up to Zhu's window. "Need help?" She tilted her head, her lips quirking into a smirk.

"Yeah… I've been driving for almost two hours, and not a sign in sight!" Zhu yelled over the rumbling engines, trying to sound casual.

The woman chuckled, her laughter quickly picked up by the others. "Oh, honey," she said, barely holding back a grin, "you passed it about eight clicks back. You're on the wrong road, come join us."

Zhu's face fell. She blinked, staring blankly ahead. Seriously? All that driving, the desert drama, and I've been heading the wrong way this whole time? Seth woke up startled by the motorbikes outside.

The biker gave a good-natured shrug and looked back at her friends. "We'll take you back," she said, nodding towards the road behind them. "Nightro-Fuel fest will be happening there tomorrow night."

With a mix of embarrassment and relief, Zhu gave a quick nod. Nightro-Fuel fest?

Seth was the one who drove the Van back to Uncle Henry's stop, Zhu doze off her weariness on the passenger's seat. The sun was already at the horizon, crimson sky painted throughout the clouds a seemingly pretty good sunset out from the city of New Eridu. Sunset was painted on the signage, finally this time it's 'Uncle Henry's', the place looks nice, looks like a small town teeming with bikers and tourists around. Is there a party or something?

Seth parked the van at the nearby parking lot with the lady bikers, it was littered with delivery vans pretty surprising for Outer ring.

Seth rolled down his window, "Thank you ladies!" forcing a charming smile at them.

They chuckled sarcastically, "You guys are obviously city dwellers, what brings you here?"

"We are eh… looking for a bartender named Burnice." He replied,

"You're in for the Nightro Fuel Fest too? she's on the Steeltusk probably preparing for the event tomorrow evening."

Zhu leaned forward, squinting through the dusty, tinted passenger window. More bikes and camper vans were pulling into the lot, the buzz growing as people poured into Uncle Henry's. "Didn't think the Outer Ring got this… lively. So, what's the deal with the Nightro Fuel Fest?" she asked, more to herself.

From behind her, Qingyi stirred, stretching as she powered back on. "Nightro Fuel Fest… according to my database, Captain, it's named after a drink called Nitro-Fuel, Burnice's specialty. The event's a regular thing—usually every other Friday night."

"Every other week?" Zhu echoed, arching a skeptical brow. "So, you're saying there's a chance Elias might show up?"

"We can never be certain, Captain," Qingyi replied, giving a lazy shrug. "Though, our biker getup might make for decent cover here." She glanced around, taking in the party-like atmosphere with an approving nod. "Should we just camp out in the van until tomorrow?"

"Great minds think alike," Seth muttered, eyes also fixed on the crowd outside. He cracked a grin. "Guess we're roughing it tonight."

"No, we might need a room to rest. I'll find a place."

Zhu hopped out of the van with a confident flourish, as if stepping onto a runway rather than a dusty parking lot. She adjusted her sunglasses, even though the sun was dipping low on the horizon, casting a golden glow that only highlighted her striking silhouette. With each step, her hips swayed gracefully, embodying the rhythm of a model gliding down a catwalk. The long leather trench coat she wore billowed behind her, creating an air of effortless cool that turned heads among the gathered bikers.

Her entrance was magnetic, effortlessly drawing attention. Zhu was an undeniable force, exuding Main Character energy that made it clear she was here to make a statement, even if she was supposed to be incognito.

Seth leaned closer to Qingyi, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Captain's really blowing her cover with that cat walk. Honestly, I don't even want to step outside this van now."

Zhu caught the tail end of his remark and glanced back, her expression a mix of playful annoyance and challenge. "Come on, let's go!" she hissed, her voice teasing yet commanding, urging them to join her in this unexpected adventure.

Seth and Qingyi popped out of the Van, but Seth was obviously anxious with all eyes looking around them. "Don't overdo it Cap… we're here as incognito."

As she was about to reply, the roar of motorbikes thundered into the parking lot, cutting through the twilight air, their headlights glaring like spotlights directly at them. Zhu felt a chill run down her spine. "I think we're in trouble again," she whispered, her eyes wide.

Just then, out of the blinding headlights, a figure emerged with all the drama of a movie star. Lighter swung off his bike, the red scarf around his neck fluttering like a flag in the wind. His boots clicked authoritatively against the asphalt as he approached, striding confidently through the dimming light. It was him again—of all the people in the Outer Ring, this guy.

He nudged his sunglasses down to the bridge of his nose, an exaggerated move that was almost comical. "Well, if it isn't Miss City Dwellers! Welcome to Uncle Henry's! Here for the Nightro Fuel Fest?" he announced, his voice dripping with playful enthusiasm.

"Oh hey," Zhu replied, her tone awkward as she shifted on her feet, feeling the weight of Seth and Qingyi's eyes boring into her from behind.

"That's our parking lot, and we've got a delivery vans." Lighter continued, pointing at the sign that read, "Lighter's Parking Lot." Zhu shot a death stare at Seth, whose awkward grin only deepened her irritation.

"COME ON, SETH? SERIOUSLY? PARK IT PROPERLY!" she hissed, her frustration barely contained as she waved an arm toward the offending sign.

Unfazed, Lighter grinned, flashing a toothy smile. "No problem, you guys can take it. You're from the city, right? A tourist? We've got tourist motel just up ahead. You're welcome to drop by—assuming you survive the Nitro-Fuel." He winked, adding a layer of mock seriousness that felt more theatrical than threatening.

Zhu couldn't help but roll her eyes, knowing full well that this was just the beginning of a long, unexpected night.

The trio strolled down the road to the nearest motel, a cheerful little place clearly designed for tourists and decidedly off-limits to bikers. As they stepped inside, the warm, homey vibe enveloped them like a cozy blanket, a stark contrast to the harshness of the Outer Ring. An overly enthusiastic owner greeted them at the reception, beaming as if they were long-lost friends. Zhu quickly booked two rooms—Seth would have his own, naturally.

Sinking into the plush couch in the lobby, Zhu stretched her limbs, relishing the wave of relaxation washing over her after the long drive. "I think we might need to stay until tomorrow," she mused, propping her feet on the coffee table. "Wait for the fest and make sure we can keep an eye out for Elias."

Seth's eyes widened in amazement. "Wait, we're actually going to stay here until the fest is over, Captain? This might be the best operation we've had yet!"

Zhu shot him a sideways glance, a smirk playing on her lips. "Well, probably we'll stay until we gather more intel about Elias—or figure out why they call him a Wayward Son. Plus, I need to head back to the city. My tomato plants won't hydrate themselves, you know."

Seth blinked, momentarily perplexed. "You're worried about tomatoes right now?"

"Hey, those little guys depend on me!" Zhu retorted, a mock-serious expression on her face, before leaning back into the couch, feeling the tension slip away, even if just for a moment.

"Let's hope the raccoons won't attack your tomato plants this time Captain." Qingyi replied with a smirk.

Inside the motel room, Zhu shrugged off her leather trench coat, letting it fall onto the chair as she surveyed their temporary sanctuary. "Let's hope the AC is working well," she said, stretching her arms overhead. "I could use a shower."

Just then, a loud bang echoed from outside, causing Qingyi to jump slightly. She peeked through the blinds, her curiosity piqued. The scene unfolding before her was nothing short of chaotic: a group of bikers had gathered for a drag race, roaring engines mingling with the laughter of residents who had decided to join the impromptu festivities.

"PUBSEC never knew the life outside the City was this interesting," Qingyi mused, her voice a blend of intrigue and amusement.

Zhu, now sprawled comfortably on her bed with her shirt unbuttoned, let out a relaxed sigh. "We don't even have an outpost here. If we did, it might take away their fun. Living out here is really rough," she replied, her eyes half-lidded as she watched the ruckus through the window. "Let's just hope PUBSEC won't try to take that away."

The sounds of revving engines and cheers filtered in, a symphony of freedom that felt almost intoxicating. Zhu turned her head to catch a glimpse of the action, a flicker of envy crossing her features. "It's kind of nice to see people enjoying themselves without worrying about protocols for a change."

Qingyi nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Maybe we should join them," she suggested playfully, glancing at Zhu. "I could certainly use a break from protocol myself."

Zhu chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Let's not go that far. I'm still in need of a shower before I can even think about racing bikes."

Seth wandered back to the van, his head still spinning with the festive sights and sounds around him. As he rounded the corner, his jaw dropped—someone had tagged the side of their van in vibrant graffiti, a swirling, artful mess spelling out "The Violators." Panic flared. "Oh, shoot… Captain's definitely going to kill me." He scrambled into the driver's seat, nerves already frayed, hands shaking as he reached for the ignition.

Just as the engine grumbled to life, a loud rap on his window made him jump. Outside stood a tall woman, her presence commanding in a furred leather jacket and crowned with dark green hair and a headpiece shaped like a black horn. A golden locket hung around her neck, reading "King."

He cautiously rolled down the window. "Uhh… hi? May I help you?" he asked, his voice almost a squeak.

The woman leaned in, her gaze sharp yet amused. "Relax, kid. Lighter told me you guys were tourists, not bikers," she said, gesturing toward a squirming guy behind her, whose guilty expression was barely visible under a headful of greasy hair. "This genius here thought it'd be funny to mark up your van. He'll be scrubbing it off in no time."

Seth leaned out the window, glancing at the graffiti with a weak smile. "Uh, no worries! A souvenir, right? For the fest?" he laughed nervously, fingers white-knuckling the steering wheel. But Captain will definitely kill me.

The woman released the graffiti culprit with a stern glare and turned back to Seth, reaching for his hand. "Name's Caesar King," she introduced, her handshake strong enough to make his whole arm tingle. "Acting overlord of the Motor League."

Seth's mind reeled. Caesar King… is a girl? He quickly cleared his throat, meeting her gaze with a dazed grin. "Uh, I'm Seth. Nice to meet you, Caesar."

Her grin widened, clearly amused by his shell-shocked expression. "Welcome to the Outer Ring, Seth! And where's your crew?" she asked, glancing over the empty van.

"Oh, they're… at the motel," he stammered, feeling his face heat up.

"Perfect! Tag them along—I'll be waiting at the Steeltusk." Caesar shot him a thumbs-up before striding off with an easy swagger, her locket catching the last glints of twilight.

Seth gulped. He'd just invited the Captain and Qingyi to a biker bar. This was definitely going to be interesting.

Part 2

Seth maneuvered their battered, freshly graffiti-tagged van into the motel parking lot. Qingyi, already outside and eyeing the defaced side of the vehicle with confusion, waited for him to step out, hands on her hips.

"What happened to the van?" she asked, eyebrow raised.

Seth shuffled over, scratching the back of his neck. "Yeah… so, someone decided to christen our vehicle with 'The Violators' as a friendly reminder not to take Lighter's parking spot."

"Captain's going to kill you," she replied, smirking.

"Oh, I'm painfully aware." He grimaced, then perked up a bit. "But, good news! I got us an invite to meet the Motor League Overlord as… uh, 'compensation.'"

Qingyi raised an eyebrow. "Overlord? As in the Motor League's leader? You actually talked to him?" She gave him a sideways glance, clearly dubious.

Seth shrugged. "Overlord's not a 'him'—it's a 'her.' Probably Captain's height… maybe her age? I dunno, but she's way more intimidating."

Qingyi smirked as they headed into the motel lobby. "Guess I underestimated your charm, Seth."

As Zhu finished drying her hair and flopped onto the bed in her comfortably worn collared shirt and fresh pants, her phone pinged. She snatched it up, half-expecting something interesting, a meme—and maybe even life-changing.

Elias: "Hey Captain, how are you? I'll be seeking help from some friends in the Outer Ring. I'll see what's the outcome. Have a nice night. :)"

Her eyes widened. Oh, he's definitely going to the Nightro Fuel Fest. A quick response was forming in her mind when her gaze drifted to the van outside—its side now sporting a bold, audacious graffiti that could only be described as "artistic vandalism." Her mood plummeted faster than her self-control. Great, Motorpool's going to love billing me for that paint job. She dropped her phone in disbelief.

A knock at the door interrupted her internal meltdown. "Captain, can we come in?" Qingyi's voice floated through like a friendly ghost.

"Door's open," Zhu called, her eyes narrowing as Seth appeared behind Qingyi, arms raised as if to surrender.

"SETH?! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!"

"I'm sorry, Captain! I really am!" He held his hands up defensively, wide-eyed like a cartoon character caught in a slapstick moment. "But we have good news—I swear!"

"Okay, tell me now or… I'll send you to Janus Station on foot tonight!" Zhu threatened, trying to sound menacing but coming off more like a mildly irritated house cat.

Seth's expression shifted to serious, a hint of dread crossing his features. "We're invited to the Motor League Overlord meet-up at Steeltusk tonight, as a part of their compensation."

"A meet-up? Is that really worth more than a paint job?" Zhu replied, skepticism lacing her words. "I mean, what are we—out here making friends with graffiti artists?"

Qingyi perked up, barely containing her laughter. "Captain, the Overlord is also the leader of the Sons of Calydon!"

Zhu's eyes widened, her mood shifting like the weather. "Really? That's… great?" But then she remembered she'd been about to text Elias before the chaos. Oh great, I dropped my phone! She scooped it off the floor, only to find it—broken.

"Gosh, what have I done?" she mused, mixing frustration with embarrassment. Probably because I haven't had any desserts from J.D. lately. The lack of sugar must be turning me into a gremlin. She glanced back at Seth, who was still looking apprehensive. "Sorry, Seth!" She plopped down on the floor, as if it were a throne of despair.

"How am I going to respond to him? What if he sends his next plan about diving into the Hollows to find the device?" Her hand pressed against her forehead as if she were solving a particularly tricky puzzle.

"By the way, Elias just texted me that he will be at the Outer Ring tomorrow," she added, a tone of regret creeping in as her palms pressed against her forehead. "He will probably attend the Nightro Fuel Fest, so we need to meet the Overlord tonight."

"I can lend you mine if you need to, of course," Seth offered, clearly trying to be the hero of the moment despite the growing chaos.

Zhu shot him a grateful but exasperated look waving her hand like a flag. "Thanks, but how am I supposed to text him without my phone? Just wave a flag and hope he sees it?"

As the two of them exchanged looks, Zhu couldn't help but think: Why does my life feel like a sitcom that's one awkward moment away from cancellation?