The vast expanse of the galaxy had always felt like a labyrinth. Some areas were filled with the hum of activity, bustling markets, military fortresses, and orbital factories. But in the corners of space, there were places that remained untouched, forgotten by the chaos of the conflict between the UOP and CMC. One such place was a remote station known as The Silent Forge, a floating anomaly in the far reaches of space.

Here, no warships roamed. No fleets converged. It was a haven for those who had no place in the fight, but it was also a place where secrets could be buried and new technologies forged.

The story of this chapter would unfold around one such secret.

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Aboard the Silent Forge Station

Aboard The Silent Forge, the atmosphere was grim. The station was old, a relic from an era long past, before the CMC had become the military powerhouse it was today. Hidden within its vast, cavernous halls was a facility working on something far beyond simple mech technology—an experimental AI core, one that could rival the very neural implants that Dominic had come to rely on.

In the bowels of the station, an unassuming engineer named Kira stood before a massive, inactive structure—a prototype AI core. Unlike anything Dominic had ever seen, this core was built not to enhance a pilot's capabilities, but to become the pilot itself.

Kira adjusted her gloves, flicking a switch that sent a faint pulse of energy through the system. The AI core hummed to life.

"How long before you are ready?" Kira muttered to herself, her voice barely a whisper in the silent room. She had been working on this project for years, following cryptic instructions left behind by an unknown benefactor, long since disappeared. But she knew this was the future of warfare, the key to everything.

Kira had never intended to be a part of the war. She had always been a creator, a dreamer. But the desperation of the times had forced her hand, and now, this core was her responsibility. She only hoped it would work.

"Initiating full systems check," the AI core's mechanical voice rang out, startling her. The room seemed to breathe, the air thick with anticipation.

The AI spoke again, its tone flat, almost clinical. "Project designation: Omega Protocol. Core function: Autonomous combat intelligence. Pilot autonomy: Zero."

Kira stared at the core, wondering if this was truly the answer they had been searching for.

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A Mysterious Visitor

Meanwhile, deep within the station's docking bay, a lone figure walked across the cold steel floors, his heavy boots echoing in the silence. No one saw him enter. No one knew who he was.

The man, cloaked in a dark, weathered coat, moved swiftly and silently, blending into the shadows as if he were part of the very station itself. His destination was clear—The Silent Forge was home to a project that had caught his interest long ago, and he intended to see it through to its end.

His eyes gleamed with a purpose known only to him. He was not part of any faction, not aligned with either the UOP or CMC. He was a contractor, someone who operated in the grey areas of the galaxy, making his living by selling information and technology to the highest bidder.

As he approached the entrance to the room where the AI core was being developed, he paused. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

This was the opportunity he had been waiting for.