Far beyond the city limits, engines roared across cracked asphalt.
A convoy of black SUVs sped along an abandoned highway that led toward a new ruins opened in the outskirts of the city.
The skyline of the city faded behind them, replaced by skeletal buildings and warped streetlights bent at unnatural angles.
Inside the lead vehicle sat Ross.
The interior smelled faintly of leather and gun oil. Two other members of the Black Furnace Gang occupied the back seats, while another drove.
They were en route to a ruins raid... rumors had surfaced of low-tier artifacts emerging in one of the outer sectors.
Ross stared out the window with distant eyes while another gang member was speaking...
He wasn't listening...
"…and that's when the bastard tried to negotiate like we didn't have him pinned," one of the guys in the back laughed loudly.
No response.
"Ross?"
Still nothing.
The man leaned forward and smacked Ross lightly on the shoulder.
"Oi. Welcome back to Earth."
