The first to stand was the Marshal.
He had already been uneasy, but the sight of Luca's mecha breaking formation to charge directly toward the monster was enough to make him grip the edge of the console.
"What is that kid doing?" someone whispered.
It looked reckless. No, it was reckless.
The white-and-gold mecha rushed straight toward one of the larger, more aggressive tentacles, moving too fast for anyone to call it a bluff. And this time, worse than before, it wasn't even armed.
"Is he out of weapons?" Curtis asked, voice cracking halfway through.
"Does he look like he's out?" another muttered.
Because Luca's mecha wasn't damaged. It wasn't limping. It was just… empty-handed.
The entire bridge held its breath.
Meanwhile, in the private communication feed moments before, one very flabbergasted husband had been the first to know.
"Xavier," Luca had started sweetly—too sweetly.
That tone should've been a warning.
