Site-Ω-7, Central Command – 05:12 Local Site Time
The rail transit pod hissed to a stop in the secure bay, doors sliding open with a pneumatic exhale. MTF Nu-7 "Hammer Down" disembarked in disciplined silence—twelve operators in heavy ballistic armor reinforced with thaumic plating, faces hidden behind full-face visors displaying HUD overlays. Their loadout was not subtle: anti-material rifles, breaching charges, portable Scranton Reality Anchors (man-portable versions, humming faintly), and one squad member carrying a prototype "Null Field" emitter designed to suppress reality-bending effects within a 15-meter radius.
Captain Mira Voss—no relation to Dr. Elena, though the coincidence had been noted and ignored—led them. She was short, compact, voice clipped from years of giving orders that ended conversations.
"Status brief," she said without preamble as they moved toward the sublevel access stairwell.
Site Director Harlan met them at the checkpoint, tablet in hand, face drawn.
"Rift stabilized but leaking. Three primary entities in Holding 4-B: armored humanoid (telekinetic, lethal response), small green entity (possible empathic dampener), Togruta female (melee energy weapon). Secondary incursions—armed soldiers in white armor—scattered across Sublevels 3 through 5. They're organized, calling for 'reinforcements' in an unknown dialect. Blaster fire has damaged two containment doors. Casualties: fourteen security, three MTF from initial contact."
Captain Voss nodded once. "Rules of engagement?"
"Lethal authorized only if containment fails or lives are imminently threatened. Priority: secure the primary entities and collapse the rift if escalation unavoidable. O5 wants data first. Containment second. No heroics."
A low tremor ran through the floor—subtle, like distant thunder. The lights dimmed for half a second before stabilizing.
"Understood," Voss said. "Nu-7, form up. Two teams: Alpha secures the holding cell corridor, Bravo sweeps secondary incursions. Suppressors active. No one fires unless fired upon."
As they descended the stairwell, the air grew colder, thicker with the metallic tang of ozone. Emergency red strips along the walls pulsed in slow rhythm.
**Holding Cell 4-B – Observation Post**
Dr. Elena Voss watched the monitors as Nu-7 approached. Inside the cell, nothing had changed outwardly:
Vader still stood motionless, a black monolith.
Yoda remained perched, eyes closed.
Ahsoka had stopped pacing; now she sat cross-legged opposite Yoda, hands resting on knees, breathing in measured cycles.
But the thaumatology readings told a different story. The erratic Hume spikes had smoothed into a low, steady wave—almost as if something was... balancing the room.
"They're meditating," the thaumatologist murmured. "Or something like it. The armored one's aura is still aggressive, but the small one's presence is flattening the peaks. It's like they're trying to keep the rift from widening further."
Voss frowned. "Intentional?"
"Possible. Or instinctive."
On the corridor feed, Nu-7 rounded the final bend. Captain Voss raised a fist—hold position.
Through the cell's audio pickup, Vader's voice emerged, low and deliberate, directed at no one in particular.
"Your soldiers come. More will die if they force the issue."
Yoda opened one eye. "Patience, old friend. Answers we may yet find."
Ahsoka glanced up at the glass. "They're scared. I can feel it. Even through the walls."
Outside, Captain Voss keyed her comm. "This is Nu-7 Actual to containment subjects. Stand away from the door. We are entering to conduct assessment. Compliance ensures minimal force."
Silence stretched for five heartbeats.
Then Vader spoke again, this time louder, resonant.
"Come, then. Witness what power truly means."
The cell door's mag-locks cycled with a heavy clunk.
Nu-7 moved in formation: two point operators with suppressors raised, reality anchors humming to life. The Null Field emitter powered up with a deep whine, projecting a shimmering distortion field ahead of them.
Inside, Vader turned slowly to face the opening door. His lightsaber remained unlit—for now.
Yoda sighed softly. "Foolish, this is."
The door slid open.
For a moment, nothing happened. Just two worlds staring at each other across a threshold of concrete and steel.
Then the rift in Sublevel 4—three corridors away—gave another low groan. The facility lights flickered again, longer this time.
Something larger was coming through.
**End of Chapter 4**