> [Location: NovaCore Ruins — Lower Sector 7]
[Time: 06:13 AM]
[System Log: Surveillance Offline | Signal Interference: 76%]
The battered corridors of NovaCore's lower levels were quiet — eerily so. Dust hung in the air, and only the distant flicker of emergency lights broke the darkness. Arin and Elira moved cautiously, Pulse detectors scanning for residual Reclaimer traces.
"Still no signals," Elira muttered, her voice tight.
"Too quiet," Arin agreed.
But silence rarely meant safety here.
---
> [System Notice: Unknown Energy Reading Detected — 300m Ahead]
Classification: Unverified | Status: Dormant
Arin exchanged a glance with Elira.
"Could be a surviving Core fragment… or worse."
They moved toward the reading. As they passed a sealed vault door, Arin's system flared.
> [Data Cache Located: Project Helix Archives]
[Authorization: Forbidden Core — Access Level: Override]
"Wait." Arin stopped, reaching out.
"Xyro, open this."
> [Override Accepted]
[Decrypting…]
The door hissed open, revealing a forgotten archive chamber. Inside were dozens of deactivated stasis pods — each labeled with names and experimental tags.
One label caught Arin's eye:
"Subject 01X: Lyra Verma"
His heart stopped.
"My mother…?"
Elira moved closer, reading the data logs.
"These were… early system prototypes. Bio-system integration experiments."
Arin's hands shook as he accessed the pod's log.
> [Status: Life Functions Suspended]
[Condition: Stasis Preservation — Stable]
She was alive. Somewhere between life and death.
"She was one of them," Arin whispered. "A test subject."
---
Suddenly —
> [Proximity Alert: Hostile Presence Approaching — 200m | Multiple Signatures]
"We're not alone," Elira snapped.
Lights flickered. From the far end of the corridor, shapes emerged — Reclaimer remnants. Part-human, part-machine, their systems glitching but still deadly.
> [Enemy Class: Reclaimer Revenant Units]
Count: 5
Threat Level: Moderate
"We fight — protect that pod!" Arin ordered.
---
The battle was quick, brutal.
Arin unleashed Pulse Blades and Shockwave Barrages, while Elira handled precise takedowns with Neural Disruptors. The Reclaimer remnants fell one by one, dissolving into corrupted data clouds.
But something else was watching.
> [System Notice: Surveillance Node Reactivation Detected]
Location: Sector 9
Operator: Unknown
"Someone's reactivating NovaCore's old systems," Elira warned.
Arin gritted his teeth.
"Whoever it is… they're trying to cover up what happened here."
---
Before leaving, Arin connected his system to the stasis pod.
> [Core Link: Established]
Subject: Lyra Verma
Vital Signs: Stable — Awakening Possible
Risk: Extreme
"Not yet," Arin said softly. "But soon."
He sealed the chamber, locking it with a private Core signature.
> [Private Quest Unlocked]
Title: Revive Lyra Verma
Objective: Repair Life Support Systems | Purge Reclaimer Data
Time Limit: None
---
As they moved toward Sector 9, Arin felt something change within him — a deeper purpose. This wasn't just about survival anymore.
It was about reclaiming what was stolen.
And facing the legacy of NovaCore's darkest secrets.
---
To be continued…