Code Nexus

The next day, Cassian stood at the entrance of the subway tunnel. The air was damp and clinging to his pores and skin.

He relaxed, steeling himself for what lay ahead. What was to transpire was nothing short of business. He had made his desire to seek out the Ethereal Covenant, and now he would have to prove himself yet again.

Like what was discussed yesterday, he was to meet up with the rebels in the evening to have things further explained.

The coordinates Kingston had given him led him to this abandoned part of Ekoris's subway system. Up there, existence was monotonous, but down right here, time seemed suspended.

Cassian had spent the higher part of the day getting ready for this assembly. He wasn't right here to lie, but he clearly wasn't going to tell the entire fact either.

As he ventured deeper into the tunnel, the lighting fixtures illuminated the damp walls. The darkness was evident if it wasn't for the light.

Each of Cassian's steps became muffled by the usage of the filth underfoot.

Finally, he arrived at a large underground chamber. It had an excessively high ceiling, arching to give the room ambiance. In the middle stood a desk cluttered with maps, guns, and diverse pieces of gadgets, surrounded by the means of a handful of individuals.

Their faces were obscured through hoods. At the pinnacle of the table, Kingston Thorne leaned back in his chair, eyes locking onto Cassian as he entered.

"Ah, the prodigal son of AU has arrived," Kingston stated. "I started to assume you'd misplaced your nerve."

Cassian suppressed a grin. The warmth in Kingston's tone turned into welcoming, but Cassian knew better than to allow his protection down.

"I meant what I said yesterday," he lightly spoke back. "We have similar pursuits."

Kingston motioned for him to sit and said, "You have to have some idea of what we're talking about, right? The dangers involved? If you're not fully committed, then you never should have come here."

Cassian met Kingston's gaze, feeling the weight of the moment, and simply said, "I know…"

"Good," Kingston said, leaning forward, elbows resting on the desk. "As you know, we have an operation planned, and it requires a little finesse, intelligence, and a degree of ruthlessness. We're focused on an AU convoy—one transporting high-tech devices that I want."

'He didn't tell me the cargo truck was AU's convoy… This complicates things.'

Cassian remained motionless as Kingston outlined the plan. He had predicted something ambitious; however, the scale of this operation didn't surprise him.

"This is a bold operation," he claimed.

Kingston smirked, genuinely participating in Cassian's measured reaction. "We have something AU doesn't—statistics. With your insight into their inner workings, we can execute this heist without much trouble."

Cassian considered his options. Rejecting the offer would likely alienate Kingston and the Ethereal Covenant; however, agreeing meant entangling himself further in a web of revolt and hazard.

Still, this was a precious opportunity to deepen his reference to the Covenant while keeping his remaining goals concealed.

"I can assist," he said after a pause. "But I'll need more information—timing, routes, everything."

"Good penchant," Kingston replied, pride obvious in his voice. He gestured to one of his followers, a wiry young girl. "Nia will fill you in."

Nia stepped forward, rolling out a map throughout the table, and said, "The convoy will arrive at AU headquarters at sunrise and then head toward Velthoria in the afternoon. It's closely guarded; however, we have recognized a factor along the route where their defenses are weak."

She traced her finger along the map, marking the spot. "We can ambush them right here." It is the place near headquarters, just beyond the initial checkpoint. A place where the convoy and the armed cars will be a good measure away from each other for a while.

Cassian eyed the map, weighing the options while saying, "And what about AU's response time? If they believe an ambush, they'll send reinforcements."

"Exactly," Kingston said, jumping in. "We want a distraction to tug their attention away from the convoy."

Cassian nodded, replying, "We may need to create a diversion near the primary gates. That could hold them long enough for you to make your pass."

The room fell silent for a moment.

"That's unstable," Kingston stated in a thoughtful tone. "But if we can pull that off, it might just be something."

"I can do it," Cassian confided.

He wasn't just looking to show himself; he turned to also trying out the energy of the Ethereal Covenant and gauging how they were willing to move. This operation should serve his larger reason of undermining AU from the inside.

Kingston leaned lower back in his chair, eyes narrowing slightly as he said, "If we pull this off, we'll definitely make ourselves known. But I want to know you're fully with us, Black. This isn't pretty much one task—it's joining a movement."

Cassian held his gaze and said, "I understand what's at stake. I'm ready to stand with you."

"Good," Kingston stated, nodding approvingly. "Nia will quick you into your role. We'll meet again the following day at night to finalize the entirety."

Cassian nodded, but as he stepped far from the table, the burden of their expectations settled on his shoulders. This was greater than only a mission—it changed into a pivotal moment, one that might check his commitment to both aspects of this warfare.

As the others started out discussing logistics, their voices dwindled into a background murmur.

Cassian drifted to the threshold of the chamber, leaning towards the cool wall to think. His mind had been interrupted by the sound of Kingston's voice.

"You okay?" the leader requested. "You seem a chunk... distant."

"I'm fine," Cassian replied. "Just thinking about the project. The stakes are excessive."

"They continually are," Kingston said. "But this is bigger than anybody, man or woman. We're on the verge of something huge for our group."

"Agreed," Cassian stated, though internally, he wasn't certain what he really wanted to do with the Ethereal Covenant.

As the meeting wound down, he observed himself drawn into conversations with the alternative rebels. They shared testimonies of their struggles below AU's rule. Each tale turned into one full of difficulty, pain, and loss.

At one factor, Nia approached him and noted, "You've been quiet... If you have any concerns, now's the time to talk up."

"I admire that," Cassian spoke back. "I'm simply processing everything. It's plenty to take in."

She smiled, leaning against the table. "I get it. When I first joined, it became overwhelming. But we're stronger collectively. Everyone here brings something specific, and that's how we'll win."

Her sincerity almost stuck him off guard. Could this rebellion without a doubt be the change he was looking for? Or were they going to be like every other device in his arsenal? The query intrigued him.

"Why did you join?" he abruptly asked, unable to incorporate his interest.

Nia's expression darkened slightly.

"My family suffered under AU's rule. They were a part of them once; however, once they refused to comply with orders that could hurt harmless people. So, they lost everything. I needed to fight back. I couldn't simply stand by means anymore."

Her phrases were filled with emotion. Cassian nodded, understanding the pain in her story. But he still couldn't shake the feeling that his direction changed into distinctiveness.

"That's noble," he stated carefully. "But what if the fights lead to extra struggling?"

Nia's gaze hardened as she answered, "Change calls for sacrifice. If we don't fight for what's right, then we'll never be free."

That was a bold statement coming from a girl who didn't look much older than him.

He paused, grappling with the load of her words. But he wasn't willing to buy into sad stories.

This girl had struggled. Perhaps not exactly like he had, but struggled nonetheless. They shared a common cause.

Before he could reply, Kingston's voice boomed via the chamber, pulling anyone's attention back to the task at hand.

"Listen up! Tomorrow's task is crucial. We'll meet at dusk to move over the very latest info."

Cassian felt the tension rising as the instant of movement drew nearer. This heist could alternate the whole lot.

As the assembly concluded, he took one closing observation of the rebels, feeling the burden of their acceptance as true. The question was, how far could he take them in his own plans?