Outer Sector Outpost 7, Imperial Periphery
The hours leading up to the next scheduled reactor maintenance shutdown were fraught with a unique tension for Valerius. While the rest of the outpost personnel, both garrison and Navy, prepared for the routine power-down with practiced indifference, Valerius meticulously finalized his plan for the riskiest operation he'd undertaken since the 7th Battle Group's arrival. The unstable plasma core, hidden beneath his bunk, pulsed with promise and peril.
He spent time running simulations, not just for combat, but for the infiltration itself. The System mapped optimal routes to the decommissioned testing bay (SC-TBay-04), calculated energy signature masking protocols based on anticipated Navy sensor sweeps during the low-power state, and outlined precise steps for interfacing with the volatile core in the shielded environment.
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Kaelen remained a significant concern. Valerius observed via the System that the Lieutenant had formally presented his findings regarding the 'sensor ghost' and the anomalous energy readings near Sub-Level 2/3 conduits to Lieutenant Commander Jian. While Jian hadn't immediately authorized Kaelen's requested enhanced sweep of the lower levels, citing resource allocation to the Moon 7C investigation, he had flagged Kaelen's report for 'further review pending operational stability'. Kaelen hadn't found proof, but he had successfully put his suspicions on the Navy's radar. The enhanced sweep could still happen, especially if any further anomalies were detected. It made Valerius's upcoming attempt to tap the core even more critical – he needed the power before that potential scrutiny intensified.
Updates from Moon 7C offered little new. Investigator Thorne's team confirmed the 'Omega-734' signal was deeply buried and heavily shielded, requiring specialized deep-penetration scanners being brought in by a supply ship attached to the main battle group, still a day out. Project Chimera remained locked behind layers of destruction and cryptic signals.
As the designated shutdown time approached, Valerius felt his Wargod senses sharpen, a familiar pre-action focus descending. He secured the dampened plasma core, checked his tools, and reviewed the infiltration route one last time. His Spatial Sense reached out, mapping the nearby corridors, noting the shift change activity, the slightly reduced energy hum as non-essential systems began powering down in sequence.
He caught Kaelen's energy signature heading towards the command center – likely to monitor systems during the shutdown, potentially hoping to catch the very anomalies he suspected. This complicated matters but didn't change the plan; the testing bay was several sections away from the command center's direct sensor range during low power.
A chime echoed through the outpost comms – the final five-minute warning before the main reactor entered its maintenance cycle. Lights dimmed further, the primary hum fading noticeably. Auxiliary power kicked in, casting essential areas in a lower, slightly harsher light.
This was it. The shutdown window. His only chance before the Navy fully cemented its control and Kaelen's suspicions potentially triggered a deeper investigation.
Valerius took a steadying breath, suppressing his Wargod energy signature to the bare minimum required for enhanced senses. He activated the portable energy dampener, its low thrum adding another layer of masking. He opened his door, checked the corridor with his Spatial Sense – clear – and slipped out, melting into the deeper shadows of the low-power state.
He moved swiftly, silently, a ghost in the machine, heading towards Sub-Level 2 and the decommissioned testing bay. Every flicker of a distant light, every footstep echoing down a parallel corridor, every faint energy reading felt magnified in the relative quiet. The unstable sun strapped to his armor felt like a ticking clock, counting down not just the minutes of the shutdown window, but potentially the remaining moments of his operational freedom within Outpost 7. Failure tonight wasn't just about missing a chance for power; it could mean exposure.