After a brief, suffocating silence, Osiris's synthesized voice regained its previous steadiness, but with an undeniable, absolute finality: "Details are not within your scope of concern. Forget our previous conversation."
Maine instantly realized they had strayed onto territory far beyond their paygrade—an extremely dangerous area, likely belonging to powers that could flatline them without blinking.
He grabbed Rebecca, who looked ready to fire off a dozen questions, shook his head forcefully, and gave her an extremely stern look.
The rest of the crew instantly understood the shift in atmosphere, falling silent and burying the fragmented words they had just heard deep in their wetware, categorizing them as an absolute forbidden zone belonging to this mysterious "Boss" that must never be probed.
"As for the chrome upgrades you covet," Osiris changed the subject, pointing to the glowing blueprints, "I happen to have a gig that requires your particular skills. It's a fair exchange."
He brought up the underground facility's structural map that the servo-skull had previously surveyed; the complex 3D model, labeled "Big Dipper Project Seventh Outpost," slowly rotated, suspended before everyone, casting a dim, foreboding blue light.
"I have initially explored the entrance area and several adjacent functional zones, clearing physical obstructions," Osiris continued, his voice steady and clear. "But its internal structure is complex, and deeper areas certainly contain security systems I haven't triggered, encrypted data nodes, or other potential lingering threats."
His optical lens scanned each member of the Maine Team, a red glow briefly lingering on each face.
"The content of this job is precise: conduct a thorough exploration of this underground laboratory. Map the complete internal structure, precisely identify all high-value areas, including the main energy core location, central Servitor room, large-scale biological or physical experimental areas, and any abnormal energy signal sources. Simultaneously, recover all valuable physical assets, such as well-preserved research equipment, high-density data storage units, special alloys, or biochemical samples."
Osiris paused, his tone tightening.
"Most critically, retrieve all data logs related to the project's core research subject. This job is not simple; expect partially functional automated defense systems, severe ICE, or other lingering troubles left over from the Corporate Wars.
But the reward for successful completion will be the full technical data and manufacturing assistance for the upgrade plans you just saw."
The holographic map rotated, displaying the brutal complexity of the underground facility. Maine stepped forward, frowning as he studied the massive labyrinth.
"Everyone heard the biz," Maine said in a low voice, his gaze sweeping over his crew. "This isn't simple. 'Big Dipper Project,' 'Seventh Outpost'... that scent is too familiar, typical corporate ghost work, and likely the nastiest kind of relic."
Dorio crossed her arms, her brow furrowed: "A facility left over from the Corporate Wars—that's a guaranteed trap. Those kinds of sites always hide more than what's on the surface."
"The structural map shows multiple isolation zones and high-security layers below," Falco interjected, his terminal displaying the detailed scan data. "Energy readings are faint but still registering, meaning some systems are running on low power. The seals have been in place for decades; who knows what gnarly surprises have grown inside."
Rebecca scoffed, but her voice carried obvious tension: "Who cares about the surprises. My new iron just needs a target to test." She patted the massive shotgun at her waist. "Besides, can it be worse than that drainage system full of mutated rats last time?"
Pilar nervously adjusted the focus of his optical implant: "Don't jinx it, kid. Corporate-level security systems are no joke. I don't want to be flatlined by a laser grid, or worse—trigger some self-destruct sequence."
"Quiet," Maine's low voice silenced everyone. "Yes, it's dangerous. But we're not gonks; we've taken on tougher gigs than this." His gaze swept over them one by one. "We've just had a tune-up; we're in peak condition. And... the value of those upgrade plans means freedom from this endless grind."
Falco added: "Technically, the risks are manageable. The prelim data provided by the Boss reduces unforeseen factors. And with his remote technical support, this job is actually more secure than the ones we usually take in the City."
Maine concluded: "The consensus is: dangerous but feasible. We maintain maximum vigilance, but we take the gig."
"We'll take this job, Boss," Maine said to Osiris in a deep voice, his tone resolute. "We need all the intelligence you've gathered on the entrance area, and what you believe to be the safest initial infiltration path."
"The relevant data package has already been encrypted and transmitted to your tactical receivers," Osiris responded with a nod. "I will send a servo-skull to guide you in through the southeast maintenance ventilation shaft; that is currently the path with the lowest calculated risk. Two combat Servitor units will accompany you as primary kinetic defense."
He emphasized, "I will remain here to provide remote data decryption and technical support, and monitor the internal situation in real-time through the sensors you carry. Remember the primary principle: no reckless advances into unknown areas. I want this job completed successfully; do not zero important data."
Osiris handed Maine a replica servo-skull, gesturing for him to take it: "Find a physical access point to the laboratory's internal network and connect this data-skull.
I can then achieve deeper system access, providing expanded support for your advance, and it can transmit the high-value data I require."
Maine took the cold, smooth servo-skull in his palm. "Understood. We'll secure your prize." He turned to his crew, his eyes sharp. "Final equipment check, ammo and medical chems resupply. We move in ten minutes."
Osiris returned to the main workbench, where several light screens simultaneously lit up, displaying surveillance footage of the underground laboratory entrance, its structural map, and real-time biometric signal monitoring data streams of the Maine Team members.
His crimson optical lens watched the squad about to delve into the unknown shadows, the servo-skull silently hovering at his shoulder, recording all parameters and decisions of the moment.