Free Web NovelThe room absorbed Nox's words like a blade sinking into flesh. freewёbnoνel.com
Fey was the first to break the silence, her voice calm but edged with steel.
"So we wait," she said. "We let them fight each other, and then we attack whoever is left standing."
Nox nodded. "That's one option."
"But not the only one," Celestia said, her silver eyes fixed on the holographic display. "Waiting means giving them both time to grow stronger. Darwin will stabilize. Omega will build her army. And when they finally clash, the winner will be even more dangerous than either of them is now."
Veronica crossed her arms, her sharp eyes narrowing.
"Then what do you suggest?" Veronica asked. "Attack now? While we're still recovering and Julian is unconscious?"
Celestia didn't answer immediately. Her silver-thread skill coiled around her fingers, slow and thoughtful.
"I suggest we gather more information," Celestia said finally. "We know where Omega's forces are gathering. We know where Darwin is recovering. But we don't know what either of them is planning." She turned to Vesper. "Your Data Stream skill, can you tap into their communications? Their command networks?"
Vesper's tattooed arms crossed over her chest. Her sharp eyes gleamed.
"Maybe," Vesper said. "If they're using electronic systems, yes. But if they're communicating through the Blight itself—through the hive mind—then no. That's beyond my reach."
Beatrix leaned forward, her tired eyes suddenly alert.
"The hive mind," Beatrix repeated. "We've seen it before. During the Progenitor Blight outbreaks. The mutants shared a collective consciousness. If Omega is controlling them, she might be using something similar."
Nox's pale eyes darkened.
"Which means," Nox said slowly, "even if we know her command nodes, she might still control her army through pure instinct."
Krieg, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.
"Then we cut off the head."
Every eye turned to him. His voice was low, rough, like gravel grinding against stone. He didn't elaborate. He didn't need to.
Zoe's blue eyes flickered.
"He's right," Zoe said. "Kill Omega, and her army falls apart."
"If she's the only one controlling them," Fey countered. "What if she's not? What if there's someone else? Something else?"
The room fell silent again.
Aris cleared her throat, drawing attention back to the holographic display.
"Speculation is useful," Aris said, "but data is better. Vesper, I want you to start monitoring the eastern mountain region. Look for any unusual energy signatures, communication patterns, or movement clusters. If Omega is building an army, she's doing it there."
Vesper nodded. "I'll start immediately."
"Krieg," Aris continued, "I want you to coordinate with our security team. Double the patrols around the base. If Omega decides to attack us instead of Darwin, I want to know about it before she's within striking distance."
Krieg nodded once. No words. Just acknowledgment.
"And the rest of us?" Fey asked.
Aris glanced at the side screen showing Julian's vitals. His heart rate was steady. His regeneration was progressing. But his eyes were still closed.
"We prepare," Aris said simply. "We rest. We recover. And when Julian wakes up—" She paused, her tired eyes softening just slightly. "We finish this."
The meeting began to break apart.
Vesper moved to a nearby console, her fingers already flying across the keyboard as she initiated her scans. Krieg walked toward the door, his heavy footsteps echoing through the chamber. Aris returned to the holographic projector, pulling up more data streams.
But Fey remained seated.
Her blue eyes were fixed on the holographic display, on the two red blips representing Darwin and Omega. Her jaw was tight. Her hands were clasped in front of her.
Zoe noticed.
"Fey," Zoe said quietly. "What's wrong?"
Fey didn't answer immediately. Her eyes stayed on the display.
"Julian almost died," Fey said finally. Her voice was low, controlled, but there was something beneath it. "If Nox hadn't intervened... if Omega had been a second faster..."
Zoe's blue eyes softened. "But he didn't die."
"He could have." Fey's hands tightened. "We've been following him. Fighting beside him. Trusting him to lead us. And every time, he pushes himself further. Harder. Closer to the edge." She looked up at Zoe. "What happens when he goes too far? What happens when there's no one left to save him?"
Zoe didn't have an answer.
Dori, who had been quietly listening, spoke up.
"Then we save him," Dori said simply. "That's what we're here for."
Fey looked at her. The young woman who had been so scared, so hesitant, so quick to doubt herself. But now her hands were steady. Her eyes were clear.
"You're right," Fey said quietly. "That's what we're here for."
She stood up, her data-slate in her hand.
"Let's get to work."
Before anyone could move, Veronica's sharp voice cut through the room.
"Wait."
Fey turned. Veronica was still seated, her arms crossed, her sharp eyes sweeping across the room as if counting heads. fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓
"Where's Specter?" Veronica asked. "She wasn't at the landing pad. She's not in this room. And she's not in the critical care wing—I checked."
The room went still.
Celestia's silver eyes narrowed slightly. Clarissa glanced around as if expecting Specter to materialize from the shadows. Zoe's golden eyes flickered with alertness.
Aris Thorne, still standing at the holographic projector, let out a small breath.
"Specter is..." Aris paused, searching for the right words. "Undergoing an upgrade."
Veronica's eyebrow rose. "Upgrade?"
"She's a cyborg," Aris reminded her. "Her body is a fusion of organic tissue and advanced technology. After the fight against the Null, she sustained significant damage to her core systems. I've been repairing and enhancing her capabilities."
Fey's eyes narrowed. "Why weren't we told?"
"You were fighting Eclipse," Aris said simply. "Specter made the decision herself. She didn't want to distract Julian or anyone else with her condition. She insisted on waiting until the operation was complete before beginning the upgrade process."
Dori's hand went to her chest. "Is she... okay?"
Aris nodded. "She's stable. The upgrade is progressing as planned." She glanced at a side screen, pulling up a new data stream—a schematic of Specter's body, with most systems marked in green. "Her processing core has been replaced with a more efficient model. Her energy absorption capabilities have been enhanced. And we've integrated a new adaptive combat protocol based on data collected from the Null encounter."
Beatrix, still seated near the holographic projector, raised an eyebrow.
"Adaptive combat protocol?" Beatrix repeated. "Meaning she can learn from her enemies mid-fight?"
"Yes," Aris confirmed. "Specter was already a formidable combatant. After this upgrade, she'll be able to analyze and counter enemy skills in real-time. The longer she fights a single opponent, the more effective she becomes."
Nox, still leaning against the wall near the door, let out a low whistle.
"A cyborg that learns," Nox said. "That's... impressive. And terrifying."
Aris glanced at him. "She's on our side."
Celestia turned to Aris.
"When will Specter be ready?" Celestia asked.
Aris checked the data stream again.
"Forty-eight hours," Aris said. "Maybe less. The upgrade is almost complete—most of the hardware integration is finished. We're currently running diagnostics on her new combat protocols. Once those are verified, she'll be fully operational."
Zoe's golden eyes flickered. "And her personality? Her memories?"
Aris's expression softened slightly.
"Intact," Aris said. "Specter is still Specter. The upgrade enhances her capabilities—it doesn't replace who she is." She paused. "She'll still be cold, efficient, and completely devoted to Julian's safety."
Veronica snorted. "Good. I was worried she'd come back nice."
Fey shot Veronica a look, but there was no real heat in it.
"Forty-eight hours," Fey repeated. "That puts her recovery roughly in sync with Julian's."
Aris nodded. "Give or take a few hours."
Celestia rose from her seat, her silver hair catching the holographic light. Her silver-thread skill coiled loosely around her fingers.
"Then we have two days," Celestia said. "Two days to prepare. To gather intelligence. To rest." Her silver eyes swept across the room. "When Julian wakes up, and when Specter is ready, we move."
Fey nodded. "Agreed."
Zoe stood, stretching her wounded arm carefully. "I'm going to check on Emma."
Dori stood as well. "I'll come with you."
Veronica uncrossed her arms and stood, her sharp eyes still scanning the room. "I'm going to the armory. Our weapons need maintenance after that fight."
Aya stood quietly beside her, nodding.
Beatrix remained seated, her tired eyes still fixed on the holographic display.
"I'll stay here," Beatrix said. "Monitor the data streams. If Omega makes a move, I want to know about it."
Aris nodded. "I'll be in the lab. Specter's final diagnostics require supervision."
Nox pushed off the wall, his pale eyes meeting Celestia's.
"I'll have Krieg coordinate with your security team," Nox said. "And Vesper will continue her scans. If Omega breathes wrong, we'll know."
Celestia inclined her head. "Thank you, Nox."
Nox's lips curled into a small smile.
"Don't thank me yet. Thank me when we've won."
