The neon glow of the Central Nexus pulsed rhythmically, casting an otherworldly light on the assembled Sentinels. Jarek, still reeling from the revelation of Araya's past, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with his comrades. Liara's bioluminescent antennae flickered in concern, while Ryn's exoskeleton creaked with unspoken tension. Even Xander, with his usual smirk, seemed subdued by the gravity of the situation.High Chancellor Irvan, a being of pure energy emanating from an ornate harness, addressed the gathered heroes. His voice echoed through the vast chamber, resonating with the power of a thousand suns. "Sentinel Araya Nix has confessed to a grave transgression," he boomed. A collective gasp rippled through the room. "Her actions have jeopardized the trust and unity that hold the Enclave together."Jarek's heart pounded. Araya, the stoic and seemingly unbreakable mentor, had broken a cardinal rule? Betrayal gnawed at him, twisting his loyalty into a knot of confusion.Irvan continued, detailing Araya's actions – aiding a rogue faction within the Krell Empire in exchange for information on her past. "She claims this knowledge is vital to the continued fight against the Krell," he said, his voice laced with suspicion.Fury simmered in the chamber. Murmurs of outrage rose, punctuated by growls and hisses. Ryn, his mandibles clicking with disapproval, stepped forward. "If what she says is true, Chancellor, this information could be our greatest advantage yet."Araya, standing at the foot of the dais, her form barely visible in the shadows, spoke for the first time. "I understand the gravity of my actions," she said, her voice hoarse. "But the knowledge I seek concerns a weapon, a Krell artifact of unimaginable power, capable of disrupting the very fabric of the Neon Light."A tense silence followed. The consequences of such a weapon were too horrific to contemplate. The very energy that fueled their powers, the source of their cosmic justice, could be turned against them.Jarek stepped forward, his voice ringing clear. "We need to hear her out. If this weapon exists, we can't ignore it." He glanced at Liara, her eyes questioning but resolute.Xander, ever the enigmatic one, leaned in conspiratorially. "Besides, who else is going back into the lion's den to steal their toys?" A wry smile played on his lips.Irvan narrowed his energy form, scrutinizing each of them in turn. Finally, he spoke. "Araya will be stripped of her rank and held under Enclave guard. However, given the seriousness of this threat, a covert mission will be sanctioned. A small team will be dispatched to retrieve the information."He looked directly at Jarek. "Jarek Voss, you will lead this mission. You have proven your courage and dedication. Choose your team wisely."Jarek's pulse quickened. He looked around at his comrades, their faces etched with determination. This mission could be their most dangerous yet. But with the fate of the Neon Light hanging in the balance, they had no choice.End of Chapter 16