The underground command room was enveloped in an eerie silence, a stark contrast to the chaos that once reigned.
A low mechanical hum pulsed through the walls like a slumbering beast breathing beneath its concrete skin.
Blue and crimson lines snaked along the obsidian floor, feeding energy to the myriad monitors scattered throughout the circular chamber, each one resembling the eyes of a dormant machine god.
All but three screens had dimmed now, their once-chaotic data feeds fading away as the room settled into a profound hush.
Arthur stood alone, hands tucked behind his back, exuding an air of impeccable posture as he gazed up at the main projection hovering above the holotable.
One by one, Malik, Selene, and Jax had slipped out through the steel door behind him, leaving only Evolon, a massive blue visage floating silently behind him with hollow eyes that blinked occasionally.
