The room shifted toward the TV—, chairs easing back, Summer's bait-hand going still under the sideboard. On-screen wasn't the usual morning noise. No chummy anchor. No bubbly theme.
A gray table dominated the frame—steel lines, edges clean. Behind it, three vertical screens glowed with the UPSDF insignia.
A single woman sat centered—blonde hair swept into a bun, glasses neat on the bridge of her nose, worksuit buttoned to the collar. She didn't smile. When she spoke, her voice came out clear, measured and trained.
"Good morning, people of the United Provinces," she said. "We interrupt your programs to announce a National Strategic Readiness Advisory—Tier Gray."
The woman continued, eyes not leaving the lens. "Effective immediately, the United Provinces Superhuman Defense Force will initiate a nationwide recruitment program for young citizens and legal residents aged fifteen to twenty-four—subject to special cases."
