The investigation began immediately.
Officers and warrant officers patrolled the halls in pairs, questioning supply personnel, scanning entry logs, ordering emergency rations. The atmosphere of Grim Hollow had shifted into survival mode.
Bright and his newly formed squad gathered in formation before sunrise, tension hanging over them like storm clouds.
"Listen up," Sergeant Tyven barked, pacing before them. "We have a high-level internal breach. This is no random incident. Someone inside sabotaged our stores."
The older members of Bright's squad exchanged uneasy glances.
The speed-enhanced girl, Lira , folded her arms. "Why would anyone starve their own outpost?"
The older fire-ability wielder, Rolf—the one who'd challenged Bright earlier—snorted. "Because humans are idiots. This proves it."
The calm-mind girl, Mara, whispered, "Or because something is influencing them."
"Influencing?" Juno asked.
