Outer Sector Outpost 7, Imperial Periphery
The designated hour arrived cloaked in an unusual quiet. The primary fusion reactor powering Outpost 7 began its scheduled maintenance shutdown sequence. Non-essential systems powered down, primary lighting dimmed further in many sectors, and the background hum that was a constant presence faded, replaced by the lower thrum of auxiliary power and emergency systems. For most, it was a routine, albeit slightly inconvenient, procedure. For Valerius, it was the optimal window.
He moved through the dimly lit service corridors like a wraith, the unstable plasma core secured in its dampening case against his armor. The reduced ambient energy noise made it slightly easier for his Spatial Sense to penetrate the surroundings, but it also meant any unusual energy spike from his actions or the core itself would stand out more starkly if detected by localized sensors not affected by the main shutdown.
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The route took him through less-traveled maintenance conduits on Sub-Level 2. Twice, he had to freeze in darkened alcoves as Navy patrols passed, their helmet lights cutting sharp beams through the gloom. Their movements were disciplined, their energy signatures alert – clearly operating under heightened security protocols even during the shutdown. Evading them required precise timing guided by the System and careful suppression of his own Wargod signature.
He finally reached the access door for the decommissioned Shield Capacitor Testing Bay 04. It was heavy, reinforced, bearing faded warning signs about high energy fields.
'System, bypass security seals, SC-TBay-04. Mask entry.'
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The heavy door hissed open, revealing a large, cavernous space thick with dust. Old testing equipment, bulky and archaic by modern standards, sat shrouded in shadows. Thick, energy-resistant shielding lined the walls and ceiling, designed to contain capacitor discharge failures – perfect for his current purpose. The air was stale, undisturbed for years.
Valerius sealed the door behind him, activating his helmet light. He moved to the center of the bay, the most shielded point according to the System's analysis. He carefully removed the dampening case and placed it on the dusty floor.
Opening the case revealed the unstable core, its sickly yellow light pulsing erratically even within the portable dampener. The raw power radiating from it felt like a physical pressure.
'System, prepare for energy transfer. Deploy nanite siphon conduit. Interface directly with core containment field regulation node. Prioritize stability during transfer. Maximum safe absorption rate.'
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Valerius sat cross-legged before the core, focusing his Wargod energy, guided by the System. A shimmering, almost invisible tendril of nanites extended from his gauntlet, carefully penetrating the core's degraded containment field via the regulation node identified by the System.
The connection was established. Energy, raw and potent, flooded into him. It was vastly different from the geothermal energy – hotter, more volatile, like trying to drink directly from a star. The nanites worked furiously, filtering, refining, channeling the power into his cultivation matrix.
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The progress was exhilaratingly fast. He could feel his Wargod foundation strengthening, expanding, the threshold to the next level drawing significantly closer with every passing second. He pushed his senses, guiding the energy flow, helping the nanites maintain stability.
Suddenly, the core pulsed violently within its case, the yellow light flaring.
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'Reduce rate by 30%!' Valerius commanded instantly, fighting the urge to absorb faster.
The energy flow lessened slightly, and the core's pulsing subsided, though it still felt like a barely contained bomb. He glanced at the chronometer. He had maybe fifteen minutes left before the reactor maintenance cycle concluded and sensor sensitivity returned to normal.
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He needed more time, more energy. He cautiously began increasing the siphon rate again, finding a precarious balance just below the instability threshold.
Just then, a new alert flashed, unrelated to the core.
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Kaelen. Even during the reactor shutdown, he was watching, analyzing. Had the door bypass created a detectable anomaly?
Valerius felt a surge of cold urgency. He couldn't stay here much longer. Kaelen might dispatch a patrol or investigate personally.
'System! Maximum safe siphon rate! Push for 35% threshold advancement then cease transfer!'
<
He poured his focus into controlling the volatile energy, ignoring the flashing warnings, pushing himself and the nanites to their limit. The core pulsed again, angrier this time, the light flickering.
<
The nanite conduit retracted instantly. Valerius quickly sealed the dampening case, the core still radiating dangerous energy within. He scrambled to his feet, feeling the powerful surge of new energy settling uneasily within him, his own stability slightly compromised by the rapid, forceful absorption.
He needed to get out, now. He quickly checked his route via Spatial Sense and the System. Clear for the moment, but Kaelen's activity on the network was a looming threat.
He secured the case, dimmed his lights, and cracked open the heavy testing bay door, peering into the dimly lit service corridor. Empty. He slipped out, resealing the door, hoping the automated logs wouldn't flag the brief, masked access now that Kaelen was actively looking.
He began the tense journey back, the unstable core a heavy weight against his armor, Kaelen's digital ghost potentially tracking his path through faint sensor ripples. He had the power he desperately needed, reaching over a third of the way to Mid-Level Wargod in one risky session. But the cost was heightened risk, potential exposure, and the knowledge that his time for clandestine action was rapidly expiring under the Navy's watchful eyes.