Chapter 54 — The Point of No Return
The sun bled orange over the Badlands as Alaric stood atop a ridge, gazing at the Aldecaldo camp sprawled below. Engines roared, chrome gleamed, and the scent of fuel clung to the air. Every Nomad moved with purpose — because tonight wasn't just another job. This was war.
Panam approached from behind, footsteps soft on the cracked dirt. She stood beside him, arms folded, eyes locked on the horizon.
"You sure about this?" she asked, voice low.
Alaric smirked, hands on his hips. "I've been sure since the moment I saw what Arasaka did. You?"
Panam's lips curved, a spark dancing in her emerald eyes. "I'm riding with you. All the way."
He turned, looping an arm around her waist, tugging her close. The kiss they shared wasn't soft — it was heat, promise, and defiance wrapped in one. Her hand clutched his jacket, breath hitching when he whispered against her lips, "After this… we write our own legend."
From the camp, Saul called out — the war council was waiting.
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Inside the Nomad tent, maps sprawled across a table. Saul, Mitch, Carol — eyes sharp, voices clipped. They listened as Alaric laid out the plan with calm authority, Panam at his side.
"The tower is Arasaka's heart. We hit it fast, we hit it hard. I go inside… you keep the sky burning."
Saul met his gaze. "We've got your back, but this is your suicide run."
Alaric's smirk didn't falter. "It's only suicide if I die."
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Later, as the Aldecaldos prepped, Johnny appeared beside Alaric — arms crossed, sneer faded into something more… grudging.
"Never figured you for the dying-for-a-cause type."
Alaric glanced at the ghost. "I'm not. But I'll make Arasaka bleed before I'm done."
Johnny nodded, silent for a beat. "Don't fuck it up."
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Night fell. Engines revved. The convoy lined up under the dead sky. Panam climbed into Basilisk's cockpit, looking down at Alaric one last time.
"I meant what I said. We ride together."
Alaric climbed up beside her, gripping her hand tight.
The Point of No Return wasn't a line in the sand… it was a firestorm waiting ahead.
And Alaric welcomed it.
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[System Update — Emotional Bond: Panam Palmer — Maxed]
[Main Quest: Nocturne Op55N1 — Unlocked]
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