"Watch me take this city for you, Sia," Sean whispered into her ear, his raspy voice broadcasting across every active communication array in Neo-Veridia.
The words echoed through the deep subterranean vault, vibrating off the cold metallic walls long after the transmission status light flickered from green back to dull amber.
Sia stood frozen beside the central command desk, her palm cold where Sean had just released his iron grip, her eyes fixed on the blank screens overhead.
Outside, the heavy resonance of distant artillery faded into a tense, suffocating quiet as the city's upper spire networks processed the tyrant's public declaration of war.
Gumay stepped back from the main console, wiping a streak of dark grease from his cheek before looking up at his master.
"The broadcas
