The air in the service corridor was cold and heavy with unspoken tension. Kai, Breaker, and Zip were positioned just out of sight of the hardened checkpoint leading to Vault Gamma-7. Roric's voice, a calm, precise instrument in Kai's earpiece, finished detailing the deployment protocol for the directional mini-EMP device – a small, cylindrical unit no bigger than Kai's fist.
"Optimal range for the mini-EMP is three to five meters from the primary locking mechanism," Roric instructed. "Activation is a simple pressure stud. You'll have a two-second delay before discharge. The pulse is highly directional, focused into a narrow cone. Aim carefully. It should disrupt the mag-lock and any adjacent low-shielding sensors for approximately sixty seconds. Enough time for Breaker to do his work, provided you've dealt with the guards."
Kai nodded, though Roric couldn't see him. His Anima Core Stability was a precarious 46%. The "Clarity Serum" had worn off, but his heightened Cognition and Perception kept his mind sharp. He took the mini-EMP from his utility belt, its metallic coolness a stark contrast to the nervous heat in his palms.
"Zip, one last visual," Kai whispered. "Confirm guard positions and alertness." Zip, his Dragonfly Anima a faint shimmer, darted forward for a split-second peek. "Still two, boss. Heavy armor. One's got his helmet off, wiping his brow. The other is scanning the corridor, but looks relaxed. They don't expect us." [Zip – Dragonfly Anima: Recon successful. Anima Core (Zip): Critically Low. Further recon bursts highly inadvisable.]
"That's our opening," Kai decided. "Breaker, be ready to move the instant that lock is disengaged. I'll handle the guards. Zip, stay back, conserve your Anima. If this goes loud, we'll need your speed for the exfil diversion."
Kai took a deep breath, focusing his will. He activated his "Claws of the Shadow Drake," the dark, sharp talons extending almost imperceptibly from his fingertips. He then moved, a silent wraith, hugging the shadows of the corridor wall. He reached the edge of the pressure-sensitive floor Shift had warned about, just meters from the two unsuspecting Cerberus guards.
The guard with his helmet off was muttering something to his companion, who chuckled. Kai raised the mini-EMP, aiming its conical emitter directly at the mag-lock mechanism on the heavy plasteel door. He pressed the activation stud. A tiny LED on the device blinked rapidly. Two seconds.
He didn't wait. In the same fluid motion, he launched himself forward, a "Shadow-Coil Strike" aimed at the helmetless guard. The shadowy distortion around his attacking arm, combined with his silent approach, meant the guard only looked up in surprise as Kai's Anima-infused fist, now tipped with razor-sharp draconic claws, connected with his exposed throat. It wasn't a killing blow, but it was brutally effective, silencing the man and sending him crumpling to the floor with a choked gasp. [Shadow-Coil Strike / Claws of the Shadow Drake Combination: Successful. Hostile incapacitated (critical throat injury). EXP +20.]
Just as the first guard fell, a faint thrum emanated from the mini-EMP, too low for the remaining guard to likely notice over his comrade's sudden collapse. [Mini-EMP Discharged. Localized electromagnetic pulse active. Target: Mag-lock and adjacent sensors.]
The second guard, startled by his partner's sudden demise, was scrambling to bring his pulse carbine to bear. He was heavily armored, and Kai knew a simple strike might not be enough. He needed to be fast, precise. He feinted left, then, as the guard tracked the movement, Kai exploded right, his draconic claws extended, aiming for the less armored joints at the man's neck and armpits.
The guard, though surprised, was a professional. He managed to get a short, wild burst off from his carbine. Flechettes sparked off Kai's activated "Scaled Guard (Reactive)" which flared into existence over his shoulder and chest, absorbing the worst of the impacts, but the sheer force still sent jarring pain through him. [Scaled Guard (Reactive): Successful activation. Multiple impacts mitigated. Anima Core Stability (Kai): 38%.]
Ignoring the pain, Kai pressed his attack. His claws tore at the guard's exposed neck seals and the thinner material under his arms. The guard roared, dropping his carbine to try and grapple, but Kai was too fast, too vicious. A final, precise strike with his claws to a vulnerable point at the base of the skull, and the second guard went limp. [Hostile Neutralized. EXP +15.]
"Guards down! Mag-lock should be disabled!" Kai yelled into his comm, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "Breaker, the door! Now!" His Anima was dangerously low. The continuous use of his claws, even at Rank 1, plus the reactive scales, was a significant drain.
Breaker was already there, his Gorgon Anima flaring. He slammed his shoulder into the heavy plasteel door. It shuddered but held. "Mag-lock is definitely offline, but the physical bolts are still engaged!" Breaker roared. He hit it again, a sound like thunder echoing in the confined space. Metal shrieked. With a third, monumental effort, the door burst inwards, revealing the dark, climate-controlled interior of what could only be Vault Gamma-7.
[Breaker – Gorgon Anima: Forced Entry Successful. Anima Core (Breaker): Depleted by 15%.] [Objective Complete: Breach Cerberus Checkpoint. Vault Gamma-7 Accessed.] [Anima Core Stability (Kai): 35%. CRITICAL WARNING: ANIMA RESERVES AT MINIMAL OPERATIONAL LEVEL. SUSTAINED COMBAT OR ANIMA USE WILL RESULT IN CORE COLLAPSE.]
They were in. But Kai was running on fumes.