Chapter 11—Amaya

A FEW HOURS LATER, Amaya paced the length of the cramped lab, mentally reviewing their plan. The air hummed with the low whir of machinery as she glanced at Xavier. "So, we're really doing this?"

Xavier nodded, his mismatched gaze fixed on the holographic display before him. "It's our best option. Zorn's private communications will give us the intel we need to stop Project Guardian."

Dr. Vex leaned against a workbench. "I've been working on a backdoor into his system for months. With your skills, Amaya, we should be able to crack it."

Her stomach twisted. What if she couldn't do it? "What's our timeline?" she asked, moving to stand beside Xavier.

"We have a small window during the facility's maintenance cycle," said Dr. Vex. "It's when security protocols are at their weakest. That gives us about thirty minutes to get in and out undetected."

Xavier's cybernetic eye pulsed with a soft green light as he processed the information. "And if we're caught?"

Dr. Vex's expression hardened. "Then we'll all be branded as traitors. Execution would be the best-case scenario."

Amaya swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly dry. "No pressure then."

She moved to the central console, tapping on the holographic keyboard. Lines of code scrolled across the screen as she began to build their infiltration program.

"Zara," said Amaya, not looking up from her work, "I need to know everything about Zorn's security measures. Every firewall and every encryption key."

Dr. Vex hesitated for a moment before joining her at the console. "Of course. I'll walk you through it."

As they worked side by side, Xavier's deep voice broke through her thoughts. "I've mapped out the facility's patrol routes. We'll have a clear path to the central hub during the maintenance cycle."

Amaya nodded, grateful for the distraction. "Good. We'll need you to handle any physical security measures we encounter."

As they continued to plan, the reality of their situation began to sink in. They were about to commit high treason against one of the most powerful military leaders in the galaxy. If they failed, the consequences would be dire not just for them, but for countless others who would fall victim to Project Guardian.

"Amaya," said Dr. Vex softly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I know this is difficult for you. I want you to know everything I did was to protect you and the others here."

Amaya tensed at the touch, her emotions warring within her. She wanted to believe Zara, to trust her as she always had, but the doubt lingered, a persistent whisper in the back of her mind. "I understand," she said, sounding strained even to her own ears, "But right now, we need to focus on the mission."

Xavier watched their interaction. "Perhaps we should take a moment to address any unresolved issues. Our success depends on trust and clear communication."

She sighed, pushing away from the console, as she turned to face Zara, searching the older woman's face for any sign of deception.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" asked Amaya. "I could have helped you."

Dr. Vex's shoulders sagged. "I wanted to protect you, Amaya. The less you knew, the safer you were. If Zorn had discovered my involvement, I couldn't risk him coming after you too."

Xavier stepped closer, his massive frame casting a shadow over them both. "Dr. Vex's actions, while deceptive, were born of a desire to safeguard those under her care. Is that not a commendable trait in a leader?"

Amaya chewed her lower lip, considering his words. "I suppose, but we're supposed to be a team. How can we work together if we're keeping secrets from each other?"

"You're right," said the doctor. "From now on, full transparency. No more secrets between us."

Amaya nodded slowly. "Okay. Let's get back to work then."

As they returned to their planning, Amaya shared smiles with Xavier any time their gazes met. His presence was reassuring, and she was glad to have him at her side. Hours passed as they fine-tuned their infiltration plan. Amaya's eyes burned from staring at screens, but she pushed through the fatigue. The stakes were too high for mistakes.

"I think we've got it," she said finally, leaning back in her chair. "The program should be able to bypass Zorn's security and give us access to his private communications."

Dr. Vex reviewed the code, a small smile of approval on her lips. "Impressive work, Amaya. I knew you were the right person for this job."

She tapped the holographic keyboard to execute her program, gaze fixed on the streams of data scrolling by. The lab hummed with the low thrum of machinery. Xavier stood nearby, moving closer to put a hand on her shoulder.

"I've got something," said Amaya with excitement. "There's a hidden data packet buried in the communications log."

Dr. Vex leaned in. "Can you decrypt it?"

Amaya nodded. "Give me a minute."

As she worked, Xavier's cybernetic eye pulsed with a soft green light. "Security protocols are holding. We have approximately eighteen minutes before the next system sweep."

Her mouth was dry as she navigated through layers of encryption. With each barrier she broke, a clearer picture emerged. "Oh, no," she whispered, her stomach dropping.

"What is it?" asked Dr. Vex, her voice sharp with concern.

Amaya swallowed hard. "It's worse than we thought. They're planning a test of the control chips on a nearby outpost hidden on a moon of Durmox C7—Helios Minor. Zorn wants to see how effectively they can manipulate a small population before moving forward with full-scale implementation."

Xavier's massive frame tensed. "When?"

"Three days from now," she said, scanning the data.

Dr. Vex's face paled. "We can't allow this to happen. If Zorn succeeds in controlling even a small population, it will be nearly impossible to stop Project Guardian."

Amaya nodded. "We need to infiltrate that outpost. If we can disrupt the test, it might buy us time to expose Zorn's plans to the rest of the military leadership."

Xavier crossed his arms, his mismatched eyes narrowing. "It's a significant risk. The outpost will be heavily guarded."

"Do we have a choice?" asked Amaya, looking between her companions. "If we do nothing, Zorn wins."

Dr. Vex sighed, rubbing her temples. "Amaya's right. We need to act." She turned to the console, pulling up a holographic map of the sector. "The outpost is here, on Helios Minor. It's ostensibly a small mining colony, population roughly five thousand, but it looks like he's quietly infiltrated it and turned it into his own secret base."

Amaya studied the map, already formulating a plan. "If we can get inside their systems, I might be able to sabotage the control chips before they're activated." She paused when he squeezed her shoulder, looking up at him. "I'm scared, but I can't stand by and let this happen when I have the skills to try to stop it."

He nodded. "I know, which is why I won't ask if you're sure you want to do this, or tell you that you don't have to. If you don't, it might be that no one else will. Your courage is admirable. I'll do everything in my power to ensure your safety during this mission."

She smiled, touched by his words, and put her hand over his on her shoulder, staring at him for a moment. "Thank you, Xavier. There's no one I trust more."

TWO DAYS LATER, AMAYA crouched in the cramped maintenance shaft of Admiral Zorn's personal shuttle. Her palms were sweaty, and the confined space did nothing to calm her racing heart. To her right, Xavier was squeezed into the tight shaft as well, his massive frame barely fitting in the narrow passage. Dr. Vex lay just behind them in another compartment, within hearing range but staying back to allow them room for the mission's critical components.

She shifted uncomfortably, the cold metal grating biting into her knees. The sharp smell of engine oil filled the space, and the muffled hum of the shuttle's systems vibrated beneath her hands. "Are you sure this will work?" she whispered.

Xavier's cybernetic eye whirred as it scanned the shuttle's systems. "My enhancements have bypassed the initial security protocols. We have approximately seven minutes before the next system sweep."

Amaya nodded, her fingers hovering over the holographic interface of her portable hacking device. She took a deep breath and initiated the intrusion sequence. Lines of code streamed across the display faster than she could follow, her program fighting against the shuttle's firewalls with every second. Her heart pounded as she battled the shuttle's defenses, her mind racing to stay ahead.

Behind them, Dr. Vex's voice crackled quietly through the comm link. "Focus on the data core. We need the full extent of Zorn's plan before we make a move."

"I know," she said, sweat beading on her forehead. After a tense few moments, a soft chime signaled success. She allowed herself a small smile. "I'm in. Accessing the main data core now."

As her fingers flew across the interface, more data than she had anticipated began flooding her screen. Her eyes widened at the sheer volume of classified information. "Xavier, look at this. It's worse than we thought."

He leaned closer, his cybernetic eye whirring as it processed the data. "What is it?"

"It's not just about controlling cyborgs. Zorn's planning to use the chips on humans too."

Amaya heard Dr. Vex sharply inhale through the comm link. "Human test subjects... That monster."

His expression darkened. "This goes beyond military applications. He intends to control the entire population."

Her stomach churned as she continued scrolling through the documents. "It's a multi-phase plan. First, they perfect the technology on cyborgs. Then they move on to human subjects. After that, it's galactic."

Dr. Vex's voice was trembling with fury. "I knew it was bad, but this could collapse every free society in the galaxy."

"We can't allow this to happen," said Xavier as he shifted, tensing in the confined space.

A sudden jolt rocked the shuttle, and her head slammed against the metal wall. She bit back a cry of pain, blinking stars from her vision.

"We've entered Helios Minor's atmosphere," said, steadying her with one massive hand.

Amaya winced, her hand pressed to the tender spot where her head had collided with the wall. "We need to find a secure hiding spot before we land."

"Agreed," said Xavier. He disconnected her hacking device and moved through the narrow passage. "Follow me."

Amaya and Dr. Vex crawled behind him, their movements slow and deliberate as they navigated the claustrophobic space. They finally emerged into the shuttle's dimly lit storage bay, with stacks of crates lining the walls. It was hardly comfortable, but it would have to do.

"Here," said Xavier, gesturing to a gap between two large containers. "This should conceal us until the crew disembarks."

They squeezed into the snug space, and the sharp edge of a crate dug into Amaya's side. Her pulse was erratic as they waited, listening to the muffled sounds of the shuttle descending. The shuttle shuddered as it touched down on Helios Minor, the jolt sending a fresh wave of tension through Amaya's body. She held her breath, straining to hear any sign of movement.

Footsteps echoed through the cargo bay. The sound of boots on metal grating grew louder, accompanied by low voices. "How long do you think we'll be stuck here?" asked one voice.

"Who knows? The Admiral's keeping this operation quiet. Could be days or weeks," said another.

Amaya exchanged a worried glance with Xavier, and she could sense the tension from Dr. Vex as well. They hadn't planned for an extended stay on Helios Minor, but they had no choice now. They'd have to figure out a way back to Durmox C7 once they stopped the admiral.

The voices faded, leaving them in silence once again. He carefully peeked out from their hiding spot. "The bay is clear. We should move while we have the chance."

Amaya's legs cramped as she uncurled from her crouched position. Dr. Vex followed, moving more slowly but with determination. Together, they crept toward the cargo bay doors, pausing at every creak of metal and hiss of machinery.

Just as they reached the exit, the unmistakable sound of footsteps echoed nearby. Xavier pulled them both behind a stack of crates, pressing them into the shadows.

Two guards walked past, engaged in a casual conversation. "Did you hear about the new batch of test subjects?"

"Yeah," said the other guard, his tone indifferent. "Fresh batch of cyborgs from the outer colonies. Poor bastards have no idea what's in store for them."

Amaya's fists clenched at her sides. She wanted to leap out, confront them, and demand answers, but Xavier's steady hand on her arm kept her from acting rashly. Dr. Vex seemed to be holding her breath, her usually composed face tight with anger.

Once the guards had passed, they slipped out of the cargo bay and into the harsh sunlight of Helios Minor. The barren landscape stretched before them, rust-colored rock and swirling dust storms painting a bleak picture.

The planet hadn't been undergoing terraforming for long—barely five years according to the records—so the air was thin, and the heat was oppressive. Amaya pulled a breath mask from her pack, securing it over her face while catching sight of the massive terraforming station in the distance. It was in the opposite direction of Zorn's secret base and would offer them no help or sanctuary if their mission went awry since it was fully automated.

"We need to find shelter," said Xavier, scanning the horizon with his cybernetic eye. "There's an abandoned mining outpost two kilometers east. It should provide cover while we plan our next move."

She nodded, adjusting her breath mask. They began their trek across the desolate terrain as the wind howled around them. The thin atmosphere made breathing difficult, even with the masks, and Amaya's lungs burned with the effort. Xavier, with his enhanced physiology, moved more easily, but even he showed signs of strain.

Dr. Vex's breathing came in shallow gasps behind them, her determination to keep up evident despite her struggle.

As they neared the outpost, she caught a flicker of movement near the entrance. Her heart leaped into her throat. "I saw something. Could be a sentry drone."

Xavier motioned for them to take cover behind a rocky outcropping. "Stay low. I'll check it out."

Before Amaya or Dr. Vex could protest, he moved with inhuman speed toward the outpost, his body blending into the rocky terrain. Amaya held her breath as he approached the entrance.

Suddenly, a high-pitched whine filled the air. A sleek, silver drone shot out from the entrance, its weapons powering up. Her pulse skipped as laser fire lit up the sky.

Xavier dove for cover, narrowly avoiding the barrage of fire, as she studied the drone. The drone's erratic flight pattern made it difficult to hit, but its design was outdated, and it was likely left over from the days before this mining site had been tapped out. There had to be a weakness.

"The gyroscopic stabilizer on that model is vulnerable," she shouted to Xavier so he could hear her over the wind. "It's exposed on the underside. Destroy it, and it won't be able to fly or target."

Xavier didn't hesitate. He waited for the drone to swoop low, then lunged forward, his cybernetic arm flashing out. He closed his fingers around the stabilizer, and with a sickening crunch, crushed the delicate component.

The drone spiraled out of control, crashing into the rocks below with a shower of sparks.

Amaya ran to his side, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "Are you okay?"

He nodded, his chest heaving. "Your quick thinking saved us."

Dr. Vex joined them, her face pale beneath her breath mask. "Well done, but we need to move. The sound of that crash might draw attention."

Amaya nodded, pushing aside the rush of adrenaline. They had a mission to complete, and they couldn't afford any more distractions.

They slipped inside the mining outpost, the eerie silence of the abandoned facility wrapping around them like a shroud. The air was thick with dust, and the walls creaked ominously as they moved through the interior. Once settled into a small, secure room, her mind raced with what they'd just discovered about Zorn's plans.

"We need to stop Zorn," she said softly, looking between Xavier and Dr. Vex. "Whatever it takes."

Her companions nodded, and she leaned closer to Xavier while passing Dr. Vex an injection to boost her oxygen circulation. She took one herself and cocked a brow at Xavier, but he shook his head.

"Don't need it. My oxygen sat rates are ninety-seven and climbing."

She nodded as she returned the hypodermic to the pack. Now, all they could do was wait for an opening to breach Zorn's secret base.

The hours passed slowly in the dim light of the mining outpost. She was exhausted, but her mind remained sharp, processing every piece of information they'd gathered so far. Xavier remained a steady presence beside her while Dr. Vex was less calm, pacing intermittently.

Finally, their opportunity came when the outpost's perimeter sensors, still functional despite the decay, picked up movement. There was a small patrol shuttle heading toward Zorn's secret facility. The patrol was likely changing shifts, and if they timed it right, they could slip into the facility undetected during the rotation.

"Now's our chance," whispered Xavier.

Amaya nodded, and with swift efficiency, they packed up their equipment. Dr. Vex paused briefly at the door to adjust her breathing mask. She seemed to still be struggling with impaired oxygen levels from the harsh environment of Helios Minor.

They moved quickly across the barren landscape, using the cover of the rocky terrain to shield themselves from the facility's sensors. The shuttle was already disappearing into the facility when they reached the exterior, and with Xavier's guidance, they bypassed the outer security systems with ease. His enhancements allowed him to detect and neutralize the various surveillance measures Zorn had in place, making their infiltration almost seamless.

They slipped through a side entrance, bypassing the main hangar where the shuttle had landed. Inside, the facility was eerily quiet, the sterile metal walls reflecting the low hum of the building's automated systems. The air was cooler here, the artificial atmosphere providing a strange contrast to the oppressive heat outside. There was oxygen circulating as well, making it easy to draw in a deep breath again.

Amaya's palms were sweaty when they moved deeper into the complex, each step bringing them closer to the core of Zorn's operation. From the data they had hacked, they knew Zorn's main lab was in the central wing, where he was conducting his most dangerous experiments.

Once they reached the inner corridor, Xavier motioned for them to take cover behind a stack of crates that lined the hallway. Amaya crouched low, her breath shallow as she peered around the edge of the crates. Ahead of them, two guards patrolled the area as Dr. Vex curled in beside her.

Xavier's cybernetic eye scanned the room, obviously calculating their approach. With a slight nod, he signaled for them to move forward. They crept along the wall, avoiding the guards' line of sight until they reached a service door leading to the lab.

With deft hands, he accessed the door's control panel. The door slid open with a soft hiss, revealing the heart of Zorn's secret operation. They darted in, making straight for a stack of crates and hiding themselves before anyone noticed.