The prospect of venturing into the depths of District 8's industrial wasteland, a toxic, largely uncharted territory even by District 7's grim standards, cast a heavy pall over The Ember Knights. Roric, however, was undeterred, his enthusiasm for the potential strategic gain of a secure, independent communication network almost fervent. The control room of Sub-Station Epsilon became their mission hub, the holographic display now dominated by the recovered Old Republic map fragment, augmented by Shift and Elara's painstaking analysis of archival city data and speculative satellite imagery.
"The target is designated Comm-Relay Station Aurelia," Roric announced, his voice crisp as he pointed to a dilapidated, multi-spired structure depicted on the map, nestled deep within a sector of District 8 notorious for its extreme environmental toxicity and rumors of feral, mutated fauna. "Pre-Collapse, Old Republic. Its primary function was deep-space communication, but its internal architecture suggests it also possessed significant localized broadcast and encryption capabilities. If even a fraction of its core systems are salvageable, Shift believes she can interface with it, potentially reactivating its primary comm array under our exclusive control."
Kai listened, his Draconic Affinity of 11 making him acutely aware of the faint, almost imperceptible hum of anxiety emanating from his small crew. His own Draconic Energy Reserves were at 92% after a recent, carefully managed Umbra hunt. He was Level 3, (85/300 EXP to Level 4), his "Dermal Plating Manifestation" now at Rank 2, offering more reliable and energy-efficient protection. He still had his 3 undistributed attribute points, a small reserve he was hesitant to spend until he understood the specific challenges ahead.
"District 8, Roric… that's not just Scavenger territory, it's a death zone," Breaker rumbled, his massive arms crossed, his usually stoic face etched with concern. "The air itself is poison in some sectors. And the things that live out there… they're not natural." He wasn't a MOD, but his years surviving on the streets had filled his head with grim tales of the wasteland.
"The risks are substantial, Breaker, I won't deny that," Roric conceded. "Which is why this will be a surgical strike, not a prolonged expedition. Elara has identified a route that skirts the worst of the known toxic zones, utilizing old, shielded service conduits where possible. Shift has prepared rebreather masks and environmental suits for all of us – basic, scavenged, but functional enough for short-term exposure. Our primary concern will be the station itself. Old Republic automated defenses, however decayed, can be… unpredictable. And we have no idea what, if anything, might have taken up residence there."
Shift, her cybernetic eye glowing as she reviewed data on her console, added, "The energy signatures from Aurelia are erratic, but present. Something is still drawing power, however minimal. The station's outer shell is heavily shielded against conventional scanning, which is likely why it's remained largely undisturbed. Getting inside will be the first challenge. The primary access points are likely sealed or collapsed. We'll need to find a service entrance or create our own."
"This is an infiltration and technical operation, not a direct assault," Kai clarified, stepping into his leadership role, his voice gaining a new resonance from his "Draconic Presence" skill, which he kept subtly active to project an aura of calm authority. "Shift, you're our primary asset here. Your Phase Spider Anima… your technical expertise… is what will make this possible. Breaker, you're our security, our muscle if we encounter physical obstacles or unexpected… residents. I'll take point, use my Draconic Senses to scout for immediate dangers and clear the path. Roric, Elara, you'll be our remote command, our eyes in the sky, monitoring any external threats and guiding us through the schematics." He deliberately omitted Zip's name, the pain of his absence still a fresh wound. If Zip were here, his Dragonfly Anima would have been invaluable for this kind of hazardous exploration.
Roric nodded, a flicker of approval in his eyes at Kai's decisive command. "Precisely. The objective is to reach the primary control hub of Relay Station Aurelia, assess its viability, and if possible, have Shift begin the reactivation sequence for a secure, narrow-band communication link back to Epsilon. We are not there to explore every dark corner or engage every mutated horror. Get in, achieve the objective, get out."
The System pinged Kai: [New Faction Quest Issued (The Ember Knights): 'Echoes of Aurelia'] Objective 1: Successfully infiltrate Comm-Relay Station Aurelia in District 8 (0/1). Objective 2: Reach the primary control hub of the station (0/1). Objective 3: Assist Shift in assessing/initiating reactivation of a secure communication link (0/1). Objective 4: All Ember Knight field operatives exfiltrate District 8 safely (0/3 operatives). Rewards for Completion: +300 EXP (Kai), +100 EXP (Other participating Faction Members), Faction Standing (The Ember Knights): Significantly Increased, +1 Old Republic Tech Schematic (Random – Minor), Potential for establishing a secure, long-range Faction Comms Network. Failure Penalty: High probability of operative casualties, loss of valuable tech, potential exposure to extreme environmental/biological hazards.
The rewards were significant, especially the potential for a secure comms network. But the risks were equally stark.
Their journey into District 8 began under the cover of a particularly dense, acidic smog that rolled in from the industrial sectors, providing both concealment and a choking hazard. They wore the environmental suits Roric had procured – bulky, patched, but sealed – their rebreather masks hissing with every breath. The landscape was a hellish vista of twisted metal, crumbling factories, and rivers of iridescent, toxic sludge. Kai's Draconic Senses were a mixed blessing here; his enhanced vision cut through the smog better than the others', but his heightened sense of smell was overwhelmed by the chemical stench, making him feel constantly nauseous despite the rebreather. [ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD DETECTED: Airborne Toxin Levels – High. Environmental Suit Integrity: 95%. Recommend minimizing exposure and monitoring suit seals.]
They navigated through collapsed service tunnels, their progress slow and treacherous. Breaker's strength was invaluable, clearing pathways blocked by fallen debris. Shift, despite the limitations of her D-Grade Phase Spider Anima in such a physically hostile environment, used her innate sensitivity to energy fields to guide them away from unstable power conduits and pockets of high radiation.
After several grueling hours, following Elara's remote guidance based on the Old Republic map, they finally saw it: Relay Station Aurelia. It was a skeletal spire of dark, unknown metal, thrusting defiantly out of a crater of fused earth and slag, its multiple comm-dishes and sensor arrays silhouetted against the sickly green glow of a nearby chemical sump. It looked ancient, alien, and utterly dead. Yet, as Shift had predicted, a faint, erratic energy signature pulsed from its core, a ghostly heartbeat in the wasteland.
"We're here," Kai breathed into his comm, his voice muffled by the rebreather. "Aurelia Station. It's… bigger than I expected." "And more intact than it has any right to be," Roric's voice replied. "Shift, begin your close-range scans. Find us a way in. And Kai… be ready for anything. Places like this don't stay empty for centuries without a reason." As Shift moved forward, her sensor array whirring, Kai felt a prickling sensation on his skin, a deep, instinctual warning from his Draconic Power Source. Something was wrong. Something was watching them from the shadowed, silent spire of Relay Station Aurelia. The whispers of the Old Republic were about to become far more tangible, and far more dangerous.