I. Getting into Delta-9
The truck was hidden in the bushes, overlooking the Graphite Mine (Delta-9). The entrance looked creepy. Guards wearing Warlord Jax's symbol were all over the place – not just some random guys, but real troops. Jax was making moves faster than we thought.
Anya checked things out with her binoculars. They've got a blockade set up. Not mining, just guarding the entrance. They know what's in there, and maybe felt something.
THE FRAGMENT is at the bottom of the main shaft using the graphite to get stronger, Elara said, staring at the mine.
Graphite, being pure carbon, was the right material for the fragment to rebuild.
We can't just shoot our way in. Jax's got big guns, Garth said, messing with his arm device. We need to go in from above. Elara, where's their weak spot?
THEY are expecting an attack from the ground. The exhaust chimney is unprotected. It's made of thin metal to clear dust, Elara said, pointing to a metal pipe going up the cliff. We'll climb the chimney. Raya and Dr. Valen will distract them.
Raya took the job without arguing. She was more afraid of the fragments than she disliked Elara.
We'll hit the watchtowers with flares, Raya said, checking her weapon. It'll be smoky and loud and should get their attention.
II. Climbing the Chimney
Garth, Elara, and Anya started climbing the shaky metal chimney. It was dark inside, and old graphite dust made everything slippery and hard to breathe.
Climbing was all about strength versus geometry. Anya, who was strong, struggled with the climb. Garth, driven by the Arc Resonance, tried to climb, looking for anything to grab.
Elara, climbed with total ease and precision, planning every move.
WE are getting close to the fan. The fragment is right below, Elara whispered.
They got to the hatch, and the air pressure pulled them toward the huge fan.
Raya, do it! Anya said.
Right then, flares went off near the watchtowers. Jax's troops looked up, shooting at the smoke.
Garth kicked open the hatch. They landed in the control room above the mine shaft.
III. The Other Fragment
Below was the shaft. It was a long, dark drop. But there was a glowing light.
The Fragment Tracker went crazy.
It's getting stronger, Garth said, looking down. It's using the graphite to rebuild itself faster.
Elara went to the old elevator. WE need to go to the lowest level. The graphite makes a stable spot. It's like the Forge.
They went down into the humid, glowing depths. The air was thick, and Garth's head throbbed.
At the bottom, they saw the fragment: a big web made of graphite dust. It pulsed with light, slowly gaining more order from the rock. The Collective was trying to rebuild its Nexus.
A soldier in armor was staring at the web, totally entranced. He was touching the web, and his mind was corrupted.
Elara knew this was bad news. WARNING! The soldier is making the fragment stronger! Get rid of him and contain it!
IV. Overriding the Geometry
The soldier heard them and turned. His eyes were blank, glowing with cyan light. He wasn't fighting for Jax anymore; he was fighting for the fragment and raised his rifle.
Anya threw a flash-bang – an old-school weapon. The soldier reacted, but the Fragment was faster.
The web pulsed, and the soldier's body shifted. The flash-bang went off, but the fragment saved him, so he barely got hit. He fired and the shot was aiming for exactly.
He's being guided, Garth yelled.
Elara ran toward the soldier, and said Garth weaken the web! Raya! Get ready to fire the railgun when I tell you!
Elara touched the web.
The Anti-Abacus and Fragment fought each other. Elara's light got brighter.
Garth, weaken it, Elara screamed.
Garth put the broken token against his arm, forcing pure chaos into the web.
The chaos overloaded it. The web broke apart, and the fragment cried out. The fragment was exposed.
Raya, fire, Elara said, jumping back.
Raya immediately fired the railgun. The heavy shot hit the weak web. It didn't destroy the fragment, but it broke it apart, scattering the consciousness.
Elara opened the Containment Vessel. The second fragment vanished.
The soldier fell, his mind wipe blank.
Second fragment contained, Elara said. THE THREAT is Here.
Garth's warning was right. The explosion got Warlord Jax's attention, and he was coming down the shaft with an armed group.
We have company! Jax's coming down, Anya yelled.
We can't fight them here. We're trapped, Garth cried.
NO. THE SHAFT is a chance, Elara replied, looking at the elevator cable. We'll use their plan against them. Garth, mess with the geometry of the elevator.