Director Graham and Commander Miller walked through the SHQ grounds in silence.
Their path cut across a wide internal roadway connecting the main administrative wing to another secured complex further ahead.
The late afternoon sun hung low enough to stretch long shadows across the pavement.
Graham's cane tapped steadily against the concrete as he walked.
Tap—tap—tap~
The rhythm was slower than usual.
His expression remained low, brows drawn slightly inward as he looked ahead toward the complex they were approaching.
It stood apart from the surrounding facilities.
Tall fencing encircled the entire compound, reinforced steel mesh layered with embedded sensor nodes. Multiple security lights were mounted along the perimeter posts. Even in daylight, their presence added weight to the area.
Additional security had clearly been established.
UPSDF trucks were parked near the gate, engines idling softly—brrrm~
