The Central Bank of Nova Prime was built on the premise of absolute, sub-optimal security: thick steel, concrete, and biometric locks. Kellan and Lyra, clad in their light Apex Nanoweave Plating, bypassed all of it with the ease of an optimized algorithm.
Jax and the Apex Defense Force (ADF) secured the perimeter, using their Apex Disruptor Rounds to disable the bank's external security cameras, ensuring no sub-optimal evidence remained.
Kellan used his Optimal Insight to guide Lyra through the vault complex. "The Finch documents are in the Sub-Level 9 Legal Archives," Kellan directed through their comms. "The entire system runs on a sub-optimal magnetic lock sequence."
Lyra used her Absolute Energy Control (AEC) to introduce a flawless, minuscule energy spike into the locking system. The heavy steel door slid open silently.
"The Apex makes everything too easy, Kellan," Lyra murmured, a hint of boredom in her voice.
"Ease is the result of perfect efficiency, Lyra. But the Architect's guide knew this vulnerability," Kellan warned. "They have deployed Dimensionally Corrupted defenses."
As they stepped into the archive corridor, the environment changed. The air felt heavy and thick, and a low, pulsing drone filled the space—the sign of dimensional contamination.
A figure emerged from the shadows—not a creature, but a security guard in a standard uniform. His eyes, however, glowed with the sickly green energy of the dimensional rift.
[Target: Corrupted Human Asset (Bank Security). Threat Level: Medium (Enhanced Strength and Fear-Aura Projection). Sub-Optimal Point: Reliance on Human Fear Response.]
The guard lunged, his movements unnaturally fast, attempting to trigger a panic response in them.
"This is the Architect's guide at work," Kellan stated, remaining perfectly calm. "They are using sub-optimal human hosts, enhanced by dimensional energy, to rely on fear as their weapon."
Lyra stepped forward, her golden eyes blazing. She was the expert in dealing with fear, having conquered it during her Level 4 optimization.
"Fear is a sub-optimal emotion," Lyra said with cold contempt. She raised her hand, and instead of attacking, she projected her AEC to neutralize the green dimensional energy surrounding the guard. She didn't destroy it; she converted the chaotic energy into pure, harmless light.
The guard screamed, not from pain, but from the sudden, terrifying loss of his borrowed power. He collapsed, his eyes returning to normal, left shaken and confused.
"I neutralized his fear-aura," Lyra reported. "He is now just a sub-optimal human."
Suddenly, three more corrupted guards appeared, surrounding them. Kellan knew Lyra couldn't neutralize all of them while maintaining focus on the deeper threat.
[Optimal Action: Exploit the environmental sub-optimal point. Target the copper data cabling running through the wall, creating a Localized Reverse Polarity Field.]
"Lyra, the wall behind them—channel the AEC into the central data trunk," Kellan commanded. "Reverse the polarity in a tiny, focused area. Create a field that rejects dimensional energy."
Lyra immediately complied. A localized, shimmering sphere of pure golden energy formed behind the corrupted guards. As they tried to step into it, the dimensional energy that powered their enhanced speed and strength was instantly and violently repelled. They hit the invisible barrier, their bodies convulsing as they were momentarily separated from the dimension's power source.
"The Apex defends without destruction," Kellan noted, satisfied with the strategic move. "Now, we move."
They passed the paralyzed guards and reached the final vault door. Kellan scanned the area.
[Optimal Insight: Warning! The final vault door is the Nexus Point for the terrestrial signal. The entity guiding the Architect is directly on the other side.]
"The one who guided the Architect is waiting," Kellan told Lyra. "This is the true end of the Finch betrayal."
Kellan prepared for the confrontation. He didn't carry a massive weapon; he carried the Apex Scanner Rod and a handful of synthesized Apex Shard Dust—the materials for Optimal Acquisition, not mere destruction. The final confrontation would be a battle of wills and intelligence.