The sub basement of Sterling Tower was a sanctuary of silent electricity and liquid cooled processors. Known only to a handful of elite operatives as the Den, this was the headquarters of Dante’s counter intelligence division. Here, the air did not smell of the sandalwood and leather found in the executive suites above. Instead, it was sharp with the scent of ozone, high grade coolant, and the focused musk of Betas trained in the art of digital warfare.
Dante Sterling stood before a panoramic holographic display that wrapped around the room in a 360 degree arc. His white dress shirt was unbuttoned at the cuffs, the sleeves rolled up to reveal the corded muscle of his forearms and the glowing Alpha brand that hummed with a restless amber light. Beside him, Astra watched the data streams wi
