The message stays on my screen all morning.
I didn’t delete it. I didn’t respond. I let it sit there like a loaded question.
Because whoever sent it doesn’t want fear.
They want a reaction.
And I don’t give them one.
By noon, I know three things.
First: the number is untraceable, but the routing pattern isn’t government. That means private intelligence,corporate, mercenary, or something stitched together from both.
Second: the phrasing isn’t emotional. No threats, No bravado. That means experience.
Third and most important they know Protocol Seven is gone.
Which means they’re not guessing.
They’re informed.
I finally tell Valen that night.
Not with drama,not with hesitation.
I hand him the phone and watch his face change as he reads the message.
Once, Valen would’ve exploded.
