Chapter 48: Prism Corps Weapons Hub and Weapon Bay
Astra Blaze zipped through the neon-lit corridors of Nova City, her crimson battle suit shimmering in the reflected light. Today's mission: restocking her arsenal at the Prism Corps Weapons Hub.
The Weapons Hub was a sprawling complex, a fortress within the Nova City itself. Its sleek, metallic exterior pulsed with a soft blue glow, courtesy of the conduits channeling raw Prism energy throughout the building. Guards, Denarians clad in cobalt armor, saluted Astra as she strode through the security checkpoint.Inside, the air crackled with controlled power. Millennians, their silver uniforms adorned with glowing blue stripes, bustled about, carefully transporting crates of weapons. The rhythmic hum of energy generators filled the air, a constant reminder of the awesome power housed within.Astra weaved through the throng, the holographic map projected from her gauntlet guiding her way. She reached the Weapon Bay, a high-ceilinged chamber pulsating with an ethereal light. Rows upon rows of gleaming plasma rifles lined the walls, their power cores humming with restrained energy. Energy swords, their blades shimmering with a faint blue light, rested in specialized racks. But Astra's gaze was fixated on the center display pedestal - her customized Photon Blaster.This wasn't your standard Corps-issue blaster. Infused with the essence of her Solar Prism, it channeled her very life force into a concentrated beam of searing light. Picking it up, Astra felt a surge of power course through her, a familiar warmth spreading through her fingertips.A booming voice echoed through the chamber. "Captain Blaze! A pleasure to see you grace our humble abode."Astra turned to see Denarian Commander Kronos approaching, his imposing frame dwarfing even the Millenniums around him. Kronos, a veteran with a gruff demeanor and a cybernetic eye that gleamed ominously, was known for his no-nonsense approach."Commander Kronos," Astra replied, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Just here to ensure my trusty blaster is in peak condition."Kronos chuckled, a deep rumble that sent vibrations through the floor. "Always prepared, that's what I like to see. We've got a fresh batch of prototype rifles in from the Vorlaxian engineers. Thought you might be interested in taking a look."Astra smirked. "Anything new and shiny catches my eye, Commander."Kronos led her to a separate testing range, a holographic simulation chamber lined with energy dampeners. Astra strapped on a prototype rifle, a sleek, black weapon with an unfamiliar energy signature. With a flick of her wrist, the rifle hummed to life, its targeting reticule locking onto a holographic Xandrosian soldier.Astra squeezed the trigger. A beam of crackling green energy erupted from the barrel, vaporizing the holographic soldier in an instant. A surprised whistle escaped Kronos' lips."Impressive firepower," Astra admitted, feeling the unfamiliar energy course through her. "But the recoil is a bit much for my tastes. Back to the drawing board, I suppose."Kronos let out a hearty laugh. "Always pushing boundaries, Captain. That's what makes you one of a kind."As Astra continued testing new weapons, a holographic alert flashed on her gauntlet. It was Cygnus, his voice strained with urgency. "Astra, we have a situation. Vega's gone dark. Her signal vanished from the Xandros system."Astra's blood ran cold. Vega, with her mastery over the electromagnetic spectrum, was one of their most valuable assets. Disappearing without a trace could only mean one thing - trouble."Thanks, Cygnus. I'm on my way." Astra deactivated the testing range, her mind already formulating a plan. The Prism Corps needed to act fast. The fate of the galaxy might just depend on it.