Diego bent forward above the piping hot udon at Tanaka's outdoor seating, remember the last time he was here. The led signs of Shinjuku district painted the wet streets in garish colors, but he barely noticed. His mind churned with the APU's latest rejection letter.

  "We regret to inform you, your application has been denied due to lack of merit," he growled, spearing a white cube of bean curd. "As if those bureaucrats understand what defines true merit." Three decades in warfare, and what remained? Just battle wounds and nightmares that stalked his sleep. Now he couldn't even get his own daughter off this dying rock.

  Late-night diners skirted his isolated perch at the counter. His aura radiated a silent warning that made them maintain their space. Three decades in the field had left that mark on him. He knew he projected danger the way a coiled serpent signals with its rattle, or a threatened canine bristles its fur.

  The vehicles wove through the crowd of people traversing the intersection. A polished ebony sedan glided to a stop at the sidewalk. Kaito stepped out, his immaculate designer suit and pristine nails standing in stark opposition to Diego's worn hide coat.

  "Martinez-san." Kaito gave a slight bow before taking the adjacent stool.

  "Cut the formalities, Kaito." The words came out with a low rumble, while the denial notice seared against his thigh like an armed explosive. "You understand my reason for coming."

  "Ah yes, the exodus ships." Kaito ordered sake with a subtle gesture. "I hear the screening process is quite... selective."

  "It's bullshit. I've got good people - family - who deserve a shot. But the APU won't even look at their applications."

  "And you think I might know someone who could help?" The younger man's voice carried a note of resignation.

  "You always know someone, Kaito. That's why you're still breathing after all these years." Diego said with disgust in his voice.

  Diego caught the flicker of hurt in Kaito's eyes. The younger man's polite mask slipped for just a moment, enough to make Diego's gut twist with shame. He'd saved Kaito's family during a drone attack - what, 20 years ago now? The kid had been barely knee-high back then.

  "You disappoint me, Martinez-san." Kaito's voice remained steady, but carried an edge. "After all we've been through, you treat me like some common street fixer?"

  The sake arrived. Diego stared into his bowl, the noodles growing cold. "You're right. I'm sorry, kid. This rejection's got me wound tight."

  "I am not a kid anymore." Kaito straightened his tie, a gesture that reminded Diego of how far that scared boy had come. "And you taught me better than to let anger cloud judgment."

  "Hard lessons from hard times." Diego picked up his chopsticks again, this time with less force. "Remember those rogue drones? Never thought I'd see AI turn on civilians like that."

  "I remember everything." Kaito's expression softened. "My father spoke of you often, before he passed. He said you showed him what true honor looked like that day."

  The signs buzzed overhead, casting alternating shadows. Diego felt the tension drain from his shoulders.

  "Look, Kaito. I need help, but I shouldn't have come at you sideways like that. You've earned more respect."

  "Now that sounds more like the Diego Martinez I know." Kaito raised his sake cup. "Shall we discuss your problem properly?"

  As the comforting steam from Diego's bowl began to dissipate, the noise of Shinjuku swirled around them. The clatter of dishes, the laughter of customers, and the distant hum of life faded into the background, focusing Diego's attention on Kaito. The younger man's eyes sparkled with a mix of mischief and seriousness, a light reflecting the uncharted potential of their conversation.

  Diego felt the tension in the air shift. It was no longer just a casual chat between old friends; Kaito had something significant on his mind. He leaned forward, instinctively allowing his chopsticks to rest on the edge of the bowl. The neon colors danced around, creating an ambiance that felt almost surreal.

  Kaito took a sip of his sake, his gaze steady and unwavering. "This isn't just idle chatter, Diego. The information I have could change everything for you and those you care about."

  Diego narrowed his eyes, preparing for whatever unconventional idea Kaito was about to unveil. He had experienced enough madness in his life to know that nothing was too far-fetched anymore.

  "Alright," Diego said, crossing his arms. "You’ve got my attention. Let’s hear it."

  Kaito's lips curled into a knowing smile, and he slid closer, as if they were conspirators in a grand secret. The lights flickered above, momentarily dimming, adding a dramatic flair to what he was about to reveal.

  "The ships aren't the only way off this rock, you know."

  Kaito swirled the sake in his cup, his reflection fragmenting in the liquid. "The ships aren't the only way off this rock, you know."

  Diego's chopsticks paused halfway to his mouth. "What are you talking about?"

  "Have you heard of Dr. Olivia Smith?" Kaito's voice dropped lower. "She's working on something interesting down in Mexico. An interdimensional quantum gateway."

  "Sounds like science fiction bullshit." Diego slurped up some more of his noodles.

  "The APU thought so too. That's why they cut her funding." Kaito set his cup down. "But my sources tell me she's close to a breakthrough. The technology exists - they've already achieved stable connections. They just need resources to scale it up."

  Diego's mind raced through the possibilities. "And you're telling me this why?"

  "Because you have connections, Martinez-san. People trust you. And more importantly, you know how to get things done quietly." Kaito straightened his cuffs. "Dr. Smith needs funding. We need alternatives to those overcrowded ships. Perhaps we could help each other."

  "An interdimensional door." Diego shook his head. "Jesus Christ, Kaito. Even if it works, where does it go?"

  "That's the beautiful part. They've detected a habitable environment. Thier short probes have shown no sentient life forms there." Kaito's usually controlled expression cracked into something close to excitement. "Think about it - instead of cramming onto ships bound for a dead Mars, we could step through to somewhere actually livable."

  Diego pushed his bowl aside. The signs painted patterns across its surface as he considered Kaito's words. After all the wars, all the fighting over dwindling resources, the idea of simply stepping through a door to somewhere new seemed almost too good to be true.

  "Alright, kid. Tell me more about this Dr. Smith."

  Kaito raises eyebrow at the word kid shakes head and continues, "Let's see Dr Smith used to work with Dr Elena Mendez on that new energy solution back a few years ago. ZPE you hear of it?

  "Yeah something like Zero Point Energy, some science fiction crap where they pull power out of thin air or some horse shit?"

  Kaito's polite mask cracked into an eager grin. "It's not science fiction anymore," Kaito said, leaning forward. "Remember how your old phone couldn't send pictures, then suddenly it could? Same principle - the technology was always possible, we just needed to crack the code. Dr. Smith did exactly that, but with doors between worlds instead of text messages."

  Diego rubbed his temples. "So you're telling me this Dr. Smith powers her magic doorway with invisible space particles?"

  "Quantum fluctuations," Kaito corrected, his enthusiasm undimmed by Diego's skepticism. "The same principles that make your phone work, just on a much grander scale. The technology exists, Martinez-san. I've seen the prototype myself."

  "Right." Diego drained his sake cup. "And I suppose next you'll tell me unicorns are real too."

  Kaito's expression shifted to something between amusement and exasperation - the same look Diego's grandson gave him when he couldn't figure out how to use the TV remote.

  Diego stared at the napkin covered in Kaito's scribbles, his fingers tracing the lines. Something wasn't adding up.

  "Hold up. If this gateway's such a game-changer, why isn't Nexus all over it? Your people usually have their fingers in every pie worth tasting."

  Kaito's enthusiasm dimmed. His eyes darted to the passing crowds, then back to his sake cup. "May I speak freely, Martinez-san?"

  "When have you ever not?"

  Kaito leaned closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "The senior members of Nexus... they've already secured their positions on the exodus ships."

  The words hit Diego like a punch to the gut. "Those corrupt bastards are jumping ship?"

  "Just like the government officials they claim to despise." Kaito's polite mask cracked, revealing a flash of raw anger. "They're leaving their own people behind. My people."

  Diego understood then - the eagerness in Kaito's explanation, the detailed drawings, the careful pitch. This wasn't just about business. The kid was trying to save his own.

  "So these bastards are just like every other power-hungry official out there." Diego's fists clenched beneath the table. "What the hell happened to integrity, Kaito?"

  "That's why you came to me," Diego said. "You need someone outside the cartel's reach."

  "Someone with honor." Kaito straightened his tie, composing himself. "Someone who still believes in fighting for what's right."

  Diego ran a hand over his scarred face. The gateway still sounded like something from his grandson's video games, but he'd seen enough impossible things become reality over the years. And Kaito had never steered him wrong before.

  "Alright, kid. I'm not saying I'm convinced about this doorway to paradise. But I'm listening."

  "I'll set up a safe place where we can have a call with Dr. Smith," Kaito said.

  "Fine by me - just need to finish this noodle bowl and make some calls," Diego said, watching Kaito get back into his vehicle and drive away, disappearing in the sparkling lights of Shinjuku.

  Diego studied the guidance system emanating from his holo-com. The navigation marker pulsed rhythmically, guiding his path through the labyrinthine side streets of Tokyo. Crumbling walls shed their aged coating, while putrid waste assaulted his senses. Though he'd navigated seedier locations before, an inexplicable unease crept along his spine. The distant hum of vehicles barely penetrated this urban canyon.

  The device chimed, signaling his arrival at the target location. Refuse and abandoned household items cluttered the alley's terminus. A steel door stood mounted in the wall before him. When his fist connected with the cold surface, a scarlet bulb blazed to life overhead. The collision dislodged droplets of condensation that trickled down the doorframe.

  A heavy metal door creaked open to reveal a dimly lit room. Before he could step in, two mountains of muscle grabbed his arms and yanked him inside. The door slammed shut behind him.

  "Get your hands off me." Diego's voice carried the weight of decades of command. The goons ignored him, patting him down with mechanical efficiency.

  One of them dug too deep into his jacket pocket. Diego's patience snapped. He grabbed the man's wrist, twisting it just enough to make his point. "Touch that pocket again, and you'll need cybernetic replacements for those fingers."

  "It's alright." Kaito's voice cut through the tension as he emerged from a back room. "He's clean. You can let him go."

  The goons stepped back, but their eyes never left Diego. The room's single light cast shadows across their faces.

  "Nice welcome party." Diego straightened his jacket, shooting daggers at the larger goon. "You always treat your guests like maximum security prisoners?"

  "Apologies, Martinez-san." Kaito bowed slightly. "These days, we can't be too careful. Please, follow me. Dr. Smith is waiting."

  Kaito led Diego down a narrow corridor, their footsteps echoing off the bare concrete walls. The air grew cooler with each step, carrying the distinct scent of electronics and ozone. Security cameras tracked their movement, their red LEDs blinking in silent observation.

  The passage opened into what Diego immediately recognized as a civilian SCIF - Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility. The room bristled with counter-surveillance equipment, white noise generators humming along the walls. Signal jammers and Faraday mesh were visible beneath exposed panels, while electromagnetic field disruptors created a subtle static charge that made the hair on his arms stand up.

  "Your security setup is impressive." Diego ran his hand along one of the damping panels. "Military grade."

  "We spare no expense when it comes to privacy." Kaito's shoes clicked against the polished floor as he approached a central conference table. "These days, having a truly secure location is worth more than gold."

  Diego noted the absence of windows and the reinforced door seals - measures designed to prevent both physical and electronic intrusion. The setup reminded him of command centers he'd operated from during the resource wars, though this one had been built with corporate efficiency rather than military pragmatism.

  A holographic display dominated the center of the room, currently powered down to a dim standby mode. Around it, several workstations sat dark and silent, their screens reflecting the overhead lights like black mirrors.

  "Take a seat." Kaito gestured to one of the chairs. "Dr. Smith will join us shortly. Would you like some tea while we wait?"

  "Coffee, if you have it." Diego settled into the chair, positioning himself to keep both the door and Kaito in view. Old habits died hard.

  The rich aroma of coffee filled Diego's nostrils as Kaito placed a steaming cup before him. Not the synthetic stuff he'd grown accustomed to, but real coffee - the kind that had become a luxury in the past decade.

  "Colombian," Kaito said, noting Diego's appreciation. "From my private reserve."

  Diego wrapped his hands around the warm ceramic, savoring the heat that seeped into his battle-worn fingers. "You always did know how to set the mood for a meeting."

  Kaito's enter come commands on interface panel. The central holographic unit hummed to life, casting a blue glow across the room. Static crackled through the air as the quantum-encrypted connection established itself.

  The hologram stabilized, revealing a woman in her early thirties. Her dark hair was pulled back in a practical ponytail, and she wore the kind of tired expression Diego recognized from too many late nights in the lab.

  "Dr. Smith," Kaito said, "thank you for joining us. This is Diego Martinez."

  "The Diego Martinez?" Dr. Smith's image flickered slightly as she leaned forward. "Your reputation precedes you, Commander. I've studied the Osaka Incident extensively."

  "Just Diego, please." Diego took a slow sip of his coffee, pushing back the memories her words stirred up. "That was a lifetime ago, Doctor. I hear you're working on something more interesting than ancient history."

  Diego studied Dr. Smith's hologram, searching for any sign of deception. In his experience, claims of breakthrough discoveries usually came with strings attached or worse, hidden agendas. The coffee's warmth spread through his chest as he considered her earnest expression.

  "Interdimensional travel?" Diego set his cup down. "Sounds like something from those old sci-fi vids my daughter used to watch."

  "I assure you, it's very real." Dr. Smith's image flickered as she reached for something off-screen. "We've successfully opened stable quantum gateways between parallel dimensions. Small scale, of course, but the implications-"

  "Cut to the chase, Doctor." Diego's patience for scientific lectures had worn thin years ago. "What's this got to do with me?"

  Kaito stepped forward. "Dr. Smith heads a research group, it used to be funded by the APU. She's made breakthrough discoveries in interdimensional travel."

  Diego's eyebrows shot up at the words 'used to be.' He'd seen enough APU budget cuts to know what that meant. "Let me guess - they pulled your funding when the exodus project needed more resources."

  The tired look in Dr. Smith's eyes deepened. "Three months ago. They redirected everything to the colony ships. My entire team..." She shook her head. "Most of them transferred to exodus-related projects. Only a handful of us stayed."

  "After losing APU funding," Dr. Smith added, "we've continued our work independently. We've successfully opened a stable portal to what we're calling Haven."

  Diego raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly do you need from an old war dog like me?"

  "Experience. Leadership." Dr. Smith's hologram shifted, showing charts and figures. "Honestly, I can't do it all and we can't transport everyone. The rare earth elements required - neodymium, dysprosium - they're scarce. We utilize in an alloy production process that yields a material we used to stabilize the portals. With the materials we have currently We'd be lucky to move a couple hundred people and essential equipment."

  "Small-scale evacuation?" Diego leaned closer to the display. "That's more realistic than those oversold exodus ships anyway."

  "Precisely." Dr. Smith's eyes lit up as she spoke about the quantum gateway, her passion evident. Despite setbacks, her determination never wavered. Her frustration with APU's abandonment only fueled her resolve.

  Diego rubbed his chin, years of tactical planning kicking into gear. "Let's talk specifics. What's your timeline looking like, and what intel do we have on the other side?"

  Dr. Smith's hologram flickered as she pulled up a series of images. "We've conducted preliminary exploration using palm-sized drones. The environment appears Earth-like, with breathable atmosphere and vegetation."

  "How do you know it's safe for humans?"

  "We ran organic matter tests." Dr. Smith's professional demeanor never wavered. "Successfully transported mice through in a specialized drone carrier. Both forward and return transitions were stable, with no adverse effects on the subjects."

  Diego crossed his arms. "What about threats? Predators?"

  "Our drone surveys haven't detected any large predatory species in the immediate vicinity." She paused, adjusting something off-screen. "However, our scanning range has been limited to the landing zone. We should absolutely prepare for their existence."

  "Smart." Diego nodded. The military part of his brain was already cataloging requirements - weapons, defensive positions, patrol patterns. "How much of the area have you mapped?"

  Dr. Smith's image zoomed out to display a topographical overlay. "Only this region here." She highlighted a circular area roughly a kilometer in diameter. "The drones' range is limited by power constraints and signal degradation through the portal."

  Kaito, who had been silently observing, stepped forward. "The Nexus can provide additional reconnaissance equipment."

  Diego studied the map, noting the terrain features. For the first time since receiving that APU rejection letter, he felt a spark of something he'd almost forgotten - hope. This wasn't some politician's pipe dream or corporate cash grab. This was real science, with real potential.

  "What's your timeline?" Diego asked.

  "With proper support and resources?" Dr. Smith straightened her shoulders. "We could begin human trials within thirty days."

  Diego shifted his weight, military instincts kicking in as he assessed the tactical implications. "Before we go further, I need eyes on the ground. Any problems with me coming out to see your operation?"

  "None at all." Dr. Smith's hologram adjusted something off-screen. "In fact, I insist on it. The facility may not match APU standards, but we maintain strict protocols."

  Kaito pulled up a data pad. "I can arrange transportation within forty-eight hours. Private flight, minimal paper trail."

  Diego caught the underlying message. The fewer official records of his movements, the better. "What's your security situation like?"

  "Limited." Dr. Smith's expression tightened. "We have basic perimeter systems and a small security team, mostly former APU personnel who stayed after the funding cuts. Nothing compared to what you're used to."

  The corner of Diego's mouth twitched. He'd operated with less. "And local authorities?"

  "We have the island to ourselves, though the officials on the mainland keep their distance," Kaito said, eyes fixed on his screen. "They'll leave us alone as long as we stay under the radar."

  Diego nodded, processing the information. The setup wasn't ideal, but he'd worked with worse during the Mineral Wars. "I'll need full access - security systems, personnel files, equipment manifests."

  "You'll have it." Dr. Smith's hologram flickered. "Though I should warn you, our power grid is... temperamental. We've had to get creative with our energy allocation."

  "Creative how?"

  "Let's just say some of our solutions wouldn't pass APU inspection." She adjusted her glasses. "But they work."

  Diego shifted into tactical mode, his mind already mapping out logistics. "Getting your power grid up to snuff is priority one. I've got people who can help make that happen."

  He pulled up his wrist display, fingers dancing across the holographic interface. "Two specialists. Both former military and both with electrical engineering degrees. They can be ready in forty-eight hours if we have transport." His jaw tightened. "They weren't welcome on the ships either. They'll jump at this chance."

  Dr. Smith's hologram nodded. "Additional expertise would be invaluable. Our current setup is held together with recycled components and improvised solutions."

  Diego turned to Kaito. "Question - if we find more of these rare earth elements on the other side, could we bring additional personnel through?"

  Kaito's expression remained neutral, but his eyes lit up. "The gateway's power requirements are directly tied to the quantity of available materials. More resources would mean more transitions."

  "The mineral composition readings from our drones have been promising," Dr. Smith added, pulling up a chart. "We've detected traces of neodymium in several rock formations near the landing zone. But without proper mining equipment-"

  "I can source that," Kaito interrupted. "Through legitimate channels, even. Mining equipment doesn't raise the same red flags as other gear."

  Diego studied the mineral data. "What's your current stockpile looking like?"

  "Enough for twenty transitions, maximum." Dr. Smith's hologram flickered as she adjusted something. "That includes equipment and supplies, not just personnel."

  "And your current burn rate?"

  Dr. Smith's hologram reached out, holding up her arm. "Currently, our portal is only large enough for a UAV about this size." She indicated a length from her elbow to wrist. "The energy requirements scale exponentially with size. Moving people and equipment demands significantly more power and stabilization alloy."

  Diego leaned back in his chair, the implications sinking in. "How much more are we talking about?"

  "To create a portal large enough for human transport?" Dr. Smith pulled up a complex energy diagram. "We'd need roughly fifty times our current power output. Each transition depletes our stabilization materials - the rare earth elements we discussed. Larger portals consume more, and maintaining the portal opening requires power."

  Diego watched the numbers scroll past. The coffee in his cup had grown cold, forgotten as he processed the technical details. "Break it down for me - what's the actual consumption rate per transition?"

  "A human-sized portal requires approximately twenty kilograms of our stabilization compound per operation. Heavy equipment would need more." Dr. Smith's image flickered as she adjusted something off-screen. "We can't maintain a constant opening - the strain on our power systems is too great. We'd need to coordinate precise windows for transport."

  The military part of Diego's brain kicked in, calculating logistics. "So we're looking at short bursts of operation. How long can you hold it open with your current setup?"

  "Right now? About thirty seconds at full size. But we haven't tested beyond the small-scale portals. Anything larger is still in the simulation phase. Theoretically we would just burn more energy to keep it open."

  Diego nodded, his mind already working through scenarios. This wasn't going to be a simple evacuation - it would require precise timing and coordination. Every second the portal stayed open would burn through precious resources.

  "Every experiment uses about three percent of what we have," she explained. "We've been careful with our testing schedule, but..."

  "But the supplies are dwindling," Diego concluded. The situation matched his wartime experience - occasionally the best answers weren't found through proper channels. "Forward me the location data. I'm on my way as soon as Kaito can arange transport."

  Dr. Smith's hologram smiled, relief evident in her expression. "Thank you, Mr. Martinez. Your experience could make all the difference here. We'll prepare everything for your arrival."

  The hologram flickered once and disappeared, leaving Diego alone with Kaito in the secure room. The hum of dampening equipment filled the silence as Diego finished his now-cold coffee. His mind raced through the implications of what he'd just learned - interdimensional travel, a potential escape route, and the massive logistical challenges ahead.

  "Real coffee was a nice touch," Diego said, setting down the empty cup. The familiar weight of responsibility settled back onto his shoulders, but this time it felt different. This wasn't another resource war or evacuation - this was something entirely new.

  Kaito collected the cup with a slight bow. "I find it helps people think more clearly than the synthetic variety." He paused at the edge of the table. "I trust you see the potential here?"

  Diego pushed back from the table, his chair sliding silently across the polished floor. The military part of his brain was already cataloging requirements - security protocols, supply chains, personnel needs. But beneath all that tactical planning, a small voice whispered about second chances. About hope.

  "Yeah," Diego said, standing up. "I see it. Question is, can we pull it off before it's too late?"

  "That," Kaito said with a slight smile, "depends entirely on how quickly we move."

  Diego nodded, already reaching for his secure comm unit. He had calls to make, people to contact. The real work was about to begin.

  The ACH885's rotors sliced through the humid Caribbean air as Diego gazed out the window. The blue waters below stretched endlessly toward the horizon, broken only by the dark shape of Cozumel Island growing larger in the distance.

  "Weather's holding steady," Mia said from the pilot's seat, her hands dancing across the controls. "Should be a smooth approach."

  Diego shifted in the plush leather seat, still getting used to the helicopter's luxurious interior. The last time he'd flown to Cozumel, it had been in a military transport with hard metal benches and the stench of hydraulic fluid. "Kaito doesn't skimp on equipment, does he?"

  "This baby?" Mia gave the dashboard an affectionate tap. "Top-of-the-line ACH885-345. Smart systems for guidance and piloting, cutting-edge storm detection, and the juice to make it all the way to Asia." She tilted the aircraft gently to correct their course. "Not that we'll be pushing those limits on this trip."

  The coastline of Cozumel emerged more clearly now. Diego spotted the sprawling complex of the Crucible facility near the southern end of the island. The morning sun glinted off its surfaces, making the building shine like a beacon.

  "You've got quite the reputation with Kaito," Diego remarked, thinking back to the story of her skillfully guiding a crippled plane to a safe landing with her team aboard. "That Pacific operation he mentioned - amazing work."

  Mia's shoulders tensed slightly. "We got lucky. Lost two engines over the ocean, no nearby landing sites. Had to nurse her for three hours on minimal power." She checked a reading on one of the displays. "Kaito was on board. Never seen him rattled before, but that day..." She shook her head. "Let's just say he's had my back ever since."

  "Coming around for a visual check," Mia said, beginning a wide circle around the facility.

  Diego leaned forward, taking in the full scope of the Crucible complex. Three massive sections spread out like pie slices from a central hub, their white walls stark against the tropical vegetation. The morning sun cast long shadows across the landing pads and access roads.

  His trained eye caught details others might miss - defensive positions cleverly disguised as architectural features, surveillance systems integrated into the walls, and multiple evacuation routes. Someone had put serious thought into security.

  "Those modifications weren't in the original plans," Diego said, pointing to a series of reinforced sections along the perimeter.

  "Dr. Smith's upgrades. After APU pulled funding, she insisted on hardening key areas." Mia adjusted their altitude slightly. "Said something about not taking chances."

  The helicopter banked, giving Diego a view of the facility's power center. Two massive cooling towers rose from the central hub, steam wisping from their tops. Next to them, an array of what looked like quantum energy collectors stretched across the roof - technology he'd only seen in classified briefings.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  "How many personnel on site?" Diego asked, noting the relatively empty parking areas.

  "Skeleton crew. Some techs, small security detail and one hell of a UAV engineer. Dr. Smith keeps it lean." Mia checked her instruments. "Most of the work is automated now."

  The scale of the operation hit Diego. This wasn't some underfunded research project - this was a fully operational facility with cutting-edge tech, running on a fraction of its capacity. The kind of place that could support a major operation, if properly staffed.

  "Security's lighter than I'd like," he noted, spotting gaps in the perimeter coverage.

  "Place was built for science, not war." Mia started their final approach to the helipad. "But that's why you're here, right? To make sure we don't end up a pile of dust in Mexico?"

  Diego nodded, his jaw tightening at the memory of screaming civilians and the cold precision of AI-controlled drones. The last thing they needed was another conflict to fight.

  "Those uavs on the perimeter standard APU models?" Diego said, pointing to a pair of security units hovering near the facility's main entrance.

  "Modified civilian units. Emily stripped out the APU command protocols and installed custom firmware." Mia guided the helicopter into its final descent. "Emily and some hotshot engineer named Peni wrote a whole custom firmware that supports a limited AI all the real decision making is done by the UAV pilot or engineer."

  Diego relaxed slightly. At least someone here understood the risks. The rotor wash kicked up dust as they touched down on the helipad, and he caught glimpses of armed security personnel taking positions at strategic points around the landing zone. Their movements were disciplined, professional - definitely ex-military.

  "Did you say Peni as in Peni Tau?" Diego's voice carried a mix of amusement and disbelief.

  "The one and only." Mia powered down the systems with practiced efficiency. "You know her?"

  "Met her during the war. She was embedded with my unit, handling our net intrusion stuff." Diego unbuckled his harness, memories of those chaotic days flooding back. "Girl's a genius, but she had this habit of 'improving' our equipment without telling anyone."

  Through the windshield, he spotted more of the security team moving into position. Their gear wasn't standard issue - mix of civilian and military, but high-end stuff. Each operator carried themselves with the unmistakable bearing of combat veterans. Diego recognized those movements, the way they scanned sectors, maintained spacing. These weren't rent-a-cops playing soldier.

  A figure in tactical gear approached the helicopter, hand raised in greeting. Diego didn't recognize the patch on their shoulder maybe special security forces. Kaito hadn't just found a hidden research facility; he'd assembled a team of professionals who knew how to operate off the grid.

  The rotors spun down, their whine fading to a low whir. Diego reached for his bag, mind already mapping out defensive positions and evacuation routes. If Peni Tau was handling their systems, at least he wouldn't have to worry about rogue AI taking control. That woman would rather eat glass than trust a computer to make decisions on its own.

  Mia's fingers danced across the control panel. "Welcome to the Crucible." She began the shutdown sequence. "Looks like your escort is here."

  Diego grabbed his duffel and stepped out onto the sun-baked helipad. The Caribbean heat hit him like a wall after the helicopter's air conditioning. Four figures approached in a standard diamond formation - their movements precise, practiced. Their gear looked familiar - a mix of civilian tactical equipment with military modifications he'd seen during his days running security operations.

  The lead figure pulled off her helmet, revealing close-cropped dark hair. "Mr. Martinez? I'm Emma Hayes, head of facility security." She extended her hand. "These are David Mitchell, Isabella Reyes, and Marcus Bennett."

  Diego shook her hand, noting the calluses that spoke of regular weapons training. The grip was firm but not challenging - professional. "Former military?"

  "APU Special Security Division, all of us." Hayes gestured toward the facility entrance. "We've been with the project since the beginning."

  The rest of the team maintained their positions, eyes scanning the perimeter. Their stance and positioning told Diego everything he needed to know - these weren't washouts or mercenaries. They were career professionals who knew their business.

  "How long have you been running security here?" Diego fell into step beside Hayes as they headed for the entrance.

  "Three years. Got reassigned after..." Hayes paused, choosing her words carefully. "After our exodus applications were declined."

  Diego caught the edge in her voice. He'd heard that tone before - from good people pushed aside by AI optimization metrics and efficiency algorithms. "Their loss is our gain."

  Hayes's lip quirked slightly. "That's one way to put it." She pressed her palm against a biometric scanner by the entrance. "Dr. Smith is waiting for you in the central conference room. We'll handle your gear."

  Diego scanned the facility's perimeter as they walked, his trained eye picking out vulnerabilities. The automated defense systems were decent enough - UAV patrols, motion sensors, thermal imaging - but the human element was thin. Too thin.

  "Four operators for a facility this size?" Diego kept his voice neutral, professional. "That's stretching it pretty thin, even with the drones."

  Emma's expression remained neutral. "We rotate shifts with another team. Plus, Emily handles drone operations, and we've got automated systems-"

  "Which can be hacked, jammed, or disabled." Diego gestured toward a blind spot between two sensor arrays. "And that gap in coverage there - anyone with decent tech could slip through."

  "Budget constraints." Emma's jaw tightened. "After APU pulled funding, we had to make do. Kaito helps where he can, but..."

  Diego nodded, understanding the unspoken message. Even with Nexus backing, they were running on fumes. "How many entry points?"

  "Three main access points, plus emergency exits every hundred meters. Underground access through the maintenance tunnels, though we've got those sealed pretty tight." Emma tapped her tablet, bringing up a facility schematic. "Helipad access is restricted to authorized personnel only."

  "And your response time if someone breaches the perimeter?"

  "Four minutes to any point in the facility. Two with drone support." Emma's pride showed through. "We drill regularly."

  Diego did the math in his head. Even with perfect coordination, four operators couldn't maintain a defensive perimeter around a complex this size. Not against a determined opponent. They'd need at least triple the manpower, plus dedicated drone operators and a proper command structure.

  "You've done well with what you have," Diego said carefully. "But if this project is going where I think it's going, you'll need more boots on the ground."

  Emma's shoulders relaxed slightly. "That's what we've been telling Dr. Smith. Maybe she'll listen to you."

  Diego Stopped.

  "Something wrong?" Emma asked, noting his hesitation.

  "This can't be the actual security system." Diego stepped closer, examining the frame for hidden sensors or scanners. Nothing. Just clean metal and that single button mocking him with its simplicity.

  "As I said short on resources, we rely a lot on Emily's drone coverage and surveillance feeds up here," replied Emma.

  Diego palmed the button, muscles tensed out of habit. The door slid open with a soft hiss, revealing what appeared to be an aircraft control center. Monitors lined the walls, most powered down. A single desk sat empty, its chair pushed neatly under the console.

  Diego stepped inside, boots silent on the polished floor. The air conditioning raised goosebumps on his arms after the tropical heat outside. Through the wall of windows, he could see the helipad where Mia was finishing her post-flight checks. Beyond that, the Caribbean stretched endlessly toward the horizon.

  "Control center's usually staffed during operations," Emma said, following him in. "Emily runs drone patrols from here when she's not working on upgrades."

  Diego's gaze swept the room, taking in details that set off warning bells in his head. Top-of-the-line monitoring equipment sat dormant. Tactical displays showed only basic information - weather, perimeter status, drone positions. No thermal imaging feeds, no motion tracking, no automated threat assessment.

  "Where's your security hub?" He turned to Emma. "This is air traffic control, and doubles as security hub as well."

  Diego bit back a curse. He'd seen this before - brilliant minds so focused on their work they forgot about basic security. The facility might as well have a "rob me" sign hanging outside.

  Diego's jaw clenched. If this gateway tech was half as valuable as they claimed, the lack of basic security measures was beyond negligent. It was suicidal. He thought about his daughter and grandchildren, and the world they would inherit if this mission failed. He couldn't afford to let that happen.

  Diego's combat-trained muscles tensed as the wall opposite his entrance slid open with a hydraulic whoosh. Years of experience had taught him to treat every unexpected movement as a potential threat. But the figure standing in the doorway wasn't a threat - at least, not in the conventional sense.

  Dr. Olivia Smith stepped through, and Diego realized the hologram hadn't captured half of her presence. Her dark hair was pulled back in a practical ponytail, and her eyes sparkled with an intelligence that seemed to cut right through him. Despite his professional demeanor, Diego felt a smile tugging at his lips.

  "So, let me guess - you saw no cameras, no sensors. Nothing at all?" Her voice carried a hint of amusement. "Complete amateur hour, right?"

  Diego straightened, caught off guard by her directness. The casual way she'd called out his assessment made him feel like a rookie who'd walked into an obvious trap. He'd seen enough hidden security systems in his time to know appearances could be deceiving, but this...this felt different.

  The lack of visible security measures still bothered him. Either Dr. Smith was dangerously naive about the threats they faced, or there was something else going on - something he couldn't see. His instincts told him it was the latter, and those instincts had kept him alive through three decades of conflict.

  Diego couldn't help but laugh. "You read my mind."

  Diego's retort died in his throat as Emma walked over and hit a key on the console

  "What you didn't notice were the four swarm combat drones running stealth rigs that tracked you and Mia the whole way in." Emma, voice carried that familiar mix of pride and mild annoyance he'd heard countless times during operations.

  Diego turned toward the window, his eyes widening as four UAVs materialized from thin air, hovering in perfect formation. The morning sun glinted off their matte black surfaces for a brief moment before a ripple of light washed over them. The drones seemed to melt into the background, their active camouflage making them virtually invisible.

  His combat-trained mind raced to process the implications. Stealth drones were nothing new, but this level of concealment technology was far beyond anything he'd encountered - even in classified APU operations. The kind of tech that shouldn't exist outside of military black sites.

  "Impressive," Diego admitted, mentally revising his assessment of the facility's security. If Emily had four drones watching just him, how many more were patrolling the perimeter? "Custom work?"

  "Peni and Emily tweaked the base APU model, like I was telling you," Emma remarked.

  "Impressed?" Olivia asked, a hint of pride in her voice.

  "Getting there," Diego admitted. The drones were a good start, but they'd need more than that if things went sideways. Still, it was better than the complete security vacuum he'd initially assumed.

  Diego followed Dr. Smith through Cove HQ's winding corridors. His boots clicked against polished floors that hadn't seen military traffic in years. The facility's sterile walls and automated systems reminded him of APU command centers, but without the crushing weight of bureaucracy.

  The conference room doors slid open with a soft hiss. Diego's tactical assessment kicked in - two exits, reinforced walls, and enough space for a small strike team to operate. The room hummed with active displays and holographic interfaces that cast a blue glow across the modern furnishings.

  "Let me give you the grand tour." Dr. Smith gestured to the largest monitor. "This is Cove HQ, our embarkation room." The screen showed a vast open space with high ceilings. "Those bay doors connect to the warehouse area. That's where we'll stage the equipment we will send through the portal."

  Diego studied the layout, noting defensive positions and choke points. The embarkation room's design bothered him - too many blind spots, not enough cover. If someone wanted to hit them during an evacuation, they'd have a clear shot at dozens of civilians.

  "What's your evacuation protocol?" Diego crossed his arms, eyes fixed on the screen. "That's a lot of open space to secure."

  The question hung in the air as he traced possible attack vectors in his mind. Years of combat experience screamed that the room was a tactical nightmare. But maybe that was the point - this wasn't supposed to be a military operation. They were trying to save people, not fight a war.

  Still, the soldier in him couldn't ignore the risks. One breach, one well-placed enemy team, and the whole operation could go sideways. He'd seen it happen too many times before.

  Dr. Smith looked at him, a smile playing across her face as she pointed to the portal frame. The massive metal arch dominated the far wall, its surface etched with complex patterns that made Diego's eyes hurt if he stared too long.

  "That is the evacuation route."

  "You're telling me that's our only way out?" He walked closer to the arch, studying the quantum machinery wrapped around its edges. The tech looked experimental, nothing like the proven military-grade equipment he was used to. "What's your backup plan if this thing shorts out mid-evacuation?"

  Diego's jaw clenched as he watched Olivia's expression darken. The scientist's earlier warmth vanished, replaced by something harder, more desperate.

  "Maybe this was a mistake." Olivia's frown deepened. "Kaito told me you understood the stakes. We are not getting on the exodus ships. The World is dying - if we don't get off this planet the human race ends!"

  The words hit Diego like a physical blow. He'd seen enough death and destruction to know she wasn't exaggerating. Images flashed through his mind - the water riots in Phoenix, the bodies in the streets, the AI's cold calculations of acceptable losses. His hand unconsciously touched the scar on his neck from Osaka.

  "Doctor, I've buried more friends than I can count fighting over what's left of this world." Diego's voice came out rougher than intended. "I watched drones gun down civilians waiting for water rations. Trust me, I know exactly what's at stake."

  He turned back to study the portal arch, its alien geometries a stark reminder of how far they'd come - and how far they still had to go. The familiar weight of responsibility settled on his shoulders. This wasn't about tactical perfection anymore. This was about survival.

  "I'm not here to shut you down," Diego said. "I'm here because my grandkids deserve a future that doesn't involve fighting over the last drops of water on Earth. But if we're going to do this, we do it right. One security breach, one mistake, and we lose everything."

  Diego watched Olivia's shoulders relax, the tension draining from her face. The harsh lighting of the conference room softened her features as she nodded.

  "Okay, I can agree with that. What I can tell you is what we have is all we have. If we need more you'll need to work with Kaito to get it."

  Diego ran his hand over the stubble on his chin. Working with Kaito meant dealing with the Nexus Cartel a prospect that churned his stomach. The memory of their last operation together in Singapore still gave him nightmares. But looking at the portal arch, its quantum machinery humming with untapped potential, he knew they needed every resource they could get.

  The familiar weight of his combat knife pressed against his ankle as he shifted his weight. Old habits died hard, and right now those instincts were screaming that they were operating on a razor's edge. One wrong move, one leaked piece of information, and they'd have every desperate faction on Earth breathing down their necks.

  He studied Olivia's face, searching for any sign of deception. Her eyes met his without wavering - either she was telling the truth or she was one hell of an actor. The scientist had that same look he'd seen in the mirror during the war years - the look of someone who'd bet everything on one last desperate play.

  The air conditioning cycled with a soft whir, breaking the silence between them. Through the conference room windows, Diego caught glimpses of lab techs moving equipment, each person focused on their tasks with quiet determination. They weren't soldiers, but they had that same edge of desperate purpose he recognized from his combat days.

  Diego turned back to study the portal frame, his tactical mind already mapping out logistics. The massive arch stretched nearly thirty feet high, its quantum-etched surface catching the harsh overhead lights. Wide enough for military transports, tall enough for construction equipment. At least they'd thought about practical considerations when building it.

  "Good clearance for vehicles," Diego noted. "Could get a decent-sized convoy through there."

  His eyes traced the loading area in front of the arch. The polished concrete floor showed signs of use - scuff marks from equipment, the kind of wear pattern he recognized from forward operating bases. They'd been testing this thing, running supplies through. Not just theoretical science anymore.

  The warehouse space behind him could stage a mechanized platoon, maybe more if they packed tight. His mind automatically calculated personnel numbers, supply requirements, defensive positions. Old habits from too many war zones.

  You could stack crates of materials along the walls. We would need scientific equipment mixed with what looked like survival gear medical gear farming…. "This space will work just fine."

  Diego shifted his attention as Olivia changed the display. The screen now showed a different section labeled Pyre HQ. His military training kicked in as he assessed the layout - multiple bays with neat rows of bunks, reminiscent of his old forward operating bases. Small rooms branched off the main areas, each designed with clear purpose.

  At a central desk, a woman worked surrounded by holographic displays, her fingers dancing across a tablet. Diego's eyes narrowed at the strange glasses perched on her head - not standard TransLens tech from what he could tell. The design looked custom, maybe even experimental.

  "That's Emily Nakamura, our security and uav engineer." Olivia zoomed in on the feed. "Former APU Intelligence, now she handles our digital defense systems."

  Diego's jaw tightened. He knew Emily - they'd run ops together during the Singapore crisis. Last he'd heard, she'd disappeared after questioning some of APU's more questionable AI directives. Now he understood why.

  "You pulled together quite a team," Diego said, studying Emily's workstation. The displays showed intricate network diagrams and security protocols he recognized from his military days. Some of it looked far more advanced than standard APU tech. "Though I'm guessing most of them aren't exactly here with official blessing."

  The layout of Pyre HQ continued to draw his attention - whoever designed it knew their business. Clear fields of fire, multiple fallback positions, easily defensible chokepoints. This wasn't just a barracks, it was a fortress disguised as living quarters.

  The tour continued down another corridor, the subtle hum of power systems a constant backdrop. Diego's boots echoed against the polished floor as Olivia led him through a heavy security door. The smell hit him first - gun oil and cordite, familiar as an old friend.

  The indoor range stretched out before them, pristine and professional. Multiple lanes with advanced target systems that could simulate everything from basic marksmanship to complex combat scenarios. Diego let out an appreciative whistle as he took in the setup.

  "Full spectrum targeting systems. Nice."

  His trained eye caught details that spoke of serious investment - reactive targets with built-in movement prediction, atmospheric controls for wind simulation, even what looked like holographic overlay capabilities for enhanced training scenarios. This wasn't some civilian setup - this was military grade, maybe even better.

  The targeting computer's display showed the last session's results - tight groupings at various ranges that spoke of skilled shooters. Diego stepped closer to examine the data, noting the impressive scores. Someone here knew their business.

  "Emily insisted on the upgrades," Olivia said, gesturing to the control station. "Said if we're training security teams, they needed the best."

  Diego nodded, running his hand along one of the shooting stations. The equipment was immaculate, well-maintained. He recognized some of the modifications - custom work that went beyond standard specs. The kind of setup he'd wished for during his own training days.

  "Smart woman," he said, checking the lane's safety systems. Everything was top-notch, from the ventilation to the bullet traps. "This is better than what we had at APU Command."

  Diego followed Olivia's gesture to the display showing Terra HQ. The agricultural section spread across the screen, a mix of hydroponic gardens and climate-controlled growing spaces. His military mindset cataloged the layout - defensible positions, clear evacuation routes, multiple access points that could be sealed if needed.

  "Terra HQ," Dr. Smith said, indicating another area. "Originally meant for our agriculture teams. We planned to run multiple missions, training groups to seed different dimensions with humanity." Her voice carried a note of regret. "Budget cuts changed that."

  Diego studied the empty growing beds and dormant equipment. The space could have supported a decent-sized community, maybe even become self-sufficient with the right resources. Now it sat mostly unused, another victim of APU's shifting priorities.

  "How many people were you planning to send through originally?" Diego asked, noting the scale of the facilities. The hydroponics bays alone could have fed hundreds.

  "We had approval for three thousand colonists." Olivia's fingers traced the outline of an empty greenhouse bay. "Multiple waves, each with specialized skills. Farmers, engineers, medical staff. Everything needed to build sustainable colonies."

  Diego's jaw clenched. Three thousand people. A real shot at preserving humanity, cut down by bureaucrats who'd rather pour resources into their doomed exodus ships. He'd seen the same short-sighted thinking during the resource wars - decisions made by people who'd never have to live with the consequences.

  "And now?" He already knew the answer wouldn't be good.

  "Now we can manage maybe three hundred. If we're lucky." Olivia's voice was tight with frustration. "The power requirements alone..."

  Diego nodded, understanding the implications. Smaller groups meant fewer specialists, less redundancy. Every person would need to pull double or triple duty just to keep a colony functioning. It wasn't impossible - he'd run operations with worse odds - but it would take careful planning and even more careful selection of personnel.

  Diego's gaze shifted between the monitors and Dr. Smith. Her eyes sparked with enthusiasm as she dove into technical specifications, reminding him of Elena during the early days of the TransLens project. Before everything went to hell.

  "The facility's got good bones," he said, cutting through her explanation of quantum field harmonics. "But we'll need to tighten security if we're bringing in civilians."

  Olivia nodded, leading him to the final display. Diego's frown deepened as he studied the power center layout. Exposed wiring snaked across the floor from a compact fusion reactor - military surplus by the look of it. Next to it sat what he recognized as a ZPE array, its distinctive geometry unmistakable even on the security feed.

  "That's a mess waiting to happen," he muttered, tapping the screen where cables crossed major walkways. During the resource wars, he'd seen similar setups in desperate facilities. They'd usually ended up as smoking craters. "One stray round hits those power conduits..."

  The ZPE array drew his attention again. The quantum tap technology was expensive as hell, requiring rare earth elements that had sparked half the mineral conflicts he'd fought in. Having one here, especially after budget cuts, raised questions about their mysterious benefactor.

  "Kaito's contribution?" Diego asked, though he already knew the answer. The Nexus Cartel's fingerprints were all over this operation - high-end military tech mixed with experimental systems that weren't exactly street legal.

  Olivia's slight nod confirmed his suspicions. "We needed the power boost. The portal consumes more energy than we initially calculated."

  Diego pulled out his datapad, his calloused fingers tapping quickly across the screen as he documented the power routing issues. The military-grade device felt reassuring in his hands - at least some equipment still worked the way it was supposed to.

  "We'll need to fix that first. One stray spark and the whole place goes dark." He gestured toward the tangled mess of cables. The sight of that jury-rigged power setup made his combat instincts twitch. He'd seen too many good operations fail because of basic infrastructure problems.

  His eyes narrowed as he added more notes about the security vulnerabilities. The ZPE array's quantum field could be destabilized by a well-placed explosive - he'd seen it happen during the Mineral Wars. Those things turned into miniature black holes when they failed. Not the kind of risk you wanted to take with civilians around.

  The datapad's screen filled with his growing list of concerns: exposed power conduits, insufficient backup systems, questionable shielding around the fusion core. Each item represented a potential catastrophe waiting to happen. But they were all fixable problems, assuming they had the resources and time.

  Diego's fingers paused over the screen as he considered their options. They'd need specialized equipment, properly trained technicians. The kind of gear and personnel that didn't come cheap or easy, especially off official channels.

  She nodded, turning to face him directly. "That's why we need you, Mr. Martinez. Your expertise could make the difference between success and failure."

  He waved off the formality. "Just Diego."

  Diego pulled up his secure contact list on the datapad, scrolling through encrypted entries until he found the ones he needed. "I know two engineers who can handle this power situation. Best in the business - and more importantly, they know how to keep their mouths shut."

  The memory of Jack O'Connor's creative cursing during their last operation together brought a slight smile to his face. The man could rewire a fusion core while telling the dirtiest jokes Diego had ever heard.

  "Jack O'Connor - former APU combat engineer. Lost his leg in Singapore, but it just made him meaner and better at his job. He can fix anything with power running through it, usually while complaining about how stupid the original design was."

  Olivia raised an eyebrow. "And the other?"

  "Alexis Morgan. Combat engineering specialist with degrees in mechanical and electrical. She kept our bases running during the worst of the resource wars." Diego remembered how Alexis had once rebuilt an entire power grid under heavy fire, cursing the whole time about substandard equipment. "Those two together could probably power this whole facility with a rubber band and some paperclips if they had to."

  He studied the tangle of cables again. "They're not exactly fond of APU these days either. Both got pushed out for questioning some of Central Processing's more interesting decisions."

  "Can they be trusted?" Olivia's voice carried the weight of someone who'd learned the hard way about misplaced trust.

  Diego nodded. "With my life. Already have, more times than I can count."

  Diego followed Dr. Smith through the winding corridors, his trained eye catching details most would miss. The facility felt empty, their footsteps echoing off the walls. For a project this important, he'd expected more personnel.

  "Where is everyone?" Diego's hand brushed against his sidearm, an old habit from too many ambushes. "A operation like this should have at least fifty staff."

  "Budget cuts hit hard." Olivia's voice bounced off the sterile walls. "Most of the original team transferred to the exodus projects when APU pulled our funding."

  They passed another empty lab, equipment gathering dust under plastic covers. Through the window, Diego spotted a single technician working on what looked like portal components, surrounded by tools and diagnostic equipment.

  "How many stayed?"

  "Twelve." Olivia's shoulders tensed. "The true believers, I guess you could say. The ones who saw what we discovered and couldn't walk away."

  Diego's combat-trained mind calculated the security implications. Twelve people to maintain a facility this size, run the portal operations, and handle security. It wasn't just understaffed - it was skeletal.

  The corridor opened into a larger space, and Diego's breath caught. A massive quantum gateway dominated the room, its arch stretching nearly to the ceiling. The portal frame hummed with barely contained energy, making the hair on his neck stand up. Even powered down, it radiated potential.

  Two technicians worked at a control station, their faces illuminated by holographic displays showing quantum calculations Diego couldn't begin to understand. They barely looked up as Olivia led him past, too focused on their work to acknowledge visitors.

  "Welcome to the Embarkation Room," Olivia said, her voice carrying a hint of pride despite the facility's obvious challenges. "This is where we make the impossible happen."

  Diego followed Olivia into Pyre HQ, his boots clicking against the polished floor. The layout reminded him of his old military posts - efficient, defensible, and built for rapid deployment. But the tech here made those bases look like they belonged in a museum.

  Holographic displays lined the walls, showing security feeds from across the facility. His trained eye caught glimpses of automated defense turrets and drone patrols that most people would miss. Someone knew their business when it came to security.

  "You have met four of the security, the other four are running around here someplace. I have two technicians, my software engineer Peni," Olivia gestured ahead as they entered Pyre HQ, "And then there is Emily."

  Diego's attention fixed on a figure working at a central console, surrounded by floating screens filled with code. Emily Nakamura hadn't changed much since Singapore - same focused expression, same custom tech gear. The sight of her brought back memories of firefights and close calls during joint operations.

  The security setup looked solid, better than he'd expected for such a small team. Eight operators was a tight crew, but if they were all former APU like Emily, they'd be worth twenty regular guards. Quality over quantity had saved his ass more times than he could count during the resource wars.

  The woman at a desk covered in displays shot up from her chair. "Major Martinez!" Her eyes lit up with recognition. " You don't know me in person, sir. I ran drone support during Operation Sandstorm. You were the only one who ever saluted my drone after the mission. Even said 'good job' over the comms." Emily's voice carried genuine warmth.

  Diego smiled warmly. The memory of that drone support mission flooded back - his unit pinned down by insurgents until Emily's precision strikes cleared their exit route. He'd made a point to acknowledge the pilot, knowing too many commanders treated drone operators like glorified video game players.

  "Operation Sandstorm." Diego nodded, recalling the hellish conditions. "Your drone took out that sniper nest when we were cornered. Saved our asses that day."

  Emily beamed at the recognition, her custom tech glasses glinting under the overhead lights. The gear looked even more advanced up close - definitely not standard APU issue.

  "Best pilot in the business," Diego said, meaning it. He'd worked with dozens of drone operators during his career, but few had Emily's touch. The way she'd threaded those missiles through a sandstorm to hit exactly where they needed to... that took real skill. "Though I'm guessing APU wasn't too happy when you disappeared."

  "Let's just say we had a difference of opinion about acceptable civilian casualties." Emily's expression hardened slightly. "Their AI started making calls I couldn't live with."

  Diego understood completely. He'd seen the same shift - watching as automated systems reduced human lives to cold statistics and probability calculations. It was why he'd helped that family at the exodus facility, even knowing it would mark him as "non-optimal."

  Dr. Smith Pulled out an access card, "this will get you on the network and give you modification rights for the Pyre HQ dataset," she explained, handing it over. "Emily can help you get settled in. Your office will be here in Pyre just pick one, and the main dining facticity is just down that corridor.

  Diego accepted the access card, its metallic surface cool against his calloused fingers. The weight of responsibility settled on his shoulders as he studied the quantum-encrypted chip embedded in the corner. Top-tier security tech - exactly what he'd expect from a facility housing interdimensional portal technology.

  "Thanks." He slipped the card into his chest pocket, right next to the old metal coin he'd carried through three wars. The familiar presence of both items felt right somehow. "Any restrictions I should know about?"

  "Full access to Pyre systems," Dr. Smith said. "Though I'd appreciate a heads up before making major changes to security protocols."

  Diego nodded, his eyes tracking movement in the corridor beyond - another security patrol, moving with the disciplined precision he'd expect from former APU operators. Their gear looked civilian, but the way they moved told a different story. These weren't rent-a-cops playing soldier.

  Diego made another mental note. He'd need to review those incident reports, figure out who might be sniffing around the facility. A operation this sensitive would attract attention, even hidden away on Cozumel.

  "I'll get started on a full assessment," he said, already mapping out priority tasks in his head. "Beginning with those power conduits we discussed."

  His hand brushed against the access card in his pocket. Full security access meant he could start implementing changes immediately. Good. They'd need every advantage they could get if they were going to pull this off.

  "Emily's got a good setup here," he said, watching the patrol disappear around a corner. "But we'll need to coordinate if we're upgrading systems."

  Diego pulled out his secure comm unit, the familiar weight of military-grade hardware comfortable in his hand. His calloused thumb traced the encrypted channel selector, muscle memory from countless operations taking over.

  "Mia, you copy?"

  "Reading you clear, old man." Her voice crackled through with that familiar mix of professionalism and sass. "Need a lift somewhere?"

  "Need you to pick up some friends." Diego glanced at Olivia, who nodded her approval. "Remember Jack and Alexis from Singapore?"

  "Sparky and the Demo Queen? How could I forget?" Mia's laugh carried through the comm. "Jack still telling those horrible pirate jokes?"

  "Worse than ever." Diego couldn't help but smile, remembering Jack's last attempt at humor during a firefight. "They're both in Houston. Sending coordinates now."

  He tapped the encrypted data packet through, watching the confirmation ping back. "Standard protocol - no APU channels, full blackout procedures."

  "Already on it." The sound of pre-flight checks hummed in the background. "I'll have them here before sunset. Just tell Jack no peg leg jokes in my bird."

  "Good luck with that," Diego chuckled, knowing Jack's inability to resist a good prosthetic punchline. "Watch your six out there."

  "Always do." The comm clicked off with Mia's trademark efficiency.

  Diego tucked the unit away, his mind already running through logistics. Jack and Alexis would need workspace, tools, probably a secure area to sleep. The facility had plenty of room, but getting everything set up properly would take time.

  "They'll need a full workshop," he told Olivia. "And unrestricted access to the power systems."

  Dr. Smith checked her TransLens display, frowning at whatever notification had popped up. "I need to handle some calculations for tomorrow's test. Emily can show you around the rest of Pyre HQ." She gave Diego a quick nod before heading toward the door. "We'll talk more at dinner."

  Diego watched her leave, noting how her shoulders tensed as she walked. The weight of running this facility with such a skeleton crew showed in every step. He'd seen that same exhausted determination in commanders during the resource wars - people pushing themselves to the limit because failure wasn't an option.

  Diego switched channels on his comm unit, punching in the familiar encryption patterns. The quantum-secured line hummed to life, projecting two familiar faces in front of him. The holograms flickered slightly - civilian power grid wasn't as stable as military networks.

  Jack's projection showed him sprawled in what looked like his workshop, tools scattered across every surface. His cybernetic leg was propped up on a workbench, the latest modification gleaming under harsh fluorescent lights.

  Alexis appeared more composed, though Diego spotted blast marks on her coveralls. Probably another demolition job - she never could resist a good explosion.

  "Well, if it isn't the old wardog himself," Jack grinned, reaching for something off-screen. "Let me guess you need someone to fix another one of your impossible problems?"

  "More like several impossible problems." Diego glanced at the exposed power conduits running along the ceiling. "How do you feel about quantum portals and interdimensional power requirements?"

  Alexis leaned forward, her eyes lighting up at the mention of quantum technology. "You had me at quantum. Though I'm guessing this isn't exactly APU-sanctioned?"

  "Let's just say it's a private venture." Diego kept his voice neutral, though both would understand the implications. They'd all seen enough of APU's "optimal solutions" to know why some projects needed to stay off official channels.

  "Good," Jack's grin turned predatory. "Those AI-loving bureaucrats wouldn't know real engineering if it bit them in the ass. When do we start?"

  "Transport's already incoming. Pack light but bring your tools. We've got a facility full of jury-rigged power systems that need your special touch."

  "Oh joy, another chance to fix someone else's mess." Jack's hologram flickered as he stood, his cybernetic leg whirring softly. "Just tell me there's decent coffee this time."

  Diego stepped into the Embarkation room's control center. Dr. Smith hunched over an open panel, her lab coat wrinkled and stained. Two technicians lingered behind her, trading puzzled looks that spoke volumes about whatever chaos had preceded his arrival.

  Dr. Smith straightened up, her normally pristine ponytail half-undone with strands falling around her face. A dark smudge marked her left cheek, but her eyes sparkled with triumph as she turned to her techs.

  "All set now. I've replaced and locked down the oscillation dampener correctly."

  Diego noticed the smudge on her cheek, an unexpected detail that made the brilliant physicist seem more... human. "You've got grease," he said, his usual gruff tone softening slightly.

  Dr. Smith's hand flew to her face, her satisfied expression morphing into embarrassment as her fingers found the smudge. "Oh! I must have..." She trailed off, frantically wiping at her cheek.

  The techs behind her visibly relaxed, their confusion giving way to poorly concealed grins. One of them handed her a clean cloth, which she accepted with a mumbled thanks.

  Diego found himself fighting back a smile.

  Diego leaned against the control console, watching Dr. Smith frantically dabbing at the grease mark. "Most scientists I know wouldn't get their hands dirty like this."

  Her eyes narrowed, but a smile tugged at her lips. "I'll have you know that practical application is just as important as theory." She tossed the cloth at his face. "And I wasn't rolling around. I was making critical adjustments."

  "Good to see someone who knows their equipment inside and out."

  "The oscillation dampener failed during our last test run." She smoothed down her hair, her cheeks flushed. "I may have... rushed the maintenance last time. Didn't secure it properly."

  "May have?"

  "Fine, I definitely rushed it." She crossed her arms. "Happy?"

  Diego glanced at the two techs, who were doing their best to look busy while clearly enjoying the show. "Maybe we should put one of these guys in charge of component replacement. Free up yourself to focus on the voodoo."

  The techs perked up immediately. The taller one nodded enthusiastically while his partner already reached for the maintenance manual.

  "I suppose that would be... sensible." Dr. Smith adjusted her lab coat, trying to recover some dignity. "Though I want it noted that I am perfectly capable of handling maintenance."

  "Sure you are, Doc." Diego handed the cloth back to her. "You missed a spot, by the way."

  Diego watched Dr. Smith wipe the last traces of grease from her face. Her usual composed demeanor had slipped, revealing a different side to the brilliant physicist - one that got her hands dirty and tackled problems head-on. He found it refreshing.

  "What can I do for you, Diego?" She pulled the elastic from her disheveled ponytail, dark hair cascading around her shoulders before she gathered it back up with practiced efficiency.

  "Need to set up a holo-cal with Kaito. Time to nail down equipment and personnel requirements." Diego leaned against the control panel, careful to avoid the array of switches and buttons.

  Dr. Smith secured her fresh ponytail with a final twist. "Of course. Give me fifteen minutes to freshen up? We can meet in the conference room over at Cove HQ."

  "Fifteen minutes. I'll be there." Diego pushed off from the panel. The two techs had already disappeared back to their stations, leaving them alone in the control center. The gateway loomed behind them, its metal frame gleaming under the harsh fluorescent lights. Even powered down, it radiated potential - a doorway to possibilities Diego was only beginning to grasp.

  Dr. Smith gathered her tools, tucking them into the pockets of her lab coat. Her earlier flustered energy had settled into focused determination. "The conference room has better holo-projection capabilities anyway. We'll be able to review the specs in more detail there."