Delta Sector Outpost 7, Imperial Periphery
Hours after the brief, violent clash, an uneasy calm held Delta-7. Repair crews worked diligently on the minor hull scarring and replacing the overloaded auxiliary emitter Valerius had used. The immediate threat had retreated, but the confirmation of a heavily armed Red Scorpion fleet digging in at Grid 11 cast a long shadow. The outpost remained on high alert, the initial adrenaline replaced by grim determination and gnawing uncertainty.
In the relative quiet of his quarters, Valerius focused on consolidation. The chaotic breakthrough into the Wargod realm needed refinement. He sat, not in meditation, but in a state of deep internal focus guided by the System.
<
He practiced extending his nascent Spatial Sense. Closing his eyes, he could 'feel' the dimensions of his small room with a clarity that transcended sight – the precise distance to each wall, the metallic signature of the desk, the faint energy flow within the power conduits behind the bulkhead. He focused outwards, pushing the sense gently. He could perceive the corridor outside, the presence of individuals moving within it, their approximate mass and energy signatures – faint impressions, like feeling objects through thick cloth, but undeniably real. It was limited, requiring concentration, but the potential for tactical awareness was immense.
Next, he cautiously explored the [Minor Environmental Manipulation] function. Focusing his Wargod energy through the nanite interface, he targeted the air immediately around his hand. He willed it to cool. A faint shimmer, almost imperceptible, and the temperature dropped by several degrees, mist briefly condensing before dissipating. He tried pressure – a subtle pop as he created a tiny, localized vacuum that instantly refilled. The control was crude, the effect minor and short-lived, requiring significant concentration. Useless for direct combat now, but perhaps for creating distractions? Sabotaging sensitive equipment? Another tool in his arsenal, needing refinement.
His attention shifted back to the larger strategic picture. He accessed the secure tactical network via his console, the System simultaneously analyzing the incoming data streams at light speed. Drone feeds from Grid 11 painted a worrying picture. The two confirmed Scorpion cruisers and several smaller escorts weren't just waiting; they were actively deploying objects – likely space mines – and establishing overlapping energy fields.
'System, analyze deployment pattern. Assess threat level.'
<
Gravitic Interdictors. That complicated things significantly for the incoming Sector Command fleet. They couldn't simply jump into the system close to the Scorpions; they'd be forced into a sublight engagement within a mined kill zone, potentially facing weapons far exceeding standard cruiser armaments.
Valerius compiled this new intelligence into another concise report for Commander Vorlag, emphasizing the extreme danger posed by the interdictor fields and mines. He recommended immediate transmission to the approaching Sector Command fleet, urging extreme caution and a revised approach vector. His swift, accurate analyses were solidifying his position as the outpost's foremost tactical mind, regardless of his official rank.
Later, walking towards the mess hall, he passed Lieutenant Kaelen supervising an engineering team. Kaelen met his gaze, his expression a mixture of coldness and poorly concealed curiosity.
"Lieutenant Valerius," Kaelen said stiffly. "Impressive work during the engagement. That resonance strike… unconventional."
"Necessity dictated the approach, Lieutenant," Valerius replied evenly, detecting the subtle probe in Kaelen's tone.
"Indeed," Kaelen continued, stepping closer. "The auxiliary emitter coil was completely fused. Tech logs show power surges far exceeding safety parameters across three separate relays. Takes considerable… focus… to manage that kind of overload manually."
Valerius held his gaze. "As I told the Commander, it was a calculated risk. The integrity of the outpost was paramount." He could feel Kaelen trying to gauge his energy signature, searching for any sign of the Wargod power Valerius kept carefully suppressed. Thanks to the nanites and his own control, Kaelen would sense nothing beyond a strong High-Level Warrior, perhaps slightly more potent than before due to combat stress refinement – plausible, but not realm-breaking.
"Of course," Kaelen said, a thin smile not reaching his eyes. "Duty above all." He turned back to his team, but Valerius knew the suspicion remained. Kaelen was ambitious; he wouldn't let this go easily. He represented a potential internal threat, someone who might dig too deep if given the chance.
'System, monitor Lieutenant Kaelen's network access logs for queries related to auxiliary emitter specifications, kinetic pulse theory, or my personnel file.'
<
In the mess hall, the atmosphere was subdued. Conversations were hushed, focused on the Scorpion threat and the long wait for the relief fleet. Valerius noted the glances he received – respect, curiosity, even a hint of fear from some of the lower ranks who had witnessed the frigate's destruction. His reputation was growing, morphing into something more than just an efficient officer.
He ate quickly, his mind already planning his next move. The Wargod stabilization was progressing, but the System indicated optimal consolidation would benefit from another high-energy infusion. The geothermal vein beckoned. The risks of accessing Sub-Level 4 were higher now with the increased outpost alertness, but the potential reward – solidifying his Wargod foundation, perhaps even pushing towards Mid-Level Wargod sooner – was critical.
He also needed to consider the anomaly the System had detected deeper within Sub-Level 4. A distraction for now, but a loose end. What secrets did the depths of this forgotten outpost truly hold?
The immediate future was clear: continue tactical analysis, manage the evolving outpost dynamics, subtly practice his new abilities, and plan another clandestine trip to the energy source beneath their feet. The Red Scorpions were fortifying their position in the void, but Valerius was fortifying his own power in the shadows, preparing for the storm he knew was coming.