Chapter 15: Preparing for Infiltration

The back room of 'The Lag Spike' transformed from a dingy meeting spot into a makeshift mission briefing center. Glitch, the bubbly Netrunner with eyes that missed nothing, brought up detailed holographic schematics on the booth's flickering table display. Forge, the grizzled Technomancer, produced a variety of tools and components from hidden compartments in his coveralls, laying them out with meticulous care. Nyx, ever the enigma, stood slightly apart, observing, occasionally offering a cryptic comment or a targeted question that cut straight to the heart of a potential problem.

The target: OmniCorp Data Vault Sigma-7. According to Glitch's intel, scraped from fragmented communications intercepts and black market whispers, Sigma-7 wasn't one of OmniCorp's primary fortresses, but a secondary repository located deep within the Nexus's 'Sector Zero' – a zone known for its unstable code, legacy system conflicts, and aggressive security protocols. It supposedly housed archived data, experimental project backups, and, crucially, potentially uncorrupted records related to pre-Nexus infrastructure, including the decommissioned power nodes like Delta-9.

"Sigma-7 is where OmniCorp dumps the stuff they want forgotten but don't dare delete entirely," Glitch explained, highlighting sections of the schematic. "Old research data, failed project logs, personnel files deemed 'sensitive'. If records related to Project Chimera or that pre-Singularity data slate exist anywhere outside their core servers, Sigma-7 is a prime candidate."

"It's also a fortress," Forge grumbled, examining a sophisticated-looking bypass tool Nyx had provided. "Triple-layered ICE security, counter-intrusion daemons, kinetic barriers, AI-controlled drone patrols, and rumors of elite OmniCorp 'Hunter' programs specifically designed to eliminate unauthorized infiltrators." He glanced at Zero. "Not exactly a walk in the park for a Level 2."

"Zero won't be walking in the park," Nyx stated coolly. "He'll be slipping through the cracks. His role is reconnaissance, primary system bypass, and diversion. Glitch will handle the deep-level ICE breaking and data extraction. Forge, you're tech support and heavy ordnance, if things go loud. I'll provide overwatch and handle… contingencies."

Zero studied the schematics, his mind already racing, analyzing the vault's layout, the known security measures, the potential ingress points Glitch had highlighted – a maintenance duct connected to the ventilation system, a supposedly deactivated emergency data port, a weak point in the energy shielding near a power conduit junction. "The ventilation duct seems like the cleanest entry," he mused, tracing the pathway on the holo-display. "Minimal sensor coverage according to this data, leads directly to the lower archive levels."

"Cleanest, maybe," Glitch countered, "but also the most obvious. OmniCorp security isn't stupid. They'll have pressure sensors, laser grids, maybe even sonic detectors in the main ducts."

"But the secondary ducts," Zero pointed to a smaller, branching network on the schematic, "the ones feeding the server cooling systems… less likely to be heavily monitored. Higher risk of environmental hazards – extreme temperatures, coolant leaks – but lower risk of direct detection."

Forge nodded slowly, his cybernetic eye whirring as he processed the data. "He's right. Less traffic, less scrutiny. If he can handle the environmentals, it's a viable path. But he'll need thermal insulation, maybe a rebreather unit."

"Already covered," Nyx said, producing two small, metallic canisters and a thin, silvery undersuit from their inventory. [Thermal Regulator Unit (Uncommon)], [Emergency Rebreather (Uncommon)], [Insulated Undersuit (Common)]. "Standard infiltration gear. Should mitigate the worst of the temperature fluctuations and atmosphere hazards. Temporarily." They tossed the items to Zero. "Equip these."

Zero quickly integrated the new gear. The undersuit fit snugly beneath his armored Nexus suit, providing a faint sense of warmth. The regulator unit and rebreather attached magnetically to his belt, their status indicators glowing softly in his interface. More tools, more complexity, but also more options.

"Okay, entry point decided," Glitch said. "Once Zero is inside and reaches the primary archive control room, he needs to create a diversion and disable the internal surveillance grid. That's my window to breach the outer ICE layers and access the main data core."

"Diversion?" Zero raised an eyebrow. "What kind of diversion?"

"Something loud," Nyx suggested, a hint of amusement in their filtered voice. "Overload a power relay? Trigger a fire suppression system? Release a swarm of corrupted data sprites into the security network? Get creative."

"Releasing corrupted sprites sounds… risky," Zero commented dryly.

"High risk, high reward," Glitch chirped. "Causes maximum chaos, confuses AI patrols, masks my intrusion signature. If you can find an unsecured terminal with access to the local entity spawning protocols…"

"I'll see what I can do," Zero said, his mind already calculating the possibilities. Accessing spawning protocols sounded like advanced hacking, likely beyond his current skill set, but maybe he could find a workaround, exploit a vulnerability.

"While Glitch works on the data core, Forge and I will provide support," Nyx continued. "Forge, you'll establish a secure comms link and monitor system integrity, ready to deploy countermeasures if Glitch hits a black ICE wall. I'll maintain overwatch, neutralize any patrols Zero misses, and prepare our exfiltration route."

"Exfiltration?" Zero asked. "Same way we came in?"

Nyx shook their head. "Unlikely. Once we trigger alarms – and we will trigger alarms eventually – that route will be compromised. We'll use the vault's emergency teleportation matrix. Risky, unstable, prone to 'misplacing' passengers, but faster than fighting our way out through lockdown."

Emergency teleportation? That sounded incredibly dangerous. "Misplacing?"

"Scattering your data stream across the Nexus," Forge grunted. "Best case, you rematerialize somewhere random, potentially hostile. Worst case… data corruption, permanent deletion."

Zero swallowed hard. The stakes just kept getting higher.

The next hour was a whirlwind of preparation. Zero, guided by Glitch, dove deep into the known security protocols of Sigma-7, memorizing firewall structures, counter-intrusion daemon signatures, and standard AI patrol routes. He used his toolkit and some components provided by Forge to craft a set of [Bypass Chips (Uncommon)], designed to temporarily disable basic sensor grids and door locks. He practiced interfacing with simulated security terminals, running mock intrusion drills under Glitch's watchful eye, honing his [Data Spike] and [Bypass Probe] techniques.

[Crafting Attempt: Bypass Chip x3... INT Check (15) + Toolkit Bonus vs Difficulty (12)... Success!]

[Item Crafted: [Bypass Chip (Uncommon)] x3]

[EXP Gained: +50 EXP]

[Current EXP: 200/200] [Level: 2] -> [LEVEL UP! User has reached Level 3!]

Level 3! The notification flashed just as he finished crafting the last chip. A wave of energy washed through him, stronger than the last level up.

[LEVEL UP! User has reached Level 3!]

[Current EXP: 0/300] [Level: 3]

[+5 Attribute Points Available!]

[HP Increased: 115 -> 130]

[EP Increased: 55 -> 65]

He quickly allocated his new points, putting 3 into INT (bringing it to 18) and 2 into DEX (bringing it to 13). His core strengths needed bolstering for a mission this complex. He also checked his skills tab – no new skills automatically granted at Level 3, but the descriptions hinted at potential upgrades or new abilities becoming available through training or specific class quests later on. More importantly, he now met the level requirement for the [Blackfire Pistol - Mark II] without needing the [DEX Override] buff constantly active, though the buff would still push his capabilities significantly higher for short bursts.

"Level 3," Nyx noted, their voice impossible to read. "Good timing. You'll need it."

Glitch gave him a thumbs-up. "Nice! Every bit helps. Okay, comms check, gear sync, final plan review."

They ran through the infiltration plan one last time: access the Serpent's Coil network via the Crimson Lotus conduits, transit to Sector Zero periphery, Zero infiltrates Sigma-7 via secondary cooling ducts using thermal gear, reaches archive control, creates diversion and disables internal sensors, Glitch breaches external ICE, Forge provides tech support, Nyx provides overwatch, Glitch extracts data, rendezvous at emergency teleportation matrix, escape and pray they don't get scattered across the digital void. Simple. Terrifyingly simple.

"Everyone clear?" Nyx asked, their gaze sweeping across the booth.

Forge nodded grimly. Glitch gave another enthusiastic, slightly manic grin. Zero took a deep breath, the familiar pre-mission jitters mixing with the adrenaline.

"Clear," he confirmed, his voice steadier than he felt.

"Alright," Nyx said, standing up. "Let's move out. The Serpent waits for no one."

They exited The Lag Spike the same way they came in, melting back into the chaotic energy of the Lower Market. Nyx led them through another series of winding alleys, eventually stopping before a large, rusted sewer grate set into the floor, partially hidden beneath a pile of discarded synth-fabric and refuse.

"The entrance to the Crimson Lotus service conduits," Nyx announced, already using their decryption sequencer on a hidden electronic lock beside the grate. "From here on, expect… resistance. Not just OmniCorp. Rival smugglers, data scavengers, corrupted system entities drawn to the unstable network energy… stay alert."

With a heavy clang, the grate slid open, revealing a dark, dripping tunnel leading downwards, the smell of stagnant water and something acrid wafting up. Glitch wrinkled her nose. "Ugh. Smells worse than Forge's socks after a marathon coding session."

Forge just grunted.

Nyx dropped silently into the tunnel, vanishing into the darkness. Glitch gave Zero a final, encouraging wink before following. Forge lumbered after her.

Zero took one last look back at the chaotic lights and sounds of the Market Concourse, a world away from the sterile beauty of the Central Hub or the oppressive silence of the deep maintenance tunnels. He was voluntarily diving back into the shadows, deeper than ever before, alongside companions he barely knew, chasing ghosts from his past and secrets buried in the code. He gripped his Blackfire Pistol, checked his HP and EP, and took the plunge, lowering himself into the sewer tunnel.

The heavy grate slid shut above him with a final, echoing clang, sealing him in the darkness with his new, uncertain allies. The infiltration of OmniCorp Data Vault Sigma-7 had begun. Time to dance with the devil.