Chapter 110: Threads of the Past

The neon lights of Valeris City cast long shadows in the night as Ethan sat inside his rented hover truck, parked in a secure lot near the guild headquarters. The faint hum of Iris, his AI, filled the vehicle's cabin as the holographic display on his workstation projected fragments of decrypted files. These were the first pieces of the puzzle passed on by Captain Thorne, purportedly provided by shadowy contacts aboard the governor's space station.

"Decryption complete," Iris announced, her calm, neutral tone breaking the silence. "The files reference classified projects under the Federation's military research division, focusing on psychic phenomena and experimental applications."

Ethan leaned forward, his sharp eyes scanning the glowing text. The flickering holograms reflected in his face, casting him in an eerie blue light.

"Let's see what kind of madness we're dealing with," he muttered.

The first file outlined Project Lucid Horizon, an experimental initiative launched three decades prior. Ethan's eyes darted over the text as Iris narrated:

"This project aimed to enhance the cognitive and physical abilities of Federation soldiers using psychic ore. The research initially showed promise, with subjects demonstrating improved reflexes, faster neural processing, and sporadic bursts of precognition."

The holographic display shifted, revealing grainy footage of test subjects hooked to machines glowing with the same pale blue hue as the carvings on the molecular dagger.

"But," Iris continued, "the ore's influence proved volatile. Long-term exposure caused severe psychological degradation. Hallucinations, paranoia, and violent outbursts. The project was terminated after multiple fatalities among test subjects."

Ethan's jaw clenched as another name flashed on the screen: Drakor Krenna.

The file expanded, showing an image of Drakor as a Federation officer. He looked younger, his cold, calculating eyes unburdened by the years of infamy that would follow.

"This is where it started," Ethan murmured. "His obsession with the ore."

The notes detailed Drakor's role as one of the project leads, his writings filled with phrases like unlocking humanity's true potential and bridging the gap between the seen and unseen.

"He didn't just want weapons," Ethan said, his voice heavy with realization. "He wanted to rewrite what it meant to be human."

The next decrypted file shifted focus to a pivotal event in Drakor's life. It described a battle on a remote world where Drakor's unit was surrounded, outnumbered, and on the brink of annihilation.

"Drakor claimed that exposure to psychic ore during the battle gave him visions," Iris explained. "He reportedly saw Kynara, a planet he had never visited. Its sands, its people, and a moment he referred to as the Convergence of Fates."

Ethan frowned as he read the attached logs. Drakor had used the information from these supposed visions to lead his unit to an improbable victory. His tactics were so precise, so calculated, that they bordered on supernatural.

"That's when he stopped being a soldier and became a fanatic," Ethan said bitterly.

The final decrypted file revealed a location tied directly to Project Lucid Horizon: Echo Spire, a long-abandoned Federation research facility perched on Kynara's western cliffs.

The holographic map displayed a treacherous landscape of jagged rock formations and towering cliffs battered by relentless winds. The lab, nestled within the natural defenses of the cliffs, was barely visible amidst the terrain.

"Echo Spire was decommissioned after the project's termination," Iris explained. "All personnel were evacuated, and the site was sealed. Official records claim the facility was abandoned, but the lack of security measures in this data suggests someone wanted us to find it."

Ethan's eyes narrowed. "Drakor's obsession with the ore started there. If he's trying to perfect his experiments, this lab might hold the answers we need."

Iris responded, "However, the ease with which we obtained this intel increases the likelihood of a trap."

Ethan's gaze lingered on the map. "If it's a trap, we'll spring it. But we'll do it on our terms."

Coalition Planning

The next morning, Ethan met with Guild Branch Master Darrik Voss and Resistance Leader Joran Kren via secure holo-conference. The tension between the leaders was palpable, each man wary of the other yet united by necessity.

"Echo Spire," Ethan began, gesturing to the projected map. "It was one of the main hubs for Project Lucid Horizon. If Drakor's trying to replicate or expand on those experiments, this is where he'd start."

Joran's holographic form leaned forward, his sharp features etched with suspicion. "And the intel came from Thorne?"

Ethan nodded. "Through his contacts in the governor's space station. I know it's convenient, too convenient. But if there's even a chance this lab holds the key to stopping Drakor, we have to act."

Voss crossed his arms, his expression grim. "You're right. But we don't walk into this blind. The Syndicate doesn't leave trails like this without a reason."

Joran agreed reluctantly. "Fine. But we go in prepared. Minimal personnel, maximum caution. If it's a trap, we need to get out alive."

Back in his hover truck, Ethan reviewed the mission plan. The western cliffs were a dangerous frontier, battered by powerful winds and unstable terrain. The Syndicate's influence in the region was minimal, but that only heightened Ethan's suspicion.

"Iris," he said, "prepare reconnaissance drones and equipment for rough terrain. We'll need climbing gear, energy cutters, and anything else that can get us through those cliffs."

"Understood," Iris replied.

As the AI worked, Ethan's eyes drifted to the molecular dagger. It rested in its sheath, its faint carvings seeming to pulse with an inner light.

"You're too much of an enigma to be used at the moment," Ethan muttered. "I'll finish this mission the way I always have, one step at a time."

As Ethan finalized his preparations, he couldn't shake the feeling that Echo Spire was more than just another mission. The ruins of the Federation's past and Drakor's dark ambitions awaited him, each step pulling him closer to the truth.

For better or worse, Ethan knew one thing for certain: answers lay within Echo Spire's shadowed halls, and he would uncover them.