Rex looked around the cavern once more after the robot vanished. The static noise faded, and the dark room began to light up. He saw another door and went through it, entering a different part of the cave. Confused but determined, he continued onward, encountering more animal Yeagers and killing them all.

As he ventured deeper into the cave, he reached a ledge with another door above it. He jumped high, landing on the ledge, still adjusting to his new Yeager form. He entered the door, and the static noise and darkness reappeared. Nervously, he proceeded cautiously, hearing a chirping noise behind him. He turned to see the same robot from before, now looking brand new. Rex summoned flames to his sword, but they had no effect on the robot. Startled, he ran, with the robot chasing him.

In the next room, Rex noticed platforms and quickly hopped onto them. As he reached the top, the robot broke the floor, grabbing his leg and throwing him into the next room. The impact broke his arm and leg. The robot approached but stopped at the doorway and walked away. Rex, startled, noticed his body regenerating. He got up, testing his healed limbs, and ran away, knowing the robot might return.

Rex found himself in a communication room. He hooked up his cybernetics to the system and sent a message to the base. "Rex, is that you?" a voice asked.

"Yes, it's me, Rona. Sending mission status," Rex replied, transmitting everything he had experienced in the cave.

"I see. This Yeager forced you to become one but didn't kill you? It's unusual for Yeagers to remember their human lives, but you do," Rona explained.

"Mission objective?" Rex asked.

"Continue the mission. We'll work on a cure to turn you back at the base," Rona said.

"Can I ask another question?" Rex inquired, receiving Rona's permission. "The robots, what are they? They're immune to flux energy."

"Classified, Rex. But I'll tell you two things: they follow a pattern in specific rooms, and if you encounter one, run away," she advised.

Rex opened his eyes, sitting in a chair, waiting for the other special forces members. Eventually, everyone arrived, including Rona, the leader of the Yeager force. They all sat around a round table.

"Where is Nicholas?" Adam asked.

"That bastard is suspended after his last mission," Rona said, causing Rex and Adam to look down in remembrance.

"And what about Nur?" Iris Miracle, ranked seventh in the special forces, asked.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"Nur is occupied with something at the bunker," Rona replied. "I called you here because all of you will be going to the surface of the core for a conference with world leaders. This is the biggest meeting in the world, and if Luna finds out, we could lose the war."

"Why not hold it electronically?" Ash Alon, ranked fourth, asked.

"Yeagers might hack our communications. That's why it's in person," Rona explained.

"Something feels off. Why would Luna try to kill them? We could just replace the leaders. We know who she is but don't have a picture of her or the Yeager ranks," Rex said.

"So you're saying one of them might appear at the meeting?" Iris asked.

"Yes, they likely know all our operations from leaked information," Rex continued.

"What are you suggesting, Rex?" Rona asked.

"Only bring two members down there. The rest of us should protect the outside world," Rex suggested.

"Good point. Only Adam and Rex will go," Rona decided.

"What? Just like that, you believe him?" Ash protested.

"Do you doubt my decision?" Rona challenged.

"Hell yeah! This boy just joined the special forces and you take his side? What did you do, Rex?" Ash demanded. Rona crushed the table with her hands, flux energy swirling around her.

"If you want to challenge me, Ash, I will break your arm. Do not yell," she warned.

Everyone noticed the flux energy around her, and Ash fell silent.

"Meeting adjourned," Rona declared. Everyone left the room. "Ready to head back home?" Sally asked.

"You bet, I'm exhausted," Adam said.

"Let's go, Rex," Sally said. He nodded and started to walk.

"Hey Rex, can I bother you for a moment?" Iris asked.

"Sure, what is it?" he replied.

"Do you know someone named Griffin Locke?" she asked.

"No, who is that?" he asked.

"Never mind. Be careful at the center. Something might happen," she said, walking away. Rex watched her go, puzzled.

Back home, the name Griffin Locke stayed on his mind. He searched his cybernetics and found only one video. He played it, revealing his father Adam saying, "He's my best friend. He helped me master flux energy. He's the strongest."

His mother, Sally, added, "He helped me get with Adam and become stronger. He's the strongest person I know."

Ash, Daisy, and Rona appeared together. "He's a complete idiot," Ash said.

"Dumbass," Daisy said.

"He's egotistical. Do I need to say more? He's the strongest," Rona said.

The video ended, leaving Rex shocked by their statements. He stayed up all night, trying to learn more about Griffin Locke.