Chapter 126: The First Countermove

By the seventh day, Captain Adesewa had reached a conclusion.

They could not continue hiding indefinitely.

The concealed facility had provided much-needed protection after the coordinated assassination attempts, allowing the survivors to recover from their injuries and gather their remaining companions.

However, every additional day spent waiting gave their enemies more opportunities to investigate their whereabouts, reorganize their forces, and prepare another attack.

Adesewa understood the dangers of allowing an unknown opponent to control the pace of a conflict.

During her decades as an Awakener, she had participated in countless operations against dangerous monsters, criminal organizations, and rogue Awakeners.

Although the circumstances differed, one principle remained consistent: an enemy allowed to attack without consequence would eventually discover an opportunity to succeed.

And their enemies had already demonstrated considerable resources.

They had coordinated attacks against numerous expedition participants, deployed powerful Awakeners, and maintained enough intelligence to identify people connected to their targets.

Whoever commanded them was neither reckless nor inexperienced.

Adesewa stood before the conference room’s holographic display, examining a map of Zenith City as the others assembled around the table.

Jet arrived alongside Frey, whose injured arm remained secured in a medical brace. Safiya had permitted him to leave his room for limited periods, provided he avoided strenuous activity and continued his prescribed treatment.

Cassian, Marcus, Safiya, and Bastian occupied the remaining seats.

Once everyone had settled, Adesewa turned toward them.

"I’ve made a decision regarding our next course of action," she announced. "We’re abandoning the Beyond evacuation plan."

Nobody appeared particularly surprised.

"The transportation restrictions make it impractical," Adesewa continued. "Moving everyone would require multiple transfers separated by three-day intervals. More importantly, it would force us to divide the civilians between two locations while our enemies remain active."

Marcus nodded thoughtfully.

"Even splitting them into smaller groups within Zenith would create similar problems," he observed. "We’d need separate security arrangements, additional supplies, and reliable communication between locations."

"And every additional location creates another potential weakness," Cassian added, folding his arms. "If the assassins discover even one of them, we might not reach the others in time."

Jet glanced toward Frey.

Neither needed reminding of what had happened when the assassins attacked their homes.

Inez and Nadia had nearly died during the apartment bombing, while Frey’s family had survived only because they managed to reach the estate’s fortified training facility.

Separating them now would accomplish little beyond giving their enemies more opportunities.

"Then everyone stays here?" Jet asked.

"For the moment," Adesewa confirmed. "This facility is defensible, and we’ve already established the necessary arrangements. Until we identify a genuinely safer alternative, keeping our companions together is the most sensible decision."

Bastian leaned forward.

"That still leaves us with the same problem, Captain," he remarked. "We can strengthen the defenses as much as we want, but sooner or later those bastards might find us."

Adesewa’s expression hardened.

"Which is why we’re changing our approach," she replied.

She touched the holographic display, replacing the city map with a collection of locations associated with the previous attacks. "For six days, we’ve been reacting to our enemies. They attacked, we escaped. They pursued, we defended ourselves. They besieged the D’Aubigné estate, and we fought our way through their forces to rescue the family."

Her gaze moved across the table. "That ends today."

Jet straightened.

Adesewa continued, her voice calm but carrying unmistakable authority. "We’re going to find the people responsible for these murders. We’ll identify their operating locations, investigate their resources, and determine who’s issuing their orders. Once we have reliable information, we’ll begin dismantling their organization."

Cassian smiled faintly.

"Now that sounds more like you, Captain," he remarked.

"Don’t mistake this for permission to act recklessly," Adesewa warned him. "We know our enemies possess powerful Awakeners, and we still don’t understand the full extent of their organization. Every operation will require preparation."

Marcus studied the locations displayed before them.

"Then we’ll need a proper division of responsibilities," he suggested. "We can’t afford to send everyone into the field while leaving the facility vulnerable."

"Agreed," Adesewa answered. "I’ve already considered that."

She turned toward Cassian. "Cassian, you’ll coordinate our field investigations. Your Nine Returning Gates makes you particularly valuable during unexpected confrontations, especially when we need to withdraw without committing to a prolonged battle."

Cassian nodded. "Understood, Captain," he replied. "I’ll also contact a few people who might know something about the recent attacks."

Adesewa shifted her attention toward Marcus.

"Marcus, I want you overseeing operational planning and security arrangements. Your King’s Measure is well suited to controlling confined spaces, but your judgment will be just as important when deciding which locations are worth investigating."

Marcus adjusted his posture.

"I’ll review our current defenses and establish procedures for any field operations," he confirmed.

"Safiya, you’ll remain responsible for medical support and recovery," Adesewa continued. "However, your Hounds of Ngalam could also prove useful if we manage to wound an enemy during an engagement."

Safiya nodded.

"If I can place a Hunt Mark on someone, subsequent attacks will be easier to guide toward that target," she explained. "But the mark requires an actual wound, and its usefulness depends on how quickly we act."

"Then we’ll account for those limitations," Adesewa replied.

Finally, she turned toward Bastian. "You’ll provide defensive support during combat operations and assist Marcus with protecting the facility whenever necessary."

Bastian grinned.

"Finally, something straightforward," he declared. "If anyone comes looking for trouble, I’ll make sure they regret it."

Jet listened carefully as the responsibilities were assigned.

The arrangement made sense. Cassian possessed considerable experience operating independently, Marcus excelled at controlling the battlefield, Safiya could provide both medical support and assistance during engagements, and Bastian’s defensive abilities made him particularly valuable when protecting others.

However, Jet noticed that Adesewa had yet to mention him or Frey.

"Captain, what about us?" he asked.

Adesewa turned toward him.

"You and Frey have a different responsibility," she answered. "For now, you’ll remain at the facility, continue developing your combat abilities, and help protect our companions."

Frey frowned.

"Captain, I know I’m injured, but I can still contribute," he protested.

"I know you can," Adesewa replied firmly. "But you suffered a broken arm, fractured ribs, and a punctured lung. Your recovery is progressing well, yet you’re nowhere near ready for another serious battle."

Frey opened his mouth, apparently preparing to argue, but Safiya interrupted him.

"The Captain is right, Frey," she said, examining him sternly. "If you force yourself into combat before your injuries heal, you could undo much of the progress we’ve made."

Frey sighed.

"Fine," he conceded reluctantly. "But once I’m recovered, I expect to participate."

"We’ll discuss that when you’re ready," Adesewa answered.

Jet folded his arms.

"And me?" he asked. "I’m recovering too, but I can still fight."

Adesewa regarded him thoughtfully.

"I’ve seen what you can accomplish despite your current Star Rank," she acknowledged. "However, I’ve also seen what happens when you push your abilities beyond what your body can withstand."

Jet remembered the crushing exhaustion that had followed his desperate escape from the assassins.

His Asura Mask had saved his life, but its backlash had left him dangerously vulnerable afterward.

"You need to improve your control, strengthen your foundation, and learn when to conserve your strength," Adesewa continued. "Fighting stronger opponents isn’t simply a matter of possessing powerful abilities. You must understand how to survive long enough to use them effectively."

Jet considered her words before nodding.

"Understood, Captain," he replied.

"Besides," Adesewa added, "Inez needs you. And if our enemies somehow discover this facility, I want someone capable of protecting the civilians while the others respond."

That argument was considerably harder to dispute.

Jet had no intention of leaving his sister defenseless again.

"Then I’ll make sure nobody gets near them," he promised.

Adesewa nodded approvingly.

"Good. Remember that protecting people is just as important as pursuing our enemies."

The meeting continued for another hour as Marcus outlined possible security improvements and Cassian discussed the difficulties of investigating an organization whose members concealed their identities.

Adesewa emphasized that they would avoid unnecessary confrontations until they possessed reliable intelligence.

Their objective was not revenge against every masked Awakener they encountered.

It was finding the organization responsible.

---

Later that afternoon, Jet entered one of the underground training chambers.

His injuries had improved sufficiently for light exercises, although Safiya had strictly prohibited anything that might aggravate his ribs.

He stood before a reinforced training dummy, slowly circulating Mana through his body.

The familiar sensation of Asura Physique spread through his muscles.

Jet clenched his fists.

He had survived the assassination attempts, but survival alone wasn’t enough.

The next time those people came after his companions, he wanted to be capable of doing more than running.

For several minutes, he practiced controlled movements, carefully monitoring the strain on his recovering body.

Eventually, he stopped and released a slow breath.

There was still an enormous distance between his current strength and the power necessary to confront the organization’s strongest members.

But he intended to close that distance.

---

Meanwhile, Adesewa was reviewing another collection of reports when her communication device vibrated.

The caller’s identity was concealed behind an encrypted connection.

She recognized the authentication code immediately.

It belonged to an old contact who had spent years gathering information about criminal Awakener activity throughout Zenith.

Adesewa accepted the call.

"Did you find anything?" she asked.

A man’s cautious voice answered.

"Possibly, Captain. I’ve been checking the movements of several individuals connected to illegal Awakener operations. Something unusual came up."

Adesewa straightened.

"Go on," she instructed.

"There’s an abandoned industrial property in the eastern district," the man explained. "Officially, it hasn’t been occupied for years. But over the past several nights, vehicles have been arriving after midnight. The occupants conceal their faces, and some appear to be armed."

"That alone doesn’t establish a connection to our targets," Adesewa observed.

"I know," the contact replied. "But one of the vehicles matches a description circulated after an attack involving masked Awakeners. I can’t confirm they’re the same people, but the timing is suspicious."

Adesewa’s eyes narrowed.

"Send me the location and everything you’ve collected," she ordered.

"Already transmitting it, Captain," the man answered. "And be careful. Whoever’s using that property has taken considerable precautions to avoid attention."

The connection ended.

Moments later, a location appeared on Adesewa’s display.

She examined the address, then enlarged the surrounding streets and access routes.

An abandoned industrial compound.

Unregistered vehicles.

Armed individuals arriving under cover of darkness.

It wasn’t proof, but it was the first promising lead they’d obtained.

Adesewa rose from her chair and reached for her coat.

For the first time since the assassinations began, she had somewhere to start hunting.