Chapter 121 Infiltration and Improvisation

Elara's heart hammered against her ribs like a trapped bird. They were nearing the central core of the Nexus Hub, a heavily guarded sanctum where the Council's communication network pulsed with life. The air crackled with a nervous tension, and every passing Council officer felt like a potential threat ready to expose their flimsy disguise. A bead of sweat trickled down Elara's temple as she adjusted the stolen Council uniform, the scratchy fabric doing little to quell her growing anxiety. Beside her, Jax, his face a mask of stoicism, kept a hand near his concealed weapon, a silent reassurance in the tense silence. Suddenly, a booming voice echoed through the corridor, halting their progress. "Halt! Identify yourselves!" A hulking guard, his armor gleaming under the harsh lights, stood in their path, his gaze fixed on them with suspicion. Elara's mind raced, desperately searching for a plausible explanation. Thinking fast, she stepped forward, her voice laced with feigned auth