The exfiltration from the disused service tunnels beneath District 7's industrial sector was swift and blessedly uneventful. The Static Runners had been neutralized with a brutal efficiency that left even Kai, as Umbra, slightly unnerved by his own capabilities. Back in the relative security of Sub-Station Epsilon, the atmosphere was charged with a mixture of adrenaline, exhaustion, and the undeniable, almost electric, thrill of a successful first operation as a cohesive unit. Kai, having shed his Umbra mask and cloak, felt the familiar ache of exertion, but his Draconic Energy Reserves, fully restored by his recent level-up to Level 3, thrummed with a potent, controlled energy. The +200 EXP from the completed Faction Quest, "Whispers in the Wires," had been a significant boost, and he was eager to explore the new Draconic Art pathways and Anima Affinity Specializations that his advancement had unlocked.
His new attributes, after the automatic +1 from leveling, were now: Strength 7, Vitality 7, Agility 7, Perception 8, Stamina 7, Cognition 8, and Draconic Affinity 5. This Draconic Affinity score was a crucial threshold. [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: Draconic Affinity 5 reached! Tier 1 Anima Affinity Specializations unlocked. Conduit may now select one passive evolutionary pathway for Shadow Wyrm Draconic Power Source.] He also had 3 undistributed attribute points and 1 new skill point to allocate.
Roric, however, was already focused on the spoils of their operation. The reinforced data-case wrested from the Static Runners sat on the central planning table in the Epsilon control room, its surface gleaming dully under the stark utility lights. Shift, her fingers flying across the interface of a custom-built decryption console Roric had provided, was already meticulously working on its complex electronic locks. Her cybernetic eye, a sophisticated piece of optical hardware, whirred almost silently as it scanned the case's surface for vulnerabilities. Her expertise with technology was formidable, a combination of innate talent, years of self-taught hacking in District 7's data-dens, and the advanced tools Roric had put at her disposal.
Breaker, his massive frame radiating a quiet satisfaction, stood guard by the control room entrance. He was cleaning his heavy stun baton with a practiced hand, his expression thoughtful. He had performed admirably during the tunnel fight, his raw strength and Roric-supplied combat gear making him a formidable obstacle for the Static Runners. Elara's holographic image flickered nearby, her young face alight with curiosity as she remotely assisted Shift with analyzing the data-case's likely encryption protocols from her own secure station.
"The lock is Old Republic era, surprisingly sophisticated for a street-level smuggling ring," Shift murmured, her brow furrowed in concentration. "They must have acquired it along with a particularly valuable piece of data. Standard decryption algorithms won't touch this. The power signature is minimal, heavily shielded. But… there's a flaw in its external power regulation coupling. If I can create a precise, targeted energy spike at the right frequency, I might be able to overload the primary lock capacitor without frying the contents."
"Be cautious, Shift," Roric warned, his eyes narrowed in concentration as he observed her work. He moved with a subtle, almost predatory grace, Kai noticed again, his posture perfectly balanced, his hands held loosely at his sides but always ready. It was the stance of someone accustomed to sudden violence, not just strategic planning. Kai wondered about Roric's own past, the source of his wealth, his skills, his chilling ambition.
With a final, intricate series of commands keyed into her console, and a precisely aimed micro-pulse emitter she attached to the data-case, Shift let out a small grunt of effort. There was a sharp, almost inaudible click from the data-case, and the heavy lid hissed open with a faint sigh of decompressed air. Inside, nestled in protective, age-yellowed foam, was not a single data-chip, but a dozen, each one glowing with a faint, internal light, their surfaces covered in archaic, unfamiliar symbols.
"Well, well," Roric said, a slow, satisfied smile spreading across his face. "It seems the Static Runners were holding onto a veritable treasure trove. Far more than just the pre-Apex research data Silas Rook's intel suggested."
Elara's voice came through the comms, tinged with excitement. "Roric, Shift, I'm cross-referencing the energy signatures and casing designs of those chips with known Old Republic archival data – what little is accessible through public or… less public… networks. Several of them match encrypted financial transaction logs from mid-tier District 6 businesses – likely Cerberus extortion records, as we suspected. But two others… their encryption is much older, much denser. Pre-Apex. Possibly even pre-Collapse research data, as you theorized, Roric. The kind of information that could be… priceless."
"Excellent work, all of you," Roric said, his gaze sweeping over them. "This is a significant haul. The financial data alone will give us considerable leverage over Cerberus's operations in these sectors. The older chips… they will require careful, meticulous decryption by Shift and Elara, but their potential value is immense." He looked at Kai. "Your leadership in the field, Umbra, was exemplary. Swift, decisive, and you kept casualties – on our side – to zero. The Ember Knights have struck their first successful blow."
Kai felt a flush of pride at Roric's words, quickly tempered by the memory of the violence, the fear. "Breaker and Shift were crucial. And Elara's overwatch kept us from walking into any surprises." "Teamwork is the cornerstone of The Ember Knights," Roric affirmed. "And this operation has proven our initial synergy. The credits from these financial logs, once we… 'liberate' them… will further bolster our resources. The pre-Collapse data could contain anything from lost technologies to inconvenient truths that certain powers would pay dearly to keep buried."
He then turned his attention to Kai's development. "Your advancement to Level 3, and the increase in your Draconic Affinity, is a significant step. You mentioned new pathways opening up within your… internal framework?" Roric was always careful with his phrasing, acknowledging Kai's uniqueness without prying too obviously into the nature of the Dragon System itself.
Kai nodded, accessing the System interface in his mind. "Anima Affinity Specializations, Tier 1. And new Draconic Arts are available if I use my skill point." He quickly reviewed the Tier 1 Anima Affinity Specializations his Draconic Affinity of 5 had unlocked: "Draconic Resilience," "Shadow's Embrace," and "Primal Might." "Draconic Resilience" still felt like the most immediately practical choice, given the dangers they faced. 'System, Anima Affinity Specialization: Select Draconic Resilience (Tier 1).' [Draconic Resilience (Tier 1) Activated. Passive regenerative capabilities enhanced. Dermal Plating density will exhibit minor increase during next manifestation. Draconic Power Source adapting to new evolutionary pathway.] A subtle, deep warmth spread through him, a feeling of his body knitting itself together with greater efficiency, his human form feeling a fraction tougher, more enduring.
For his new skill point, he looked at the Tier 1 Draconic Arts. "Dermal Plating Manifestation (Basic)" was still a priority for conscious control over his scales. 'System, allocate 1 Skill Point to Dermal Plating Manifestation (Basic).' [SKILL POINT ALLOCATED. NEW DRACONIC ART ACQUIRED: DERMAL PLATING MANIFESTATION (BASIC – RANK 1/3).][Dermal Plating Manifestation (Basic – Rank 1): Allows conscious, controlled manifestation of Tier 0 Shadow Scales on designated body areas. Reduces Draconic Energy cost for sustained plating by 5%. Improves plating resilience by 10% over instinctual manifestation.] Finally, direct control over his scales. This would be invaluable.
He still had 3 undistributed attribute points. He decided to bolster his core Draconic attribute, the one the System emphasized for evolution and control. 'System, allocate 3 attribute points to Draconic Affinity.' [ATTRIBUTE POINTS ALLOCATED. DRACONIC AFFINITY INCREASED. New Draconic Affinity: 8.] [Draconic Affinity 8: Tier 1 Draconic Arts effectiveness moderately increased. Further passive Draconic traits may begin to manifest (e.g., enhanced low-light vision becoming more consistent). Control over Draconic Presence enhanced.]
"Good," Roric said, observing the faint shimmer of energy that briefly surrounded Kai as he made his internal allocations. Roric couldn't see the System, of course, but he was clearly sensitive to the shifts in Kai's power, his perception honed by whatever experiences had shaped him. "Focus on mastering these new abilities, Kai. Our next operation will likely be more… demanding. The whispers we've gathered tonight are just the beginning. We need to be ready for the shouts that will inevitably follow."
As Shift and Elara began the painstaking, delicate process of attempting to decrypt the most valuable of the Old Republic data-chips, and Breaker started cataloging the few pieces of scavenged tech the Static Runners had possessed (mostly outdated comm-links and a couple of surprisingly well-maintained stun batons), Kai felt a sense of momentum, of purpose. They were no longer just reacting to the dangers of District 7. They were actively seeking out its secrets, gathering strength, unraveling the threads of power that bound their city. The whispers in the wires had yielded their first significant prize, and The Ember Knights, with their unique blend of human skill and one nascent dragon, were just beginning to glow in the oppressive darkness.