Delta Sector Outpost 7, Imperial Periphery
The following day cycle brought no direct action, only the heavy weight of anticipation. Delta-7 operated like a clenched fist, ready to strike but held in check, waiting for the Red Scorpions in Grid 11 or the distant Sector Command fleet to make the next move. For Valerius, this operational pause was a crucial opportunity.
He spent hours locked in his quarters, ostensibly reviewing tactical data, but truly immersed in the consolidation of his newfound Wargod power. The stabilization cycle was nearly complete, the raw energy settling into harmonious patterns under the nanites' guidance. His focus was now on control and exploration.
He practiced extending his Spatial Sense. It was like learning to see in a new spectrum. Initially blurry and indistinct beyond a few meters, focused effort allowed him to push it further down the corridor outside his door. He could 'feel' the patrol passing – two distinct energy signatures, M1-Low Warriors by their faintness – their pace, their approximate mass. He could even sense the slight spatial distortion caused by the patrol leader's standard-issue kinetic dampener field. It was rudimentary, requiring intense concentration that left him mentally drained, but the potential was staggering. Knowing enemy positions, even through walls, would revolutionize his tactical approach.
He experimented again with the minor environmental manipulation, this time targeting a data slate on his desk. Focusing his Wargod energy through the System, he tried to create a minute pocket of intense cold directly on its surface. Frost bloomed momentarily before vanishing. He pushed harder, trying to sustain it.
<
He immediately ceased the attempt. Control was paramount. Unleashing uncontrolled Wargod energy within the outpost would be disastrous, instantly revealing him. He made a mental note to run the simulation module when time permitted.
A chime from his console interrupted his practice. An encrypted update from Sector Command, routed through Commander Vorlag's office. Valerius accessed it, the System simultaneously decrypting and analyzing.
Forty-eight hours. Two more days. The fleet had heeded their warning, avoiding the trap, but it also meant Delta-7 remained the sole Imperial presence facing the entrenched Scorpion fleet for longer. The pressure remained squarely on the outpost.
Later, Valerius attended the daily command briefing. Commander Vorlag relayed the Sector Command update, his expression grim. "They're avoiding the kill box, good. But it means the Scorpions have more time to prepare, or potentially to detach assets for other operations. We need better intelligence on their fleet composition and any movements outside the main cluster."
He looked directly at Valerius. "Lieutenant, your analysis has been crucial. What are the drones telling us now?"
Valerius stepped forward, bringing up the latest sensor composites. "Commander, the main Scorpion fleet remains entrenched. However, drone RX-91 detected intermittent, low-energy signals emanating from a dense nebula on the far side of Grid 11, previously dismissed as background interference." He paused, letting the System feed him the analysis framed as his own deduction. "Cross-referencing signal characteristics suggests possible cloaked reconnaissance drones or light scout vessels operating independently. They could be monitoring alternate approach vectors for our fleet, or searching for secondary targets."
Vorlag frowned. "Cloaked scouts? Possible. Can we get a drone closer without alerting the main fleet?"
"Difficult, Commander," Valerius replied. "The nebula interferes with passive sensors, and an active scan would likely be detected. However, I've tasked RX-91 with deploying passive micro-probes along the nebula's edge. It may take time, but we might intercept clearer signals." It was a standard procedure, but one the System had optimized for maximum probability of detection based on known Scorpion cloaking frequencies.
As the briefing continued, discussing patrol adjustments and supply statuses, Valerius felt Lieutenant Kaelen's gaze on him. It wasn't just suspicion now; there was a sharp, calculating edge to it. Kaelen hadn't overtly challenged him since the battle, but Valerius sensed he was digging.
Later that afternoon, the System provided confirmation.
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Kaelen was actively investigating the emitter overload, trying to find discrepancies in Valerius's story. He hadn't found anything concrete yet – Valerius had been careful, and the System helped cover his tracks by ensuring the official logs matched his report – but Kaelen's persistence was a threat. It reinforced the need for absolute secrecy regarding his Wargod status and the System itself.
It also solidified Valerius's resolve. He needed more power, faster. He needed the stability and strength that reaching Mid-Level Wargod would provide. The risks of another trip to Sub-Level 4 were undeniable, especially with Kaelen potentially scrutinizing security logs more closely, but the strategic and personal imperatives were overwhelming.
He spent the next few hours meticulously planning the infiltration, using the System to analyze every variable. Security routines were still heightened. The optimal window identified previously remained the best bet, coinciding with the shift change and sensor recalibration. But he needed a better contingency.
'System, analyze alternative routes to Sub-Level 4, Tunnel 7C, avoiding standard maintenance shafts and primary corridors.'
<
A waste chute. Filthy, potentially hazardous, but less monitored. It was riskier physically but potentially safer from detection.
Valerius weighed the options. Tonight. He would use the waste chute route. He needed the energy from the geothermal vein not just for advancement, but potentially for the coming conflict. The Sector Command fleet was still two days out, and the Red Scorpions were unpredictable. Being a stable, more powerful Wargod when the real fight began was paramount.
He began assembling a small kit – enhanced filters for his armor's life support, a compact kinetic pulse tool for clearing blockages, extra energy cells for his helmet lights. Every calculation, every preparation, was guided by the System's cold, efficient logic. The risks were calculated, the potential rewards deemed essential. Tonight, he would descend into the depths again.