The acquisition of GlobalComm was merely the opening act. With the Primer's financial attack thwarted, Kellan pushed the Apex Command into an unrelenting cycle of Optimal Acquisition.
[Apex Prediction (Level 4) Activated! Target: HydroCorp and TerraPower Acquisitions. Sub-Optimal Action Chain: The Primer will attempt physical sabotage on the legacy infrastructure of the targets before the Apex Nexus Core modules are fully installed.]
"The Primer learned its lesson," Kellan declared, overseeing the massive operation from Apex Command. "It won't use digital chaos this time. It will use physical destruction—targeting the sub-optimal old dams and power plants of HydroCorp and TerraPower."
Kellan turned to Seraphina. "Initiate the simultaneous acquisition of HydroCorp and TerraPower. Do not slow down. We must own the infrastructure before the Primer can destroy it."
The financial and legal teams, guided by Seraphina's enhanced efficiency, executed the deals flawlessly, utilizing the complex legal vulnerabilities left by the Council of Elders to rush the acquisitions through. Within 48 hours, HydroCorp (global water and hydroelectric power) and TerraPower (geothermal and terrestrial energy) fell under the control of the Apex Directive.
Now, the battle shifted to the physical world. Jax and the Apex Defense Force (ADF) were tasked with the impossible: protecting hundreds of globally distributed power assets from potential dimensional sabotage.
[Optimal Insight (Level 4) Activated! Target: ADF Deployment. Optimal Action: Utilize the newly acquired GlobalComm satellites to create an interconnected, real-time tactical network. Divide ADF into four specialized Apex Squads.]
Kellan addressed Jax via the command center's holographic link. "Jax, you are no longer a local security chief. You are the Apex Commander. Your team's sub-optimal reliance on local surveillance is over."
"We are integrating your team's tactical gear with the GlobalComm network," Kellan continued. "Every member will have real-time dimensional threat detection, powered by Dr. Roth's Cipher and amplified by the Apex Nexus Core. You will anticipate the Primer's attacks."
"We are ready, Commander Thorne," Jax replied, his voice ringing with professionalism. He was now leading four specialized teams, each deployed to a different continent.
As Kellan spoke, Lyra stood at the main console, her Energy Transmutation capability in full force. She was remotely injecting the synthesized Apex Nexus Core (A.N.C.) modules into the critical junction points of the newly acquired power plants.
"The modules are stabilizing, Kellan," Lyra reported, golden energy flowing from her hands toward the holographic map. "The A.N.C. is forcing the sub-optimal energy flow of the plants into Apex Perfection. The Global Grid is coming online."
Suddenly, the system flared red.
[System Alert: Physical Sabotage Detected! Target: HydroCorp Yangtze Dam (Critical Asset). Threat: Class 3 Entity Infiltration.]
"The Primer is attacking the Yangtze Dam," Kellan snapped. "It's trying to cause a catastrophic, sub-optimal flood and destabilize the entire region!"
Kellan located the nearest Apex Squad, led by Jax himself, already deployed in the area.
"Jax, move! The Class 3 Entity is attempting to slice the main turbine housing," Kellan ordered.
"We are engaging!" Jax confirmed.
Kellan watched the real-time feed. Jax's team arrived just as the Class 3 creature—the biological drill entity they had previously encountered—began its structural breakdown. The ADF engaged not by shooting wildly, but with perfect tactical coordination, guided by the Apex Prediction data stream flowing directly into their helmets.
The creature's every move was anticipated. The ADF used the Apex Disruptor Rounds to hit the entity's sub-optimal joints, briefly paralyzing it.
Before the creature could recover, Lyra acted.
"Kellan, A.N.C. module at the dam is $99%$ online," Lyra announced. "I'm performing a remote Energy Transmutation on the dam's power field!"
Lyra forced the newly optimized energy field of the dam to reverse its polarity. The Class 3 entity, relying on chaotic dimensional energy, was instantly repelled by the dam's now perfectly clean, optimal energy flow. It shrieked and vanished as the dimensional rift that brought it in snapped shut, rejected by the global grid.
The dam was saved. The Apex Global Grid was fully operational.
"The Apex Global Grid is active," Kellan declared. "The Primer's physical attack failed. The entire world is now shielded by Optimal Perfection."