The black haze brushed against her frame, but the outer layer did not stop her.
She hit the military cordon like a storm given shape.
Not at the civilians.
Not toward the device.
She went for the armored vehicles blocking the western avenue and tore the first one sideways with her shield, creating a gap wide enough for people to see the open street beyond the soldiers.
Her support units fired stun rounds and disabling shots, cutting down Kharov guards who tried to force the civilians back.
Eirenne's voice rang through the district speakers.
"Move west. Follow the open avenue. Do not approach the central platform. Medical teams are waiting beyond the haze."
At first, only a few people moved.
Then dozens.
Then hundreds.
Once the first group ran and did not get shot, the crowd broke.
Hask Renn raised the dark tablet and screamed silently into dead speakers. The device at the center of the plaza pulsed, and the black haze twisted inward as if angry.
