BIOLOGICAL SUPERCOMPUTER SYSTEM C.1060: Not Alone (4)

"June," Erik said, "I've talked to the system about our infiltration options. There's a way to get past the guys that can see through our transformations, but... it will not be easy."

"What did the system say, Master?"

Erik explained everything, telling June about the device limitations and how his Phantom Veil brain crystal power could get around them.

"So, you're saying you need to go in alone?"

"Yes. The Phantom Veil can only cover me."

June's face showed many feelings at once-he was disappointed, worried, and a bit frustrated. He said nothing for a while, but it was clear he was feeling his limitations again. He couldn't get stronger, he didn't have a brain crystal, and he had no mana. He was stuck in a limbo, where the most he could do was to shapeshift and act as Erik's mount.

This wasn't the first time he thought about it, but he felt well how Noah and the first batch of clones felt. It wasn't pleasant.

"I understand, Master. I don't like it, but I understand."

Erik placed a hand on June's shoulder, feeling the tension in his clone's muscles. "I know it's not ideal. Believe me, I'd much rather have you by my side in there. But we have to play to our strengths."

June nodded. "You're right, of course. As much as I hate to admit it, I'm... I'm not as useful to you as I once was."

The admission seemed to hurt June, and saying out loud must have not been pleasant for an existence that had as its only goal that to serve him. Erik felt a pang of sympathy.

He knew how much June prided himself on being helpful, on being an extension of Erik himself. He was not the first clone, that was Noah, but he was the one who had remained on Erik's side the longest. It was a position that all of them wished, but only June could pride himself on it.

Noah and the other clones went through something similar. There was no way for him to give June a way to become stronger. He didn't have a brain crystal, and his powers came from his body.

In a sense, he was better than the other people since he didn't depend on mana, but that also prevented him from getting more powerful, because mana didn't restructure his body.

"Don't say that," Erik said. "Your role might be different now than it was in the past, but it's no less important. I need you out here. If I get inside, keeping watch will help me a lot."

June managed a rueful smile. "A glorified lookout and getaway driver, eh?"

Erik chuckled.. "Hey, every great infiltrator needs a reliable getaway driver. And there's no one I trust more to have my back out here."

The clone straightened, a hint of his usual confidence returning. "You can count on me, Master. I'll keep an eye on things out here, monitor the patrols, and be ready to create a distraction if needed."

Erik nodded, relieved that June was accepting the plan, even if reluctantly. "Good. Now, let's go see if we can enter inside."

Avoiding patrols, the two got closer to the fortress. But after many hours of searching, going around the fortress, and avoiding the soldiers, they only found one entrance, the main one, which was heavily guarded.

However, the two found out the barrier protecting the ancient fortress was kept up by technology, so Erik had a way to sneak his way in. At least in theory.

The problem was that even if Erik did that, as soon as he got inside, he would find face to face with the guards, and while they couldn't see him, they would still be alerted because the door was going to open.

Stuck, Erik, and June hid behind a tree to think of a plan.

"What do we do?"

"Should we create a distraction?" Erik said.

"I don't know, master. It looks dangerous. Besides, how would you get out?"

"Yeah, you are right... Maybe I can use the Plant Master brain crystal power to make a tunnel under the walls."

"That's if the barrier doesn't cover the ground, which I doubt, master."

As it got dark, Erik and June didn't find a solution.

"It's becoming late. The others will be worried," the clone said.

"It would take too much to head back."

June sighed. "Let's camp around here for the night. We might be able to gather information; maybe get something out of the patrols."

Erik agreed. They had too little information to act now, and since there was apparently no way for them to get inside, the best thing was to wait and get more information. A rushed move could ruin everything.

They started looking for a good place to set up their shelter. Erik used his powers to make one, not far from the fortress but close enough for him and June to spot and read the minds of the patrols around the base.

As night fell, the fortress lights disappeared. They would attract thaids, and there was no way

Hin wanted that to happen.

"I think..." June said.

"What?"

"Maybe there is a solution."

"What were you thinking about?"

"Well, it's simple, master. You can enter when the patrols return to the fortress. But that would work only until you have your invisibility up, and I don't think you can stay invisible during the entire time, no?"

"Yes, but not being able to take other people' place will need us to stay here for a while." "It's not like we have a choice. We need to find out who these guys are searching for, although

it is pretty obvious they are searching for you. Well... that, and what they know... How the situation in Frant is..."

"Right..." Erik sighed. He didn't really like to wait for so long just to enter a building. Yet, it wasn't like he had a choice.

"Let's try to make this quick, all right? I have a revenge to carry on."

"Yes, master."