Hub Pyralis

Amal spoke, his frown deepening. "You've explained how your AI scales the artifact's effects, but that also means any breach is a disaster. What happens if the network fails—or worse, if it's compromised? A system this powerful, this interconnected, would be a prime target for sabotage or exploitation. Have you considered the fallout if someone hijacks it?"

Marek answered leaning forward, his tone measured. "The network is designed with multiple layers of security. Every node is encrypted, and every data stream is authenticated. Even if someone were to breach one node, the decentralized architecture ensures the rest of the system remains intact. It's not a single point of failure—it's a web of redundancies."

Amal frowned, his voice sharpening. "Redundancies aren't foolproof. Encryption can be cracked, authentication can be spoofed. And let's not pretend that a system this complex is immune to human error."

Ermias interjected, his tone calm but firm. "We've built in safeguards to prevent exactly the kind of scenario you're describing."

Amal leaned back, his expression skeptical. "This is a system that directly interacts with human genomes. A single error, a single malicious edit, could destabilize entire populations. Do you really think your 'safeguards' are enough to prevent that?"

Valeria stepped in, her voice steady but firm. "We're not dismissing the risks, Amal. But we can't let fear paralyze us. The potential benefits of this technology far outweigh the risks. And those risks are manageable, provided we remain vigilant."

The dimly lit briefing room aboard the Krasnikov was filled with tension, every figure around the circular table keenly aware of the weight of the mission ahead. A holographic display of the Argonis system flickered in the center. At its heart was a star—a dense white dwarf—surrounded by a massive ring of debris and dust, remnants of a once-thriving planetary system.

The ring glowed faintly in the star's relentless light, casting eerie, shifting shadows over the frozen moon Edrion. Its surface, pockmarked with Codex supply hubs and fortified outposts, presented a daunting challenge for the operation ahead. 

The white dwarf's immense gravitational pull twisted space in its vicinity, complicating even the simplest maneuvers, while the debris field's unpredictability posed a constant hazard to the Krasnikov and its escorts. 

Cassian Reyes, flanked by officers from Krasnikov's command staff, leaned forward, his sharp gaze sweeping across the room. "Let's get straight to the point. This mission is a surgical strike. We're hitting the Codex supply hub on Edrion—designated Hub Pyralis. It's a critical node in their logistics network, and taking it out will cripple their supply chain in the Argonis sector."

He gestured to the hologram, zooming in on the icy moon. "Hub Pyralis is located in the northern quadrant of Edrion. It's a remote and heavily guarded facility, shielded by layers of advanced security systems. Our intel suggests that they're storing experimental tech here—tech that could shift the balance of power if they figure out how to weaponize it."

Rylan leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "What kind of resistance are we expecting?"

Cassian's expression darkened. "Codex forces are elite, as you know. Expect automated defense turrets, cloaked drones, and likely a contingent of augmented operatives. They've also deployed a new class of stolen sentry mechs—'Cyclone Units,' capable of adapting to enemy tactics in real-time."

A murmur rippled through the room. Sylvie, seated near the end of the table, watched the others with a calculating gaze. She could feel their skepticism, their mistrust. 

"What's the extraction plan?" Sylvie asked, breaking the uneasy silence.

Cassian nodded to a younger officer, Lieutenant Marin, who tapped the console. The hologram shifted to display a detailed map of the facility. "You'll infiltrate via the southern ridge," Marin explained. "Our scans show a ventilation shaft here. It's narrow, but it'll get you inside undetected. Once you're in, your priority is securing the main server room. We will provide you with cover and distract them until you reach the server room. Retrieve all the data you can and plant these." She slid a small device across the table—a sleek, cylindrical explosive. "Remote detonators. Timed to blow after you're clear."

"What about reinforcements?" Rylan asked.

"You'll have twenty elite members of the Fleet deployed," Cassian replied bluntly. "They will be split into ten teams and sent to suspected locations of the server room. Their task is to neutralize resistance and assist in pinpointing the actual server room location. You'll still need to work quickly and covertly to secure the data, but they'll provide critical support."

Rylan glanced at Sylvie, his expression unreadable. "Great. Just the two of us."

"You've handled worse," Cassian said, his tone clipped. He turned his attention to Sylvie. "This mission is your chance to prove yourself. Your knowledge of Codex protocols gives us an edge."

The room fell silent for a moment before Cassian spoke again. "One last thing. There's a secondary objective. We've received unconfirmed reports that the Codex is experimenting with alien artifacts in this facility. If you find anything matching that description, retrieve it."

"Alien artifacts," Rylan muttered. "That always ends well."

Cassian ignored the comment and straightened. "You have your mission. Gear up and report to the hangar in thirty minutes. Dismissed."

The hangar buzzed with activity as Sylvie and Rylan prepared for departure. Engineers scurried around the shuttle, running final checks on the engines and calibrating the navigation systems. Sylvie stood near the loading ramp, strapping on her gear. Her rifle hung at her side, its matte black surface gleaming under the harsh lights.

Rylan approached, his own weapon slung over his shoulder. "You ready for this?" he asked, his tone neutral but his eyes watchful.

Sylvie tightened the strap on her vest. "Do I have a choice?"

"Not really." he replied.

She met his gaze. "Then I'm ready."

He nodded, though the tension between them was palpable. "Just don't slow me down."

As they got on the shuttle, Cassian's voice came through the comm system, clear and calm. "Sylvie, your survival depends on Rylan, and his depends on you. Stay alert and look out for each other."

Sylvie understood the hint, which was layered with far more than Cassian's brief words. The unspoken warning was: 'You die if Rylan dies'. 

The engines roared to life, and the shuttle lifted off, leaving the safety of the Krasnikov behind. Sylvie stared out the viewport, watching the stars blur as they entered subspace. Her thoughts were a whirlwind of doubt. She'd been trained to adapt, to manipulate, to survive—but this mission felt different. 

Rylan broke the silence, his voice cutting through the hum of the shuttle. "Let's go over the plan again."

"I don't want to die because you screwed up." he said bluntly.

She smirked faintly, though there was no humor in it. "Fair enough."

They pulled up the facility map on the shuttle's console. Sylvie traced the route with her finger. "We'll enter through the ventilation shaft here. It's a tight squeeze, but it'll drop us near the lower levels. From there, we'll need to bypass a series of security checkpoints to reach the server room."

He asked her, his tone measured, "What's the plan for the Cyclone Units?"

"Their patrol routes are predictable," she said. "If we move quickly and stay out of sight, we can avoid them."

Rylan frowned. "And if we can't?"

Sylvie met his gaze. "Then we improvise."