The war room was silent, the weight of endless battles pressing down on everyone.
Wayne stood at the center, his eyes fixed on the holographic display. The map showed the remnants of the Covenant's network—scattered, broken, defeated. Another organization had fallen. Another victory claimed. But the victory felt hollow, empty, like ashes in his mouth.
"We've done it again," Lucy said, her voice flat. "Another organization destroyed. Another threat eliminated."
"Then why does it feel like we're not making any progress?" Foden asked.
Wayne was silent for a long moment. The question hung in the air, unanswered. Then he said, "Because we're not. We're fighting the same war over and over again. Different names, different faces, but the same enemy."
"What do you mean?" Jude asked.
"I mean
