Part 11 – Loyalty Inside the DAO
Location: Sector 7C Recovery Chamber – Nightfall
After the blackout across the entire zone, only one place remained operational —
DAO Field Shelter Unit-07.
Arshan sat on a steel chair — both hands covered in blood, exhaustion in his eyes.
On his left wrist, a faint glow kept blinking:
> Zyana System Core Recovery: 21%
Arshan (softly):
"Come back soon, Zyana...
I can fight without the system's commands —
but without you... I don't feel alive."
---
Scene – DAO Council Broadcast Room
Inside the High-Table dome, monitors were replaying Arshan's Drift battle.
The council members were silent — some impressed, others troubled.
Officer Rika:
"He eliminated a Drift-Infected Echo without a system.
And that too, in solo mode."
Veylan:
"A systemless hunter…
Can he be turned into a public icon, or is he a threat?"
Rika:
"His control lies in Zyana's hands.
If Zyana becomes unstable… he could go rogue."
Council Chair:
"Then we either turn him into the face of DAO…
Or eliminate him before that happens."
---
Scene Shift – Friendly Knock
Tap tap tap
A knock echoed at Arshan's shelter gate.
Arshan:
"Which Drift freak is knocking on my door now…?"
The gate opened — a guy stood there.
Tall, casual hoodie, a slight grin, and holding a protein pack.
Name: Rayn
Rayn:
"Yo idiot… you returned after kicking DAO's butt?
I was watching the stream — you looked like the god of glitches out there."
Arshan (surprised):
"Rayn?! How are you here?"
Rayn:
"Emergency protocols moved all backup units into different zones.
I was on DAO cleanup squad…
Then I saw you trending — thought the hero deserved a snack."
---
Rayn – Loyal Friend Confirmed
Zyana's faint alert (still recovering):
> "Rayn – verified Level 2 DAO Cadet.
Status: 97% loyalty probability."
Arshan (smiling):
"So you won't betray me?"
Rayn (winking):
"I might roast your ass, but I'd never stab your back."
Arshan:
"Good. I've started doubting people lately."
Rayn placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Then from now on — it's our mission: DAO safe, Drift dead."
---
End of Part 11