The desert station's main room had become a fortress of desperation.
Axel stood at the map table, his eyes tracing the lines that represented the True Origin's operations. They had disabled the weather weapon. They had rescued Kai. They had confronted Elias Vance. But the True Origin was still out there, and they were planning something even more terrible.
"We need to talk," Vance said, his voice low. "I've been monitoring the global networks. There's been a development."
Axel turned, his eyes tired. "What is it?"
"The True Origin. They've issued a global ultimatum." Vance's voice was grim. "They're demanding that every government on the planet surrender to their authority within seventy-two hours. If they don't, they'll activate a weapon that will destroy the world."
Axel's blood ran
