Chapter 15: Betrayal Within
The academy was still reeling from the rogue faction's attack. Repairs were underway, and cadets were running drills at a grueling pace, determined to be better prepared for the next assault. Despite the lingering tension, a strange calm had settled over the campus, as though the worst was behind them.
Ethan knew better.
He stood at the edge of the training grounds, his arms crossed as he observed his squad practicing. Jackson and Mira sparred with renewed vigor, their movements sharper than before. Lila sat nearby, her tablet in hand, always scanning for anomalies in the academy's systems.
"Still thinking about the attack?" Lila asked, not looking up.
Ethan nodded. "It doesn't sit right with me. The way they got past our defenses… it felt like they had inside knowledge."
Lila frowned. "You think someone on the inside helped them?"
"I don't think—I know," Ethan replied, his voice firm.
---
The day's training ended with a briefing in the main hall. Instructors lined the stage, their faces grim as they addressed the cadets. Captain Harlow, one of the academy's most respected leaders, stepped forward.
"We must remain vigilant," she said, her voice carrying over the murmurs. "The rogue faction is relentless, but they underestimated us. They won't make that mistake again."
Ethan studied Harlow as she spoke. She had always been tough but fair, her loyalty to the academy unquestionable—or so he had thought.
As the briefing ended, the cadets filed out, but Ethan lingered. Something about Harlow's words felt… off.
---
Later that evening, Lila found Ethan in the library, poring over maps of the academy's defenses.
"You're obsessing again," she said, sliding into the seat across from him.
"I can't shake the feeling that there's more to this," Ethan admitted.
Lila hesitated before speaking. "There might be something. I've been monitoring internal communications, and I found a pattern. Someone's been accessing classified files, but they're covering their tracks. I can't trace it back to anyone."
Ethan's eyes narrowed. "What kind of files?"
"Logistics reports, security protocols… and personnel files," Lila said.
A chill ran down Ethan's spine. "They're looking for weaknesses."
---
That night, Ethan and Lila decided to investigate further. Using Lila's hacking skills and Ethan's enhanced senses, they traced the suspicious activity to a secure storage facility on the outskirts of the academy.
"This is it," Lila whispered as they approached the facility, her tablet showing a blueprint of the building.
Ethan scanned the area, his heightened senses picking up faint movement inside. "Someone's here."
Lila nodded. "Be careful."
---
Inside, the facility was dimly lit, rows of crates and cabinets casting long shadows across the floor. Ethan moved silently, his heart pounding as he approached the source of the movement.
When he rounded the corner, his breath caught. Captain Harlow stood before an open crate, her hands deftly packing what appeared to be classified documents and a small device.
"Harlow?" Ethan said, his voice a mix of shock and anger.
Harlow froze, then slowly turned to face him. "Ethan," she said, her tone calm but cold. "I didn't expect you to find me here."
"What are you doing?" Ethan demanded, his fists clenching.
"Doing what needs to be done," Harlow replied, her eyes hard. "The academy is corrupt, Ethan. They've lied to all of us. The rogue faction… they're not the enemy. They're the solution."
Ethan's mind raced, the weight of her words sinking in. "You're working for them? After everything they've done?"
"They're fighting for freedom," Harlow insisted. "The academy has been using us as pawns, manipulating us for their experiments. You've seen the files, haven't you?"
Ethan hesitated. She wasn't entirely wrong—he had uncovered the truth about the academy's experiments. But betraying everyone to the rogue faction wasn't the answer.
"This isn't the way," Ethan said. "You're putting everyone here at risk."
Harlow shook her head. "You're too young to understand. But you will, in time."
---
Before Ethan could respond, Harlow pressed a button on the device she held. The lights in the facility flickered, and the door slammed shut behind him.
"It didn't have to be this way," Harlow said, her voice tinged with regret. "But you've left me no choice."
The room filled with the sound of whirring machinery as automated turrets emerged from the walls, their barrels swiveling to target Ethan.
"Ethan!" Lila's voice crackled through his earpiece. "The facility's systems just went haywire. Get out of there!"
"I'm a little busy!" Ethan shouted, diving behind a crate as the turrets opened fire.
---
System Alert:
Mission Update: Escape the Trap
Objective: Survive the ambush and stop the traitor.
Reward: +100 XP.
---
Ethan activated Combat Instinct, his reflexes sharpening as he dodged the hail of bullets. He needed to disable the turrets and stop Harlow before she escaped.
"Lila, can you shut down the turrets?" he asked, his voice strained as he narrowly avoided a shot.
"I'm trying!" Lila replied. "The system's locked down tight, but I'll find a way."
Ethan didn't wait for her response. Using Force Dash, he sprinted toward the nearest turret, ripping it from the wall in one swift motion. Sparks flew as the machinery sputtered and died.
---
Harlow watched him with a mixture of shock and admiration. "Impressive. But it won't be enough."
She reached for a weapon concealed in the crate, leveling it at Ethan.
Ethan barely had time to react as the blast erupted from the weapon, a wave of energy slamming into the crate he had taken cover behind. He staggered to his feet, pain radiating through his body.
"Lila, now would be a great time!" he shouted.
"Almost there!" Lila said.
---
As Harlow prepared to fire again, the turrets suddenly powered down. Lila's voice came through the earpiece. "Got it! Turrets are offline."
Ethan didn't hesitate. Activating Precision Strike, he lunged at Harlow, disarming her with a single, calculated blow.
"It's over," he said, his voice firm.
Harlow glared at him, her expression unreadable. "You're making a mistake, Ethan. One day, you'll see the truth."
---
Security forces arrived moments later, taking Harlow into custody. As she was led away, Ethan felt a pang of uncertainty. She had betrayed the academy, but her words lingered in his mind.
Lila approached him, her expression a mix of relief and concern. "You okay?"
Ethan nodded, though he didn't feel it. "Yeah. Thanks for the assist."
As they walked back to the dorms, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that the betrayal was only the beginning. The rogue faction's influence ran deeper than he had imagined, and the academy's secrets were far from fully uncovered.
Ethan clenched his fists. Whatever the cost, he would get to the bottom of it.