We convened as planned in the CIC's war room. I was last through the door, and Mac and Commander Torres were already deep in conversation.

"Forgive me," Mac said and stood to let me take the head seat.

"Don't worry, I had other issues."

"Lia?" Mac asked.

"How did you know?"

"You've uncovered something I don't think any of us thought possible, and I believe it would affect her more than anything."

I sat down, running a hand over my face. "We have quite the task ahead of us."

"We're ready for it," Mac said.

"I don't know about that." I replied.

"You don't look like people who give up so easily," Torres said.

"How long till we hear back from Lev?"

"It could be some time," Lia said over comms.

"I am sure he has his hands full as well," I added and pointed to the displays they'd been looking at. "Where were you up to?"

Mac pulled the image in closer. "Dr Xian had some up-to-date readouts from the area. Lia pulled as much data from their ship as she could."

"She hacked the ship and helped rescue us?"

"She's quite the team member," I said.

"She's something," Torres said. "That's for sure."

"What you might hear, while you're onboard..." I started.

Commander Torres held her hand up. "I've only seen good intentions from you, and everything else from third parties. Those Doctors wouldn't be here without you. The Brakers would have killed us and then likely them."

"There's no confirmation they were Brakers."

"Let me show you," Lia said.

The 3D screen flickered, and then a view of their ship popped up. "While we were rescuing, I infiltrated their systems and their encryptions. They were 100% Brakers, though a pirate offshoot. The ship is a class Zepher 403. Military hardware that, like the Doctor's vessel, it just came unstuck in that particular area of space."

On screen was a full schematic of the ship and its weapons. "That's one hell of a ship."

"More than military grade." Mac agreed.

"How many do you think they have?"

"I can track this," Lia said. "Give me some time, though, there are a lot of other things I need to do before that."

"Okay," I was nodding, but I felt awful. "So the station?"

"Early reports that Commander Torres was given indicate they're running on emergency power." Mac said. "The main communications array was damaged, but we detected significant electromagnetic activity in the lower levels."

"That matches what we information we do have," Torres added, looking over the tactical display. "Reports detected unusual energy signatures. Consistent with high-capacity data processing systems."

"Because it is. A huge processing facility," I concluded. "People's fucking consciousness."

"Most likely," Mac agreed. "These external readouts show signs of recent combat, too. Hull breaches in modules three and six."

"Their automated defense platforms are offline," Lia added.

"Do you know anything about Braker's defensive capabilities?" I asked Torres, hoping.

"Well, as we said, the ship that attacked us had military-grade weapons and countermeasures." She highlighted several points for us. "If they're using similar technology to defend the station, you're looking at someone who is very prepared for outside attack."

Sorrel came through the door, and I indicated for her to sit.

"Prepared is not what I wanted to hear," I said and looked at Mac. "What do you think?"

"I also wish Lev were here," he said. "However. It is clear they've stolen military technology, and have access to manufacturing capabilities that exceed corporate authorization levels."

"Black market military contracts?" Sorrel suggested.

"Or lots of Coalition personnel working for them," Torres said, then sank back in her chair.

"It's got some extensive damage," Mac said and spun the image to show it.

"That could be Dr. Martinez's sabotage," Lia said, "or Braker eliminating witnesses. Either way, the station's been through a hell of a firefight."

"Captain," Torres said. "They have military-grade weapons, and they're willing to engage Coalition ships."

"What are you saying?"

"I contact Command and request immediate military support. A full task force could be here within—"

"No," I interrupted her. "By the time Coalition forces arrive, Dr. Martinez could be dead and the prototype hybrid complete. We can't afford to wait for official approval."

She nodded slowly. "I understand. But I want this on record. I believe this exceeds civilian capabilities."

"We're not just civilians."

"Noted," she said. "I still stand by my statement."

"We'll make sure it's on record for you," Mac said. "We want Coalition backing when we need it."

"Even if it's after, and we have to take some consequences with it."

Torres nodded. "You know there will be consequences."

"The Brakers have infiltrated deep into our governments; we'll need to be very careful what comes of this," Lia warned.

"What do you mean?"

"We believe not all of the Coalition is on the side of the people."

"They're backing the Brakers?"

"Possibly, we just can't prove all of who, but we will."

"I would suggest you keep that to yourselves without concrete evidence."

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

"We will," Mac said. "We're very aware of our position."

"But you're much more than you make out, and not civilian?"

I had to redirect the conversation. She was digging too much into us. "What else can you tell us from a tactical perspective, Lia?"

She activated the screen, projecting more tactical analysis than I'd ever seen before. "I've dug a lot of this up from archives all over. They favor concentrated firepower over defense, and their weapons systems are designed to eliminate threats quickly."

"That is consistent with what Xian and the others have told us," Sorrel noted. "They're not taking prisoners anymore. They'll shoot anyone on sight rather than verify."

"Their electronic countermeasures are extensive," Lia continued. "They're already using adaptive jamming."

"What about their personnel?" Mac asked.

"It's been confirmed, their professional." I replied. "Dr. Xian said they move like military units rather than corporate security."

Torres's expression was grim. "I agree, Captain, whoever Brakers has recruited, they will not be standard security contractors."

<<Are we doing the right thing?>> I asked. <<Should we wait for Coalition backup?>>

<<Even Lev could be here before the Coalition.>>

She was right. <<We aren't just infiltrating a research facility. We're going up against a military operation with resources that rival government capabilities.>>

<<We are, and we can do this.>>

<<You're confident?>>

<<I trust us, as a team. Yes.>>

"Commander," I said. "I'm going to ask you to make a choice. You can take your crew and our spare shuttle and continue to the nearest base to report what you've learned. Or you can stay and help us stop this before it spreads beyond our ability to contain."

Torres was quiet for a long moment, studying the tactical displays again.

"They're still recovering from their injuries. I am trained for this kind of operation. If you'll have me, I'd like to join your insertion team."

"That's not necessary—"

"Captain, with respect, it is necessary. What I've seen here represents a direct threat to Coalition security and human consciousness itself. I took an oath to defend against this. I can't just let you go on without us."

Mac looked at me, "An additional team member with military training could improve our chances."

"And if you're captured?" I asked her.

"Then I'll be in the same situation as anyone else who enters that facility," she replied. "But I'd rather face that risk than let this carry on."

<<Lia?>>

<<I already have contracts that legally hire her as part of our operations. One that would withstand scrutiny from her peers.>>

"Then welcome to the team," I held my hand out for her. "Let's hope we all make it out. Alive."

"And with our full faculties," Sorrel added.

"Okay," Mac said. "Any other details?"

"Dr. Xian provided what layout information she could remember for the lower levels," Lia said. "The consciousness processing facility is extensive, but they're working from memory rather than detailed schematics."

"Think they can help us some more."

"Possibly when we get closer," Sorrel said. "When they've had some time to recoup."

"It's been an ordeal for everyone," Torres agreed. "What is your ETA to Kepler?"

"We're fourteen hours out," Lia said.

"Plenty of time for some rest," I said. "We'll rotate well. Get a good amount of sleep before we reach the station."

"That gives us time to prepare properly," Torres said, reviewing the notes. "I'll need to coordinate with your armory for weapon compatibility."

"Mac, you can work with the Commander on equipment integration, yes?" I ordered. He nodded at me. "Standard infiltration loadout, but I want us properly equipped for a military-grade opposition if needed."

<<What about Dr. Xian's technical notes?>> Lia asked through the neural link. <<She provided detailed information about the consciousness extraction process. We could analyze it together.>>

I felt a spark of interest through our connection. Working on the technical details would give us both something to focus on, rather than dwelling on the risks ahead.

<<You think there's something there. Don't you?>>

<<I do,>> she replied.

<<Then that's a good idea.>> I said aloud. "Lia and I will work on understanding what they've been doing at the facility. If we can... Maybe we can figure out how it works. Maybe we can develop something like Dr. Martinez was, something to reverse it?"

"Countermeasures?" Sorrel asked.

"Yes. A way to protect your neural interface from extraction attempts," Lia explained. "Or at the very least, detection methods to identify when the technology is being used on you."

"That could be invaluable," Torres said. "Both for the mission and for future encounters with this technology."

"You think they have more than one facility doing this?" I asked.

Silence.

"Fuck," I said.

"Then we make this count," I said finally. "We save Dr. Martinez. We gather the intelligence on the consciousness vault, and we find a way to stop the hybrid."

"And if we can't do all three?" Mac asked.

"Then we prioritize." Lia added. She was in my thoughts after all.

"The hybrid represents the greatest threat. If we have to choose between saving one person and preventing Braker from gaining consciousness-level strategic advantages..."

"We stop the prototype," Mac finished.

"Exactly. But maybe we won't have to choose if we understand what we're really facing."

***

The next six hours passed far too slow, though we were all focussed on our tasks. Mac and Torres worked through equipment protocols while I retreated to my quarters with Lia to analyze Dr. Xian's technical notes as well as anything else she had salvaged from the ships before we left it.

"Show me what you understand about their mapping technique," I said, settling into my desk chair.

I brought up my screens, and Lia started with several displays. "Are you joining me?"

"Direct link?"

I swallowed. "We've not done this since..."

"It will help you see everything I do," she said.

Dubius, I pulled the cord from the desk, and feeling the back of my neck, was about to plug in hard.

"Wait," Lia said. "We can do this without. We're a lot more connected than we used to be."

"I don't need the lead?"

"Close your eyes."

I complied, and the world of the Faulkner faded.

"Now open them."

When I opened my eyes again. It was like being back in my apartment or in the academy dorms. I was standing in a room, wall to wall with visual interfaces.

I smiled at Lia who appeared before me. "Show me."

"Dr. Xian described a three-stage process. First, they map the neural pathways using quantum resonance scanning. Like what Dr. Chen did with us." The image of a brain, mine I presumed flashed up. "Then they isolate specific cognitive functions, creativity, analytical thinking, and emotional processing. Finally, they extract those isolated patterns and integrate them into artificial matrices."

"And the subjects remain conscious during this?"

"According to her notes, yes. They need the neural patterns to remain active for successful extraction. The consciousness stays aware while pieces of their mind are systematically removed."

I felt sick thinking about it, but forced myself to focus on the technical. The things I knew, well, hoped I could fix. "What vulnerabilities were there, if any?"

"The quantum resonance scanning requires a specific frequency range to map neural pathways accurately," she explained, pulling up diagrams based on Xian's descriptions. "If we could disrupt that frequency, or mask our neural signatures..."

"We could do that," I said. "Through our interface I think, right?"

"Theoretically," she looked at me. "We could generate rotating frequencies it might obscure us. It would be like... electromagnetic camouflage and if we rotate it fast enough, hopefully they can't follow it or work out any patterns."

I leaned forward, intrigued. "What would you need?"

"Time to develop the algorithms, and processing power to maintain the disruption field. It would put additional stress on our neural link, but it might very well protect us from extraction attempts."

"Additional stress meaning what exactly?"

That had me worried, I wasn't 100% anything yet.

"Accelerated progression of your neural lesion," her shoulders slumped. "It might not be severe."

"But it could be?"

She nodded. "It would use existing interface capabilities rather than forcing new connections But anything we do is going to be a risk."

"Would something like this work for the others?"

"They don't have me, but we could possibly program their HUD interface to do something similar. It just wouldn't adapt on the fly like we can."

"Has to be worth a try," I said. I considered the trade-off. We could protect our consciousness from theft in exchange for some neural deterioration. It seemed like an acceptable risk. Maybe....

"Do it," I ordered. "Let's get this going, now. The quicker we have something concrete, the better."

Category Parameter Value Notes Overview Classification Experimental Countermeasure Nil Development Status Active Research Nil Primary Application Consciousness Extraction Defense Nil Technical Frequency Range 2.4–8.7 THz Quantum resonance disruption Rotation Cycle 0.3–1.2 s Adaptive based on threat level Signal Strength +15–40% baseline Above normal neural activity Pattern Complexity 4,847 frequencies/cycle Impossible to predict/track Detection Probability <3% Against known scanning tech Operational Protection Level 67% → 85% (6 hours) Builds to full effectiveness Neural Load +23% baseline Additional processing overhead Power Consumption +8.2% interface Reduced overall capabilities Coverage Complete cortical Full consciousness protection Deployment Time 3 seconds Emergency activation

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