CH.39
The night was darker than Celeste expected, the clouds hanging low over the city as if they were pressing against the steel and glass structures that comprised the Orion Systems headquarters. The looming tower at the center glittered faintly, its lights pulsing like a beacon of authority and control. Yet Celeste wasn't focused on the tower itself—she was focused on the nearby satellite facility, the primary data hub that housed the secrets they needed to uncover.
The team was assembled and ready, each member prepared for the crucial infiltration that would determine the fate of their mission. Celeste stood near the perimeter of the facility, the dampness of the air clinging to her skin as she adjusted the pack on her shoulder. Inside, LYRA hummed softly, Ethan's presence steady and reassuring.
Kaelin crouched beside her, tapping furiously on her tablet as streams of data scrolled across the screen. "Security system is active," she muttered. "Motion detectors, surveillance drones, biometric scanners—Orion's pulling out all the stops tonight."
Lex joined them, a faint smirk on her lips as she examined Kaelin's screen. "Of course they are. They're paranoid, and they should be. They know someone's coming for them. Scout's ready, Mina?"
Mina nodded from her position near the edge of the alley, her drone hovering beside her like an obedient sentinel. "Fully charged, calibrated, and good to go," she said. "Scout will take care of the mapping while we're inside."
Rafe stepped forward, his calm demeanor masking the tension in his muscles. "The diversion needs to happen first," he said, his tone even. "Once their security teams are distracted, we'll move in."
Celeste glanced at LYRA, her voice barely above a whisper. "Ethan, are you ready?"
His reply was immediate, his tone steady despite the gravity of the situation. "I'm in position. Diverting their systems now."
---
The hum of LYRA grew sharper, resonating faintly as Ethan's code worked its way through the facility's defenses. Streams of digital interference began to flood the facility's perimeter systems, generating false alarms and drawing the attention of security teams to the outer edges. Celeste watched as the facility's surveillance drones shifted position, responding to the fabricated threat with precision.
"We're clear," Ethan said. "You have a twelve-minute window. Go."
Rafe gestured toward the entrance, his movements decisive. "Mina, Scout needs to lead. Lex, stay close to me. Kaelin and Aron, you're with Celeste. Let's move."
The group split into teams, their steps light and deliberate as they advanced toward the facility. Mina's drone moved ahead, its sensors scanning the environment and relaying real-time data back to her tablet. The halls were silent but alive with tension, the faint hum of machinery a constant reminder of the power contained within.
---
The first obstacle came quickly—a corridor lined with motion detectors and thermal cameras. Lex stepped forward, her fingers flying across the keypad of her mobile console. "Give me thirty seconds," she said, her voice tinged with confidence. "They won't even know we're here."
Kaelin watched intently as Lex worked, her face illuminated by the glow of the console. Streams of code cascaded across the screen, each line dismantling a layer of the facility's security protocols. The thermal cameras dimmed, their light fading into darkness as Lex's countermeasures took effect.
"Done," Lex said, stepping back. "Next."
They continued forward, Scout hovering silently beside them as it mapped the corridors and highlighted potential weak points in the system. Aron examined the facility's schematics, his brow furrowed as he traced the path toward the data center. "We're close," he said quietly. "But there's one last checkpoint—biometric scanners."
Kaelin cursed under her breath, her fingers tightening around her tablet. "Those aren't something we can bypass remotely. We'll need a physical scan to get through."
---
Celeste stepped forward, her jaw tightening. "Let me try," she said. She reached into her pack, pulling out a small device Ethan had given her during their preparations. It glowed faintly, its surface covered in intricate circuitry.
"This should interface with the scanner," Ethan said through LYRA. "Place it on the panel. I'll handle the rest."
Celeste approached the checkpoint, her heart pounding as she positioned the device against the scanner. The panel lit up, its glow intensifying as Ethan's code worked its way through the system. For a moment, the tension was unbearable. Then, the panel emitted a soft chime, the door sliding open with a faint hiss.
"You did it," Kaelin said, her voice filled with relief. "Let's move."
---
The data center was vast, its walls lined with servers that blinked steadily in the dim light. Streams of data flowed across the monitors, each one a window into Orion Systems' sprawling network. The hum of the machines was deafening, their energy palpable as the team entered the room.
Rafe gestured toward the terminals, his voice low but firm. "Kaelin, Lex, you're up. Start pulling the schematics. Aron, analyze the data for neural pathways tied to Dominion. Mina, Scout needs to keep an eye on the perimeter."
Celeste stood near one of the terminals, her hands trembling slightly as she activated LYRA. Ethan's voice came through immediately, calm and steady. "I'll guide you through the systems. We need evidence of the glitch—proof of Orion's actions."
Kaelin worked furiously, her fingers flying across the terminal as files began to appear on the screen. "Got it," she said, her voice filled with urgency. "Dominion's framework—failsafe protocols included. They've built this thing to be unstoppable."
Lex chimed in, her tone sharp. "Except it's not. Look at this—there's a vulnerability in their code. If we hit it hard enough, we can dismantle the whole thing."
---
As the team worked, Celeste focused on Ethan's instructions, her movements precise as she navigated the data. Then, the room's lights flickered violently, the hum of the servers shifting into a high-pitched whine.
"They've found us," Ethan said, his tone urgent. "Security teams inbound. Prepare for extraction."
Rafe gestured toward the exit, his voice commanding. "Everyone move. Grab what you can and get out."
The team scrambled, each member securing critical data before retreating toward the perimeter. Scout led the way, its sensors identifying paths free of obstacles. Celeste clutched LYRA tightly, Ethan's presence steady despite the chaos.
They emerged into the night, the sound of approaching drones echoing in the distance. Kaelin activated her tablet, triggering a pulse that disrupted the facility's systems and created a barrier between them and their pursuers. "Let's go!" she shouted.