The sub-basement of the VanceTech tower was silent, save for the rhythmic, low-frequency hum of the emergency cooling systems. The unconscious infiltrators lay like discarded husks on the concrete, their failed containment suits testament to the futility of their mission.
Elara walked to the primary server rack—the physical heart of the Titan project—and ran her hand along the cool, humming steel. Her touch was possessive, a silent vow to keep her empire intact, no matter the cost.
"They won't stop," she said, her voice echoing in the cavernous space. "Even with the Senator in chains, even with the military backing us... they are going to keep coming until there is nothing left of the Syndicate to send."
"Which is why we stop waiting for them to come to us," I replied. I stepped into th
