The Questioner System (Ask Me Anything)

Chapter 39: Fractures in the Nexus

The early morning sun barely pierced through the thick canopy of Sector Delta's wilderness. Towering trees stood like ancient guardians, their bark veined with moss and streaked with time. The air carried the heavy scent of damp earth and the faint tang of decay. Underfoot, the forest floor was a chaotic mix of fallen leaves, twisted roots, and patches of slick mud that threatened to trip the unwary.

Victor moved with purpose, his steps light and deliberate, scanning the dense surroundings for any sign of danger. Behind him, Adam followed closely, his mind filled with calculations and tension. Marcus trailed at the back, his rifle slung over one shoulder, muttering sarcastic remarks under his breath. Lex brought up the middle, eyes fixed on her tablet as she tried to bypass Nexus signals that crackled faintly in the air.

Their destination was a Nexus supply depot buried deep within Sector Delta—a critical node in the enemy's supply chain. Disabling it would weaken Nexus's hold in the region and give the resistance a fighting chance.

Victor paused at the edge of a small clearing. "We're close. Keep quiet."

"System," Adam whispered under his breath, "how far are we from the depot?"

Adam nodded to himself and relayed the information to the group. Victor adjusted their course slightly, leading them away from the open clearing into denser woods.

The tension in the group was palpable. Marcus broke the silence. "So, what's the plan when we get there? We sneak in, plant some explosives, and waltz out like heroes?"

Victor didn't turn. "We'll adapt once we know what we're dealing with. Focus on the job."

"System," Adam whispered again, "what's the likelihood of encountering patrols before we reach the depot?"

Victor glanced at Adam. "Anything useful?"

"Stay low. Keep off the ridges," Adam replied.

Victor gave a sharp nod. "Understood."

The group continued, weaving through the dense undergrowth. Adam couldn't shake the growing weight of responsibility on his shoulders. The questions he asked the system always felt critical, each one bringing them closer to safety—or danger.

The depot came into view just before noon, a cluster of metal structures surrounded by a high fence topped with razor wire. Watchtowers rose at each corner, guards armed with rifles scanning the perimeter from elevated platforms. Beyond the fence, a series of supply trucks sat parked in neat rows, their engines silent but ready.

Lex knelt beside Victor and opened her tablet, syncing it to the Nexus network. "I'll loop their cameras and disable the fence's electrical grid. But we've got about five minutes before they notice something's off."

Victor nodded. "Marcus, you cover us from the ridge. Lex, once the grid's down, fall back to cover. Adam, you're with me. We'll plant charges on the fuel tanks and the armory."

Marcus grinned, already moving toward a rocky outcrop with a clear view of the depot. "I've got your backs. Try not to get shot."

Lex rolled her eyes. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."

Adam's hands trembled slightly as he adjusted the strap of his satchel, which carried the explosives. Victor placed a hand on his shoulder. "Stay focused. We're in and out, no heroics."

Lex worked quickly, her fingers flying over the tablet's interface. Sparks flared briefly near the fence as the electrical grid powered down. She nodded to Victor. "You're clear. Go."

Victor and Adam slipped through the fence, moving like shadows. The depot buzzed with activity—guards patrolling in pairs, workers unloading crates, and the distant hum of machinery.

"System," Adam whispered, "how many guards are near the fuel tanks?"

Victor signaled for Adam to wait, crouching behind a stack of crates. The guards moved on their routes, oblivious to the intruders. When the path was clear, they darted forward, sticking close to the shadows.

Adam's heart pounded as they reached the first fuel tank. He fumbled slightly as he secured the explosive to the base, but Victor's calm presence steadied him.

"You're doing fine," Victor whispered. "One down, three to go."

They moved to the second tank, repeating the process.

Marcus watched from the ridge, his rifle trained on the depot. His sharp eyes caught a glint of movement near the fence—a Nexus patrol approaching the breach.

"Victor, we've got company," Marcus said into the comms. "Two guards heading for the fence. They might spot the cut."

Victor cursed under his breath. "Lex, can you stall them?"

Lex hesitated. "Not without giving away my position."

"System," Adam whispered, "what's the best way to delay the patrol without raising an alarm?"

Adam scanned the area and spotted a pile of loose metal sheets near a stack of crates. He nudged Victor and pointed. "If we knock those over, it'll draw them away."

Victor nodded and motioned for Adam to move. Adam crouched low, grabbed a small rock, and hurled it toward the metal sheets. The resulting clatter echoed through the depot, drawing the guards away from the fence.

Marcus smirked. "Nice throw, kid."

The final charge was placed on a stack of supply crates near the armory. Victor checked his watch. "We're out of time. Fall back to the fence."

As they retreated, the depot's alarms suddenly blared to life. Nexus guards swarmed the area, their shouts cutting through the air.

"They found the breach!" Lex shouted over the comms.

"Move!" Victor barked, grabbing Adam's arm and pulling him toward the exit.

Gunfire erupted as Marcus provided cover from the ridge. His shots were precise, taking down guards before they could reach the group.

Lex was already through the fence, her tablet slung over her shoulder as she fired her pistol at approaching guards. Victor and Adam slid through the gap just as the guards closed in.

"Detonate," Victor ordered.

Adam hesitated, his thumb hovering over the trigger. For a moment, he thought of the chaos they were about to unleash. Then he pressed the button.

The explosion lit up the sky, a massive fireball consuming the depot and sending plumes of black smoke into the air. The shockwave rattled the ground beneath their feet as the group fled into the forest, their breaths coming in ragged gasps.

They didn't stop running until they were miles away, hidden in a dense thicket far from the depot. Victor leaned against a tree, his face grim but satisfied.

"Good work," he said. "That'll cripple their operations in this region."

Lex slumped onto a fallen log, her expression exhausted. "Next time, let's find a way to blow something up without nearly getting killed."

Marcus chuckled, wiping sweat from his brow. "Where's the fun in that?"

Adam sat apart from the group, his body aching but his mind racing. He knew this was just the beginning. Nexus would strike back harder than ever, and Verdan wouldn't take this loss lightly.

Their fight was far from over.