Chapter -65 : The Weight Of Knowing
Outer Sector Outpost 7, Imperial Periphery
The destruction of Scanner Unit Two cast a long, uneasy shadow over Outpost 7. The Navy's technological superiority had been met and violently rebuffed by the anomaly, leaving a void of uncertainty and a heightened sense of danger. For Valerius, the incident was a double-edged sword: it diverted immediate scanning attention away from his compromised locations, but it also crippled his System and significantly raised the stakes of the entire investigation.
He spent the next cycle in a state of forced adaptation. His Wargod energy, though stable at 35% towards Mid-Level, felt raw and unguided without the System's precise nanite control and analytical feedback. Practicing his Spatial Sense was like learning to see again with blurred vision; the input was there, but the fine detail and rapid interpretation were gone. He could still sense the energy signatures of those nearby, but differentiating between subtle variations or extending his range significantly required immense concentration and often resulted in mental fatigue.
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The internal updates were a constant, frustrating reminder of his vulnerability.
The directive from Captain Rostova for personnel with advanced kinetic training to provide statements on subspace harmonics and unconventional energy signatures was formally issued. Valerius knew this was primarily aimed at himself and Kaelen. He meticulously prepared his statement, relying on his own intellect and the fragmented knowledge he possessed from his Academy days and the System's now-inaccessible database. He focused on theoretical principles, keeping his explanations carefully within the bounds of known Imperial science, offering no hint of his practical, System-augmented experiences.
Lieutenant Kaelen, Valerius observed, was practically radiating a zealous conviction. The anomaly's violent defense had transformed him from a persistent theorist into a prophet whose dire warnings had come true. He was seen frequently with Lieutenant Commander Jian and other Navy technical specialists, his datapad filled with comparative analyses of the anomaly's pulse, the Omega signal's resonance, and his own logs of the 'sensor ghost' from the battle.
"The energy patterns are too similar to ignore, Lieutenant Commander," Valerius overheard Kaelen arguing passionately during one such encounter near the damaged scanner hangar. "The spatial distortion, the specific subspace frequencies – it all points to a unified phenomenon, a type of energy manipulation far beyond standard kinetic theory. The battle anomaly wasn't random; it was a precursor, a smaller manifestation of what disabled Unit Two!"
Jian listened patiently, his expression thoughtful. "Your data is compelling, Lieutenant Kaelen, especially in light of recent events. Investigator Thorne is factoring it into her revised threat assessment. The nature of these energies is now a top priority."
Valerius knew Kaelen's rising influence was dangerous. If Thorne and Jian began to seriously entertain the idea that the 'sensor ghost' was a deliberate act of advanced energy manipulation, their search for individuals capable of such an act would narrow considerably. While Valerius was officially only a High-Level Warrior (his Beginner Wargod status carefully concealed), his 'unconventional' success in disabling Frigate Two already marked him as an outlier.
The investigation on Moon 7C continued with Scanner Unit One, now operating with extreme caution. Thorne's team focused on analyzing the Omega-734 signal from a greater distance, trying to understand its nature without provoking another reaction. Preliminary reports suggested the signal was incredibly complex, possibly a form of Precursor data storage or a beacon designed to interact with specific technologies or entities. The Void Stone residue found throughout the destroyed facility hinted at attempts to harness or manipulate energies related to this signal.
Valerius focused on his duties, providing flawless, if now more laboriously compiled, analyses of the Scorpion fleet in Grid 11 (still silent, their patience unnerving). He maintained a facade of calm competence, offering no hint of his internal struggles or the true extent of his abilities.
The unstable plasma core remained hidden, a desperate option he couldn't currently risk using. His advancement was frozen, while the forces around him – the Navy, Kaelen, the mysteries themselves – continued to move, their paths increasingly intersecting with his own. The weight of knowing the truth, or at least parts of it, while feigning ignorance, was immense. He was playing a dangerous game of deception, and the margin for error was shrinking with every passing hour.