Outer Sector Outpost 7, Imperial Periphery
The presence of the 7th Battle Group settled over Outpost 7 like a heavy, starched uniform. The raw edges of the recent battle were being smoothed over by the efficient, impersonal processes of the Imperial Navy. Shuttles ferried personnel and equipment between the orbiting warships and the outpost surface, creating a constant flow of traffic that hadn't existed before. For Valerius, this new order brought both a measure of security and a significant increase in operational constraints.
He spent hours in his quarters, ostensibly resting or reviewing files, but actually engaged in the painstaking process of mastering his Wargod abilities under the System's guidance. His Spatial Sense slowly expanded, the 'resolution' improving. He could now hold the faint impression of the entire officer's wing corridor in his mind, tracking movements, sensing active consoles, even differentiating the low hum of standard cybernetics from the more potent energy signatures of cultivators like Kaelen or the newly arrived Navy personnel.
<
The lack of access to the geothermal vein was a constant frustration. Progress felt glacial compared to the leaps he'd made before. He needed an alternative, but raiding the outpost's limited energy stores or specialized equipment was far too risky under the Navy's watchful eyes.
His passive monitoring of Lieutenant Kaelen showed the garrison officer was still meticulously reviewing logs – energy grid fluctuations, security footage archives, personnel movement records. Kaelen hadn't found any smoking gun, likely thanks to the System's countermeasures and data manipulation, but his persistence was undeniable. He was like a terrier worrying a bone, convinced something was buried just out of sight. Valerius knew he couldn't afford a single misstep.
Later that cycle, Valerius was summoned to the main briefing room. Commander Vorlag was there, looking somewhat diminished amidst several crisp Navy uniforms. Lieutenant Commander Jian, the intelligence officer, stood beside a newcomer – a stern-faced woman with sharp eyes and the insignia of a Navy Investigator, First Class. Her energy signature was tightly controlled, difficult to read, but felt potent – likely M4 Kinetic or higher.
"Lieutenant Valerius," Vorlag made the introduction, his tone formal. "This is Investigator Thorne, leading the Navy Investigation Team assigned to the Moon 7C incident."
"Investigator," Valerius inclined his head respectfully.
"Lieutenant," Thorne acknowledged, her gaze sharp and assessing. "I've reviewed your preliminary debrief with Lieutenant Commander Jian and Commander Vorlag's commendation reports. Your tactical analysis appears to have been pivotal."
"I provided analysis based on the available data, Investigator," Valerius replied neutrally.
"Indeed," Thorne continued, her tone leaving no room for pleasantries. "My team is deploying to Moon 7C within the hour to begin the on-site examination of the facility destroyed in Crater EC-117. We need access to all uncorrupted sensor logs, drone footage, and communication intercepts pertaining to the moon, the departing shuttle, and the 'Crimson Fury' group, including any analytical notes you compiled."
"All relevant data has been logged and is available on the secure network, Investigator," Valerius confirmed. "I can provide direct access links."
"See that you do," Thorne ordered. "We need to understand what the Red Scorpions were doing in that facility, what 'Project Chimera' entails, and why they felt the need to destroy the site so thoroughly before retreating." She paused, her eyes locking onto his. "And if your 'unconventional' methods during the battle shed any light, however indirectly, on their capabilities or technology, that information is also required."
It was a subtle probe, referencing his resonance strike and kinetic pulse maneuvers. She was testing him, seeing if he'd offer more than his official report.
"My actions were dictated by the tactical necessities of the moment, Investigator," Valerius stated calmly. "I have no specific insights into Red Scorpion technology beyond what standard intelligence provides."
Thorne held his gaze for another moment before nodding curtly. "Very well. Ensure the data transfer is complete within the hour." She turned back to Jian and Vorlag, already discussing logistical details for the NIT deployment.
Valerius excused himself, feeling the weight of Thorne's scrutiny. She was clearly experienced, sharp, and wouldn't be easily fooled by superficial explanations. His fabricated logs and careful energy suppression were holding for now, but the investigation on Moon 7C could potentially uncover physical evidence or residual energies that might contradict the official narrative.
He returned to his quarters, the need for caution warring with the need for power. Accessing the geothermal vein was off the table for the foreseeable future.
'System,' he commanded internally, 'scan all accessible Outpost 7 databases – supply inventories, geological surveys, confiscated materials logs, research archives – for alternative high-density energy sources or cultivation aids. Cross-reference against Wargod advancement requirements. Flag any low-risk acquisition opportunities.'
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It was a long shot, but perhaps within the old walls of this forgotten outpost, there was another secret, another source of power waiting to be found – one that didn't involve dodging Navy investigators or psionic anomalies in the dark. For now, he would watch, wait, consolidate his power, and let the Navy chase the ghosts on Moon 7C.