The underground lab hummed with the quiet rhythm of technology. Screens blinked with scrolling data, maps updated in real-time, and surveillance drones buzzed like distant insects in the background.
Kael sat at the center of it all, hood pulled back, eyes scanning the mission board projected before him.
Aria leaned against the wall with her arms crossed. "You keep staring at that screen like it's going to give you all the answers."
Kael didn't look away. "It will. Eventually."
Spark popped up from under a panel, grease on her cheek and a datapad in her hand. "I just patched into another layer of the city's surveillance grid. I've also rerouted two of the Order's network sniffers. They won't know we're watching them."
Kael gave a small nod. "Nice."
She smiled, brushing her white bangs aside. "Told you I'm not just a hacker. I'm the hacker."
Aria snorted. "That ego of yours is going to need its own room soon."
Spark raised an eyebrow. "Says the woman who punched out a mutant with her bare hands."
"Fair."
Kael stood up and brought up a map of Granis City. Red dots began to populate across various districts. "We've rattled the cage. Now the rats are moving. The Order's changed their patrol patterns and surveillance coverage."
He pointed at a cluster of red in the Industrial Sector.
"They're expecting retaliation."
Aria walked up behind him. "So let's give it to them."
Kael shook his head. "Not yet. We're still a shadow compared to them. Right now, we observe, intercept, and sabotage where we can. I want their infrastructure crumbling before we ever show our full hand."
Spark nodded. "I can start planting malware across their network. Give me three days."
"No. Two."
She frowned but nodded again. "Fine. No sleep. Again."
[System Notification: Morale Buff Activated – Leadership Bonus (+10% Efficiency)]
Kael turned away from the board, heading toward the armory. "I'll need to scout the northern district tonight. I want to confirm rumors of a new Order installation."
Aria followed him. "I'll come. You'll need backup."
"No," Kael replied. "You and Spark stay here. If something happens to me, the team needs to survive."
"I'm not a babysitter," Aria growled.
"You're second-in-command. Start acting like it."
She stared at him for a moment, then smirked. "Fine. But don't die out there. I just started to respect you."
Kael chuckled softly. "No promises."
---
That night, the city was quiet—but only on the surface. Kael moved through alleys like a shadow, his steps silent, his senses alert. The System guided him toward a large, fenced-off warehouse with drones patrolling the sky above it.
[Warning: High-Security Zone Detected – Level B Threat] [Optional Mission: Infiltrate and Gather Intel – Reward: 900 Credits]
Kael crouched on a rooftop, surveying the building. Infrared scans showed movement—guards, automated turrets, cameras.
He tapped his earpiece.
"Spark, you online?"
"Always. What's up?"
"Get me blueprints of the northern warehouse—code tagged as Project LUX."
There was silence for a few seconds.
Then Spark's voice came back, slightly tense. "Kael… that's one of the Order's core labs. Whatever they're hiding there, it's big."
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"Then it's exactly where I need to be."