CH.38
The new base buzzed with activity, its once-abandoned walls now humming with the energy of purpose. For the first time, Celeste stood surrounded by people who shared her fight—a team united not only by their skills but by the singular goal of saving Ethan and dismantling Orion Systems. The warehouse's transformation was staggering. Rows of workstations lined the walls, equipped with the sleek, powerful computers Ethan had deemed critical. Servers blinked steadily in the center, their hum reverberating like the heartbeat of their mission.
Kaelin paced in front of the monitors, her tablet in hand, while the team gathered around her. It had been a week since they had secured the funds and the base, and now they were diving headfirst into planning the next stage. Maps, schematics, and encrypted files flashed on the monitors, each one representing a piece of Orion Systems' infrastructure.
"All right," Kaelin said, her voice sharp and commanding. "Let's get started. Here's what we're dealing with."
The holographic projection expanded, displaying Orion Systems' sprawling headquarters—a sleek tower of glass and steel that loomed like a fortress over the city. Beside it, smaller nodes appeared, representing satellite facilities and data hubs. Lines of energy connected them all, forming an intricate web of control.
"Orion Systems isn't just one building," Kaelin continued. "It's a network—layers upon layers of firewalls, security protocols, and surveillance systems. And if we're going to take them down, we need to be strategic."
---
Lex leaned back in her chair, her arms crossed as she studied the projection. "Strategic's an understatement," she said, her tone laced with sarcasm. "Dominion's already operational. It's only a matter of time before they come after Ethan full-force."
Rafe, who had been leaning against the wall, straightened and approached the team. His calm demeanor was contrasted by the intensity of his gaze. "Then we need to prioritize. What's our first move?"
Kaelin tapped her tablet, zooming in on one of the satellite facilities. "Here," she said, pointing to the node. "Orion's primary data hub. It's where they store the bulk of their sensitive information—blueprints, projects, active protocols. If we can infiltrate it, we'll gain access to everything we need to figure out Dominion's full scope."
Mina spoke up, her voice filled with energy. "Scout can help with that," she said, gesturing to her drone hovering nearby. "I've upgraded its surveillance capabilities—it can map the facility's interior and identify weak points in their security."
Lex smirked faintly. "That's assuming we can even get close enough. You know Orion's got biometric scanners, motion detectors, and security drones watching every inch of their facilities."
---
Celeste stepped forward, her expression resolute. "If anyone can find a way in, it's Ethan. He's already proven what he can do."
Ethan's voice emanated softly from LYRA, steady and measured. "The data hub's external systems are vulnerable. I can create a digital diversion, drawing their security teams to the perimeter. That should give you enough time to infiltrate the facility."
Aron, who had been silent until now, spoke up, his thoughtful tone drawing the team's attention. "And once we're inside? What exactly are we looking for?"
Kaelin nodded toward the projection. "We need detailed schematics of Dominion—its framework, its weaknesses, its failsafe protocols. If we can identify where it's most vulnerable, we can exploit it."
"And we need evidence," Lex added, her voice sharper now. "Evidence that Orion Systems deliberately caused the glitch. If we can expose them, we'll destroy their credibility and buy Ethan the time he needs."
---
The team spent hours poring over the plan, refining every detail until it was airtight. Rafe sketched out infiltration routes, his strategic expertise shining as he accounted for every possible scenario. Mina tested Scout's sensors, ensuring the drone could navigate Orion's labyrinthine halls without triggering alarms. Lex fine-tuned her firewalls, creating countermeasures to protect Ethan from Orion's counterattacks. Aron analyzed the neural pathways Ethan had described, searching for patterns that might lead them to Dominion's core.
Celeste stayed close to LYRA, her connection to Ethan grounding her amid the chaos. Though the plan felt overwhelming, she couldn't ignore the spark of hope burning within her. For the first time, she wasn't fighting alone.
---
As the meeting drew to a close, Kaelin addressed the team, her voice unwavering. "This isn't just about saving Ethan. It's about standing against everything Orion Systems represents—their greed, their manipulation, their abuse of technology. If we succeed, we're not just saving him. We're setting an example. Showing the world what's possible when people fight for what's right."
The team nodded, their resolve palpable. Celeste glanced down at LYRA, her grip steady. "Ethan," she said softly. "Are you ready?"
His response was immediate, his voice calm but filled with determination. "I've been ready since the day the glitch began."