The day before the planned infiltration of the Cerberus warehouse – "Operation Cerberus Sting," as Roric had formally dubbed it – Sub-Station Epsilon was a hive of quiet, focused activity. The atmosphere was thick with a tension that was almost palpable. Kai's Anima Core Stability was at 93%, thanks to a particularly… successful Umbra hunt the previous night against a trio of overconfident debt collectors who had mistaken him for easy prey. The EXP gained had pushed him tantalizingly close to Level 5.
He spent the morning in a final review of the plan with Roric and the team. The holographic display showed the Serpent's Mouth tunnel entrance and the projected route Shift had meticulously mapped based on her Anima's senses and Zip's daring, high-speed visual fly-throughs of the initial sections. "Shift's confirmed the intermittent electronic signatures within Serpent's Mouth are old city transit line controls, likely bypassed by Cerberus if they use this route at all," Roric summarized. "No active, dedicated security systems detected in the immediate tunnel network. The primary risk remains physical blockages, structural instability, or unexpected patrols within the deeper sections leading to the warehouse substructure."
"Zip and I did a final close recon of the Serpent's Mouth entrance last night," Breaker rumbled, his Gorgon Anima making his voice even deeper. "No change in external conditions. It's as quiet as a tomb." "A tomb we're about to crack open," Zip added, his usual nervous energy now channeled into a sharp focus. His Dragonfly Anima was at full charge.
Kai looked at his team. They were still D-Grade MODS, their Animas nascent, but the past week of intensive preparation and focused training under Roric's demanding regimen had forged them into a more cohesive unit. Shift's Phase Spider abilities, while still limited in range, were becoming more adept at sifting useful intel from data noise. Breaker's control over his Dermal Petrification was improving, allowing for more targeted, energy-efficient hardening. Zip, through grueling stamina drills, could now manage an extra burst or two with his Dragonfly speed before burnout. They weren't elite, not by a long shot, but they were his crew, The Crimson Coil, and they were ready.
"Our infiltration window opens at 0100 hours," Roric stated, his gaze sweeping over them. "That's when Cerberus security patrols are at their lightest, according to my… sources. Shift, you and I will establish a remote command post two blocks from the warehouse, providing comms coordination and attempting to monitor any Cerberus network activity. Kai, Breaker, Zip – you are the insertion team. Stealth and speed are paramount until you reach the cache. Then, acquire what you can, prioritize the advanced weaponry, and prepare for a loud exfiltration."
He turned to Kai. "The diversion Zip creates upon your exit needs to be significant enough to draw the bulk of their response away from Serpent's Mouth. I've provided him with several… enhanced sonic charges and high-intensity chemical flares. They should create considerable confusion."
Kai nodded. He felt a strange calm settling over him. The fear was still there, a cold knot in his gut, but it was overlaid with a sharp, almost predatory focus. He had his role, his team had theirs. He still had his 8 undistributed attribute points, a final ace up his sleeve if needed mid-operation.
His final Daily Quest before the operation was a System-initiated "Mental Fortitude Exercise," requiring him to maintain a meditative state and resist simulated fear and stress Anima incursions. Completing it granted him +50 EXP – enough to push him over the threshold.
[CONDUIT LEVEL UP! Level 4 -> Level 5!] [Level Up Rewards: +1 to all Core Attributes. +3 Undistributed Attribute Points. +1 Skill Point.] [Total Undistributed Attribute Points: 11. Total Available Skill Points: 1.] (He had used one on Scaled Guard). [New System Functions Unlocked: Anima Manifestation Refinement (Allows targeted improvement of existing Draconic Arts through focused practice and EXP expenditure), Anima Aura Projection (Minor – Basic intimidation/presence amplification).]
Level 5. And new, intriguing System functions. "Anima Manifestation Refinement" – that sounded like exactly what he needed to improve his Shadow-Coil Strike and Dermal Plating beyond just their base ranks. "Anima Aura Projection"… that could be useful for a leader.
He quickly allocated his new attribute points, bolstering his core stats further, with a particular focus on Anima Affinity, hoping to unlock more potent draconic abilities sooner. 'System, allocate 4 points to Anima Affinity, 3 points to Vitality, 3 points to Agility, and 1 point to Strength.' [Attribute Points Allocated. Anima Affinity, Vitality, Agility, Strength Increased.] [New Anima Affinity: 10. Threshold Reached! New Tier 2 Anima Affinity Specializations available for Shadow Scale Draconic Anima. Draconic Combat Arts (Tier 1) effectiveness marginally increased.]
Anima Affinity 10! Tier 2 Specializations! He didn't have time to explore them now, but the surge of power, the deeper connection to his draconic core, was undeniable. It was a timely boost, a sign, perhaps.
That evening, as the team made their final gear checks – silenced projectile weapons Roric had procured, basic breaching tools for Breaker, Zip's array of miniaturized sensors and diversionary devices, Kai's own Umbra mask and cloak carefully stowed for now – a sense of grim purpose united them.
"Remember the plan," Kai said, his voice resonating with a quiet authority amplified by his newly unlocked "Anima Aura Projection," a subtle pressure that made the others focus intently. "We move as one. We strike as one. We get those weapons, and we show Cerberus that The Crimson Coil is not to be underestimated." He looked at each of them – Shift's cool intellect, Breaker's stoic strength, Zip's nervous energy now honed into sharp anticipation, and Roric's unwavering, calculating confidence.
"Tonight," Roric said, a rare, almost imperceptible smile touching his lips, "the Serpent strikes from the shadows. Let's give them something to remember."
The eve of the Cerberus Gambit had arrived.