Councillor Vasquez arrived exactly at noon on a grey Tuesday, mirroring her arrival six weeks earlier at the memorial garden. The same official convoy, the same calculated punctuality, the same projection of legitimate authority backed by regional governance. But this time, Sera was ready.
They spent the week since Dr. Chen’s arrival in preparation.
The specialist reviewed her twenty-year-old notes on possession identification until she memorized every behavioral marker. Torres positioned himself as the official council liaison, ensuring he would be present during every interaction. Sera briefed her leadership council on what to watch for, what information to protect, and how to appear cooperative while revealing nothing strategic.
Now she stood at the pack house entrance with Marcus on
