Code Nexus

Cassian lingered in the lit room of the TEC hideout, his eyes following Kingston as he left the meeting room.

The sound of his footsteps faded, replaced by a silence as Nia remained behind. She leaned against the stone wall.

They had formed a bond during the last mission, and even today they were on the same page, blending anything that might make them seem different.

But there was a distinction: it was Cassian's mask, or the facade he was using to keep their relationship the same. He viewed Nia as a useful asset, but he also found her very interesting.

"You wanted to talk?" he asked, masking his curiosity with a neutral tone.

Nia's face softened, though her expression carried a weight that hinted at something unspoken, much like Cassian's own demeanor. "You're smart, Cassian, and you've already got a read on Kingston, haven't you?"

Cassian raised an eyebrow, keeping his stance relaxed. "As much as anyone could after just a few encounters."

Nia's gaze darkened. "Kingston is... ambitious. He's driven TEC to where it is now, but his methods aren't exactly orthodox. He doesn't mind putting people on the line for a shot at disrupting AU. Sometimes... I'm not even sure where he draws the line."

A warning flag rose in Cassian's mind. Though Nia had been warming up to him over their last few encounters, he wasn't foolish enough to believe her words without suspicion. After all, to consider her clever meant acknowledging she was a variable he might not be able to control.

"TEC has had success under his leadership," he replied carefully, watching her reaction. "Sounds like the kind of ambition you'd want on your side."

She nodded, though her face grew grim. "True. But there's more to it. If you're going to be an insider, you should know what you're getting into."

Cassian crossed his arms, waiting for her to continue.

She took a deep breath and said, "There's been talk of an attack. Kingston plans to hit one of AU's facilities. This wouldn't be like the convoy—this would be bigger, more explosive. He hasn't told the rest of TEC yet, only a few trusted members who have the key plans that will make this mission a success."

He felt his stomach tighten. An attack of that scale would draw AU's attention immediately—and probably result in casualties TEC couldn't afford. But his expression remained cool.

"Why tell me? Aren't you one of his 'trusted members'?"

She hesitated, a flicker of something—fear and guilt, perhaps—crossing her face.

"Kingston has his plans, but that doesn't mean I have to agree with all of them. If TEC overreaches, AU will retaliate. They'll make us pay tenfold, and I've seen what they're capable of. This attack could be suicide for us all. Plus, innocent lives are at stake here."

Cassian's jaw clenched as he weighed her words. He had suspected there was more to TEC than they let on, but this was more serious than he'd anticipated. If Kingston was as reckless as she hinted, then TEC's days could be numbered.

He studied Nia's expression, catching the faintest hints of anxiety in her gaze.

"Why not go to Kingston directly?" he asked, pushing her trust.

She looked down, her expression guarded, and said, "Kingston only listens to people who agree with him. He has his sights set on revenge, not caution." She met his gaze again, her eyes hard. "If you're as careful as you seem, Cassian, you might want to find out more before committing fully. I'm warning you because you deserve to know the risk."

He nodded, but the hint of suspicion lingered. Her warning might be genuine, or it could be a ploy. Either way, he had no intention of walking into a trap unprepared.

"Thanks for the heads-up," he replied, keeping his tone neutral. "I'll look into it. Also, which facility is he planning to hit?"

Nia looked away, as if unsure of how much she wanted to say.

"The intel I gathered says that it's the AU facility at North Point—one of their tech depots. But it's not just about resources, Cassian. Kingston's aiming high… really high."

Cassian frowned. "What are you getting at, Nia?"

Her voice dropped even lower. "Your mother will be there, Cassian. She's the one overseeing the security for that facility this week."

Cassian's mind spun as he thought, 'My mother? So that's why Nia was being so cautious.'

Yara was no stranger to danger; as the wife of AU's head, she was at the heart of their organization's operations. But this felt like a direct hit on his family.

"How do you know she'll be there?" he asked, keeping the tension away.

Because this was his mother, he was barely able to keep his expression straight.

Nia shrugged, her gaze deep and unreadable. "Kingston has sources that reach far beyond what we discuss in these walls. But I figured you'd want to know, considering the risk she'd face if Kingston moves forward with this."

"Why tell me this, Nia? You have no reason."

Cassian was still suspicious of her, but he was willing to use her emotions as he had planned—before his mother was brought into the picture.

"I have my reasons, Cassian. Just consider this a professional courtesy." She pushed off the table and headed toward the door. "Think about it. If you're serious about being a part of TEC, maybe it's time you decide where your loyalties really lie."

Cassian watched her go, his mind whirring with questions he had no time to answer. He knew Nia well enough by now to sense when she was holding back.

But why would she reveal Kingston's plans, especially something this risky? And could he even trust her information? The questions about her multiplied the more she revealed herself to him.

But as always, there was only one way to find out.

Cassian waited until well past midnight before slipping out of the TEC hideout and making his way toward the heart of the city. Ekoris felt colder tonight, the lights casting an eerie glow over deserted streets.

As he made his way to his contact's apartment, he couldn't help but ponder what this meant if it were true.

When he arrived, he knocked softly, and the door opened to reveal Jessa, one of his most reliable informants in the city. She had helped him countless times when it came to information and hiding from AU.

Her dark, watchful eyes scanned him quickly before letting him in.

"Cassian," she greeted him. "This is a late hour for you."

"I need information," he said, keeping his tone low. "About a possible attack on the AU facility at North Point. Do you know anything?"

She raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms as she studied him and said, "I might have heard something, but info like that doesn't come easy, especially with AU so alert lately."

Cassian nodded and slipped a small bundle of cash from his jacket pocket, sliding it toward her.

"I need answers, Jessa. And soon."

Jessa pocketed the money and thought for a moment.

"All I know is that there's been a spike in activity around North Point. AU's sent additional security forces, and my contacts mentioned someone high up might be overseeing it."

"Does the name Kingston mean anything to you?"

Jessa hesitated, her eyes narrowing. "It does. He's got quite a few connections with some of the more rebellious groups in Ekoris. If he's involved, I'd be careful, Cassian. He's not the type to back down."

Cassian's jaw clenched as the pieces began to slot into place. Kingston was definitely planning something, and it sounded like he'd already taken the first steps.

After more digging with Jessa, Cassian left the room with just a few words.

"Thanks, Jessa. You've been a big help."

By dawn, Cassian had his answer. Kingston was indeed planning an attack on North Point, and Nia's information checked out. His mother was overseeing security operations for the facility. She would be in the line of fire if Kingston's plan went ahead.

Or maybe she was the target this time. And he would be part of a plan for his own mother's death.

Cassian returned to his apartment, running through his options.

TEC wanted to challenge AU's hold on Ekoris, but targeting a facility like North Point was reckless. There were too many ways it could end badly—not just for AU, but for anyone caught in the crossfire, including his own family.

As he sat on his couch, exhaustion from the night's events finally setting in, he thought about Nia's warning. She must have known he'd investigate; she had to know he'd confirm her story.

But what was her motive? Was she warning him out of genuine concern, or did she have her own reasons for stirring up tension between him and Kingston?

He couldn't shake the sense that he was being manipulated, used as a pawn in a game he didn't yet fully understand. Yet, despite his doubts, he knew he had to act. He couldn't sit back and let Kingston put his mother at risk.