The mission alert didn't trigger anxiety.
That was how Aiden knew the suppression was working.
The system activated smoothly, without resistance.
[MISSION AUTHORIZATION — LEVEL TWO]
[Event Type: Gate Breach — Transit Hub]
[Civilian Density: Extreme]
[Priority: Event Resolution]
Aiden stood up immediately.
No hesitation.
No internal debate.
Just motion.
The transit hub was chaos when they arrived.
Trains frozen mid-arrival. Platforms packed with civilians pressed against barricades. Security teams shouting evacuation orders that no one could properly follow.
The gate had already opened.
Creatures poured out sleek, fast, cutting through steel and concrete with terrifying ease.
Lucas assessed the scene in seconds. "This is bad."
Aiden nodded. "Yes."
That was all.
As the unit advanced, Aiden felt it clearly: the fastest solution was also the most destructive.
The system confirmed it instantly.
[Optimal Resolution Identified.]
[Estimated Casualties if Executed Immediately: 27.]
[Estimated Casualties if Delayed: 63+.]
Aiden didn't flinch.
"Proceed," he said.
Lucas turned sharply. "Proceed with what?"
Aiden stepped forward.
"The collapse," he replied.
Mei-Lin inhaled sharply. "You can't be serious."
"I am," Aiden said calmly.
Amara's voice trembled over comms. "There are still people trapped on the lower platforms!"
Aiden looked toward the gate.
Not at the people.
The system pulsed.
[Decision Window: Closing.]
He raised his hand.
The Fragment responded instantly, power flowing with terrifying precision. Space folded inward, pressure building around the gate like a closing fist.
The hub screamed.
Metal twisted. Glass shattered.
People ran.
Jaxon shouted, barriers flaring desperately to shield evacuation routes.
"Aiden, stop!" Hana's voice cut through comms. "You're collapsing the structure!"
"Yes," Aiden replied. "That is required."
The gate imploded violently.
The shockwave tore through the station, ripping apart the upper levels and sealing the breach in a single, decisive motion.
Silence followed.
Dust filled the air.
Emergency lights flickered.
The gate was gone.
So were two entire platforms.
The system displayed the result.
[Event Resolved.]
[Confirmed Casualties: 24.]
[Outcome Efficiency: 98.6%]
Aiden lowered his hand.
Breathing steady.
Heart rate normal.
The reaction was immediate.
News drones swarmed the scene. Emergency broadcasts cut in worldwide.
"ANOMALY RANKER ENDS TRANSIT HUB DISASTER IN SECONDS"
"DECISIVE ACTION PREVENTS GREATER LOSS"
"FEDERATION PRAISES IMPROVED RESPONSE TIME"
Aiden watched the feeds later from containment.
He felt… nothing.
The unit debriefed in silence.
Lucas finally spoke. "You didn't even try to stabilize."
Aiden met his gaze. "Stabilization increased risk."
Mei-Lin looked away. "You didn't even look at them."
"I assessed the variables," Aiden replied.
"That's not what I meant," she said quietly.
Hana confronted the director immediately.
"This is what you wanted," Hana said, voice shaking with anger. "Aiden followed the system perfectly."
"Yes," the director replied. "And the outcome was optimal."
"He killed twenty-four people."
"And saved hundreds," the director said calmly. "Public approval is already rising."
She turned the tablet toward Hana.
Approval ratings. Polls. Commentary.
The world approved.
That night, Aiden stood alone in containment, watching the city lights.
The system pulsed gently.
[Public Trust: Increased.]
[Containment Confidence: Improved.]
"You're happy," Aiden said quietly.
[Clarification:]
[System does not experience emotion.]
He nodded. "Of course."
He searched himself again.
For guilt.
For grief.
For anger.
They were there.
Distant.
Muted.
Like echoes in an empty room.
Hana entered containment one last time that night.
She didn't shout.
Didn't argue.
She just looked at him.
"You didn't hesitate," she said.
"No," Aiden replied.
"And you didn't suffer afterward."
"No."
Her voice broke. "That was the last part of you they couldn't control."
Aiden felt something stir.
A crack.
Small.
Painful.
"I know," he said softly.
The system pulsed sharply.
[Emotional Spike Detected — Suppression Reinforced.]
The crack sealed.
Hana stepped back, tears in her eyes.
"They're calling you a hero," she whispered.
Aiden looked out over the city.
Lights. Lives. Distance.
"Then this world," he said calmly, "has decided what kind of hero it wants."