Chapter 8—Simone

SIMONE STRODE ALONGSIDE Tiberius down the pristine corridor, the soft hum of machinery surrounding them. Her ponytail swayed with each purposeful step, and the crisp scent of disinfectant mingled with the earthy notes of potted plants lining the hall.

"Brick sounded urgent on the comm," said Tiberius, his deep voice reverberating. "I'm not sure what this is about."

Simone nodded, her brow furrowing slightly. "I hope it's nothing too serious." The possibility of another Sventian attack was never far from her mind, and her stomach clenched at the idea.

They turned a corner, and Tiberius palmed open a door, revealing a spacious office. Brick, one of the Iron Wolves mercenaries, stood by the window, his muscular frame silhouetted against the vibrant alien sky.

"You wanted to see me?" asked Tiberius, his tone clipped.

Brick pivoted, his expression grave. "We've got a situation, Commander." His gaze flickered to Simone. "Might be best if the doc hears this too."

Tiberius gestured for him to continue, his jaw tightening imperceptibly.

"Scout team picked up chatter about a potential raid," said Brick, his words measured. "Word is, the Sventian Scourge is coming back for more. They want the tech for themselves, but Vorn wants the doc dead for shooting him."

A heavy silence hung in the air as Simone processed the information. The Sventian Scourge, a ruthless band of space pirates, were coming back. Even worse, she was personally marked for death after shooting their leader.

"When?" Tiberius's single word carried a weight that made the hairs on Simone's nape prickle.

"Intercepted transmissions suggest they'll strike within the next cycle," said Brick grimly. "We need to finish fortifying our defenses, and fast."

Tiberius nodded, his expression hardening. "Gather the team. We'll strategize and implement countermeasures immediately and verify all our previous plans are finished." His gaze met Simone's, a silent question in his eyes.

She understood his unspoken query. "The biocircuit integration could give us an edge," she said, her mind already whirring with possibilities. "If we can enhance the remaining Iron Wolves, their reaction times and combat capabilities would increase exponentially."

Tiberius's features softened ever so slightly, a glimmer of pride flickering in his eyes. "You're certain the procedure is ready for widespread implementation?"

"I'm as sure as I can be with you as our only data point." She shrugged. "We've ironed out the kinks, and the fusion reactor is stable. With your team's skills combined with cybernetic enhancements, we'll be an unstoppable force, but it should be voluntary."

Brick shifted, his expression a mix of curiosity and alarm. "You want to turn us into cyborgs, doc?"

Simone met his gaze steadily. "Not cyborgs, per se. More like...augmented humans. The biocircuit interface integrates seamlessly with your biological systems, enhancing your natural abilities without compromising your humanity."

Tiberius nodded, his jaw set with determination. "Brick, assemble the team in the briefing room. We'll go over the details and address any concerns."

As Brick departed, Tiberius turned to Simone, his eyes burning with an intensity that sent a frisson of electricity through her veins. "You ready for this?"

She reached out, her fingers brushing his arm, the contact sending a jolt of energy through her circuits. "Yes." Her voice was laden with conviction and something deeper, more primal.

Tiberius held her gaze for a heartbeat longer before giving a curt nod. "Then let's get to work. The Sventian Scourge won't know what hit them." Side by side, they strode from the office, their steps in sync.

THE brIEFING ROOM HUMMED with a taut energy as Simone addressed the assembled Iron Wolves. Tiberius stood at her side, his presence a reassuring bulwark against the weight of the situation.

"I know this is a lot to take in," she said, her voice carrying calm authority she deliberately infused, "But the biocircuit integration is our best chance against the Sventian threat."

Izzy stepped forward, a holographic display flickering to life beside her. "The procedure involves integrating an advanced neural interface directly into your cerebral cortex." Detailed schematics rotated in the air, illustrating the intricate technology. "This will allow seamless communication between your biological neurons and the cybernetic enhancements."

A low murmur rippled through the mercenaries, their expressions ranging from curiosity to outright skepticism. Hawk, the team's sharp-eyed sniper, raised a slender hand. "And these...enhancements? What exactly are we talking about?"

Simone's lips curved into a faint smile. "Enhanced cognitive processing speeds, augmented senses, and increased strength and reaction times. With the fusion reactor powering the neural interface, you'll be operating at peak human capacity...and beyond."

Lancer, the team's resident tech expert, leaned forward, his eyes alight with interest. "Essentially, we become...cyborgs?"

"Not quite," said Tiberius, his deep voice commanding attention. "You'll retain your humanity, your free will. The enhancements will amplify your existing abilities without compromising who you are."

Doc, the team's medic, frowned. "And the risks? We're talking about rewriting our neural pathways here."

Izzy's fingers tapped across the holographic controls, pulling up a new set of schematics. "The biocircuit materials are bio-compatible, designed to integrate seamlessly with your biological systems. We've run countless simulations, and the procedure is as safe as we can make it."

Silence hung heavy in the room as the Iron Wolves digested the information. Finally, Brick said, "If it means keeping this colony safe, I'm in."

One by one, the others nodded their assent, their expressions hardening. All except Hawk, who remained still, her brow wrinkled. She exhaled slowly, her shoulders rising and falling. "I...need some time to think about this."

Simone offered her a reassuring smile. "Of course. This is a big decision, and we want you all to be certain." Her gaze swept over the assembled team. "Get some rest. We'll begin the procedures at 0600 tomorrow on anyone who volunteers. This isn't compulsory."

THE MEDBAY THRUMMED with a focused energy as Simone and Izzy made the final preparations, converting one of the rooms to a makeshift lab to make the process go faster and smoother, since the lab wasn't really equipped for conversions. They'd made it work with Tiberius due to necessity, but she wanted it to be easier this time with the number of conversions ahead of them. Banks of monitors cast a cool, blue glow over the sterile space, and the air carried the faint tang of disinfectant.

"Neural interface is online and synced," said Izzy, fingers moving over the holographic controls. "Fusion reactor is primed and ready for power transfer."

Simone nodded, her gaze sweeping over the assembled Iron Wolves. Brick, Lancer, and Doc lay on the bio-beds, their expressions stoic but all revealing some level of anxiety. Tiberius stood vigil, his presence a reassuring constant. Hawk had opted out, at least thus far.

"Initiating neural integration sequence," said Simone, voice ringing with calm authority.

A series of soft whirs and clicks filled the air as the intricate machinery hummed to life. Simone watched, her heart accelerating as the neural interfaces extended hairline tendrils, delicately breaching the mercenaries' skulls and interfacing with their cerebral cortices.

Brick tensed, his massive frame going rigid for a heartbeat before relaxing. "Whoa..." His voice held a note of wonder. "It's like...my mind just expanded."

Lance's eyes widened, his gaze darting around the room with newfound clarity. "I can process everything so quickly. It's...incredible."

Doc remained silent, his expression one of intense focus as the integration sequence reached its crescendo.

"Power transfer commencing," said Izzy. "Fusion reactor output at fifteen percent and rising."

A low thrum filled the air, the vibrations resonating in Simone's bones as the reactor poured its energy into the neural interfaces. Readouts flickered across the monitors, data streaming in a dizzying cascade of numbers and waveforms.

Simone held her breath, every fiber of her being focused on the intricate dance of technology and biology unfolding before her. This was the moment, the culmination of years of research and countless sleepless nights.

"Reactor output at fifty percent," called out Izzy, her voice taut with concentration. "Biocircuit integration holding steady."

Tiberius moved closer, his gaze locked on the monitors and his expression inscrutable. Simone was drawn to him, his presence anchoring her amidst the maelstrom of data and energy.

"Eighty percent and rising," said Izzy.

Simone's fingers tightened around the railing, her knuckles whitening with the strain. The thrum built to a crescendo, the air itself seeming to vibrate with the sheer power coursing through the biocircuit interfaces. Her heart paused for a full beat as her every sense attuned to the events unfolding.

In a blinding surge of energy, the fusion reactor reached its peak output, flooding the neural interfaces with its boundless power. For a breathless moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. Tiberius stumbled slightly, clearly getting a full jolt of the power. It had been hovering around eighty percent for him until now, after Izzy made some refinements during their preparations.

With a series of soft chimes, the monitors practically spat out data, displaying a dizzying array that spoke of seamless integration and optimal functionality.

"It worked..." Izzy's voice was a reverent whisper, her eyes wide with awe. "They're online and at max power."

Simone exhaled a shuddering breath, sagging with relief and exhilaration. She turned to Tiberius, her eyes shining with unshed tears of joy and triumph.

He grinned at her. "It's a helluva a rush, love."

She laughed at that as the Iron Wolves stirred, their eyes flickering open with clarity and purpose. Simone allowed herself a moment to bask in the achievement. They had taken the first step into a bold, new frontier, and the path ahead promised untold wonders and challenges, but for now, they had made history.

THE PROCEDURE HAD GONE flawlessly for Brick, Lancer, and Doc, but as Simone turned her attention to Hawk, who'd arrived moments before with the last-minute decision to upgrade, a sense of unease rippled through her. The lithe sniper lay motionless on the bio-bed, her features etched with a tension that belied the serene environment of the med-bay.

Simone moved closer, her steps quiet on the sterile floor. "Hawk?" She kept her voice low, mindful of the other mercenaries, who were still acclimating to their new abilities. "Are you ready?"

Hawk's gray eyes flicked open, revealing apprehension, uncertainty, and a fleeting glimpse of vulnerability rarely seen in the unflappable warrior. With a slow exhalation, Hawk gave a curt nod. "Do it."

Simone felt Tiberius move to her side, his presence reassuring. She drew strength from his proximity, allowing it to steady her as she initiated the neural integration sequence.

The air hummed with energy as the delicate tendrils extended, breaching Hawk's skull with surgical precision. Simone watched enthralled, certain she'd never get tired of watching this process. Her breath caught in her throat as the neural interface established its connection, weaving itself into the intricate tapestry of Hawk's mind.

For a moment, all was still, the only sound the soft beeping of the monitors. Then, Hawk's body went rigid, her back arching as a strangled gasp tore from her lips.

"Hawk?" Tiberius's voice was a low rumble of concern as he moved closer.

Hawk's eyes flew open, wide and wild, her gaze darting around the room with a feral intensity. Her chest heaved, each breath coming in ragged gasps as her fingers clenched the edges of the bio-bed.

"Easy, soldier," said Tiberius, his tone carrying a gentle authority. "You're safe. Just breathe."

Hawk seemed not to hear him, trembling as a low, keening whine escaped her lips. Simone's chest constricted as she recognized the signs of a panic attack taking hold. "Izzy, abort the procedure," she said with urgency.

Izzy's fingers flew over the controls, but before she could initiate the abort sequence, Hawk's body went rigid once more. A guttural cry tore from her lips, raw and primal, as the neural interface completed its integration.

The monitors flickered to life, streaming data across the displays in a dizzying cascade of numbers and waveforms. Simone took a deep breath as she watched the readouts, her mind struggling to process what she was seeing.

"Simone..." Izzy's voice was hushed, tinged with awe and trepidation. "Her neural integration is off the charts. I've never seen anything like this."

"I'm not surprised. She's only the fifth person..." She trailed off, moving closer to the soldier still on the biobed.

Hawk's body thrashed, her muscles straining against invisible bonds as a low, guttural growl rumbled in her throat. Tiberius moved closer, looking frightened, but Simone held up a hand, halting him in his tracks.

"Wait..." She kept her voice low, her eyes locked on the wildly fluctuating readouts. "Something's happening, and we might kill her if we disrupt the process."

For a moment, he seemed poised to separate Hawk from the equipment anyway, but then he took a step back. The world seemed to hold its breath as, with a final, bone-rattling shudder, Hawk's body went still.

Silence descended, heavy and oppressive, as Simone watched the monitors with bated breath. Hawk wasn't dead, but her current state was ambiguous. Slowly, agonizingly, the readouts began to stabilize, the wild fluctuations evening out into a steady, rhythmic pulse.

Finally, her eyes flickered open, and Simone was caught in a gaze that seemed to pierce straight through to her soul. There was a razor-sharp focus that sent a shiver racing down her spine. It felt like Hawk could see her thoughts as she was thinking them.

"Hawk?" Tiberius's voice was laced with cautious concern.

For a heartbeat, she remained motionless, her eyes locked on Simone's. Then, with a slow, measured exhalation, she inclined her head in a subtle nod. "I'm...operational," she said, sounding the same as ever.

A tremor of relief coursed through Simone, tempered by a lingering sense of unease. She had witnessed something profound that defied her understanding of the biocircuit integration process.

As Hawk rose from the bio-bed, her movements fluid and graceful, Simone couldn't wait to see how the sniper performed on the integration tests. She had a feeling Hawk had acclimated and bonded with the biocircuits on a level far deeper than any of her comrades, even Tiberius. It was promising for the future, but she wanted to know Hawk's limits first.