The maintenance shaft MS-7 was a claustrophobic nightmare of rusted rungs, dripping pipes, and the oppressive stench of decay and stagnant water. Kai, as Umbra, moved with painstaking care, his "Shadow Meld" active, making him a near-invisible ripple in the profound darkness. His newly enhanced Agility (now 9) and his "Draconic Momentum" passive were crucial here, allowing him to navigate the treacherous ascent with a silent, fluid grace that belied the cramped conditions. His Draconic Energy Reserves ticked down slowly, the sustained "Shadow Meld" a constant, moderate drain: 95%... 92%...
"Roric, Breaker, diversion status?" Kai whispered into his comm, his voice a modulated hiss. "Diversion initiated, Umbra," Roric's voice replied. "A minor turf dispute between two… 'persuaded'… street gangs is currently escalating quite theatrically near the Serpent's Coil main entrance. Cerberus street enforcers are converging on the scene. You should have a clear window for the next ten to fifteen minutes." "Good," Kai acknowledged. He reached what the schematics indicated was the fifth-level access point – a small, heavily rusted maintenance hatch. His "Claws of the Shadow Drake" made short work of the corroded locking mechanism, the obsidian talons slicing through the ancient metal with a faint, grating sound.
He slipped through the hatch into a narrow, dusty service corridor, identical to countless others in the Warrens. According to Shift's remote analysis of the building's layout (based on Elara's schematics and some daring, close-range passive scans Shift had conducted earlier), Vane's apartment was three doors down on the left. The corridor itself was supposed to be clear, but the pressure sensors outside Vane's door, and the two dedicated guards, were the primary obstacles.
As he moved silently down the corridor, his Draconic Senses on high alert, the System suddenly pinged: [SYSTEM WARNING: Unidentified Energy Fluctuation Detected! Proximity: 10 meters. Source: Concealed Ceiling Panel. Nature: Probable Laser Tripline or Wide-Spectrum Motion Sensor – Old Republic Tech Signature (Degraded)!] Old Republic tech? Here? In a District 6 hab-block? That was unexpected, and incredibly dangerous. Cerberus, or Vane himself, had access to defenses far beyond standard syndicate gear.
"Roric, Shift," Kai hissed into his comm. "Unexpected variable. System's flagging a concealed Old Republic sensor in the ceiling panel just before Vane's corridor section. Laser tripline or advanced motion detector. It wasn't on the schematics." There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end. "Old Republic?" Roric's voice was tight. "That's… highly unusual for a Cerberus safehouse. Shift, can you get a read on it? Can it be bypassed?" "Trying, Roric," Shift replied, her voice strained. "The energy signature is faint, heavily shielded… It's not broadcasting, it's purely passive until triggered. If it's OR tech, my usual bypass protocols might not work, or could even activate it unpredictably. Kai, can you see any physical way to disable it or go around?"
Kai scanned the ceiling panel. It was seamlessly integrated, almost invisible. No obvious access points. Going around it in this narrow corridor was impossible without triggering it. He was too close. His "Energy Sense," the lingering gift from the Aurelia data-chip, tingled. He could feel the faint, dormant power within the panel, the subtle thrum of ancient, waiting technology. And he could also sense… a flaw. A tiny, almost imperceptible fluctuation in its energy field near one edge, as if a connection was frayed, or a power conduit was degrading.
"There's a weak point," Kai whispered. "A slight energy dip on its right edge. If I can deliver a precise, contained energy pulse there, something to overload that specific section without triggering the main sensor array…" He thought of the OR-infused energy his Draconic Power Source now carried. [SYSTEM SUGGESTION: Conduit's Draconic/OR Hybrid Energy may be capable of creating a targeted, resonant EMP effect to temporarily disable the Old Republic sensor. Risk: High (Potential for uncontrolled energy discharge, sensor overload triggering failsafe alarm, or direct feedback to Conduit). Requires precise Anima channeling and modulation.]
"I can try to disrupt it with my own energy," Kai told Roric. "It's risky." "Do you have another option, Umbra?" Roric asked, his voice grim. Kai didn't. He took a deep breath, focusing his will, drawing on that strange, dual energy within him – the fiery draconic core and the cool, azure Old Republic echo. He extended a clawed finger, a single obsidian talon shimmering with faint blue sparks. He carefully, precisely, touched the edge of the ceiling panel where he'd sensed the energy dip. He released a tiny, controlled pulse of his hybrid Anima.
For a heart-stopping moment, nothing happened. Then, the panel emitted a faint hiss, a puff of ozone, and the barely perceptible thrum of its dormant energy signature died. [Old Republic Sensor Array: Temporarily Disabled (Localized OR-Energy Overload). Duration: Approx. 90 seconds. Anima Energy Cost: Moderate. Skill: 'Energy Sense' proficiency increased.] [Draconic Energy Reserves: 75%.]
"Sensor down," Kai breathed, a wave of relief washing over him. "But I don't know for how long." "Move, Kai! Now!" Roric urged. Kai darted past the disabled panel, reaching the section of corridor directly outside Vane's apartment. Two heavily armed Cerberus guards, their faces hard and alert, flanked the reinforced plasteel door. They hadn't reacted to the sensor going down, which meant it was indeed a silent system.
He had less than ninety seconds before that OR sensor potentially reactivated. He needed to take these guards down fast, and silently. His "Shadow Meld" was still active, but these were professionals, likely with enhanced optic implants that could pierce basic stealth. He needed more than just invisibility. He needed overwhelming surprise and precision. He activated his "Draconic Presence," focusing its unsettling aura directly on the two guards. He saw them stiffen, their eyes darting nervously, a flicker of primal fear touching their hardened features. Then, he struck.