The tension in the briefing room was palpable, the air thick with uncertainty. The news Dominic had brought could shake the foundations of the UOP's entire military strategy, and the officers around the table were now tasked with devising a countermeasure. But before they could formulate a plan, Dominic had to come to terms with his own role in what was unfolding.
The room remained silent as Commander Trask studied him with a cold, calculating gaze. "I need everything you know about the CMC's stealth mechs, their technology, and how they intend to use it. You'll be working with our engineers and intelligence teams. We need to know the full scope of the threat."
Dominic stood at attention, his mind already whirring as he thought back to the time he'd spent designing the stealth systems. The mechs he had built, the protocols, the camouflage technology—it was all second nature to him. But it was also a reminder of the darker side of his past.
"Of course," Dominic said, his voice steady. "I'll share everything. But we need to move quickly. If we wait too long, the CMC could have already deployed the next generation of mechs. We don't have the luxury of time."
Trask nodded sharply. "Agreed. We're going to begin immediate preparations. Get to the tech bay, Dominic. You'll be working closely with our engineers. I'll arrange for a briefing with the intelligence team as well. We need all hands on deck for this."
Dominic turned and exited the room, his thoughts consumed by the implications of what was about to unfold. He could feel the weight of the decision pressing on him. He had given the UOP the information they needed, but now the burden of responsibility fell squarely on his shoulders.
The halls of the flagship were buzzing with activity. The aftermath of the battle was still being sorted, but the UOP officers were already redirecting their focus toward preparing for the CMC's next move. As Dominic walked through the corridors, soldiers and technicians hurried past him, each lost in their own thoughts and tasks. The quiet urgency of the moment was unlike any he had experienced before.
He arrived at the tech bay, where a team of engineers was already waiting. They greeted him with a mix of curiosity and suspicion, unsure of what to make of the man who had just defected from the CMC. But Dominic didn't have time for pleasantries.
"Listen up," he said, taking command of the room. "I've worked on their stealth mechs. I know their weaknesses, their capabilities, and most importantly, how to counter them. We don't have much time, so let's get to work."
The engineers nodded, their faces set with determination. Dominic could see that they were ready to get to work, but he needed to give them the information they required to make their next move.
He began by detailing the stealth technology, the core systems that allowed CMC mechs to disappear from radar and sensors, as well as the advanced AI that powered them. He spoke about the cloaking mechanisms, the energy shields that made the mechs nearly impervious to most attacks, and the advanced targeting systems that allowed them to pinpoint their enemies even in the darkest corners of space.
"There's a catch, though," Dominic continued. "The technology isn't perfect. Their mechs are invisible, but not invulnerable. The stealth systems draw a massive amount of power from the core. If you can overload it, you can disrupt their ability to cloak. But it's risky. You have to get close enough to the mech to disable the systems without being detected."
The engineers exchanged glances, clearly impressed with the depth of his knowledge. "We'll need to design a weapon capable of doing that," one of them said. "Something that can breach their energy shields."
"I've got an idea," Dominic said, already thinking ahead. "We need a pulse-based weapon, something that can disrupt their energy field at close range. But we'll need to be careful. One wrong move, and we'll be the ones on the receiving end of their firepower."
The team immediately got to work, breaking into groups and gathering the materials they would need. Dominic stayed in the background, his mind still focused on the larger picture. This wasn't just about defeating CMC mechs. This was about stopping a war that could destroy everything.
Hours passed as the engineers worked tirelessly, and Dominic found himself thinking about Zara. He hadn't allowed himself to grieve after her death, not yet. But as he watched the technicians work, his mind kept drifting back to her. Her last words, the look on her face as she slipped away on that transport ship—he could still feel her presence, a shadow that lingered in the corners of his mind.
But there was no time for grief. The war wouldn't wait for him to heal.
Finally, the engineers presented their prototype: a sleek, pulse-driven weapon designed to overload the stealth mechs' energy shields. It wasn't perfect, but it was a start. Dominic knew it wouldn't be enough on its own, but it was a crucial step in the right direction.
"We'll need to test it," Dominic said. "We can't afford any failures out there. If this works, it could give us the upper hand in the next battle."
Trask's voice came through his comms, breaking his concentration. "Dominic, report to the command center. We've got a new development."
Dominic's heart sank. Another attack? More bad news?
He made his way quickly to the command center, where Trask and several senior officers were waiting. The holographic display in the center of the room flickered to life as he entered, showing a series of red markers clustered near UOP-controlled territories.
"What's this?" Dominic asked, his brow furrowed.
Trask's expression was grim. "CMC has launched a major offensive. They've deployed more juggernaut-class mechs, and they're heading toward our strategic positions."
Dominic's pulse quickened. "Are we ready to respond?"
"We will be," Trask said, locking eyes with him. "But we need you on the front lines. The tech we've developed isn't fully tested, and we need you to lead the charge."
Dominic didn't hesitate. The time for waiting was over. He had spent enough time on the sidelines. It was time to fight.
"I'm ready," he said, his voice unwavering. "Let's finish this."