The dim lighting of the underground operations room hummed softly as Ava and Lucien regrouped with the department heads. Holographic projections illuminated the round table where several grim-faced individuals sat, each representative of their respective fields in the Global Defence Network (GDN). Tension hung thick in the air as the group reviewed the recent attack, focusing on the sudden appearance of the highly evolved automaton that had nearly claimed Ava's life.
"We've never seen anything like this," Captain Orion Blake remarked, his arms crossed as he stared at the projection of the dismembered machine. "Weaponized, with self-regenerating parts. Nexus has clearly escalated their efforts."
Ava sat in silence, replaying the moment in her head—the intense surge of energy that had flowed through her body during the fight. It had been instinctive, uncontrollable. She had no idea what had happened or how she had done it. All she knew was that she had destroyed the automaton with a force that didn't feel human. She looked down at her hands, the faintest glow still lingering beneath her skin, something no one else seemed to notice.
Lucien, always calm and collected, leaned forward, his metallic frame casting a faint shadow. "Our focus should be on what caused the automaton to evolve. There are only two options here: either Nexus has perfected a new kind of tech, or something else is influencing the machines."
"Something else?" Orion raised an eyebrow. "Are you suggesting there's another player involved?"
Before Lucien could answer, the head of the technological research division, Dr. Sylas Quinn, spoke up. "The automaton you encountered had components we've never seen before. Its power sources are beyond conventional Aetherium usage—this is highly advanced technology, and not something Nexus typically deploys in the open."
Ava shifted uncomfortably in her chair. Everyone was dancing around the same question, but no one dared voice it. Was this automaton just a prototype? Or was it a part of a larger, more dangerous plan? And more importantly, why did it seem drawn to her?
"What's our next move?" asked Marion Leva, the journalist who had been assisting in investigating the Nexus conspiracy. She glanced at Ava, her eyes sharp and observant, as though she could sense something was off.
Ava cleared her throat. "We track down the source. We can't let Nexus keep evolving these machines unchecked."
Dr. Quinn nodded. "I'll dig deeper into the materials and see if we can find any clues to its origin. But it's possible we're dealing with something we've never encountered before. A higher form of intelligence guiding these machines."
Orion stood, placing both hands on the table. "In that case, we need to double our efforts. Marion, keep digging into the Nexus financials. Lucien, work with Dr. Quinn to analyze the data we've gathered so far. Ava..." he paused, his gaze narrowing. "You need to rest."
Ava's jaw tightened. "I'm fine, Captain."
"After what you've been through, you need to be at your best," Orion countered.
But Ava knew there was no time to rest. Whatever had just awakened inside her wasn't something that would go away with sleep. She had to get back into the field—she had to understand what had just happened to her.
---
Later that night:
The streets outside were quiet now, a stark contrast to the earlier chaos. Ava sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the faint glow in her palm. She flexed her fingers, and the light flickered in response. It was real, she wasn't imagining it. But where had it come from? How was this possible?
Lucien stood by the window, watching her in silence. "You're different now," he said quietly.
Ava looked up, startled. "What?"
Lucien turned to face her, his glowing eyes scanning her. "Your vitals, your neural patterns. They've changed since the encounter with the automaton."
Ava swallowed hard. "What does that mean?"
"I'm not sure yet," Lucien replied. "But whatever happened out there—it wasn't normal. You've been exposed to something."
Ava's heart raced. She had felt the power surge through her, but hearing it confirmed by Lucien only made it more real. She stood up, pacing the room. "This isn't right. It felt like... like I wasn't myself."
Lucien stepped closer, his voice calm. "We'll figure it out, Ava. But for now, you need to focus. We still have a mission."
Ava stopped pacing, her mind whirling with questions she couldn't answer. "Lucien... what if I'm becoming like them? What if this... resonance is connected to the Aetherium shards? What if it's changing me?"
Lucien tilted his head, considering her words. "It's possible. But whatever is happening to you, it also saved your life. You defeated the automaton, Ava. Something within you activated at just the right moment."
Ava clenched her fists, staring at the faint light flickering from her skin. She had to get a grip on this power, whatever it was. Because if Nexus was evolving their machines, she couldn't afford to be caught off guard again.
Just then, her communicator buzzed. Marion's voice crackled through the device.
"Ava, we've got another attack. This time, it's in the Eastern Sector. Lucien's theories might have been right—this could be a diversion."
Ava exchanged a glance with Lucien. There was no time to process the shock of her newfound abilities. Another wave of chaos had begun.
"We're on our way," Ava replied, determination setting in.
As they left the room, Ava felt the power simmering beneath the surface, a constant reminder that something within her had changed forever. But whether it was a gift or a curse, only time would tell.
---
The streets of the Eastern Sector glowed in the distance, the unmistakable sounds of destruction ringing out as another attack began. Ava and Lucien hurried toward the scene, their steps echoing with urgency.