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"If they're having sensor issues, that works in our favor,"Trent points out. "But we should still take precautions in case they decide to investigate anomalous readings."

"I'll monitor their approach," Rae says. "If they alter course toward us, we'll have approximately seven minutes warning."

Nora nods. "Maintain alert status. Vex, position your team at the northern perimeter. Nonlethal deterrents only if they approach."

"Understood," Vex responds, then looks at me. "Want to put that enhanced hearing to good use?"

"What did you have in mind?" I ask, eager to be put to use even though it’s against the only world I’ve ever known.

"Early warning system. You can hear them before our equipment can detect them." He gestures to a platform built into one of the taller trees at the settlement's edge. "From up there, you'd have clear audio line of sight."

It's a good tactical suggestion. I nod, moving toward the tree. "I'll need someone monitoring communications in case I hear something significant."

"I'll handle that," Trent says, stepping forward.

Vex looks like he wants to object, but practicality wins out. "Fine. You two take the north post. I'll coordinate ground response."

As Vex moves away to organize his team, Trent and I head for the lookout position. The climb up would have been challenging before; now my enhanced strength and balance make it almost effortless.

The platform sits nestled among branches thirty feet up, providing excellent visibility while remaining concealed from below. I settle into position, Trent beside me with a compact communications unit similar to Rae's. Luckily I’ve never had a fear of heights.

We sit in awkward silence for several minutes, the mission providing convenient focus that allows us to avoid addressing the tension between us.

"You're adapting quickly," Trent says finally, eyes fixed on the horizon. "To the enhancements."

"Apparently that was the plan all along," I say, unable to keep the bitterness from my voice. "Elara Thorne's perfectly designed modifications."

He doesn't rise to the bait, just nods. "They suit you."

Something about his simple statement catches me off guard. Not "they're impressive" or "they're useful," but "they suit you." As if these changes are bringing out something that was always meant to be part of me.

Before I can respond, I catch a new sound—the Unity vehicle's engine changing pitch as it navigates rougher terrain.

"They're turning west," I report, focusing my hearing. "Following the ridge line now." I listen harder. "They're discussing signal anomalies. Something about unusual energy readings from this valley."

Trent tenses beside me. "The settlement's power systems might be registering on their scanners."

I strain my enhanced hearing further. "They're debating whether to investigate or mark it for followup. One of them is saying they're already behind schedule."

Trent relays this information through the comm unit. Moments later, Vex's voice crackles back: "If they decide to investigate, we need to create a diversion. Something to explain the readings without revealing the settlement."

My mind races, Sentinel training kicking in despite everything. "The old monitoring station two kilometers east," I suggest. "It's on their maps already. If we could activate its emergency beacon, they'd assume that's the source."

There's a pause before Vex responds. "Good idea. But the station's systems are dead. Would need to be manually activated."

"We could reach it in time," I say, calculating distances. "With our enhanced speed?—"

"Too risky," Trent counters. "If they spot you en route, it defeats the purpose."

"Better than them finding the entire settlement," I argue.

Vex's voice cuts through again. "Thorne's right. It's our best option." A pause. "I'll go."

"Alone?" The question slips out before I can stop it.

"Unless you're volunteering, Sentinel."

I look at Trent, seeing the conflict in his eyes. This is a tactical decision—sending the fastest, most capable operative on a critical mission. But it's also personal now, in ways neither of us anticipated.