Hux’s lab buzzed with a quiet intensity, a fusion of damp earth and Ascendancy tech, the oak roots threading through the metal walls releasing an earthy scent that mingled with the sharp tang of ozone and the faint decay of fall in the air. The space felt alive, a blend of nature and machinery, the roots weaving through the walls like veins, grounding the sterile hum of technology in something primal. Killy stood in the cloning lab, his Trident outstretched, its green fluid dark and still, the nanobots within dormant, waiting to be extracted.
Hux hovered the extraction device over it—a sleek, blue-tipped instrument that hummed softly, its glow casting faint, shifting shadows across the lab’s cluttered surfaces. He hesitated for a moment, his finger poised over the activation button, his hazel eyes flickering with a mix of dread and resolve. The 50/50 explosion risk loomed over them, a silent threat that thickened the air like a storm about to break, the weight of it pressing on everyone in the room.
Clay, Nora, Reese, and Junior watched from the edge of the lab, their pale faces tense, their small hands clinging to each other in a tight knot of fear and hope. Their eyes, wide with worry, stayed fixed on Killy, the man who’d fought to bring them back, his determination a lifeline in the chaos they’d endured. Junior stood beside Lane, his expression resolute despite the tremble in his hands, while Lane’s hand rested on Killy’s shoulder, his gray eyes steady, offering a silent anchor of support. Sprocket perched on Lane’s arm, his tail swirling with red patterns, a nervous rhythm that mirrored the group’s tension, his cybernetic eyes darting between Killy and the device, a soft chitter escaping him as he shifted restlessly.
Hux took a deep breath, his fingers twitching slightly, the nervous energy that defined him crackling beneath his focus. “Here goes nothing,” he said, his voice a mix of forced lightness and underlying anxiety, before pressing the button. The device whined to life, its blue tip flaring as it pulled glowing nanobots from the Trident into a vial with a sharp hiss. The sound echoed in the lab, a high-pitched note that set everyone’s nerves on edge. Seconds stretched into an agonizing eternity, the lab silent save for the hum of the cloning chambers and the faint drip of condensation from the oak roots overhead. Killy’s heart pounded, his grip on the Trident tightening, the fear of an explosion—a fiery end for them all—gnawing at the edges of his mind. The Shill’s whispers, though quieter now, still lingered, a faint murmur that taunted him with the possibility of failure.
The vial shimmered, the nanobots swirling inside like a green storm, alive and contained, their glow casting eerie reflections on the glass walls of the chamber. Hux exhaled, a wide grin breaking across his face, his hands gesturing wildly with relief, the tension draining from his lanky frame. “No boom!” he cheered, his voice bright with triumph, the relief palpable as he turned to the group, his hazel eyes sparkling. “Clean batch. We’ll move them to the cloning chambers—scrubbed batch will be ready in a few hours.”
Killy’s chest eased, a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding escaping as he lowered the Trident, its fluid still and dark, the weight of the moment lifting slightly. The Shill’s whispers faded to a faint murmur, a small victory that lightened the guilt he carried for the kids’ suffering, the pain of seeing them trapped in the Lattice still fresh in his mind. The kids erupted in celebration—Clay let out a whoop, his wiry frame bouncing with uncontainable energy, his voice echoing off the lab’s walls; Nora clapped her hands, her freckles bright against her pale skin, her laughter a rare, joyful sound; Reese smiled shyly, her green eyes sparkling with relief as she squeezed Nora’s hand; and Junior high-fived Lane, his grin wide, his small frame vibrating with excitement. Sprocket’s tail flashed yellow, the patterns dancing vibrantly as he chittered with joy, his tiny body trembling with excitement, his cybernetic eyes glowing brighter in the dim light.
Hux set the vial into a cloning chamber, the glass humming as it sealed, the nanobots replicating rapidly, their blue-green glow intensifying with each passing second, casting a soft light across the lab. “The scrubbed bots will replace yours in a few days,” he said, his voice rapid, his hands tweaking dials with practiced precision, his movements a blur of focused energy. “But using the Trident will take retraining—it’ll feel sluggish at first, requires focus. You’ll need to adapt to the new connection.” He pulled Lane aside, his expression growing serious as he eyed Lane’s Trident, its fluid dark in its inactive state, the weight of his next words evident in his tightening jaw. “There’s a problem, Lane. That new toy you picked up,” he said, pointing at weapon, “It synced with you. It’s replacing your scrubbed nanobots as we speak. You’ll need to go through scrubbing as well.”
Lane’s eyes widened, his brow scrunching, as he gripped the Trident, frustration flashing across his face, his knuckles whitening around the weapon.
“Two seconds, and I’m a beacon?” he snapped, exasperation clear in his tone as he raked a hand through his hair, the motion sharp with irritation. “My old bots—won’t they scrub these new ones? Won’t they at least put up a fight?”
Hux shook his head, his hands gesturing in quick, nervous bursts, his voice steady but urgent. “The new bots dominate—they’ll overwrite the old code fast, in days, maybe less. You’ll be trackable soon if we don’t scrub them.” Lane sighed, his shoulders slumping with resignation, but he nodded, his resolve returning as he met Hux’s gaze.
“Fine. Let’s do it,” he said, his voice steady despite the setback, his determination unshaken. Hux offered a reassuring nod, his hands already moving to adjust the chamber. “It’ll be quicker for you—you’ve gone through it before. Think of it as a top off. They’ll be ready alongside Killy’s.”
Hours later, after the cloning chambers had completed their cycle, Hux injected the scrubbed nanobots into Killy and Lane, the blue fluid glowing faintly as it flowed into their veins, a cool sensation spreading through their arms, a stark contrast to the warmth of the lab. Killy’s Trident felt off, sluggish, like a dulled limb, the connection slower than before, the nanobots still adjusting to their new code. Lane’s Trident mirrored the change, its fluid tinged blue when active, a mark of the scrubbed code, the glow softer but steady. “Twins,” Lane muttered, his tone sarcastic as he eyed his Trident, now dark and inactive, a faint smirk tugging at his lips despite the challenge of retraining ahead.
***
Killy took his Trident to the cove outside, the oaks heavy with moss, their branches casting dappled shadows over the green-shadowed water under the midday sun, the air sharp with fall’s damp chill, the scent of saltwater and earth mixing in the breeze. The cove was a quiet haven, the water lapping gently against the shore, the oaks creaking softly as their leaves continued to drop, a moment of calm amidst the storm of their mission. The kids followed, their curiosity piqued, settling onto a fallen log, their voices chattering with excitement as they watched Killy, their small frames relaxed for the first time in days. Sprocket hopped onto a nearby rock, his tail glowing green, the patterns curious and steady, his eyes fixed on Killy, a soft chitter escaping him as he waited, his tiny claws scratching at the stone.
Killy activated the Trident, a gauntlet materializing slowly, the syncing process sluggish but steady, the nanobots still finding their rhythm. A blue plasma blade flared to life, vibrant but unsteady, its hum softer than before, the gauntlet glowing faintly around his arm, the light catching on trees. He swung the blade, shadows flickering across the ground, the nanobots lagging slightly, the motion less fluid than he was used to, requiring a deliberate focus to maintain. He switched forms, the plasma reshaping into a whip, its tether latching onto a low branch with a grappling hook-style grip, the plasma glowing softly against the bark. Killy’s eyes widened as the nanobots adjusted, the connection feeling lighter, more controlled, a new layer of precision in the Trident’s power. He pulled on the tether, swinging himself onto the branch, his boots lifting off the ground, the plasma charring the bark lightly—a more restrained power than its previous destructive flood, the control a welcome change.
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“New trick,” Killy muttered, a spark of curiosity igniting as he felt the gauntlet’s shift—the grapple’s restraint a contrast to the combat mode’s intensity, offering a versatility he hadn’t expected. He formed a blade again, the blue plasma surging brighter, the gauntlet glowing more steadily as he sliced through the branch with a clean cut, the wood thudding to the ground, a faint wisp of smoke rising, the scent of charred bark mingling with the saltwater air. Deactivating the Trident, the gauntlet vanished, the fluid darkening as it returned to its dormant state, the hum fading into the quiet of the cove.
The kids cheered from their log—Clay leapt to his feet, his wiry energy uncontainable, his voice loud with excitement; Nora clapped, her laughter ringing out, a bright sound against the backdrop of the water; Reese whispered something to Junior, her shy smile wide with awe, her green eyes reflecting the sunlight; and Junior grinned, his eyes bright with pride, his small hands clapping enthusiastically. Sprocket chittered excitedly, his tail flashing yellow, the patterns vibrant as he bounced on the rock, his joy palpable, his tiny body practically vibrating with energy.
Lane joined them, his own Trident dark and inactive, a wary look in his eyes as he watched Killy’s Plasma Grapple swing, the tether retracting smoothly. “Neat,” he said, a note of admiration in his voice, though unease lingered, his hand resting on his own Trident. “Come on, Lane. Let’s get some practice in.”
“Spar? I’m barely shooting peas with this thing, and now I’ve got to retrain? I’d like to keep my limbs attached, thanks.”
Killy grinned, a playful edge to his expression as he set his Trident down, its fluid still and dark, the weapon resting against the log. “Chicken, Carver?” he clucked, goading Lane with a teasing tone, a rare lightness in his voice as he tried to ease the tension. Lane’s eyes narrowed, amusement flickering as he activated his Trident, a gauntlet forming around his arm, a blue blade flaring to life, the glow steady but hesitant.
“Fine,” he sighed, a defiant edge to his voice as he stepped into a fighting stance, his boots shifting on the uneven ground. “If I lose an arm though, you’re wiping my ass until I get it replaced.”
They sparred, their blue blades clashing in bursts of light, the gauntlets glowing brightly, illuminating the cove with each strike, the water reflecting the flashes in shimmering patterns. The kids cheered from their log—Clay yelled encouragement, his voice loud and eager, “Go, Killy!”; Nora clapped, her freckles bright with excitement, her laughter mingling with the sound of the waves; Reese strategized quietly with Junior, her focus sharp as she pointed out Lane’s footwork; and Junior watched with rapt attention, his hands clasped tightly, his grin wide. Sprocket’s tail flashed yellow, his excitement clear as he chittered, bouncing on his rock, his tiny claws scratching at the stone with each clash.
Lane’s initial reluctance faded, his parries sharpening, his footwork growing more fluid as the gauntlet synced better with his movements, the blue plasma blade moving with increasing confidence. Killy used the grapple, the tether latching onto nearby trees, swinging to strike from unexpected angles, testing Lane’s reflexes, the motion smooth and controlled. Lane dodged and thrust, his control improving, the blue plasma feeling more natural with each move, his earlier hesitation giving way to a growing ease. “Not bad,” Killy grunted, a note of approval in his voice as he deactivated his Trident, the gauntlet fading, both of them learning—Killy refining his new skills, Lane gaining confidence with his.
***
Finally bored of the sparring action, the kids went back inside. In the lab, Hux bonded with the kids, showing them around the space, the chambers humming softly, the nanobots swirling in their blue-green glow, their light casting a soft, ethereal glow across the room. He handed Junior a small tool, teaching him how to calibrate a monitor, the boy’s face lighting up as he worked, his hands steady and precise, his focus absolute as he followed Hux’s instructions. “You’ve got a knack for this,” Hux said, his voice warm, his gestures animated as he bonded with Junior over their shared love of tech, the boy’s excitement a bright spot in the lab’s intensity. Clay buzzed with questions, asking about the chambers, the nanobots, and about the components Hux used to save Sprocket’s life, his wiry energy infectious, his voice a constant stream of curiosity. Hux answered patiently, showing Clay a drone prototype, its sleek design gleaming under the lab’s lights, the boy’s eyes wide with wonder as he ran his fingers over its surface. Nora organized a tray of tools, her quiet resilience earning a smile from Hux, who appreciated her methodical approach, her small hands moving with care as she sorted the instruments. Reese observed from the sidelines, shy at first, but slowly opened up, sharing a soft story about the river near her home, her voice barely above a whisper, a faint smile on her lips as she spoke, her green eyes reflecting the glow of the chambers.
Hux noticed Sprocket scampering playfully around the lab, his tail glowing green, his movements full of energy as he darted between the kids’ legs. Kneeling down, Hux adjusted a small panel on the squirrel’s side, frowning as he worked, his fingers deft and precise as he reactivated the vocal unit Lane had previously disabled. Sprocket’s eyes widened, and a high, simple voice emerged, his words tumbling out in a rush, his tone indignant and excited. “Food! Want food! Why quiet? Not nice!” he squeaked, his tail flashing red, his tiny paws waving as he expressed his frustration.
Killy and Lane returned from their sparring, their faces flushed, their Tridents dark as they stepped back into the lab, catching Sprocket’s newly activated voice. Lane grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck, a hint of guilt in his expression as he met Sprocket’s accusing gaze. “I turned it off,” he admitted, his voice soft, a touch of regret in his tone. “All he talked about was food, it got a little irritating. He never complained, so I thought it was fine.” Sprocket chittered indignantly, his tail flashing red, his tiny paws waving as he spoke, his anger clear. “No talk, no complain! Lane asshole. Lane make turds with mouth!” Lane raised his hands in surrender, kneeling down to Sprocket’s level, his voice gentle, his gray eyes soft.
“Sorry, buddy. I didn’t know it bugged you. It stays on—I promise.” Sprocket calmed, his tail shifting to blue, his voice muttering, “Good. Food now?” his tone hopeful as he tilted his head, his cybernetic eyes glowing with anticipation.
The group gathered around the table, the air heavy with the hum of the cloning chambers, the tension of their next steps settling over them like a shroud. Lane outlined their plan to return to the DC stronghold, his voice steady, his eyes dark with determination as he sketched a map, the pencil scratching against the paper, the sound sharp in the quiet lab. “We’ll bypass patrols, clankers, and surveillance,” he said, tracing their route with careful precision, his finger following the lines of the Potomac. “Kimmy’s hunting us, likely with a squad.”
Killy leaned in, his eyes sharp, his voice resolute, the Trident dark beside him, its fluid still and waiting. “Scrubbed nanobots—no tracking,” he said, a spark of hope in his tone, his fists clenched as he thought of the kids still trapped in the Lattice, their vacant eyes haunting him. “We slip in, use that advantage.”
Hux nodded, his hands fidgeting, his voice rapid with excitement, his energy sparking as he spoke. “I’ll mod The Shadowfin—add a cloaking device so we can get close unseen. I’ve got EMPs for the clankers and surveillance, too.” He gestured to a shelf of devices, his eagerness clear, his hazel eyes bright with the challenge.
The kids piped up, their voices eager, each offering ideas with a sense of purpose, their small frames leaning forward, their faces alight with determination. Junior suggested using Sprocket to scout ahead, his tone steady, and Sprocket chittered in agreement, his tail flashing yellow as he spoke, “Go! Look! Me help!” his voice high and enthusiastic. Clay proposed a distraction, his eyes mischievous,
“Loud noise, draw them off,” his wiry energy bubbling over. Nora suggested sneaking through tight spaces, her resilience shining through, her voice quiet but firm, while Reese offered to carry small items, her soft voice steady, her hands clasped with Nora’s, her green eyes resolute.
Killy and Lane refined the plan, their voices low, tracing the map with careful precision, their movements deliberate as they planned their approach. They’d move at night, using the river to mask their movements, The Shadowfin cloaked to avoid detection, EMPs ready to disable clankers and surveillance, Sprocket scouting the path to the Lattice, and the kids’ distraction as a backup if needed. Determination and fear mingled in the air, the mission to save the Lattice kids daunting, their blue-tinged Tridents—Killy’s and Lane’s—symbols of their shared resolve, the evening chill a reminder of the fight ahead, the hum of the lab a steady heartbeat beneath their plans.
