- Oliver -

As they exited the laboratory, the massive doors swung shut behind them with a resonant clang that echoed throughout the underground facility.

Ahead, emerging from the same path they have taken, ten figures approached. Oliver squinted, trying to discern their features through the half-light. Though he couldn't identify each face, the newcomers bore the same emblematic hourglass insignias of the Children of the Past.

"Leader, the transmission bases are ready. We can start the broadcast at your command," announced the rebel at the forefront, their voice steady yet laced with urgency.

"Excellent," Lian replied, a hint of satisfaction curling at the edge of his lips. "You've arrived just in time. We're heading to the engineering sector. We need to lower some PODs." Without missing a beat, he gestured for the combined groups to follow.

The journey to the engineering hub would take some time walking through the immense building.

But Oliver's mind wasn't on the surroundings. His attention was fixated on one of the individuals who had arrived with the second group. Amidst the cluster of newcomers was a young man with a muscular build and dark skin. Even when his eyes briefly met Oliver's, there was no flicker of acknowledgment, only a steadfast focus.

It was Darius.

Oliver's pulse quickened. 'So he's here,' he mused. 'Are the others embedded in this group as well?' Oliver scanned the faces around him.

Darius moved with a deliberate pace, staying close enough to monitor Lian but not so near as to draw suspicion. His eyes subtly tracked every movement, keenly observing Lian's gestures and interactions. Oliver recognized that intensity, Darius was fully immersed in his role.

The deeper they ventured into the facility, the more apparent it became that the base was in a state of retreat. As they walked through the massive emptiness between each hub, they repeatedly caught sight of other people and even soldiers. However, after a few brief skirmishes, they seemed to have given up entirely and focused solely on retreating and fleeing from the group.

'They are avoiding spending more soldiers, and they are probably trusting us to finish the Children of The Past.' Oliver noted.

After some minutes, they finally arrived at the engineering building. The building was dominated by old computers, webs of cables and wires, and servers.

"Lower three PODs," Lian instructed sharply. "We'll position the cameras at these two angles. That way, we can showcase both the core operations of the base and the contents within the PODs."

As soon as two team members placed the cameras onto the cold, metallic floor, a thunderous roar shook the entire base. The tremor was palpable even hundreds of levels beneath the surface. The hum of machinery faltered for a split second before resuming its relentless rhythm.

Oliver felt his communicator crackle violently in his ear, a sharp squeal of static piercing the air. He pressed his hand against it, wincing at the interference. Amidst the garbled noise, a voice cut through, clear and authoritative. "They're initiating the transmission. Begin the attack."

Despite the distortion, Oliver recognized the commanding tone of the Sixth Division. The command was received.

Before he could fully process the situation, swift movements caught his eye. Three individuals, a trio of women who had been standing casually near the entrance to the engineering wing, sprang into action. With fluid grace, they surged toward Lian, their eyes fixed intently on the leader of the Children of the Past.

But before they could reach him, Lian's form shimmered and vanished, a mere afterimage dissipating like mist. He reappeared several meters away, his expression unreadable.

'Three girls?' Oliver thought, confusion knotting his brow. He hadn't anticipated this. 'Who were they?'

"Finally, they've given the orders," Lian remarked. He seemed unfazed by the attempted ambush, his eyes gleaming with a mix of resignation and determination. "Evacuate! Everyone!"

The command hung in the air for a heartbeat. The members of the Children of the Past, who were unaware of the unfolding betrayal, stood frozen, shock and disbelief etched across their faces. Then, spurred into motion by Lian's directive, they scattered like leaves in the wind

"We have infiltrators," Lian continued, his voice sharp. "Get out of here and transmit any recordings you have."

Panic mixed with urgency as footsteps pounded against the floor.

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Amidst the chaos, Oliver, Darius, and the three women remained rooted to the spot. Their mission was clear, not to halt the transmission, but to eliminate Lian.

The six of them faced off in a tense standoff, the air thick with anticipation. Each assessed the other, calculating moves and gauging strengths.

"I can understand those three," Lian said calmly, his gaze sliding over the trio who had tried to attack him. "But you two," he added, his eyes locking onto Oliver and Darius. "I had hoped your eyes had been opened."

Oliver's throat tightened.

Beside him, Darius maintained a stoic exterior, though a flicker of uncertainty flashed in his eyes.

Without warning, the three women reached up and ran their hands over their faces. In one swift motion, they peeled away thin, translucent masks. But the transformation didn't stop at their faces. Their entire forms began to shift, morphing seamlessly.

Oliver watched in astonishment as two of the women altered entirely, their feminine features giving way to more angular, masculine ones. In moments, Damian, Kyle, and the Pink Ranger stood before him.

"Don't fall for his showmanship," Damian continued, looking sternly at Oliver and Darius. "Remember, we're at war with the Orks. If we don't have enough soldiers, our cities would have been razed to the ground without these means."

Oliver stood a few paces away, his expression a canvas of inner turmoil. Though Damian's argument held a semblance of truth, Oliver knew it was laced with deception. They did have the option to withdraw from the Grand Game. Continuing was not an absolute necessity. There might be a cost, certainly, but could it truly outweigh their actions?

As the flickering overhead lights cast shifting shadows across his face, Oliver's eyes darted to Darius. In contrast, Darius appeared composed, his features a mask of calm neutrality. Yet there was a subtle tension in the set of his jaw, a hint that perhaps he, too, was wrestling with unspoken doubts.

"It's pointless to argue with them," Kyle growled, his voice resonating with impatience. Without warning, he surged forward, muscles coiling as he launched himself at Lian.

Lian stood his ground, eyes keenly observing Kyle's approach. His demeanor was one of poised readiness, every muscle taut as he anticipated the opportune moment to employ his boon. Oliver watched, breath caught in his throat, as Kyle's massive arm drew nearer with alarming speed.

But just as Kyle's fist was about to connect, Lian's form shimmered. Instead of vanishing, a look of surprise flashed across his face. Kyle's punch landed squarely, the force of the impact reverberating through the chamber. Lian was hurled backward, crashing onto the floor.

He skidded across the gritty surface, coming to a halt against the engineering building wall. For a heartbeat, silence prevailed. Then, with a groan, Lian pushed himself up, swaying slightly. Blood trickled from his nose and the corner of his mouth.

"Damn," he muttered, wiping the blood away with the back of his gloved hand. "They've activated a teleportation interference field. They were thorough in their preparations after all." His gaze hardened as he fixed his eyes on his adversaries. "But if you think that's the only way I know how to fight, you're sorely mistaken."

He adjusted his jacket with a swift movement, the fabric stained with dust and blood. In one fluid motion, he reached behind him and drew out his rifle. "Come on then!" he challenged, raising the weapon and taking aim.

Kyle wasted no time, a fierce grin spreading across his face as he accepted the provocation. He began to stride forward ferociously.

Lian squeezed the trigger, and the rifle spat out a barrage of shots, searing the air with streaks of blue-white light. But Kyle was undeterred. As he advanced, his skin began to ripple and harden, his Boon manifesting. The very substance of his body transformed, skin giving way to a textured, stone-like exterior. He had absorbed the properties of solid rock, rendering himself nearly impervious to the onslaught.

The bolts struck his armored arms and torso, sparks flying upon impact. Though the force pushed him back slightly, Kyle gritted his teeth and pressed on. Minor cracks appeared on his stony surface, wisps of smoke curling from the points of contact, but he remained steadfast.

However, Damian and the Pink Ranger took advantage of the moment to attack. Flanking from the sides, whenever Lian started shooting at one, the other two advanced.

They began to slowly tighten the noose, encroaching on Lian from multiple directions. Each step they took forced him to cede ground, narrowing his options.

Gradually, the battle intensified, with more shots and more attacks landing on Lian. Little by little, his breathing became more and more labored, and his mistakes became more apparent, with some strikes even hitting his body.

Amidst the fray, Oliver stood watching in conflict. He wanted to help Lian. He wanted to help the Nameless. Above all, he hated what the Empire was doing. However, if Oliver took this action, he would be saying goodbye to his life, becoming the Empire's number one enemy.

"You're taking too long," a voice crackled through the Rangers' communicators, distorted by static. "The facility will be destroyed in twenty minutes. Finish the battle and evacuate."

"Demolish the building?" Oliver whispered, a knot forming in his stomach. "They're going to kill everyone here. Even the ones in the PODs?"

Oliver glanced down at the flash drive clenched in his hand.

He stole a look at Darius, who was still just watching Lian from a distance.

"Come on, Oliver!" Damian shouted. "We need to end this now!"

Oliver's thoughts churned. Every instinct screamed at him to follow orders, to follow the empire, to follow the emperor. But another part of him urged him to fight. To rebel, to destroy.

'What mess am I getting myself into?' he thought, biting his lip. Deep down, he knew the decision had already been made.

He took a deep breath and stepped closer to Lian, with his back to the leader of The Children of the Past.

"What are you doing?" Kyle yelled.

"Making my choice," Oliver replied.

He looked up, resolve hardening in his eyes.

[Activate - Blue Crystal]

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