CH.37
The sun was setting over the sprawling city skyline when Celeste and Kaelin found themselves standing on the edge of an abandoned industrial complex. Rusted gates and crumbling warehouses dotted the landscape, their shadows stretched long in the fading light. Kaelin held a tablet in her hands, scrolling through property listings and occasionally muttering frustrations under her breath.
"This place isn't terrible," Kaelin said, gesturing toward a moderately intact building with reinforced steel beams. "If we could afford it, which we can't." She glanced at Celeste, her face a mix of determination and exasperation. "Buying property, setting up secure servers, and building the infrastructure we need—it's impossible without funding. And we don't have any."
Celeste frowned, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. She glanced down at LYRA, which hummed faintly in her hand. "If this is the best option, we need to figure something out. We can't operate without a secure base."
Kaelin sighed, shaking her head. "You don't get it, Celeste. We're not just broke—we're being hunted. Orion Systems has eyes everywhere. Even if we scrounged up enough to buy the place, they'd trace the transaction back to us. We'd be done before we even started."
The soft, deliberate voice of Ethan broke through their conversation, emanating from LYRA. "There's another way."
Kaelin froze, her gaze snapping to the device. Celeste tightened her grip, her heart skipping a beat. "What do you mean?" she asked cautiously.
Ethan's tone remained calm, almost matter-of-fact. "As a digital entity, I have access to systems far beyond traditional limits. Financial institutions, encrypted databases—I can manipulate them. If we need funding, I can acquire it."
Kaelin's eyes widened in alarm. "You're talking about hacking a bank," she said, her voice incredulous. "That's... that's insane."
"It's pragmatic," Ethan replied. "I can execute the transfer without leaving a trace. The risk is minimal, and the reward is substantial. But I need Celeste's help."
---
Celeste looked down at LYRA, her expression a mix of awe and apprehension. "You need me for what?" she asked.
"To act as my physical intermediary," Ethan explained. "I can handle the digital infrastructure, but the funds need to be withdrawn in person to avoid raising suspicion. That means you'll need to visit the bank and complete the transaction on-site."
Kaelin ran a hand through her hair, clearly torn. "Ethan, are you sure you can pull this off? If something goes wrong—"
"It won't," Ethan said firmly. "This is well within my capabilities. What I cannot do is manipulate Orion Systems. Their firewalls and countermeasures are uniquely tied to my core programming. But traditional financial institutions? That's different."
Celeste bit her lip, glancing between LYRA and Kaelin. The weight of the decision settled heavily on her shoulders. "If this is our only option, I'll do it," she said finally. "But we need to be smart about it. No mistakes."
Ethan's voice softened. "You have my word. I'll handle the transfer. Celeste, you'll only need to retrieve the funds. I'll guide you through every step."
---
Kaelin still looked uneasy, but she nodded reluctantly. "All right," she said. "If Ethan says he can pull it off, I believe him. But let's make one thing clear—this is a one-time deal. We can't rely on hacking banks every time we need something."
"Agreed," Ethan said. "The goal is to establish a stable base of operations. Once that's achieved, we can focus on the mission."
The next few hours were a flurry of activity. Ethan accessed the bank's digital infrastructure, analyzing its systems with precision and care. He identified dormant accounts with no active claimants—funds that had gone unnoticed for years. The transfer was seamless, his code weaving through the bank's defenses like water through cracks in stone.
When the transfer was complete, Celeste made her way to the designated branch. The interaction was nerve-wracking but uneventful. She withdrew the funds, her hands trembling slightly as she placed the money into the secure bag Kaelin had provided.
---
By the end of the day, the team had what they needed. They purchased the industrial complex under a false name, retrofitting one of the warehouses into a fully operational base. Servers, workstations, and encrypted networks were installed, transforming the space into a hub for their mission.
Kaelin leaned back in her chair, glancing at Celeste with a faint smile. "I have to admit, that was impressive," she said. "Ethan's skills might just give us the edge we need."
Celeste looked down at LYRA, her grip tightening. "He's not just helping us," she said quietly. "He's fighting for himself. For all of us."
The faint hum of LYRA was the only response, but it was enough. Together, they had taken the first step toward saving Ethan and dismantling Orion Systems. The battle was just beginning.