Whisper's urgent message, delivered via a heavily encrypted, self-destructing data-burst that Shift barely managed to secure and decrypt, sent a jolt of high-voltage tension through the Epsilon control room. The casual atmosphere of reviewing potential Umbra targets vanished, replaced by a grim, focused silence as Roric projected Whisper's findings onto the main holo-display.
The intel was sparse but alarming. A high-level Cerberus data exchange was scheduled to occur within the next twelve hours at a heavily fortified, disused pre-Collapse bank vault beneath the District 6 financial sector – an area Cerberus considered one of its most secure inner sanctums. The data being exchanged was rumored to be critical – possibly related to their city-wide operations, their hidden financial backers, or even their clandestine dealings with off-world entities. But the most critical piece of information was the guardian of this exchange: a Cerberus MOD known only by the codename "Hydra."
"Hydra…" Roric murmured, his eyes narrowed as he accessed his own extensive, shadowy databases. "Whisper's intel is consistent with some very faint, very deep-level rumors I've encountered. Not much is known about Hydra. No public MBL record, no standard MOD registration, which suggests they are either an unregistered 'wild' Anima Cerberus somehow acquired and controls, or a black-ops MOD, possibly ex-corporate or military, operating entirely off the official grid. The name 'Hydra' implies… regeneration, multiple threats, resilience. Whisper estimates at least a B-Grade Anima, possibly higher, based on the level of security and the value of the asset being protected."
A B-Grade MOD. That was leagues beyond Crusher (D-Grade Myomer) or Kargas (C-Grade Basilisk). Leon Kaelen himself, even as a Rookie Champion, was likely operating in the B-Grade or low A-Grade spectrum. This was a genuine powerhouse, a true enforcer. Kai felt a cold knot form in his stomach. His Draconic Energy Reserves were at 85% after a recent sustenance hunt. He was Level 4, his Draconic Affinity at 14, his combat arts developing. But a B-Grade MOD…[SYSTEM THREAT ASSESSMENT: Target 'Hydra' (Cerberus MOD – Presumed B-Grade Anima). Combat Capabilities: Unknown, likely high resilience, potential for multiple attack vectors or rapid regeneration. Threat Level: EXTREME. Direct confrontation by Conduit Kai in current evolutionary state carries a high probability of critical injury or termination.] The System, as always, was brutally direct.
"And Apex is interested?" Breaker rumbled, his hand instinctively going to the heavy stun baton at his hip. Even he looked uneasy. "Whisper's information suggests a covert Apex observation team has been monitoring this Cerberus vault for several days," Shift confirmed, her fingers flying across her console, trying to find any corroborating data in the local network chatter. "She believes Apex isn't planning a direct intervention, but rather aims to observe the data exchange, perhaps identify the recipients, or even… acquire Hydra, if an opportunity presents itself. Their presence massively complicates any operation on our part. If we engage Cerberus, we risk drawing Apex's attention directly onto us."
"A Cerberus stronghold, a B-Grade MOD guardian, and Apex lurking in the shadows," Roric summarized, a grim smile playing on his lips. "Whisper certainly doesn't believe in starting small, does she?" He looked at Kai. "The data Hydra is protecting could be invaluable to us, Kai. It could give us unprecedented insight into Cerberus's entire operational structure, perhaps even expose their connections to more powerful city factions. And if we could somehow… acquire… a B-Grade Anima signature for your System…" He left the implication hanging, the potential for Kai's evolution almost palpable in the air.
The System, of course, picked up on it immediately: [OPPORTUNITY DETECTED: Potential acquisition of B-Grade Anima Essence (Target: 'Hydra'). Assimilation of such a potent signature would trigger significant Draconic Power Source evolution, unlock multiple high-tier Draconic Arts, and massively increase all core attributes. WARNING: Engaging a B-Grade MOD in direct combat is currently beyond Conduit's capabilities without extreme tactical advantage or unforeseen evolutionary surge.]
"Whisper isn't asking us to take down Hydra and walk out with the data ourselves, is she?" Kai asked, his voice tight. That sounded like a suicide mission. "No," Roric said. "Her proposal is more… nuanced. She believes she can use the chaos of the data exchange, and the presence of the Apex observation team, to her advantage. She wants to infiltrate the vault during the exchange, when their internal security is focused on the transaction itself. Her objective is to plant a high-level data tap, a 'Phantom Worm,' directly into the Cerberus network via their vault interface. This worm, once active, would silently siphon vast amounts of encrypted data to her secure servers over a period of weeks."
"And what does she want from us?" Shift asked. "Support," Roric replied. "Specifically, she needs a team on the outside, near the vault, to create a significant, precisely timed diversion. Something to draw away a portion of Cerberus's external security and potentially distract the Apex observers at the critical moment she plants the worm. She also needs a secure exfiltration route covered by a team capable of handling any immediate Cerberus pursuit if her own escape is compromised." He looked directly at Kai. "She specifically requested Umbra to lead the diversion team. Your reputation, it seems, precedes you. She believes Umbra's… unique capabilities… are the only thing that can create a believable, high-impact distraction that Cerberus will take seriously, without it escalating into a full-scale war that brings Apex crashing down on all of them."
It was a dangerous, intricate dance. They wouldn't be hitting the vault directly, but they would be the bait, drawing the fire, operating in the shadow of two powerful, hostile factions. "If we do this," Kai said slowly, "and Whisper succeeds, what's our share?" "Access," Roric stated. "Whisper has agreed to give The Ember Knights priority access to all Cerberus data acquired through the Phantom Worm, specifically anything related to their operations in Districts 6 and 7, their MOD assets, and any information pertaining to their Citadel holding facilities – where Zip is being kept. It's not the data itself, but the keys to dismantling Cerberus from within, and potentially, the keys to rescuing Zip."
The mention of Zip solidified Kai's resolve. This was an insane risk, but the potential reward… "What kind of diversion are we talking about?" Kai asked. Roric smiled, that chillingly ambitious expression returning. "Something loud, Kai. Something memorable. Something that screams that a new, dangerous power is making its presence felt in the heart of Cerberus territory." He brought up a new schematic on the holo-display – a Cerberus-controlled plasteel refinery and distribution hub, located three blocks from the target bank vault. "We give them a fire they can't ignore."