Page 65 of Alien Warlord's Fury

"Good," he said after a moment. "It should set within the hour. By the time we move, you'll be effectively invisible to the guardians."

"And Hammond's human security?" Nirako asked.

"That's where traditional stealth comes in," Ravik replied. "The paste only works on Nexus-attuned systems."

I wiped my hands on a cloth, the residue of the paste leaving faint silver streaks. "How will we know when you've started the diversion?"

"You'll know," Zara said, joining us. "We're targeting their power distribution node. When it goes, half the compound will lose primary systems."

"That's our window," Ravik added. "Twenty minutes while they scramble to respond and reroute power."

I looked at Nirako, then back to Ravik and Zara. Four people against Hammond's entire operation. The odds were terrible, the risks enormous.

But the alternative was unthinkable.

"Two hours," I said, determination hardening my voice. "Then we move."

Ravik nodded, his expression grim. "Rest while you can. You'll need your strength."

As they moved away to make their final preparations, Nirako and I found a quiet corner to sit and conserve our energy. The paste on our skin had begun to dry, forming a thin, metallic-looking film that caught the light strangely.

"This isn't how I imagined this undertaking going," I admitted quietly.

"You mean charging in alone wasn't the optimal path?" Nirako asked, his tone dry but gentle.

I gave him a look. "I would have managed."

"Perhaps. But this way, our chances are better."

I leaned against him slightly, drawing comfort from his solid presence. "Do you think it will work? What Ravik said about the Nexus?"

Nirako was silent for a moment, considering. "I think the Nexus is beyond our full understanding. But if anyone can interface with it, it's you."

"That's not exactly reassuring."

"It wasn't meant to be." His hand found mine, our fingers intertwining. "It was meant to be truthful."

Chapter Twenty Two: Nirako

I slipped behind a half-crumbled wall, crouching low to scan the perimeter one final time. No movement. No sign of Hammond's drones or guards.

The dense forest surrounding our hidden location provided decent cover, but I'd learned long ago that decent wasn't good enough.

Claire huddled near a small fire, her silver markings flickering erratically beneath her skin. The unstable energy patterns concerned me, but she'd insisted she was fine. She always insisted she was fine.

"Clear," I announced, moving back to our makeshift camp. "For now."

Claire looked up, her brown eyes reflecting the firelight. "How long until we move?"

"Three hours." I knelt beside our supplies, retrieving the container Ravik had provided. "Time enough to prepare properly."

I opened the sealed container, revealing a thick, grayish paste that carried a distinct metallic scent with earthy undertones. The masking compound would help shield our energy signatures from Hammond's detection systems—technology that had been salvaged and corrupted from the ancient ruins.

"Is that it?" Claire asked, eyeing the paste skeptically.

"Yes. Ravik said it needs to be applied to specific energy points." I dipped my fingers into the mixture, testing its consistency. Cool and slightly gritty, with an unpleasant tingle against my skin.

"It will help mask our energy signatures from Hammond's security systems."

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