Chapter 60: Rising Beyond the Pulse (2)
The simulated dawn faded to soft morning inside Hope's Refuge. After their successful stormfront drill, Squad Chaos was in unusually high spirits — even by their chaotic standards. The hum of the training field had quieted, replaced with the gentle buzz of background systems and the faint pulse of the Astra Haven progress meter now visible on the central holoscreen: [88% Complete | Estimated Full Integration: 9 Days]
"(￣▽￣) You know," Zephyr said, sprawled across the lounge sofa, "we've fought simulated monsters, climbed gravity-bending cliffs, and survived Cream Puff's idea of a 'warm-up.' I think we deserve a parade."
"Your version of a parade probably involves fireworks and accidental explosions," Alyssa muttered, not looking up from her tablet. "Hard pass."
Kael was seated near the holo-map, quietly sharpening his training blade. "You'd join anyway."
Alyssa hesitated. "...Only to make sure he doesn't blow up the dome."
