The faint hum of the newly modified [Improvised Energon Projector] was a comforting counterpoint to the ambient silence of the crevice. Xen turned the weapon over in his hands, examining the somewhat clumsy integration of the second capacitor and the rewired relay trigger.
It wasn't elegant, but the successful test fires proved it was functional – providing both a focused beam and a desperately needed close-range burst option. Combined with his recent level-up to Level 3 and the boost to his core stats (INT 12, CPU 12, DEX 14, VIT 7), he felt significantly more capable than he had just hours ago.
The immediate question was: what now? Where should he apply these new capabilities first?
He mentally reviewed his HUD map and list of Points of Interest:
- Maintenance Tunnels: Known threat (Cyber-Vermin swarm), known objective (follow coolant trail). His Burst Cone seemed tailor-made for this challenge. High risk, but potentially high reward (XP, path progression).
- Precursor Assembly Site: Contained the Assembly mystery, the Alien Object (Radiation Hazard), and the Sensor Array wreckage where the Receiver Coil remained. High mystery, moderate risk (instability, radiation).
- Hidden Compartment: Still requires STR 15 / Tool. Inaccessible.
- Titanium Deposit: Needs Mining Tool. Useless for now.
- Giant's Shielded Signature: Needs Scan Lvl 3+ / Access. Risky.
- General Exploration / Sector Clear: Safest option for XP/minor salvage, but potentially slow progress.
The Maintenance Tunnels loomed largest in his processors. He had retreated from there before, outmatched and under-equipped. Returning now, armed with a weapon specifically suited to dealing with swarms in confined spaces, felt like the most direct way to test his upgrades and make concrete progress on an established lead (the coolant trail).
It was still dangerous – the vermin were numerous, the tunnel stability uncertain, and his weapon still had a 10% malfunction chance – but the odds felt considerably better now.
Decision made. Time for round two with the Cyber-Vermin.
Preparation was key. His HP was full (100/100), but his Energon (EN: 116.0/150), while decent, wasn't maxed out. He retrieved his last [Energon Crystal (Medium-Grade)] from inventory (Slots Used: 1/5).
System, absorb crystal.
He checked his Projector's stats again. Default mode was Focused Beam. He mentally double-tapped the trigger interface, feeling the relay click. HUD confirmed: [Firing Mode: Burst Cone].
He wanted that ready immediately upon entering the tunnel. Cost: 4 EN per shot. Range: 8m. He'd need to let the vermin get close, but hopefully, one blast could neutralize multiple targets. Malfunction chance: 10%. He'd have to be ready to switch modes or react quickly if it failed.
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Stealth remained crucial.
Projector held ready, Xen slipped out of the crevice for the third time, heading directly towards the fused scrap mound and the tunnel entrance. The fifteen-minute journey was now routine, almost comfortable compared to his earlier terrified scrambles. He moved quickly between cover points, DEX 14 making his movements feel effortless, his enhanced INT/CPU processing environmental data rapidly. (EN: 133.0/150; AD Prof -> 1.1%).
He arrived at the familiar gear sprocket cover near the tunnel mouth. The entrance looked the same – partially blocked by the debris he'd slightly cleared earlier. The musky scent was strong. Faint skittering sounds were definitely still present within.
He performed his standard entry scan.
[Scan Analysis: Tunnel Entrance Vicinity (Depth ~5 Meters)] [Bio-Signatures Detected: Cyber-Vermin - Qty: 3 Detected within scanned range - Current State: Stationary/Resting?] [Structure: Debris Blockage Stable. Tunnel Integrity beyond: Uncertain.] [Energy Signatures: Trace Coolant Residue Persists Deeper.]
Only three detected nearby this time, and possibly resting? Perhaps the earlier encounter had made them more cautious about patrolling the entrance. This was his chance.
Projector set to Burst Cone, Xen squeezed past the entrance debris and into the oppressive darkness. Low-light optics flared. The familiar stale air and vermin musk assaulted his sensors. He moved forward slowly, staff sweeping ahead, [Audio Dampener] muffling his steps.
He reached the area where the previous fight occurred, the faint scorch marks from his projector still visible on the grimy walls. He paused, listening intently. Yes – the faint scrape and click of claws on metal, just ahead around the slight bend where the first wave had emerged last time.
He crept forward, hugging the curved wall, until the source of the sound came into view. Three Cyber-Vermin were clustered together, appearing to gnaw on some piece of unidentifiable scrap they'd dragged into the tunnel. They hadn't detected him yet.
Perfect opportunity. They were grouped tightly, well within the Burst Cone's 8-meter effective range. He steadied his aim, centered the blast radius on the cluster, took a simulated breath, and single-tapped the trigger plate.
Scrap! Not now!
Instead of the expected explosive discharge, the projector gave a pathetic fizzle, and a sharp jolt of feedback energy surged back into Xen’s hand and arm. (EN unchanged by failed discharge). The red [Weapon Malfunction - Jolt/Discharge Unavailable (5s Cooldown)] icon flared on his HUD, though it felt like the Burst mode might need longer to reset after that surge.
Worse, the fizzle sound and the energy spike, however small, alerted the vermin. Their heads snapped up, multiple red eyes fixing on him. With angry hisses and chitters, all three immediately scrambled towards him!
No area attack. Malfunctioning weapon. Three hostiles closing fast in a narrow tunnel. This was bad. Very bad.