The summons arrived at 3:33 AM.
Brayn was in his quarters when his terminal flickered to life. A single line of text appeared on the screen:
"The council meets at dawn. The future of Veridia will be decided. Come alone."
Brayn stared at the screen, his blood running cold. The council. The new government they had built after the fall of the Ghost. But this message was different. It was urgent. It was final.
"Danielle," he called out. "There's something going on."
Danielle appeared beside him, her face pale. "What is it?"
Brayn shook his head slowly. "I don't know. But I need to go. Alone."
---
The council chamber was silent.
Brayn stood at the entrance, his eyes scanning the faces of the assembled leaders. There were representatives from every sector of the city—the Outer Ring, the
