The Cerberus-controlled plasteel refinery, designated "Tartarus Forge" by the locals for its infernal glow and the brutal conditions within, was a sprawling complex of interconnected towers, processing units, and heavily guarded storage depots. It was a critical node in Cerberus's legitimate business front, and, Roric explained, a significant source of their untraceable income through black market overruns and "creative accounting." Hitting it would be like kicking a hornet's nest the size of a city block.
"A diversion at Tartarus Forge will undoubtedly draw a massive Cerberus response," Shift observed, her Phase Spider Anima already causing faint lights to trace the complex schematics Roric had projected. "Their security there is notoriously heavy. Multiple patrol squads, automated defense turrets on the perimeter, and rumor has it, a dedicated rapid response team of their toughest enforcers."
"Precisely," Roric agreed, a glint in his eye. "We don't need to destroy the Forge, merely create a significant, undeniable, and loud disruption. A series of coordinated explosions at their primary raw material loading docks and their outbound distribution hub, timed to coincide with Whisper's infiltration window at the bank vault three blocks away. The resulting chaos – fires, alarms, panicked workers, the inevitable arrival of District 6 Enforcers and emergency services – will tie up a substantial portion of Cerberus's local security forces, and create a significant smokescreen, both literal and figurative, for Whisper's operation."
Kai studied the plan, his mind racing. It was audacious, bordering on insane. His Draconic Energy Reserves were at 83%. He was Level 4, (Current EXP from last chapter)/400 towards Level 5. He still had his 3 undistributed attribute points and 1 skill point. He knew he'd need every advantage for this. "This isn't an Umbra solo hunt, Roric," Kai stated. "This is a full team operation for the diversion itself. We'll need Breaker's strength for any heavy breaching, Shift's tech skills to bypass localized security at the Forge, and my… Draconic Arts… to handle their enforcers and deliver the primary 'distraction'."
"Agreed," Roric said. "You, Breaker, and Shift will be the primary strike team for Tartarus Forge. Elara and I will coordinate from Epsilon, providing real-time intel, attempting to disrupt their internal Forge security networks, and guiding your exfiltration. Whisper will be on her own for the vault infiltration, as per her terms, but she will be relying on the chaos you create."
He then outlined the specifics. They would use the old, disused sewer access tunnels – a different network from the ones near Epsilon – to approach the Forge's underbelly, bypassing most of its external perimeter defenses. Shift would use her skills to disable local alarms at their chosen breach point – a series of large, surprisingly vulnerable exhaust vents for the primary smelting furnaces. Breaker would create the opening. Kai, as Umbra, would then move inside to plant a series of high-yield incendiary charges Roric had "acquired" (their origin, as always, discreetly unmentioned) at key structural points in the loading docks and distribution hub.
"The charges are on timers," Roric explained. "Once planted, you have a very narrow window to exfiltrate before they detonate and all hell breaks loose. The explosions will be our signal to Whisper that her window is open. Your escape route will be back through the sewers, then a rapid surface extraction via a pre-arranged, untraceable transport."
It was a complex, multi-stage plan, with a dozen things that could go catastrophically wrong. "What about Cerberus MODs at the Forge?" Breaker rumbled. "If Cinder, or someone like her, is on site…" "Intel suggests their primary MOD assets, like Hydra, are assigned to protect their most valuable core interests – the bank vault, their Citadel headquarters, their top leadership," Roric replied. "A refinery, even a critical one, is usually guarded by their best human enforcers and automated systems. The risk of encountering a high-level MOD at the Forge itself is… moderate, but not primary. Your main threat will be overwhelming numbers and their rapid response capabilities once the alarm is raised."
Kai knew he needed to optimize his abilities for this. He focused on his System interface. 'System, allocate 3 undistributed attribute points to Draconic Affinity.' [ATTRIBUTE POINTS ALLOCATED. DRACONIC AFFINITY INCREASED. New Draconic Affinity: 17.] [Draconic Affinity 17: Tier 1 & Tier 2 Draconic Arts significantly enhanced. Control over all Draconic manifestations and hybrid energy states improved. New Tier 2 Draconic Art pathway available: 'Shadowflame Barrage' (Requires Shadowflame Control & Skill Point). System Note: Conduit approaching next major evolutionary threshold (Level 5 – Protoform Refinement).] His Affinity was now 17. The power within him felt deeper, more resonant, the azure Old Republic energy now almost seamlessly integrated with his draconic core.
For his skill point, he considered upgrading his "Shadow-Coil Strike (Path of Deception)" or his "Dermal Plating Manifestation." But the new Tier 2 Draconic Art pathway, "Shadowflame Barrage," unlocked by his increased Affinity and his existing "Shadowflame Control" (which had evolved passively from his Level 5 Anima Affinity Specialization), was too tempting, too perfect for the kind of destructive diversion Roric envisioned. 'System, allocate 1 Skill Point to Shadowflame Barrage (Tier 2).' [SKILL POINT ALLOCATED. NEW DRACONIC COMBAT ART ACQUIRED: SHADOWFLAME BARRAGE (TIER 2 – RANK 1/3).] [Shadowflame Barrage (Rank 1): Allows the Conduit to unleash multiple, smaller, projectable bolts of concentrated Shadowflame energy in rapid succession or as a scattered volley. Effective range: 20 meters. Moderate explosive impact and lingering Anima-disruptive burn effect. Draconic Energy Cost: High (per barrage). Cooldown: 15 seconds. WARNING: Requires significant control to avoid self-harm or uncontrolled environmental ignition.] This was a serious upgrade to his offensive capabilities.
"The plan is set," Kai said, his voice resonating with a new, dangerous confidence from his recent advancements. "We hit Tartarus Forge tomorrow night. We give Whisper her chaos. And we show Cerberus what happens when they threaten The Ember Knights." Roric smiled, a chillingly satisfied expression. "The inferno awaits, Leader Kai. Let us ensure it burns brightly." The stakes had never been higher. The fate of Zip, the future of The Ember Knights, and Kai's own perilous evolution all hung in the balance, dependent on the success of this desperate, fiery gambit.