Julian’s eyes narrowed slightly—the barest flicker of assessment. "So I’m being used."

Vex didn’t flinch. Didn’t look away. "Of course you are. And you’re using me right back." She leaned forward, her voice dropping to something almost intimate. "Let’s be honest with each other, Julian. You don’t want to lead Greenday. You don’t want to manage supply lines, mediate disputes, or deal with the thousand small problems that come with running a faction. You want to fight. You want to kill Eclipse. You want to protect your women."

She gestured at Emma, Fey, Zoe, Dori—at the small family arrayed behind him.

"I, on the other hand, am very good at leading. At organizing. At making people follow orders and like it. Put me in charge, and your army stays fed, armed, and loyal. You get to do what you do best—hunt. Kill. Destroy." Her smile sharpened. "We both get what we want. Isn’t that the definition of a perfect alliance?"

Emma snorted from behind Julian. "Smooth. Really smooth."

Fey raised an eyebrow. "She’s not wrong, though. Leading a faction sounds exhausting. I’d rather blow things up."

Zoe said nothing, but her golden eyes tracked Vex with careful assessment.

Dori, as always, worried. "But... but if she’s in charge, won’t Eclipse blame her? Won’t they—"

"They’ll blame whoever killed Mike and destroyed this base," Vex interrupted gently. "Which is you. I’m just the convenient successor who happened to be in the right place at the right time." She glanced at Julian. "Your shadows are still watching me, I assume?"

"Always."

"Good. Then we understand each other."

Julian was quiet for a long moment, his dark blue eyes studying Vex with an intensity that would have made most people squirm. She met his gaze without flinching.

Finally, he nodded. "Agreed. You lead Greenday. We hunt Eclipse."

Vex’s smile widened. "Excellent. Now, about our supply situation—"

"Already handled."

She blinked. "What?"

Julian reached into his Inventory and produced a single document—a shipment manifest from Rain’s operation, listing weeks’ worth of food and supplies. He handed it to Vex.

"Rain’s faction. The one supplying Eclipse’s food. We paid them a visit a few days ago."

Vex’s eyes scanned the document, then lifted to meet his. "You didn’t. Tell me you didn’t."

"I did. Rain now understands that continued shipments to Eclipse mean death. And to ensure his cooperation..." Julian’s lips curved—the barest hint of a smile. "I left a piece of myself with him. A shadow fragment. He won’t betray us."

Vex stared at him for a long moment. Then she laughed—a genuine, surprised sound. "You absolute bastard. You already cut off Eclipse’s food supply before even attacking Greenday?"

"Strategy requires foresight."

"And Rain? He’s just... cooperating?"

"He’s terrified. Which is almost as good as loyalty." Julian’s expression didn’t change. "Eclipse sent a delegation to check on his shipments recently. Rain played his part perfectly—claimed supply chain disruptions, bought us time. His people are scared, but they’re following orders."

Vex leaned back in her chair, shaking her head in disbelief. "So we have food. We have fighters. We have a base." She glanced at the document again, then at Julian. "What about the other factions? Neo? Xlomoph?"

"Next."

"Both of them?"

"If we move fast enough. Before Eclipse realizes how deep the rot has spread." Julian’s eyes hardened. "Rain’s supply lines are secure. Greenday is ours. That leaves minerals and energy. Cut those, and Eclipse starves on every front."

Emma bounced on her toes, barely containing her excitement. "So we’re hitting both? At the same time? That’s crazy!"

"That’s strategy." Julian glanced at her, warmth flickering in his eyes despite the cold words. "We split our forces. One team hits Neo’s mining operations. Another hits Xlomoph’s energy facilities. Simultaneous strikes—they won’t know which way to turn."

Fey raised an eyebrow. "Split the team? That’s risky."

"Calculated risk. Zoe and Dori with me to Neo. Emma and Fey with Vex to Xlomoph. We’ll have local guides from Greenday—people who know the territory, the defenses, the weaknesses."

Emma’s face fell slightly. "Wait, we’re splitting up? Like, really splitting up?"

"Temporarily. Until the missions are complete." Julian’s voice softened almost imperceptibly. "We’ll be back together before you know it."

Dori moved closer to Julian, her small hand finding his. "I’ll stay with Julian. I can help with Conceal at Neo."

Zoe simply nodded—her agreement wordless but absolute. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Emma sighed dramatically but nodded. "Fine. But Fey better not be annoying the whole time."

"I’m always annoying," Fey replied with a lazy smirk. "It’s my brand."

Vex watched the exchange with something almost like wonder. "You actually care about them."

Julian met her gaze. "They’re my family. I’d burn the world for them."

"Good." Vex’s voice was quiet, but fierce. "That’s the kind of leader worth following."

She rose from Mike’s chair—her chair now—and extended her hand.

"Then let’s finish this. Together."

Julian took her hand.

The room fell into a charged silence as Julian released Vex’s hand. The weight of their agreement settled over them like a mantle—alliance forged in blood and opportunity, bound by mutual necessity.

Emma shifted restlessly, her earlier excitement dimmed by the reality of their coming separation. "So... when do we leave?"

"Dawn." Julian’s voice was calm, practical. "We have hours yet. Rest. Prepare. Vex will provide guides and any additional intelligence she has on the targets."

Fey stretched lazily, though her eyes were sharp. "I’ll want to go over the Xlomoph layouts tonight. Power plants have vulnerabilities—choke points, fail-safes. The right pressure in the right place..." She smirked. "Lights out, permanently."

Vex watched the exchange with a calm expression. Then she moved to a cabinet against the wall, producing a stack of maps and documents.

"Here. Everything I have on both targets. Neo’s mining operation is in the eastern mountains—a series of tunnels and processing facilities. They pull rare minerals for Eclipse’s weapons and mutation chambers. Hit the tunnels in the right places, and the whole operation collapses for months."

She spread a map across the desk, pointing at key locations. "Xlomoph controls the old geothermal plant south of here. It powers half the eastern territory, including Eclipse’s main research facility. Destroy that, and Darwin loses his lights—along with his life support for the more unstable experiments."

Fey leaned in, studying the map with predatory focus. "Geothermal. That means steam lines, pressure vessels, turbines. All very... explosive, if someone knows where to hit."

"Someone does." Vex’s smile was cold. "I’ve had people inside both operations for years. Waiting. Watching. They’ll help you get in."

Emma perked up. "Wait, you have spies? Already in place?"

"Did you think I spent my years under Eclipse just... serving?" Vex’s eyes glittered. "I’ve been preparing for this. Gathering allies. Building networks. Waiting for someone strong enough to use them."

Julian studied her for a long moment. "You’re more dangerous than you appear."

"Thank you."

The hours passed in preparation.

Fey disappeared with the Xlomoph schematics, muttering to herself about pressure differentials and cascade failures. Emma followed her, ostensibly to "help" but really to burn off nervous energy by annoying Fey until threatened with liquid restraints.

Julian stood apart, reviewing the Neo maps, committing every tunnel, every entrance, every guard post to memory.

Vex approached silently, stopping at his side.

"Your women are... remarkable."

"They are."

"Not just their skills. Their loyalty. The way they look at you." She paused. "I haven’t seen that kind of trust in years. Not since before Eclipse took everything."

Julian didn’t respond immediately. When he did, his voice was quiet—almost gentle. "Trust is earned. Every day. In every moment. I don’t take it for granted."

"Good." Vex’s voice was soft. "Don’t. It’s the only thing that can’t be replaced."

They stood together in silence, watching the night through the cracked window.

-------×------

Dawn came gently, painting the ruins in shades of gold and rose.

The compound stirred to life—Greenday fighters moving to their posts, supplies being gathered, vehicles being prepared. Vex had been true to her word; guides waited for both teams, hardened men and women who knew the territories ahead intimately.

Emma stood before Julian, her usual boundless energy subdued. Her crimson eyes searched his face, memorizing every detail.

"Two days," she said quietly. "That’s what Fey said. Two days to reach Xlomoph, hit it, and get out. Then we meet back here."

"Two days," Julian confirmed. "No more. If you’re late, I come looking."

"Promise?"

"Yeah, Promise."

Emma smiled—a real smile, warm and soft. Then she launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck, pressing her face into his chest.

"I’ll be careful. I’ll listen to Fey. I won’t do anything stupid." She pulled back just enough to meet his eyes. "You be careful too. Don’t get yourself killed saving the world."

"The world can save itself. I’m saving you."

She kissed him fierce and desperate and full of everything words couldn’t say.

Fey appeared behind her, clearing her throat delicately. "Hate to interrupt, but we’ve got a schedule."