The tension in the Epsilon control room was thick enough to cut with a combat knife. Roric's proposal to directly assault a Cerberus Syndicate stronghold was a leap into a far more dangerous league. Shift, Breaker, and Zip exchanged uneasy glances. Their D-Grade Animas, though showing slow improvement with training and the occasional System-prompted "Anima Acclimatization Exercise" Roric had them run through, were still leagues away from being able to take on a well-armed, established crew like Cerberus head-on.
Kai felt the weight of their unspoken fears, mirroring his own. His Anima Core Stability, currently at a respectable 92%after his last hunt, felt suddenly fragile. He was Level 4, his attributes enhanced, his "Shadow-Coil Strike" and "Dermal Plating" skills improving, but the thought of facing Cerberus in their own den… "Roric, this is a massive risk," Kai stated, his voice carefully neutral. "Their stronghold will be heavily guarded. They're on high alert because of Umbra. A direct assault, even with all of us, seems… reckless."
"Reckless if unplanned. Calculated if executed with precision," Roric countered smoothly, his confidence unwavering. He tapped the holographic schematic of the Cerberus warehouse. "I'm not suggesting a frontal assault, Kai. That would be crude, and costly. We are The Crimson Coil. We operate from the shadows, with intelligence and finesse, even when delivering a killing blow."
He zoomed in on a section of the schematic showing a series of old, disused maintenance tunnels running beneath the warehouse complex. "Shift, your Phase Spider Anima has been mapping Epsilon's sublevels. How adept are you at navigating and assessing similar subterranean structures, potentially with active, if outdated, security systems?"
Shift considered this, her cybernetic eye focusing on the display. "My Anima can sense structural integrity, active power lines, and some forms of electronic surveillance, even old ones. If these tunnels are truly disused, my main concern would be physical blockages or unstable sections. My data weaving wouldn't be much use against purely physical defenses, but I could map a path."
"Excellent," Roric said. "Breaker, your Gorgon Anima's resilience and strength would be invaluable in clearing any such blockages, quietly. Zip, your Dragonfly Anima's speed and compound vision would allow for rapid, silent reconnaissance of these tunnels once a path is cleared, identifying internal access points to the warehouse above."
He then looked at Kai. "And Umbra… or perhaps, Kai, leading his Coil this time… would be the tip of the spear. Infiltrating through a secured tunnel access point, bypassing their primary external defenses, and striking at their most vulnerable asset – the weapons cache itself. A swift, surgical strike. Acquire the target, create a significant diversion upon exfiltration, and melt away before their main forces can effectively respond."
It was a classic infiltration and sabotage plan, relying on stealth and specialized skills rather than a direct confrontation of force. It was still incredibly dangerous, but it sounded less like a suicide mission.
The System pinged Kai: [New Faction Operation Proposal: 'Operation Cerberus Sting'] Primary Objective: Infiltrate Cerberus Warehouse Stronghold via subterranean tunnels. Secondary Objective: Locate and secure/destroy advanced weaponry cache. Tertiary Objective: Exfiltrate with minimal casualties, creating significant disruption to Cerberus operations. Risk Assessment: Very High (Well-defended target, alert enemy, potential for MOD presence within Cerberus ranks). Recommended Assets: Full Crimson Coil team deployment. Stealth and specialized Anima usage critical. Potential Rewards: Substantial EXP gain, high-value resource acquisition (weaponry, intel), significant Faction Notoriety increase, severe blow to Cerberus Syndicate influence.
"If we can get inside undetected," Kai mused, "and if their internal security is focused on the main entrances, we might have a chance to get to the cache. But exfiltration will be the hardest part, especially if we're carrying heavy weapons."
"That's where Scrap's… unique talents would have been useful," Roric said with a fleeting hint of regret, referring to the Bombardier Beetle MOD they hadn't yet approached. "But we adapt. Zip, your speed will be key for creating a diversion during exfil – something loud, something distracting, on the opposite side of the complex from our entry/exit point. Shift, you'll coordinate our comms and try to disrupt any of their internal security responses once the alarm is inevitably raised. Breaker and I will provide heavy support for Kai during the exfiltration of the primary assets."
It was a complex plan, with many moving parts, each relying on the others and their still-developing D-Grade Animas. Kai looked at his team. Shift's analytical gaze was already dissecting the tunnel schematics. Zip was practically vibrating with a mixture of fear and excitement. Breaker's expression was, as always, stoic, but Kai could see a flicker of grim determination in his eyes.
"This is a major step up from hitting street gangs," Kai said, meeting Roric's gaze. "If we pull this off, it changes everything. If we fail…"
"Failure is an outcome we will strive to avoid through meticulous planning and flawless execution," Roric stated calmly. "But the potential rewards, Kai, are commensurate with the risk. Crippling Cerberus's arms supply not only weakens a major rival but also provides us with the very tools we need to defend ourselves and expand our own influence. And the message it sends… The Crimson Coil doesn't just hunt rats in the dark; it can strike at the hearts of established predators."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "The decision, as always, Leader Kai, ultimately rests with you. Do we prepare for the Cerberus Gambit?"
Kai looked at his team again. They were new, their powers raw, but they had proven themselves capable and loyal during the Epsilon defense. He thought of his own growing power, the hunger that was a part of him, and the desperate need to protect his family and build something that could offer them true security in the brutal world of Veridia City. This felt like a pivotal moment, a point of no return.
He took a deep breath. "We prepare. Shift, start analyzing those tunnel routes. Breaker, Zip, we'll need to scout the tunnel entrances discreetly. Roric… make sure we have everything we need for a surgical strike. The Crimson Coil is going hunting for bigger game."
A rare, almost predatory smile touched Roric's lips. "Excellent. The Serpent begins to uncoil its true strength."