Chapter 9: Friends and Enemies

The tunnel was oppressive, the low ceiling and narrow walls closing in, the air thick with the metallic tang of rust and the damp chill of subterranean spaces. The flickering emergency lights cast long, distorted shadows that danced ahead of Zero as he hurried to catch up with Nyx, their form already a dark silhouette disappearing into the gloom.

The latest cryptic message from 'Unknown' played on repeat in his mind: 'Trust… no one.' Easy to say, harder to do when your only lifeline in this bewildering world seemed to be a masked, enigmatic figure who radiated both power and an unsettling aura of hidden agendas. But the message also hinted at 'opportunity,' 'answers,' and a 'different kind of light'. Zero clung to that sliver of hope, pushing down his ingrained cynicism, at least for now.

He rounded the bend, catching sight of Nyx disappearing into another, even narrower passage. Their [Silent Movement] skill was clearly far more advanced than his own; they moved almost like a phantom, their footsteps inaudible even on the grating floor. He activated his own [Silent Movement], focusing on his foot placement, trying to emulate their effortless glide. It helped, but his boots still scraped faintly against the metal, a constant reminder of his newbie status.

The tunnels twisted and turned, descending deeper into the underbelly of Aethelburg Prime. The industrial hum of the utility sector above faded, replaced by an almost complete silence, broken only by the drip of condensation echoing off the metal walls and the faint rasp of Zero's own breathing. He felt increasingly isolated, cut off from the bustling Hub, the bright, orderly world above. This felt like the true underbelly of the Nexus, a forgotten zone where the rules of the System might be… different. Or perhaps, non-existent.

Nyx finally stopped in a slightly wider chamber, dimly lit by a single flickering emergency light overhead. The chamber was spartan, utilitarian, lined with conduits and access panels, but unlike the corridors they'd traversed, this one felt… active. A low hum of energy resonated from the walls, and the air felt subtly warmer, carrying a faint scent of ozone and something else… something sharp and metallic, like the tang of blood, though Zero dismissed that as his imagination running wild.

"Here we are," Nyx announced, their filtered voice echoing slightly in the confined space. They gestured towards a section of the wall that looked almost identical to the others – a series of bolted metal panels. But upon closer inspection, Zero noticed a subtle difference. One panel, slightly recessed like the one in the Hub corridor, was subtly different, almost imperceptibly darker, its edges cleaner, newer looking than the corroded, grime-coated panels around it.

"Sector 7 Sub-Level Access Point Gamma," Nyx explained, tapping a code into a keypad hidden beneath a small access hatch on the wall. "Unofficial entrance. Bypasses OmniCorp security checkpoints. Relatively… private."

The panel hissed and slid inwards, revealing a small, dimly lit alcove, barely large enough for two people. Inside, unlike the maintenance tunnels, was not bare metal and exposed conduits, but a surprisingly well-maintained, if spartan, space. A single workbench lined one wall, cluttered with tools and disassembled tech components. A couple of weapon racks stood against another, displaying a surprisingly diverse array of energy pistols, rifles, and even what looked like a couple of melee energy blades. In the corner, a comfortable-looking, if slightly worn, synth-leather chair sat before a complex console interface, its screen dark but pulsing faintly with standby power.

"Welcome to my… workshop," Nyx said, stepping into the alcove, gesturing for Zero to follow. "Not exactly luxurious, but functional. And discreet. Perfect for… unauthorized… system modifications, data recovery, and other… extracurricular activities."

Zero followed them into the alcove, his eyes scanning the equipment, the weapons, the console. This was more than just a hidden maintenance access point. This was a player-owned space, a clandestine workshop tucked away in the underbelly of the Nexus, completely off the official maps. How had Nyx acquired it? And what kind of 'extracurricular activities' did they engage in here? His suspicion deepened, but the lure of potential gear and answers was still too strong to resist.

"Impressive," Zero admitted, his gaze lingering on a sleek, black energy pistol displayed prominently on one of the weapon racks. It looked far more advanced than the 'Basic Energy Pistol' promised as the reward for the Data Sprite quest, which he still hadn't claimed. "You said resources. This is what you meant?"

Nyx nodded, moving towards the console, their gloved fingers already activating the interface, the screen flaring to life with a customized display, far more complex than the standard System menus Zero was used to. "Part of it. Credits, gear, information, access. All tools of the trade in the Nexus, if you know where to look. And who to… associate with." They glanced sideways at Zero, their masked gaze unreadable. "Speaking of which…"

They gestured towards the weapon racks. "Consider it an… initial investment. Choose something appropriate. Level-appropriate, of course. No point in handing a newbie a plasma cannon and expecting them not to blow themselves up." They chuckled softly, a dry, synthesized sound. "Though, perhaps a little controlled self-destruction wouldn't be entirely unwelcome in your case. Might lower your profile."

Zero ignored the veiled jab, focusing on the weapon racks. His eyes were drawn back to the sleek black pistol, its design both elegant and menacing. He mentally accessed its information via his interface.

[Weapon: Blackfire Pistol - Mark II]

[Quality: Uncommon]

[Type: Energy Pistol - Rapid Fire / Heat Damage]

[Level Requirement: 3]

[Damage: Moderate Energy / Heat DOT (Damage over Time)]

[Range: Medium]

[Energy Consumption: Low-Medium]

[Description: A compact, reliable energy pistol favored by infiltrators and covert operatives. Features rapid-fire capability and inflicts heat-based damage over time. Effective against lightly armored targets and synthetic entities.]

Level 3 required. Damn it. He was still Level 2. Close, but not quite. He glanced at the other weapons on the rack. A couple of more basic-looking energy pistols, various melee blades – knives, monokatana, even a wicked-looking vibro-dagger – and a bulky-looking energy rifle that screamed 'heavy weapons specialist', definitely beyond his current capabilities.

"Level 3 requirement," Zero muttered, gesturing towards the Blackfire Pistol. "A little out of my reach, I think."

Nyx smirked, a subtle shift in their posture, visible even behind the mask. "Impatient, are we? Eager to skip the grind and jump straight to the end-game? Typical newbie mentality." They turned back to the console, their fingers flying across the interface. "Patience, Zero. Progression is part of the process. And besides, there are… other ways to bridge a level gap. Temporarily, at least."

They tapped a few more commands on the console, and a holographic display shimmered into existence above the workbench, displaying a series of icons representing various items – armor plating, skill boosters, temporary attribute buffs, and even… weapon modifications?

"System modifications," Nyx explained, noticing Zero's curious gaze. "Another… extracurricular specialty of mine. Temporary stat boosts, skill enhancements, even… minor… weapon upgrades. Nothing permanent, of course. OmniCorp's security protocols are… thorough, even down here. But enough to give a Level 2 Infiltrator a… temporary edge… against Level 3 threats. And perhaps, just perhaps, enough to wield a Level 3 pistol, for a limited time."

Zero's eyes widened slightly. System modifications? Bypassing level restrictions? This was getting interesting. And definitely veering off the official System-approved path, further and further into uncharted territory. But the thrill of the forbidden, the temptation of power, even temporary power, was intoxicating.

"Show me," Zero said, his voice losing its cautious neutrality, replaced by a spark of something akin to excitement. "What kind of 'modifications' are we talking about?"

Nyx gestured towards the holographic display. "Basic attribute buffs are straightforward. Temporary DEX boost, for example, might sharpen your reflexes enough to handle a more powerful weapon. Skill enhancements are trickier, require more EP drain, and tend to be less stable. Weapon mods… those are more… hands-on. Require physical components, recalibration routines, a certain level of… finesse." They glanced pointedly at Zero's toolkit. "Something you might be able to assist with, given your… unique… skill set."

Zero stepped closer to the workbench, examining the holographic display. The options were dizzying, a complex web of system mechanics and code manipulations laid bare before him. He recognized some of the underlying code fragments, remnants of the Nexus's core programming, now overlaid with… something else. Something… custom. Nyx's handiwork.

"You're hacking the System itself," Zero murmured, more to himself than to Nyx, a mixture of awe and apprehension in his voice. "Directly manipulating the code, bypassing the intended limitations…"

Nyx chuckled again, that dry, synthesized sound. "Let's just say I'm… persuading… the System to bend the rules. Temporarily. Within strictly controlled parameters, of course. Chaos is useful, but uncontrolled chaos… tends to attract unwanted attention. Especially from OmniCorp security patrols."

Security patrols. The mention of them sent a fresh jolt of unease through Zero. He was already off the grid, delving into uncharted areas, accepting cryptic offers from strangers, and now, potentially engaging in illicit system modifications in a hidden workshop. He was walking a very dangerous path, indeed. But the lure of power, the promise of answers, and the undeniable thrill of breaking the rules… it was too late to turn back now. He was already too deep in.

"Okay," Zero said, his voice firm, decisive. "Let's do it. Let's get me Level 3. And let's see if we can get that Blackfire Pistol working."

Nyx nodded, a curt, almost approving gesture. "Excellent choice, Zero. Now, let's see what we can… improvise… with your Basic Toolkit. And maybe, just maybe, we can turn that Level 2 newbie into something… a little more… dangerous."

As Nyx began to lay out a series of components and holographic schematics on the workbench, Zero felt a surge of anticipation, mixed with a healthy dose of trepidation. He was about to cross another line, to delve even deeper into the shadows of the Nexus. He was making a deal with a stranger, trusting someone he barely knew, based on nothing but a cryptic message, a data pad with a faded logo, and the promise of power and answers. It was reckless, foolish, perhaps even suicidal. But for the first time in a long time, Kenji "Zero" Tanaka felt truly alive. And in his world, in this simulation, on the edge of a knife, maybe that was all that mattered.

Nyx's workshop, despite its spartan appearance, was surprisingly well-equipped. Under their guidance, Zero found himself immersed in a crash course on Nexus system mechanics, weapon modification protocols, and even rudimentary code manipulation techniques. Nyx, despite their enigmatic persona, proved to be a surprisingly effective teacher, their explanations concise, practical, and delivered with a dry, almost sardonic wit.

The first step, they explained, was the attribute buff. Using a combination of salvaged system components and his own [Basic Toolkit], Zero, under Nyx's meticulous instruction, began to construct a temporary DEX boost module. It was a delicate process, involving precise microsurgery on scavenged circuit boards, careful manipulation of energy conduits, and even some surprisingly intricate optical fiber splicing, pushing the limits of his toolkit's 'basic' capabilities.

As he worked, guided by Nyx's holographic schematics and subvocalized instructions, Zero felt a flicker of the old Ghostrunner, the focused concentration, the precise movements, the intuitive understanding of complex systems. It was like muscle memory, buried beneath layers of rust and disuse, slowly reawakening. The Nexus, despite its artificiality, despite its dangers, was starting to pull him back, to remind him of who he used to be. Or perhaps, who he could be again.

The DEX boost module, once assembled, was a small, palm-sized device, pulsing with a faint internal blue light. Nyx explained that it would temporarily overload his neural interface's dexterity processing pathways, granting a short-term boost to his reflexes, agility, and fine motor skills. The downside? A significant EP drain while active, and a potential for minor system instability if overused.

Next came the weapon modification. The Blackfire Pistol, already sleek and formidable in its base form, was about to get a significant upgrade. Nyx's plan involved recalibrating its energy conduits, optimizing its rapid-fire mechanism, and even, daringly, integrating a salvaged 'Heat Sink Capacitor' scavenged from a deactivated OmniCorp security drone – a risky maneuver, as such components were heavily encrypted and tracked by the System.

This modification was even more intricate than the DEX boost, requiring deeper dives into the pistol's internal workings, bypassing security locks with his [Data Spike], and even some rudimentary code rewriting to integrate the salvaged capacitor without triggering system alarms. Nyx provided the technical expertise, the schematics, the specific code snippets, but the actual hands-on work, the delicate manipulations, the intuitive understanding of the hardware – that fell to Zero.

As he worked on the pistol, guided by Nyx's cryptic instructions and the glowing schematics projected above the workbench, Zero felt a growing sense of… collaboration. Despite the undercurrent of suspicion, the veiled motives, the ever-present tension between them, there was a strange synergy in their shared focus, a common goal driving their efforts. Nyx, for all their enigmatic aloofness, was undeniably skilled, knowledgeable, and… invested… in this project. And Zero, despite his initial reluctance and ingrained cynicism, found himself drawn into the challenge, the thrill of pushing the boundaries of the System, of bending its rules to his will.

Hours blurred into what felt like minutes, the only sounds in the cramped workshop the hum of energy conduits, the soft clicks of tools, and Nyx's occasional terse instructions. Zero, fueled by cheap synth-coffee and a growing surge of adrenaline, worked tirelessly, his fingers moving with a speed and precision he hadn't felt in years. The Ghostrunner, it seemed, wasn't entirely a ghost after all. He was still there, buried beneath the cynicism and burnout, waiting for a spark to reignite his skills, his passion, his purpose.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Nyx straightened up from the console, surveying their handiwork with a critical gaze.

"Alright," they announced, their filtered voice losing some of its usual detachment, replaced by a note of… satisfaction? Pride? "DEX boost module is calibrated, weapon modifications are complete. Theoretically, you should now be capable of wielding the Blackfire Pistol, and at least temporarily function as a Level 3 Infiltrator. Theoretically." They emphasized the word, a hint of their usual dry humor returning. "Practical application, of course, is the true test."

Zero looked at the Blackfire Pistol, now resting on the workbench, its black casing gleaming, subtly augmented with new components, the salvaged Heat Sink Capacitor adding a small, almost imperceptible bulge to its handle. It looked… powerful. Dangerous. And undeniably, his. At least, for now.

He reached out, picking up the pistol. It felt surprisingly well-balanced in his hand, the grip conforming perfectly to his fingers, the weight substantial but not cumbersome. He mentally activated the DEX boost module in his inventory, feeling a jolt of energy surge through his neural interface, a subtle sharpening of his senses, a heightened sense of awareness.

[Active Skill: DEX Override (Temporary Buff)]

[DEX Attribute Temporarily Boosted (+4). EP Drain: 5 EP/minute.]

[Warning: Prolonged Use May Result in System Instability. Recommended usage duration: 15 minutes.]

His [STATUS] screen flickered, his DEX attribute temporarily spiking to 15, a significant increase from his base 9. He felt… faster. Sharper. More attuned to the subtle nuances of the System. He hefted the Blackfire Pistol again, aiming it experimentally at a target dummy fashioned from scrap metal and discarded synth-skin that stood against the far wall.

He squeezed the trigger.

Instead of the pathetic pew he half-expected from the Basic Energy Pistol he was supposed to receive, the Blackfire erupted with a sharp, satisfying crack. A bolt of incandescent orange energy slammed into the dummy's chest, leaving a fist-sized, glowing crater. Almost immediately, the edges of the crater began to blacken and smoke, wisps of virtual vapor rising as the Heat Damage over Time (DOT) effect kicked in.

[Target Dummy - HP: 920/1000]

[Target Dummy afflicted with [Burning] status. -5 HP/second for 5 seconds.]

Zero fired again, faster this time. The pistol cycled almost instantaneously, the recoil minimal, absorbed by the advanced materials and his temporarily enhanced reflexes. Crack! Crack! Crack! Three more bolts struck the dummy in rapid succession, creating a tight cluster of glowing, burning impacts. The dummy's HP plummeted.

[Target Dummy - HP: 715/1000]

[Burning status refreshed.]

"Damn," Zero breathed, lowering the pistol slightly, impressed despite himself. This was leagues beyond any standard-issue weapon. The damage output, the rate of fire, the satisfying feel of it… it was intoxicating. He felt the steady drain on his EP bar, a reminder of the temporary nature of the DEX boost, but the surge of power was undeniable. This felt like being back in the game, truly.

"Satisfied?" Nyx inquired dryly from behind him, leaning against the console, arms crossed. Their masked face was unreadable, but their tone held a hint of something – perhaps amusement, perhaps evaluation. "The modifications are stable, for now. The heat capacitor is handling the increased energy flow, but push it too hard, too fast, and it might overload. Spectacularly."

Zero glanced back at them, catching the subtle warning beneath the nonchalant delivery. "Understood. Overload equals bad." He holstered the Blackfire Pistol; it seemed to magnetically attach itself to a designated slot on his thigh, integrated into the Nexus suit. Another feature he hadn't noticed before. "So, temporary Level 3 status, check. Decent firepower, check. What's next on the agenda? This data pad?"

Nyx pushed off from the console. "Precisely. As I said, accessing it requires a secure terminal, insulated from OmniCorp's standard network monitoring protocols. My workshop console is shielded, but not sufficiently for decrypting something potentially this… sensitive. We need deeper access."

"Deeper than this?" Zero gestured around the hidden alcove, tucked away in the bowels of the simulation. "Where exactly are we going? OmniCorp's virtual basement?"

"Something like that," Nyx replied cryptically. "There are… layers… to the Nexus. Sub-networks, ghost protocols, legacy systems left behind by the original architects, long before OmniCorp plastered their branding over everything. Most users never see them, never even know they exist. But they're there, if you know where to look. And they offer… opportunities… for those willing to navigate the risks."

They moved towards the hidden entrance panel, tapping another sequence on the concealed keypad. "Follow me. And try to keep up. The pathways down here aren't exactly… stable. Or well-lit."

The panel slid open, revealing the dark, grimy tunnel beyond. Nyx slipped out, their form immediately blending into the shadows. Zero took a deep breath, the synth-coffee buzz fading, replaced by a familiar mix of adrenaline and unease. He checked his HP (still down 10 points from the energy discharge) and EP (steadily draining due to the DEX Override buff – EP: 40/55). He needed to be mindful of that timer. Fifteen minutes wasn't long.

He followed Nyx back into the oppressive darkness of the maintenance tunnels. This time, Nyx led him down a different passage, one that descended even further, the air growing colder, damper, the metallic tang replaced by the faint, unpleasant odor of stagnant water and decay. The flickering emergency lights became sparser, casting pools of light separated by stretches of near-absolute blackness. His [Scan] ability proved invaluable, pinging intermittently (EP: 35/55, EP: 30/55) to reveal the path ahead, potential hazards like loose floor grates or sparking conduits, but thankfully, no hostile entities. Yet.

They moved in silence for what felt like a long time, Nyx navigating the labyrinthine tunnels with an unnerving familiarity. Zero focused on keeping up, his enhanced DEX making him feel lighter, faster, but the constant EP drain was a nagging concern. He wondered about Nyx. How did they know these tunnels so well? How did they find this workshop? Were they truly working against OmniCorp, or was this some elaborate honeypot? The 'Trust no one' message echoed in his thoughts.

He considered asking, probing Nyx for more information about their background, their motives, their connection to the 'Unknown' messenger or the Oracle. But his abysmal CHA stat, coupled with Nyx's guarded nature, made him hesitate. Pushing too hard might shatter this fragile alliance before it even yielded any results. Better to observe, gather intel, wait for an opportunity.

"You seem… comfortable down here," Zero ventured eventually, his voice hushed in the oppressive silence.

Nyx didn't turn around, their filtered voice echoing slightly off the damp walls. "Comfort is irrelevant. Familiarity is key. The Hub, with its bright lights and curated experiences… that's the illusion. This," they gestured vaguely at the decaying infrastructure around them, "this is closer to the truth of the Nexus. Built on layers of forgotten code, neglected systems, hidden agendas. Like any city, really. You just need to know which alleys to check."

"And you check a lot of alleys?" Zero asked.

Nyx chuckled, that dry, synthesized sound again. "Let's just say my interests lie… off the beaten path. I find things. Fix things. Break things. Sometimes all three."

That wasn't exactly reassuring. Zero fell silent again, focusing on navigation and conserving his EP. The DEX Override had about ten minutes left according to his interface timer.

Finally, after traversing a particularly long, dark stretch of tunnel partially flooded with murky, ankle-deep water that smelled vaguely of sulfur, Nyx stopped before a massive, circular bulkhead door, heavily rusted and bearing faded hazard symbols. Unlike the sleek, hidden panels above, this looked ancient, industrial, built to withstand serious pressure.

"Here," Nyx announced. "Old geothermal vent access. Leads to a decommissioned power regulation node. Completely offline, purged from the main network logs decades ago. Should be secure enough for our purposes."

They approached a control panel beside the bulkhead, its casing cracked, screen dark. Nyx didn't use a keypad this time. Instead, they produced a sophisticated-looking device from their belt – Zero recognized it as a high-end decryption sequencer, far beyond his basic toolkit. They interfaced it with a hidden port on the panel. Lines of complex code scrolled rapidly across the sequencer's small screen as Nyx worked, their fingers flying across the interface with practiced speed.

Zero watched, impressed and slightly intimidated. Nyx's hacking skills were clearly advanced. While he had relied on intuition and exploiting obvious weaknesses, Nyx seemed to possess a deep, technical understanding of the Nexus's underlying systems. Were they a high-level Netrunner specializing in deep system infiltration? Or something more?

After a few moments, the sequencer beeped affirmatively. With a deafening groan of protesting metal, the massive bulkhead door began to rotate inwards, revealing a dark, cavernous space beyond. Hot, dry air, smelling faintly of ozone and burnt circuits, washed over them.

"After you," Nyx said, gesturing with their pistol towards the opening.

Zero hesitated for a split second. Walking into another unknown, potentially dangerous area first felt like asking for trouble. But Nyx held the data pad, the knowledge, the keys to this whole situation. He nodded curtly and stepped through the bulkhead, the modified Blackfire Pistol held ready, his senses on high alert.

He found himself in a vast, circular chamber. The ceiling soared high above, lost in darkness. The floor was a complex network of grated catwalks suspended over a seemingly bottomless pit, from which a faint, residual heat radiated upwards. In the center of the chamber, connected by several catwalks, stood a colossal structure – the decommissioned power node. It was a tangled mass of thick cables, cooling pipes, control consoles, and capacitor banks, all dark, silent, and coated in layers of dust. Emergency lights flickered weakly here and there, casting eerie shadows across the immense structure.

"Secure the entrance," Nyx ordered as they followed him through the bulkhead. Zero turned and watched as Nyx manipulated the control panel again. With another groan, the massive door rotated shut, sealing them inside. The only way out now was back the way they came, or through whatever other hidden passages Nyx knew about.

"Alright, Zero," Nyx said, turning towards the central structure. "The main control terminal for this node should still have residual power and, more importantly, a direct, isolated connection to the Nexus's foundational code layer. Perfect for analyzing our legacy data slate without tripping OmniCorp's digital watchdogs."

They led the way across one of the grated catwalks towards the central node. The structure loomed over them, a monument to forgotten technology. Zero felt a sense of awe mixed with unease. This place felt ancient, powerful, and fundamentally unstable.

They reached a platform near the base of the node, where a bank of consoles sat dormant. Nyx approached the main terminal, brushing dust off its dark screen. They pulled out the cracked data slate they'd taken from Zero, along with their decryption sequencer and a handful of interface cables.

"This might take a moment," Nyx said, already plugging cables into the slate and the terminal. "Legacy firmware requires careful handling. And we need to power the slate without frying its already damaged core."

Zero stood watch, his [Scan] ability sweeping the chamber periodically (EP: 25/55, EP: 20/55). The vast space remained silent, empty, save for the two of them and the ghosts of dormant machinery. The heat rising from the pit below created shimmering distortions in the air. His DEX Override timer ticked down relentlessly – less than five minutes remaining.

Nyx worked quickly, their masked face illuminated by the glow of the terminal screen, which flickered to life displaying complex diagnostic menus and lines of scrolling code. They bypassed the slate's archaic encryption with apparent ease, then began the delicate process of feeding power to its depleted core while simultaneously initiating the data recovery sequence.

"Almost there," Nyx muttered, their attention fully focused on the terminal. "Fragmented sectors… cross-referencing data streams… reconstructing file headers…"

Zero leaned closer, watching the streams of data flow across the screen. Most of it was gibberish, corrupted fragments, system errors. But then, patterns began to emerge. Familiar symbols. Schematics that looked vaguely like early cybernetic designs. Log entries referencing 'Project Chimera'. And then, flashing briefly amidst the corrupted data, a string of alphanumeric code that made Zero's blood run cold.

It was a backdoor access code. One he recognized. One he had created, years ago, during his Ghostrunner days, for accessing the private servers of the Digital Dragons' main sponsor – OmniCorp.

Before Zero could fully process the implications, before he could ask Nyx what it meant, the terminal suddenly flashed bright red. Alarm klaxons, loud and jarring after the long silence, began blaring throughout the chamber.

[SYSTEM ALERT: UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS DETECTED IN DECOMMISSIONED NODE DELTA-9!]

[SECURITY PROTOCOL INITIATED: INTRUDER CONTAINMENT GRID ACTIVATING!]

[DISPATCHING OMNICORP SECURITY RESPONSE TEAM. ETA: 3 MINUTES.]

Nyx cursed, pulling back from the terminal. "Damn it! How did they detect us? This node was supposed to be off-grid!"

Energy barriers, shimmering fields of blue force, slammed down across the bulkhead door and the entrances to the other catwalks, trapping them on the central platform. Red warning lights began flashing throughout the chamber, bathing everything in an ominous crimson glow.

"OmniCorp security?" Zero shouted over the blaring klaxons, gripping his Blackfire Pistol. "Three minutes? We need to get out of here!"

"No kidding, newbie!" Nyx snapped back, already scanning the terminal for an escape route, their usual cool composure momentarily fractured. "The containment grid is standard Tier 3 lockdown. Bypass requires Admin-level credentials or… significant firepower." They glanced towards the sealed bulkhead. "Neither of which we currently have time for."

Zero looked around frantically. Trapped. Security incoming. His DEX Override buff had less than a minute left. This alliance, this quest for answers, had just gone critical.