Cracking the Case

The moment they got back to the apartment, Ava tossed her new tools onto the workbench and turned to Lucas.

"Alright, Bai," she said, crossing her arms. "Let's see what you recklessly threw twenty power cells at."

Lucas, completely unbothered, set the mystery case on the table with a satisfied smirk. "Impatient, Beauty?"

Ava scoffed. "I'd call it cautious. You, on the other hand, have a spending problem."

Lucas chuckled, gesturing toward the case. "Then by all means, make me feel better about my purchase."

Ava sighed, rolling up her sleeves.

The case was old-world tech, sleek, reinforced, and heavily encrypted. Her Blueprint System had flagged it the second she saw it, but it still couldn't crack the full details.

Which meant she needed to open it manually.

She grabbed her new micro-welding set, scanning the seams for weak points.

[ANALYZING…]

[Locking Mechanism: Digital & Manual Hybrid]

[Override Attempt: 32% Success Rate]

[Recommended Approach: Precision Cutting]

Ava exhaled. "Alright, this thing's locked up tight. I can force it open, but if there's anything fragile inside, you might regret it."

Lucas shrugged. "That's a risk I'm willing to take."

"Yeah, because you didn't just spend hours hunting for proper tools."

Lucas smirked. "You love a challenge, Beauty."

Ava ignored him and got to work.

She activated the precision cutter, carefully tracing the edges of the case, watching as her system mapped out the internal structure.

Sparks flickered. The lock sputtered, glitched—then disengaged.

Ava leaned back. "Done. And I didn't even break anything."

Lucas grinned. "Yet."

Ava rolled her eyes and popped the case open.

Inside, nestled in shock-proof foam, was something unexpected.

A compact power core.

Not just any core—a military-grade fusion cell, stabilized and intact.

Ava stared.

Lucas whistled. "Well. That's definitely worth twenty power cells."

Ava ran a quick scan.

[Power Core – Model: X-17]

[Fully Functional – High Output]

[Compatible with Advanced Weaponry & Tech Systems]

Ava exhaled. "Bai… this isn't just rare. This thing could run an entire section of the bunker if we wired it right."

Lucas's grin widened. "Or? It could power something much more valuable."

Ava narrowed her eyes. "You already have a plan for it, don't you?"

Lucas just smiled.

Ava sighed.

Of course he did.

And something told her?

She was about to get dragged straight into it.

Ava barely had time to process the military-grade power core before Lucas strolled back into the apartment, carrying something else.

Something wrapped in reinforced casing, the kind used for high-value tech.

Ava raised an eyebrow. "What now, Bai?"

Lucas set the case on the table with a satisfied smirk. "Just something to go with our new power core."

Ava narrowed her eyes. "If it's another overpriced mystery box—"

Lucas flicked open the heavy latches and pulled back the lid.

Inside, folded neatly, was a Bio-Suit.

Not just any Bio-Suit—but a top-tier survival model, built for hostile environments, radiation shielding, and enhanced mobility.

Ava stared.

Her Blueprint System flared immediately, scanning the material, breaking it down in real-time.

[ANALYZING…]

[Bio-Suit Model: Aegis-09]

[Status: 87% Functional – Minor Repairs Required]

[Upgradable Components Detected]

Ava exhaled. "Bai… where did you get this?"

Lucas grinned. "Let's just say I have friends in interesting places."

Ava crossed her arms. "And how much did this cost you?"

Lucas shrugged. "Less than the power core, more than your patience."

Ava muttered a curse under her breath and reached in, running her fingers over the material.

The suit was light but reinforced, built for speed, durability, and adaptability.

More importantly?

It was meant for exploration.

Ava looked up, meeting Lucas's too-casual gaze. "You're planning something."

Lucas chuckled. "When am I not?"

Ava scowled. "Be specific, Bai. What's this for?"

Lucas leaned against the counter, golden eyes gleaming. "It's for you, Beauty."

Ava froze.

"What."

Lucas smirked. "You said you needed better gear. So here you go—armor, environment protection, the works."

Ava's mind raced.

This wasn't just gear.

This was investment.

Lucas Bai was preparing her for something bigger.

And that meant he had plans for her.

Ava exhaled, shaking her head. "This isn't just about making me safer, is it?"

Lucas grinned. "No, Beauty. It's about making you unstoppable."

Ava stared at the Bio-Suit.

It was sleek, dark, reinforced with military-grade plating over key areas. The material was light but strong, meant for speed and endurance.

Her Blueprint System pulsed in the back of her mind, scanning every fiber, every seam, every hidden function.

[ANALYZING…]

[Bio-Suit Model: Aegis-09]

[Status: 87% Functional – Repairable]

[Thermal Regulation: Active]

[Kinetic Absorption: Limited]

[System Sync Potential: HIGH]

Ava exhaled slowly.

This thing wasn't just armor.

It was a game-changer.

She dragged her eyes back to Lucas. "Alright, Bai. I'll bite. Why are you giving me this?"

Lucas smirked. "Because you need it."

Ava narrowed her eyes. "And?"

Lucas chuckled, completely unbothered. "And because I have plans that involve you not dying."

Ava crossed her arms. "Try again."

Lucas sighed dramatically. "Fine. You want the truth?"

Ava tilted her head. "For once? Yeah."

Lucas leaned against the counter, golden eyes watching her too closely.

"This bunker is stable for now," he said. "But the outside world? Still a disaster. We need resources, tech, power. And the only way to get it is to send people out there."

Ava's stomach twisted.

"You're building an exploration team," she guessed.

Lucas grinned. "More like securing assets before the military does."

Ava exhaled sharply.

Of course.

The bunker leaders weren't going to stay neutral forever. Eventually, they'd start organizing proper expeditions, taking control of whatever was left out there.

Lucas Bai?

He was getting ahead of them.

Ava folded her arms. "And let me guess—you want me to be part of this little operation?"

Lucas's smirk widened. "Come on, Beauty. Who else can fix my gear and keep up with me?"

Ava scoffed. "I haven't agreed yet."

Lucas chuckled. "You will."

Ava glanced at the suit.

Her system pulsed again, highlighting possible upgrades, modifications, things she could improve.

Lucas was right about one thing.

If she was going to survive out there, she needed better protection.

Ava sighed. "Fine. I'll fix the suit first. Then we talk about your little expedition."

Lucas clapped a hand over his chest. "You wound me, Beauty. No trust at all?"

Ava picked up the suit and slung it over her shoulder. "I trust you exactly as far as I can throw you."

Lucas smirked. "Good thing I'm fast, then."

Ava rolled her eyes and walked off.

She had a suit to upgrade.

And a lot of thinking to do.