Title: Cracks in the Armor
"Execute the contract tonight, and ensure that Laura witnesses the exact moment his synthetic heart stops beating," Julian commanded grimly.
The intercepted audio transmission cut off with a sharp click, leaving only the sound of the wind rushing past the high balcony of the Sovereign Estate. The sky-spire loomed over the glowing neon grid of Aethelgard Prime like a silver needle piercing the heavy clouds.
Gerald stood near the edge of the glass balustrade, his massive frame perfectly silhouetted against the sea of artificial light below. A faint, high-pitched whine emanated from his chest panel, followed by a thin wisp of chemical steam escaping his collar.
"Our network intelligence captured that audio segment from a burner satellite floating over the l
