Chapter 478: Inside Contact
The night was deep. Inside an abandoned parts warehouse on the outskirts of Junktown, only a few rays of moonlight penetrated through the cracks in the damaged roof, casting mottled spots of light on the dust-covered floor.
The air was permeated with the smell of rusted metal and degraded machine oil.
Ryo arrived ahead of the agreed time and conducted a thorough security sweep of the warehouse, confirming the absence of surveillance equipment or unexpected visitors.
He stood silently in the shadows, his massive mechanical body blending into the surrounding darkness, with only his optical lenses occasionally flashing a faint red light.
A small door on the side of the warehouse made a slight noise, and Elias's figure appeared in the doorway.
He pulled his hazmat suit tighter and warily surveyed his surroundings, his face bearing unconcealable tension. Upon seeing Ryo, he visibly breathed a sigh of relief and walked over briskly.
"No one followed you, right?" Ryo's voice sounded exceptionally clear in the cavernous warehouse.
"No, I circled around a few times before coming over," Elias's voice was a bit rushed, his breathing slightly erratic. "You said there was an important matter to explain in person."
"The plan has been formulated." Ryo did not waste time on pleasantries. "Your role is of paramount importance; it directly relates to the success or failure of the operation, and whether you can leave this place alive."
Elias swallowed hard and nodded, his eyes holding both fear and a trace of resolve. "What do I need to do?"
Ryo took out his servo-skull.
Once activated, the servo-skull projected a simplified schematic of Junktown's subterranean structure, highlighting several locations flashing with red dots. "This is the operational map generated based on the information you provided, combined with other data."
"You have two primary tasks, which must be executed at the exact same time the attack commences."
He pointed to one of the red dots, located in the mid-level zone of the underground structure.
"This is the primary energy distribution node K-7. It is responsible for routing the Core's energy to most of the defensive turrets on the eastern and northern flanks. Your first task is to cause physical damage to this node."
Elias leaned in for a closer look, his brow furrowed.
"Node K-7... I know that place. The security isn't too tight, but I need a valid reason to enter, and the act of sabotage itself might trigger a localized alarm."
"Therefore, timing is critical," Ryo explained. "Thirty seconds before the attack begins, you will receive an encrypted signal. Once the signal is received, you have twenty seconds to reach the node's location. At the exact moment the attack officially commences, you must complete the sabotage. By then, the overall chaos will mask the localized alarm."
He switched the display, revealing another marked point.
"The second task is here—Central Control Sub-station B-12. According to your description, this is the secondary confirmation node for the self-destruct command."
Elias's face turned even paler.
"B-12... there is a dedicated line connecting directly to the Patriarch's office from there. If the self-destruct command is initiated, this place is responsible for conducting the secondary verification."
"Your task is to interfere with this verification process." Ryo gazed at him. "You don't need to completely block it; you only need to create a sufficient delay. Even buying ten to twenty extra seconds will be enough to alter the situation."
As he spoke, Ryo took out a thin metallic chip slightly larger than a fingernail, bearing no markings on its surface.
"This is a miniature jammer. You simply need to attach it to any metallic surface inside the B-12 console to activate it. It will release an electromagnetic pulse at a specific frequency to interfere with data transmission, but it will not trigger conventional electronic countermeasure alarms."
Elias cautiously took the jammer, his fingers trembling slightly.
"If... if it gets discovered..."
"That is why you must choose your timing and placement carefully," Ryo's tone remained steady. "The chaos at the onset of the attack is your best cover. Everyone's attention will be drawn to the external situation."
He retracted the display, his gaze locking onto Elias's face.
"Remember the sequence of operations: first, sabotage node K-7 to ensure partial paralysis of the external defenses; then immediately head to B-12 to install the jammer. These two tasks must be completed within three minutes. Afterward, your task is to protect yourself and await extraction."
Elias took a deep breath and carefully stowed the jammer away.
"I understand. But... can you truly guarantee that you will secure the Core before the self-destruct sequence is initiated?"
"That is the primary objective of the assault force." Ryo did not answer his question directly. "You only need to focus on your part. Your successful operation will buy them precious time."
The warehouse fell into a brief silence, with only the faint sound of condensation dripping from distant pipes echoing in the emptiness.
Elias was clearly engaged in a fierce internal struggle. Fine beads of sweat seeped from his forehead, and he subconsciously stroked the pocket where he had just stored the jammer, as if using this action to confirm the weight of the reality before him.
"After this is done," he finally spoke again, his voice drier than before, as if every word had to be forcefully squeezed from his throat, "can you really cure me? And guarantee my future within the Adeptus Mechanicus?"
"That is part of the agreement," Ryo replied steadily and affirmatively, without any hesitation. "Your contribution will determine your future position. The Adeptus Mechanicus values capable technical personnel. Your skills, along with the loyalty proven in this operation, will earn you the status and resources you deserve."
This promise seemed to grant Elias his final resolve.
He straightened his posture, the hesitation in his eyes gradually replaced by the firm determination of burning his bridges.
"I will complete the mission. No matter what happens."
Over the next hour, Ryo detailed the specific steps of the operation, including how Elias should explain his presence at those locations at that specific time, how to handle various unexpected situations, and which safe point to proceed to for extraction after completing the mission.
They repeatedly verified every link to ensure Elias fully understood his tasks, even simulating several possible contingencies and response plans.
When the final detail was confirmed, Ryo gave his last instruction: "From now on, maintain normalcy. Do not arouse any suspicion. Wait for the signal; it will be your sole directive to commence the operation."
Elias nodded, pulling his hazmat suit tight again, as if to tightly wrap the resolve he had just obtained. He then slipped silently out of the warehouse, his figure swiftly blending into the darkness outside the door.
Ryo remained in place, his optical lenses watching the direction where Elias had disappeared. His processors had already begun simulating various possible contingencies and response plans.
This young man's resolve appeared sufficiently firm, but at the juncture of life and death, anyone might waver.
He had to be fully prepared, ensuring that even if a variable arose on Elias's end, the overall operation still had backup plans ready to be executed.
In the silent warehouse, only the cooling systems within his body emitted a nearly inaudible, low-frequency hum.
(End of Chapter)