In the depths of the Naga capital, within a vast hall carved from pale crystal stone, tension settled across the chamber as a circular table of dark jade reflected the faint glow of floating projections.
Some of the seats around the table were occupied by physical presences, Nagas whose scales shimmered faintly under the hall's light, while others appeared only as shimmering projections summoned from distant fleets and rifts across the galaxy.
The air carried the calm gravity of a council that had convened many times across centuries, yet the discussion unfolding now had drawn an attention that was unusually sharp even among such experienced leaders.
General Xeron stood near the center of the chamber with his arms loosely folded, his expression composed as he finished explaining the situation.
