Moving the Centurion to the portal site felt like driving through a toxic graveyard. The landscape around them had been transformed by the creature's death with acid-scorched earth stretched in all directions, the golden tsunami having killed or dissolved most of the smaller alien life forms. Only the largest fungal structures remained, their bioluminescent patterns dim and flickering.

Luca guided their mobile base to within fifty meters of the portal, close enough for a quick retreat if things went south. The dimensional gateway shimmered in the toxic air, stable but ominous, waiting for them to make their move.

"Deploying shield," Ryan announced as the Centurion settled into position. The protective dome flickered to life around them, but Luca could see the power consumption ticking upward on his display. Every minute they spent here was time they couldn't afford to lose.

Inside the medical bay, Joey worked carefully to prepare Pixel for their absence. The midnight blue nyxocatus sat calmly in his lap, trusting and unaware of what was about to happen.

"The medical pod isn't a stasis chamber," Joey explained as he prepared the sedative, "but it'll keep her temperature regulated and life signs monitored. She'll be asleep until we get back."

Zoe watched anxiously as Joey administered the tranquilizer. Pixel's eyes slowly closed, her purring fading to gentle breathing as the drug took effect. Joey carefully placed her in the medical pod, checking the heating elements and power connections twice.

"She'll be fine," he said, though his voice carried the weight of uncertainty they all felt. "The pod's got independent power for twelve hours, then it'll draw from the Centurion's reserves. We need to be back before that happens."

We better be, Luca thought, watching the portal pulse with alien energy.

"Wait," he said, looking toward the acidic lake where the massive creature had fallen. "Before we go in blind, let's get some intel on what we actually killed."

Danny looked up from checking his warhammer. "You want to scan the corpse?"

"Exactly. If that thing was calling for help, I want to know what might show up while we're gone." Luca shouldered his rifle. "Danny, you're with me. Quick EVA to the lake, scan what we can, get back."

"Are you insane?" Emily asked. "That's a toxic wasteland out there."

"Our armor held up before," Luca replied. "Five minutes, in and out. The rest of you prep for the portal."

They stepped through the shield barrier, immediately hit by the corrosive winds of Midnight Veil. The landscape around the acidic lake was a landscape of dissolved ground and steaming craters.

The creature's body was partially submerged in the golden liquid, but what they could see was staggering in scale. Massive coils of flesh and bioelectric organs stretched across the lake's surface, each segment easily the size of a building.

Luca raised his multitool, targeting the enormous corpse. The scan took longer than usual, the device working to analyze the complex alien biology.

[Lifeform Scan Complete] Species: Unknown (Centauri Native) Classification: Apex Predator Cell Structure: Bioelectric neural matrix with crystalline conductors Genetic Sequencing: Logged Age: Adult Gender: Female Behavior: Territorial Predatory Dimensions: 120m length / 85m height / ~35,000kg estimated mass Risk-Category: Lethal Edibility (Human): Lethal Caloric Density: High Useful Compounds: Bioelectric neural tissue, electromagnetic field generators, acidic digestive enzymes Coordinates: Logged Notes: Massive bioelectric organs designed for echolocation and prey stunning across several kilometers. Neural structure indicates solitary territorial behavior with limited pack coordination. Acidic internal chemistry adapted for corrosive environment. Territory likely spans 500-800 square kilometers based on organ capacity.

"Jesus Christ," Luca breathed, reading the analysis. The scale was beyond anything he'd imagined... 85 meters tall, 120 meters long. It had been a living mountain.

Luca triggered [Combat Predictive Modeling] next.

[Target Identified: Bioelectric Apex Predator - Level 39] Threat Profile: Extreme Lethal Behavior Forecast: Solitary Territorial Hunter Tactical Forecast:

Bioelectric discharge capability across several kilometer range Echolocation-based targeting - high accuracy in toxic environment Massive physical attacks utilizing 35,000kg mass advantage Acidic internal chemistry - contact with bodily fluids lethal Territory-wide sensory awareness through electromagnetic field generation

Tactical Notes:

Size creates mobility limitations in confined spaces Acidic blood/fluids pose contamination risk to equipment and personnel

He shared the scan data through their suit's local network. Danny's reaction was immediate and grim.

"Look at the organs," Danny said, his voice tight. "It was using echolocation across kilometers. Our shield probably lit up like a beacon in its sensory range."

"Territory spans five to eight hundred square kilometers," Luca added, highlighting the territorial notes. "The good news? These things are solitary. Bad news? If there are others in the region, they'll eventually come to investigate what happened to this one's territory."

They ran back to the shield, Luca transmitting the scan data on the move. Inside the Centurion, the team stared at the results.

"Eighty-five meters tall," Emily said, her voice tight with awe. "Solitary, territorial, and its territory spans hundreds of kilometers."

"So we're not racing against reinforcements," Luca concluded, the relief in the room palpable. "We're racing against our power reserves and whatever moves into the vacuum we just created. That's a fight we can manage."

One by one, they suited up and checked their equipment. The familiar ritual of preparation helped calm nerves, and the knowledge that they weren't about to face a coordinated pack attack made everyone breathe a little easier.

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Luca sealed his scout suit and checked his weapons. His plasma sniper rifle, upgraded plasma tomahawk, and what felt like nowhere near enough power cells. Beside him, Zoe did the same, her scout armor's adaptive camouflage already beginning to shift colors.

Emily finished sealing her medium armor and ran through her equipment checklist. Plasma blade at her hip, two plasma blasters holstered... she looked ready for war, but Luca could see her checking and rechecking her power cell count. They all were.

The others followed suit. Joey's heavy powered armor hummed to life, his plasma blaster and medkit secured. Danny's upgraded plasma warhammer crackled with energy as he tested the power cells. Chris and Ryan both looked confident in their medium armor, plasma scatter gun and assault rifle respectively.

"Remember," Ryan said, checking his power cell reserves, "my turret got trashed on New Dawn, and we're running low on cells for everything else. We need to make every shot count."

"Same here," Joey added, patting his plasma blaster. "My shield's gone."

Luca pulled up the System information on the portal, studying their mission parameters one more time.

[System Message: Operation Site] Scenario: The Toxic Outpost Gateway: Stable Recommended Level: 72 Maximum Level: 86 Mission Objective: Defend researchers from hostile creatures and escort them to the research outpost. [End of Message]

"Look, this seems straightforward. We rescue the scientists, fend off some creatures, get them to safety, search for whatever's powering their outpost, hopefully find a fuel rod. If we're careful, we can keep the scientists close and clear the path as we go."

Emily's lips twitched with a smirk. "Don't jinx it, Luca. All our 'easy' portals have nearly killed us, and this is our first time at this level gap."

"Fine," he grinned back. "No jinxing. But this is our shot. Two months ago, we were capped at level 60. Now we've got a chance at hitting 72, maybe even beyond."

Zoe's eyes lit up with that familiar thrill-seeking glint. "Imagine the gear upgrades. Better tools, stronger weapons. This planet wouldn't stand a chance against us then."

If we have enough power to survive long enough to use them, Luca thought, but he kept that to himself. The team's energy was infectious, and they needed that confidence going into an unknown dimension with barely enough power cells to handle a sustained fight.

"Besides," Zoe continued, "if anyone can pull this off, it's us."

Danny hefted his plasma warhammer with enthusiasm, though he grimaced at the power consumption readout. "And we'll finally have proper power for the survey. No more rationing every shot and hoping our cells don't die mid-fight."

"Assuming we find fuel rods in there," Chris pointed out, ever the practical one.

"We will," Emily said with conviction. "The System wouldn't give us a research facility mission without the resources we need to complete it."

Luca looked around at his team, the six people he'd trust with his life, about to follow him into an alien dimension that could kill them all. They'd fought to get this far, tackled unknowns that would have broken lesser crews. Yeah, maybe they were a little crazy, a little reckless.

But they were his crew. And they were going to take on whatever this fucked-up galaxy threw at them.

"Airlock cycling," he announced, moving toward the exit. "Stay close, watch your six, and remember, we're five levels below recommended for this place. Don't waste shots, don't try to be heroes, and pray that we find those fuel rods before we have to come back."

The Centurion's airlock cycled as each of them stepped through, revealing the shimmering portal beyond their shield.

Luca stepped toward the portal, his rifle ready. Behind him, his team formed up.

Here we go again, Luca thought, and stepped through into the unknown.

Luca took a steadying breath and stepped forward, feeling the familiar tingling pull as the System transported them. In an instant, they emerged atop a hill, overlooking a vast alien landscape under a dim, heavy sky. The distant sun cast a pallid light over the scene, revealing fields of towering, bulbous plants with dark purple stems and waxy leaves that seemed to pulsate with their own steady beat.

Like stepping into a nightmare garden, Luca thought, scanning the bizarre flora stretching to the horizon.

Danny whistled low, his voice crackling over the comms. "Guess the Poison Fields have their own version of haunted house decor."

"Yeah, minus the exit signs," Ryan added dryly, his gaze flicking around the terrain with a blend of interest and caution in his eyes. Luca could practically see his fingers itching on his plasma scattergun, ready for a fight even in this unsettling quiet.

"Stay sharp," Luca reminded them, his own rifle steady in his hands as his eyes adjusted to the eerie landscape. A flicker of movement caught his attention, a group of Varnathi, their sleek, fur-covered forms and alert, beady eyes unmistakable. They were huddled in what appeared to be a temporary camp, their breathing masks and light armor looking almost flimsy against the grim environment.

"What the fuck," Ryan muttered, his weapon half-raised. "Are those... friendly Varnathi?"

Luca's finger hovered over his rifle's trigger, every instinct screaming at him to fire. Every single encounter they'd had with these furry bastards had ended in violence, with ambushes, coordinated attacks, the works. Now here they were, looking... scared? Vulnerable?

Zoe's rifle was already aimed at the Varnathi's head, her voice tight with confusion. "This feels like a trap. Since when do the furry fuckers want to be friends?"

What the hell is the System playing at? Luca thought, studying the creatures that had tried to kill them all over New Dawn. These Varnathi looked... different. Smaller. Their gear was research equipment, not combat armor. They had the same sleek fur and beady eyes, but instead of weapons, they carried scanning devices and sample containers.

Danny kept his warhammer ready, his voice uncertain. "Last week, these things were trying to rip my throat out with their claws."

Emily kept both plasma blasters drawn, but her voice cut through the hostility with clear logic. "Wait, everyone stop for a second. What did you think 'researchers' meant in the portal description?"

Luca blinked, the obvious hitting him like a brick wall. "I... it didn't occur to me they'd be... well... them! The ones in the stasis pods!"

"Oh my God." Zoe stopped dead in her tracks, her rifle wavering. "Do you think... no... Do you think the ones in these scenarios are the ones from the pods? Every time we kill an NPC we're killing a real Varnathi?"

"It's like the Matrix," Danny muttered. "They're wired to the Matrix."

"No, stop it!" Joey said, stepping forward. "I guarantee you, the stasis pods that had failed had failed longer than the System's been active. These can't be the same individuals."

But Luca wasn't convinced. The implications crashed over him like a wave, every Varnathi they'd gunned down without a second thought. What if some of them had been real? What if the System had been testing them all along, seeing how they'd react to sentient life?

One of the Varnathi researchers, a sleek, keen-eyed female, stepped forward and wrapped her tail lightly around Joey's armored arm in what seemed to be a greeting.

Joey froze completely, his plasma blaster twitching in his grip. "Uh... what the hell is happening right now?"

The lead Varnathi scientist seemed to sense their hostility and took a careful step back, her ears flattening against her head, a gesture that looked almost... submissive? She tilted her head, studying Joey as if he were an odd specimen.

"You are here to assist, yes?" Her voice held an almost musical quality, nothing like the snarls and hisses they'd heard in combat.

This is seriously messing with my head, Luca thought, his rifle still trained on the group. Now the System wants us to play escort for a research team? What's the fucking angle here?

"More or less," Joey replied cautiously through his external speakers, his weapon ready but not quite aimed. "We'll help move you to safer ground."

"We need to protect these ones," Luca confirmed, lowering his rifle slightly. The revelation didn't erase his suspicion, but it changed everything about how he viewed their mission.

The lead scientist seemed to sense the shift in their demeanor, her ears perking up slightly. "You speak strangely among yourselves. Are you prepared to escort us?"

They don't know, Luca realized. To them, this is just reality. They don't know they might be copies or constructs or whatever the hell the System creates.

"Yeah," Luca said to the scientist. "We're ready. Just... working out our formation."

On the internal comms, Emily's voice was quiet but firm. "This changes nothing tactically, but it changes everything else. If there's even a chance these are real..."

"They're not real," Joey murmured over comms.

Luca glanced over at Emily, seeing his own uncertainty reflected in her eyes. "The mission parameters are clear. We escort them, they help us find the research station. Just... it's just another delve."

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