Chapter 46: The Last Supper

The night before the operation, the Nexus team gathered for a meal, a silent acknowledgment of the monumental task ahead. The atmosphere was somber, but not without a thread of defiant camaraderie. The Scrap Lords brought in salvaged synth-protein rations and even managed to find some illicit pre-Collapse fermented synth-fruit, a rare treat. Laughter was sparse, but glances exchanged held a profound understanding.

"To us," Spider raised his can of synth-cola, his voice surprisingly soft. "May we all be equally annoying on the other side."

Jason smiled, a genuine, if weary, smile. "To survival. And to making some noise."

Luna didn't raise her drink. She simply met Jason's eyes, a silent promise passing between them. They had come too far, lost too much, to fail now.