The neural uplink had changed everything. Hayden felt the enhancement in every fiber of his being—his reflexes sharper, his mind quicker, his focus more intense. The Codex hummed approvingly in the background, feeding him suggestions and strategies.

  With Griff’s connections, Hayden began laying the groundwork for his assault on the Syndicate. His first priority was finding allies, people as desperate and angry as he was, who had nothing to lose and everything to gain by joining his cause.

  Griff introduced him to a small circle of like-minded individuals, rebels and outcasts who worked the shadows of Neo-Erebus. They met in an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the lower districts.

  “Everyone, this is Hayden,” Griff said, gesturing toward him. “He’s got a plan to take down the Syndicate.”

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  The group murmured among themselves, skeptical but intrigued. A tall man with cybernetic legs crossed his arms. “We’ve heard that before,” he said. “And it always ends with a pile of bodies. What makes you different?”

  “I don’t just want to take them down,” Hayden said, stepping forward. “I want to replace them.”

  That caught their attention. The room fell silent as Hayden continued.

  “The Syndicate thrives on fear and control,” he said. “But what if we could flip the system? Create a network that works for us, not against us. We take their resources, their power, and use it to build something better.”

  A woman with glowing tattoos leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. “And you think you can pull that off?”

  Hayden nodded. “I know I can. But I can’t do it alone. I need people who are willing to fight, to risk everything for a shot at freedom. Are you in?”

  The group exchanged glances, and one by one, they began to nod.

  Griff clapped him on the shoulder. “Looks like you’ve got yourself a crew, kid.”

  The Codex chimed softly in Hayden’s mind:

  ?Objective Progress: Allies Acquired. Crew Size: 7.

  ?New Directive: Establish a Safehouse. Begin Resource Acquisition.

  Hayden felt a surge of satisfaction. This was the start of something big.