Back in Apex Command, the atmosphere was one of quiet, absolute victory. Finch and Vance were contained in a maximum-security, sub-level facility, their conscious minds trapped in Kellan's designed "sub-optimal state of perpetual failure"—the ultimate, fitting vengeance.
Kellan stood before the Apex Core, feeling the massive surge of power from his Optimal Insight (Level 4) upgrade. His perception had fundamentally changed. He didn't just see the sub-optimal flaw in an object; he saw the entire sub-optimal action chain of any potential threat, spanning minutes, hours, or even weeks into the future.
[Optimal Insight (Level 4) Activated! Target: Global Threat Assessment and Apex Command Expansion.]
[Prediction 1 (Near-Term Threat): Minor Dimensional Ripples (Class 1-2) targeting global communication hubs (Duration: 7 days). Sub-Optimal Response: Defending each hub individually.]
[Prediction 2 (Optimal Expansion): Strategic acquisition of three key, financially distressed Energy Infrastructure Corporations (Next 30 days). Optimal Outcome: Global power control and self-sufficient funding.]
[Prediction 3 (Lyra's Path): Lyra's Absolute Energy Control needs exposure to stable, chaotic energy to reach Level 5 potential.]
Kellan turned to his team. Lyra, standing straighter and more confident than ever, and Seraphina, whose trust in Kellan's decisions was now mathematically absolute.
"The initial defense phase is complete," Kellan stated. "But the dimensional entities are adapting. They will now target global communication systems, spreading chaos with small, sub-optimal attacks."
"We can't guard every single tower," Jax pointed out immediately, his tactical mind focused on the logistics.
"We won't," Kellan countered, a cold smile forming. "That's the sub-optimal response they expect. Seraphina, prepare the acquisitions for GlobalComm, HydroCorp, and TerraPower. These three energy corporations are financially distressed. We will acquire them in the next 30 days."
"That's a $50$ billion acquisition, Kellan," Seraphina warned, though her tone held professional excitement. "Why those three?"
"Because once we own the global energy infrastructure, we can connect the Apex Nexus Core (A.N.C.) to all of them," Kellan explained. "We won't defend the communication hubs; we will power them with optimized energy, creating a permanent, systemic defense field globally. Their sub-optimal attacks will be cleansed by our perfect energy flow."
This was Level 4 intelligence: using financial distress to solve a dimensional defense problem.
Suddenly, Dr. Vivian Roth rushed into the command center, her hair disheveled, her eyes blazing with a mixture of terror and discovery.
"Kellan! My cipher—the dimensional language—it wasn't just directional coordinates!" Vivian gasped, holding the Apex Dimensional Tracker (A.D.T.). "The Architect's planning included a warning—a sub-protocol meant for a higher entity."
She threw the warning script onto the main screen. It was complex, elegant, and chillingly clear.
"It translates to: 'The Apex Host is observed. The Primer is displeased. Retreat is Sub-Optimal. Initiate Phase Omega-7: Target the Core Host's Sentient Vulnerability.'"
The temperature in the Apex Command seemed to drop instantly.
"The Primer," Kellan realized, staring at the screen. "A higher-level dimension entity. We've killed its Architect, and now its targeting me."
[System Alert: High-Level Threat Identified: The Primer. Omega-7 Protocol refers to the targeting of Host's Single Sentient Vulnerability.]
Kellan's mind, processing at Level 4 speed, immediately focused on his two primary sentient connections: Lyra and his grandmother, Evelyn Thorne.
"Lyra, your Level 4 optimization makes you a threat, but my grandmother..." Kellan's voice trailed off. His love for Evelyn Thorne was his only remaining, unoptimized, human flaw.
"The Primer will target the Rose Petal Florist," Kellan concluded instantly, recognizing the optimal point of emotional destruction. "Jax, detach half of your Apex Defense Force. Deploy them to the florist immediately. Full protective detail."
Kellan looked at Lyra, the Apex Champion. "Lyra, you need to reach Level 5 fast. Your final test must be absolute. We need to find the stable, chaotic energy the Apex Prediction mentioned. We're going to the deepest part of the Finch/Vance sub-level. I suspect the ultimate sub-optimal failure is hiding the ultimate optimal resource."