Deep within the fortress-moon of Vel-Caeron, the Council convened in their obsidian chamber. Twelve figures, cloaked in tradition and arrogance, watched the replay of Titan's broadcast on a suspended crystal screen.
Silence followed the final moment—Titan hovering above the shattered dreadnoughts like a demigod.
Councilor Vrex slammed a hand onto the table. "He's become myth. You let him ascend."
Councilor Sera, the oldest among them, narrowed her eyes. "No… we created him. Every lie we told, every experiment we ran… Titan is our shadow."
Another councilor hissed, "He's united the Outer Worlds. Colonies are breaking contact. There's talk of an open rebellion."
The Arch-Strategist stepped forward, his voice as cold as space. "Then we do what we've always done."
He gestured to a hidden panel—revealing a holographic map of the galaxy, marked with blinking red dots.
"We unchain Project Ashfall."
Around the chamber, even the most callous councilors paused.
Sera's voice dropped. "That was never meant to be used. It's… not stable."
"Neither is he."
Vrex sneered. "If Titan wants to carry the Void… let him face what we've made from it."
As the council gave its silent approval, deep in a black site beyond the known charts, containment fields began to flicker… and something massive opened its eyes.