The cold air, a unique blend of coolant and ozone, was the eternal breath of Rocky City's depths. But today, this familiar "city scent" was tinged with grim solemnity.
Gestalt Iron-Gray sat ramrod straight in the cold alloy chair. His gaze was as steady as a rock and fixed on the two unfamiliar figures in the main seats. His posture was impeccable, but beneath his military-issue training fatigues, his back muscles were tensed.
Trouble has arrived, he concluded inwardly.
The one on the left was an official from the Technology Division. The silver olive branch insignia on his epaulets stood out sharply under the stark white light of the briefing room.
The man had a gaunt face, and his eyes, hidden behind rimless glasses, were sharp and devoid of warmth. They occasionally swept over Shen Kai, who sat beside him.
The man on the right was like a silent statue belonging to the Internal Affairs Investigation Department. With a single glance, Gestalt could sense the presence of a "Gray Dove" from his unnaturally stiff uniform and sense the pressure he exuded.
They were the Federation's secret police, responsible for eliminating all "unstable elements" with ruthless, iron-fisted methods.
His gaze shifted from the two "judges" seated high above and swept over his squad members.
Ryan Crimson-Charge, the youngest assaulter on the team, was practically squirming in his seat. After his brutal encounter with the "Wailing Aggregate" during "Operation Red Coral," he had come to understand the limitations of his Tier 0 "Sentinel" armor.
Now, even though his interface armor had been upgraded to Tier 1, the craving for greater power from his "Crimson" core burned hotter than magma surging underground.
Gestalt could feel the anxious energy radiating from Ryan, a mixture of lingering fear and anticipation.
"An unstable powder keg," he thought.
"I'll have to keep a close eye on him."
Sakuraba Nadeshiko, the medic, was quiet as always, her hands resting flat on her knees. However, her worried gaze hardly ever left Shen Kai.
Nadeshiko's "Jadeite Green" core made her emotionally perceptive—a quality essential for an excellent medic—but it could also become a burden in high-pressure environments.
Finally, she looked at Shen Kai.
He was the most mysterious member of the team and the core of this "trouble." The young man remained placid and unperturbed, seemingly indifferent to any turn of events. But Gestalt knew that beneath this calmness lay a perception far exceeding that of an ordinary person and immeasurable power.
This very power had attracted the vultures from the Technology Division and Internal Affairs.
The emergency refit after "Operation Red Coral" upgraded all the team members' interface armor to Tier 1. Ryan's Type-14 "Reinforced Fortress" was augmented with composite armor from a Quake Boar and an Iron-Spike Pangolin. Ryan's "Enhanced Sentinel" had an integrated elemental projector, and Nadeshiko's "Adept Worker Bee" had received reinforced protection on its critical sections.
However, these equipment upgrades seemed insignificant in the face of the pressure emanating from the two high-ranking officials.
Beep—
After a soft beep, the holographic projection at the front of the room lit up and displayed the Circumpolar Federation emblem: a broken ring encircling the Earth.
The official from the Technology Division cleared his throat and read the "directive" that had long since been decided upon in a flat, emotionless voice:
"In accordance with Directive No. 274 of the Federation High Command and the joint assessment by the Technology Division and the Internal Affairs Investigation Department,"
"The Deep Sector Intervention Vanguard, Seventh Squad, 'Pathfinder,' is hereby reassigned to the Exotic Deep Sector Tier 1, Ash-Gray Frontier to execute a long-term exploration and observation mission."
Gestalt's heart sank.
A depressing, dynamic landscape replaced the Federation emblem on the holographic projection. Endless ash covered the barren land, and the sky was perpetually leaden gray. Jagged black rocks, like the skeletons of colossal beasts, and twisted remains of long-dead flora formed this land's bizarre contours.
"Exotic Deep Sector Tier 1: Ash-Gray Frontier is predominantly governed by the 'Gray Effect,'" the official continued, reading a cold report.
"The environment in this region may lead to the accelerated deterioration of 'Rust Blight,' possesses a strong sense of spiritual oppression, and may trigger 'Whisper Episodes.'"
The official's description perfectly matched the scattered, highly classified archival records that Gestalt remembered about this forbidden zone.
"You have two primary mission objectives."
The official held up two fingers.
"First, penetrate deep into the 'Withered Bone Forest Sea' region within the Ash-Gray Frontier."
"Conduct detailed cartography and mark at least three routes that are safe for standard Federation armored units to traverse."
"Second, thoroughly investigate the recent, frequent incidents of tactical communication loss in and around the Withered Bone Forest Sea and determine the cause."
The "Withered Bone Forest Sea" is notoriously difficult to navigate in Tier 1. A "long-term exploration" mission of this nature, issued jointly by the Technology Division and Internal Affairs and specifying a particular squad, gave Gestalt a strong sense of foreboding.
It felt less like a mission and more like a customized "field experiment" targeting Shen Kai, with the rest of their squad serving as control subjects and bodyguards.
"To ensure the mission's smooth execution," the Technology Division official pushed up his rimless glasses; the lenses reflected the cold light of the projection.
His tone was flat, but he permitted no argument:
"The Federation will provide Squad 'Pathfinder' with the highest priority logistical and intelligence support."
"Furthermore, in light of the special nature exhibited by squad member Shen Kai's 'Colorless Core' during 'Operation Red Coral,' the Technology Division has decided to dispatch a 'Messenger'-class long-range unmanned observation drone, the latest model, to accompany the squad for the entire duration."
"The drone will record the core energy fluctuations of squad member Shen Kai in real time."
"All data will be directly encrypted and transmitted back to the Bedrock City Technology Division's central database for subsequent in-depth analysis and research by the 'Prometheus Fire' project team."
So, the real reason is out, Gestalt thought grimly.
As soon as the words fell, the side door of the briefing room slid open silently.
A multi-rotor drone, covered entirely in a matte black coating and possessing multiple compound-eye sensors that glowed with a faint blue light, floated quietly into the room.
One of its main sensors swiveled slightly and locked onto Shen Kai, emitting a nearly inaudible calibration sound.
Ryan's lip curled in a noticeable sneer as if he wanted to say something sarcastic. However, he held his tongue under Gestalt's warning glance.
However, Nadeshiko looked at Shen Kai with even greater worry.
What they needed most was rest and psychological counseling, not to be thrown into another unknown and perilous environment immediately. But the order could not be questioned, especially when it involved the high command's "interest" in Shen Kai.
He was considered both a "key" asset and a "Tier-1 potential strategic-level security threat."
"The preliminary mission duration is set for three standard months."
The Technology Division official closed the electronic briefing terminal in front of him. His formulaic voice betrayed no personal emotion.
"The detailed intelligence materials regarding the mission have all been encrypted and sent to your tactical terminals."
"Now, if you have any questions, you may ask."
Gestalt took a deep breath of the cold, iron-scented air and slowly rose to his feet.
He knew there were some questions he had to ask. For this squad and every member he was sworn to protect.