The following night was moonless and heavy with a tense silence. The air in the blighted forest was still and cold, carrying the distant, faint metallic scent of the hive city.
At the edge of the corrupted zone, the infiltration team made their final checks. Julian, Clarissa, and Dori were dressed in dark, non-reflective gear. Aya and Fey had prepared the explosive packages compact, powerful charges with silent, remote detonators. Each charge was no larger than a book but carried enough concentrated force to vaporize steel.
"Remember," Julian's voice was a low whisper in the dark. "We plant the charges at the four primary structural nodes Zoe identified. Clarissa, you handle placement. Dori, your Conceal is our shield. Do not drop it for any reason unless I command it."
Dori, looking pale but fiercely determined, nodded. "I won't. I can hold it. I've been practicing."
Clarissa gave her an encouraging squeeze on the shoulder. "We know you can."
