The newly designated headquarters of "The Crimson Coil" – the secured warehouse unit – hummed with a nervous, anticipatory energy. It had only been a day since Shift, Breaker, and Zip had tentatively agreed to join. Kai, acutely aware of his new title of "Leader," stood with Roric, ready for their first formal operational briefing. He wore his crimson and shadow jacket, a constant reminder of the path he was now on. His Anima Core Stability was a nagging concern at 72%, and he still held his 8 undistributed attribute points and 1 skill point in reserve, waiting for the right moment, the right need.
Today wasn't just about giving orders; it was about understanding what he had to work with. MODS were rare, their Animas even more so. Those with truly developed powers were almost legends in places like District 7, usually products of expensive MODS Corporation programs or unique, fortunate circumstances. Street-level MODS, the kind likely to be drawn to a new, unproven crew, would possess Animas in their most nascent stages – sparks of potential rather than raging fires. This meeting was Kai's first test of them, and of his ability to cultivate that potential.
Roric, impeccably dressed and composed as always, initiated the meeting. "Welcome to the first strategy session of The Crimson Coil," he announced, his gaze sweeping over their three recruits. "Our immediate goal is ambitious but necessary: to secure a permanent, defensible headquarters. Sub-Station Epsilon in the Greywash sector."
He brought up the holo-schematic of the derelict hydro-processing facility. "Currently infested by a disorganized Scavenger group, the 'Rust Phantoms.' Numerous, but likely lacking any significant MOD presence or advanced tactics." Roric then turned pointedly to Kai. "Leader Kai, your initial thoughts on assessing and approaching this target?"
All eyes fell on Kai. He took a breath, focusing his "Basic Anima Concealment" to maintain an outward calm. This was his chance to gauge the raw material he had.
"Before we even think about an assault," Kai began, his voice measured, "we need to understand our own capabilities as a unit, and the true nature of the threat." He looked directly at Shift. "Shift, your Phase Spider Anima – you mentioned an affinity for tech and intel. How effectively can you gather information on the Rust Phantoms without direct engagement? What are the current practical limitations of your 'data weaving'?"
Shift's analytical gaze didn't waver. Filaments of light around her temples pulsed faintly. "My Anima allows me to sense active data streams, sometimes nudge simpler unsecured systems. For the Phantoms, if they use basic comms, I can attempt a passive intercept. Deep weaving into anything more complex is… extremely draining right now. My effective range is very limited, and the energy cost for anything beyond surface-level data is high." The System pinged Kai privately: [Shift – Phase Spider Anima. Current Manifestation: D-Grade. Evolutionary Potential: High. Note: Current abilities are rudimentary, requiring substantial energy channeling practice and exposure to diverse data networks for Anima development.]
"Understood," Kai said. So, highly specialized but currently very limited. He turned to Zip, who was practically vibrating with contained energy. "Zip, your Dragonfly Anima – burst acceleration, compound vision. What's the realistic output? How fast, how far, how many bursts before you're running on fumes? And how clear is your recall from high-speed observation?"
Zip's multifaceted eyes gleamed, but his bravado was tempered with honesty. "It's a flash, boss! Super quick, maybe twenty, thirty meters if I really push it. Can see a lot in that instant. But," he admitted, deflating slightly, "more than two or three bursts in quick succession and I'm seeing stars and my legs feel like lead. The information overload from the vision can also be intense if I'm not braced for it. My Anima feels… raw. Lots of spark, not much stamina yet." The System added: [Zip – Dragonfly Anima. Current Manifestation: D-Grade. Evolutionary Potential: Very High (Speed/Perception specialization). Note: Extreme Anima burnout risk with repeated burst usage. Requires intensive stamina conditioning and sensory filtering training.]
A speedster with very short legs, metaphorically speaking.
Finally, Kai addressed Breaker, the silent mountain whose Gorgon Anima hinted at defensive capabilities. "Breaker, your Dermal Petrification and Kinetic Rebound. How much coverage can you actually achieve with the 'stone skin'? How long can you maintain it under duress? And what kind of impact can the rebound handle before it overloads your Anima?"
Breaker considered his words carefully, his voice a low rumble. "The petrification… it's more like patches of hardened skin right now. Forearms, maybe parts of my chest if I really concentrate. Not full coverage. I can hold it for maybe a minute if I'm not taking heavy hits. The rebound is… unpredictable. Sometimes it works well on a clean shot, sometimes it just feels like getting hit twice. It's new, this Anima. Strong, I can feel that, but wild." The System confirmed: [Breaker – Gorgon Anima. Current Manifestation: D-Grade. Evolutionary Potential: High. Note: Defensive capabilities are currently unreliable and localized. Requires significant stress conditioning, Vitality/Stamina enhancement, and focused Anima control practice to stabilize and expand manifestations.]
Kai nodded slowly. D-Grade across the board. Their Animas were barely more than flickers, raw and undeveloped. This wasn't a team ready for major confrontations. This was a group of individuals with unique, but very green, powers. His own draconic Anima, though also nascent, felt leagues ahead in terms of raw potency, a sobering thought. His leadership would be absolutely critical, not just in directing them, but in fostering their growth, in finding ways to harness these very specific, very limited initial abilities.
"Alright," Kai said, a new weight of responsibility settling on him. "This is good. Knowing exactly where we stand, what our baseline is, is essential." He then laid out the reconnaissance plan, his instructions now even more cautious, tailored to their pronounced limitations.
"Shift, your focus will be extremely localized passive comms intercepts right at the edge of the Greywash, and only if Roric can confirm any active, unsecured transmissions from that area. We don't push your Anima's current range or energy limits." "Zip, your visual sweeps of Sub-Station Epsilon will be extremely short-range, hit-and-run glimpses from multiple concealed points. One burst, observe, retreat, report. Minimal exposure, maximum safety. We cannot risk you burning out." "Breaker, your role is strictly defensive support for Zip, and only if he's directly compromised during a retreat. No offensive engagement. Your primary input will be on identifying the most vulnerable points of Epsilon for a potential infiltration, rather than assessing its overall defensibility right now."
He looked at them, his gaze firm but understanding. "My role, with Roric coordinating, will be to meticulously plan any further action based entirely on your intel and our current, combined capabilities. This first mission is about information gathering and testing our ability to work together with what we have. It's about smarts, not brute force. The development of our Animas, our strength as The Crimson Coil, will be a marathon, not a sprint."
The recruits exchanged glances. Kai's sober assessment of their current state, his emphasis on caution and smart tactics rather than immediate, reckless action, seemed to land with a different kind of impact. It wasn't the usual bluster of a new crew leader.
Shift gave a curt nod. "A realistic approach. I can work within those parameters." Zip, though slightly less bouncy, still managed a grin. "Super short bursts, super safe. Got it, boss!" Breaker rumbled, "Understand the caution. Prudent."
The System chimed in privately for Kai: [Faction Cohesion Exercise: Completed. Leadership Acumen (Nascent): Displayed (Prudent Risk Assessment). Asset Assessment: Realistic & Perceptive.] [Reward: +45 EXP, +1 Minor Focus Charm (Enhanced – longer duration).]
A small, almost imperceptible sigh escaped Kai. He'd set the right tone. The Crimson Coil had its first directives, tailored to the raw, untamed potential of its members. The path to outshining Apex, or even just surviving District 7, looked incredibly long and steep from this vantage point.