On a warship, thousands of feet above the sleeping city, the Supreme Commander had finally had enough.
The reports from the ground were done, her obligations wrapped up, and her patience long gone.
She'd ordered three escort ships to accompany her toward the bloom zone.
This bloom wasn't like the others.
The intel called it darker, more volatile, and dangerous in a way that made even the more battle-hardened whisper.
That alone was enough to pull Akio in.
Cradle was still licking its wounds from the last fight, slow to dispatch forces. That gave her time, time to get there first.
The fleet launched under the shroud of night, engines humming low, shadows gliding against the moonless sky.
Tokyo sprawled beneath them, quiet in a way Akio had never seen.
She'd grown up here. She'd fought here. But this… This dead calm wasn't natural.
Her gaze lingered on the darkened streets, the still air. Something about it itched at the back of her mind.
