"You have thirty seconds, civilian, before I empty a magazine into this crowd."
Lieutenant Riggs broadcasted the lethal ultimatum across the frozen highway. The Vanguard officer stood atop his armored transport and kept his kinetic rifle pressed against the temple of a weeping hostage. The chained citizens shivered in the howling wind while they awaited their execution.
Inside the warm command center Kira felt the blood drain from her face. Her heart hammered against her ribs in a frantic rhythm of pure panic.
Malcolm stood near his mahogany desk and picked up his heavy tactical helmet. He did not look panicked or conflicted. He evaluated the situation with the cold precision of an engineer analyzing a structural defect.
"Prepare the primary fuel siphons," Malcolm instructed his naviga
