Second Meeting

The group nodded, though Thorne's expression remained skeptical. Cassian dismissed them, his mind already racing ahead to the next meeting. As the door closed behind them, he allowed himself a moment of reflection. Thorne's skepticism was expected, but it was also useful.

The second meeting was held in the strategic command room, a high-tech space filled with holographic displays and real-time data feeds. The air hummed with the sound of machinery, and the walls seemed to pulse with the glow of countless screens. Elder Seraphine and a different group of council members sat around the table, their eyes fixed on Cassian as he displayed a new set of schematics.

Seraphine was a striking figure, her sharp features framed by a cascade of dark hair. Her beauty was matched only by her cunning. She leaned forward now, her gaze fixed on Cassian with an intensity that bordered on predatory.

"Light mechas units, equipped with cloaking systems and EMP grenades, will be deployed." Cassian said, gesturing to the outpost's interior. "Infiltration teams will move covertly to plant signal jammers, while the mechas are luring the biologicals into ambush zones."

Taryn, one of the younger council members, hesitated. "Won't that leave the perimeter vulnerable?"

"Not if executed correctly," Cassian said, his tone softening. "Localized artillery will provide bombardment support, targeting clusters and creating chaos. The light mecha's speed ensures they can retreat before the biologicals mount an effective counter."

"And if they can't?" Seraphine pressed.

"Airstrikes," Cassian replied without missing a beat. "Fallback zones will be reinforced, and reserve units stationed nearby will fill any gaps."

Seraphine leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with a challenge. "A bold move, Chancellor. But isn't it risky to shift strategies so quickly? What if they adapt mid-strike?"

Cassian met her gaze, unyielding. "Then mechas can switch to long-range combat modes. The key here is to keep them fragmented and disorganized, paving the way for Phase Three."

The group exchanged uneasy glances but nodded in agreement. Cassian dismissed them, his mind already turning to the final phase of his plan. As Seraphine rose to leave, she paused, her gaze lingering on Cassian for a moment too long. He met her eyes, his expression impassive, but beneath the surface, he was calculating. She was a wildcard, and he would need to tread carefully.

The third meeting took place in a secluded briefing room, its walls lined with soundproof panels to ensure complete privacy. The air was cool and still, the only sound was the faint hum of the holographic displays. Elder Varrin and another group of council members sat around the table, their expressions a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

Varrin was a veteran of countless battles, his face lined with the weariness of a man who had seen too much. Yet there was a quiet strength in his eyes, a determination that Cassian respected, even if he didn't fully trust it. Varrin leaned forward now, his brow furrowed as Cassian activated a holographic map of the outpost's airspace.

The hologram started displaying sleek aerial units descending like falcons over a chaotic battlefield. "Phase Three takes the fight to the skies. Avian mechas will deliver a decisive aerial assault. Equipped with railguns and multi-target missiles, they'll strike critical biological clusters while decoy drones overwhelm their sensory systems."

Varrin let out a low whistle. "Aerial dominance, huh? Ambitious, but those things are grounded. They might not stay that way."

"They won't have time to adapt," Cassian said. "Decoy drones will create false targets, forcing them to waste energy on non-threats. And if aerial units are compromised, orbital platforms will deliver precision bombardments."

Varrin then spoke, his voice quiet but firm. "There are a lot of moving parts, Chancellor. What about logistics? Supply lines?"

"Mobile depots positioned in subterranean tunnels will provide continuous support," Cassian replied. "And redundancy in our communication systems ensures coordination won't falter."

One of the council members, a woman named Selene, spoke up. "And if they adapt faster than predicted?"

"We have fallback contingencies," Cassian said, his tone brooking no dissent. "Our missile platforms stationed nearby have the capability for long-range strikes. They'll be activated as a last resort, but only if absolutely necessary."

"That's all for now," Cassian said. "you all have your directives."

As the council dispersed, Cassian returned to his private quarters, the weight of the upcoming operation pressing on his shoulders. His aide, Rylan, waited for him there, datapads and holo-screens cluttering the space.

"The first units are mobilizing, Chancellor," Rylan said, his voice tense. "The heavy mechas are moving to reinforce the perimeter as we speak."

Cassian nodded, scanning the latest reports. "Good. Ensure the comm protocols are fully encrypted with tertiary redundancies. A single compromise could cascade into systemic failure and collapse the entire line."

Rylan hesitated. "Do you suspect that a member of the high council is colluding with the enemy?"

Cassian's eyes flicked up, piercing. "What I suspect is irrelevant. The evidence points to a leak."

Rylan swallowed. "And if you're wrong?"

Cassian allowed a faint, cold smile. "Then the worst we've done is test their loyalty under pressure."

The hours that followed were a blur of activity. The first wave of heavy mechas units engaged the biological threat, their massive forms towering over the battlefield. Reports streamed in, showing the mechas holding their ground against relentless assaults. The creatures' adaptations were slower than anticipated, their focus drawn to the sheer power of the heavy units.

In the command center, Cassian monitored the feeds, his expression unreadable. Rylan stood nearby, relaying updates from the field. "The heavy units are holding, but we're seeing signs of increased coordination among the enemy."

"Expected," Cassian said, his voice calm. "Initiate Phase Two. Deploy the light mecha units."

The transition was seamless. Light mechas units darted into the fray, their smaller, more agile forms weaving through the chaos. They struck with precision, targeting key clusters of the biologicals before retreating. The strategy worked; the enemy's forces began to splinter, their movements becoming erratic.

As Phase reached its peak, Cassian's personal terminal pinged with a priority alert. He opened the encrypted message, his expression darkening as he read the contents. The false intelligence he'd planted had been acted upon.

"Rylan," he said, his tone icy. "Summon the council immediately."

Within the hour, the council members were gathered in the command center, their faces a mix of confusion and concern. Cassian stood at the center, his presence commanding.

"We have confirmation of a traitor among us," he announced, his voice cutting through the room like a blade. "The enemy has adjusted their movements based on leaked information—information that was false. Each of you was given a slightly different version of our strategy. The Dominion's actions have revealed which version they received."

The room erupted into murmurs of shock and indignation. Cassian raised a hand, silencing them. "Elder Varrin," he said, his gaze locking onto the older man. "You were given details suggesting a two hour delay in our avian deployment. The enemy's ambush was timed to exploit that delay. Care to explain?"

A shocked silence fell over the room before Elder Thorne spoke, his tone defensive. "This is a serious accusation, Chancellor. Surely you have proof."