Chapter 84: Field Test Protocol
The hum of Hope's Refuge central operations hall was steady, rhythmic — machinery, holographic panels, and simulation feeds merging into a quiet backdrop. Team Chaos had been training here for days, pushing themselves through round after round of combat drills.
Now, though, the routine had shifted. Ava stood near the main console, gloved hands tapping in commands as Cream Puff's holographic form hovered nearby — a small, floating cream puff with an unbothered expression.
> "All core systems synced. Energy output within acceptable variance," Cream Puff reported, voice flat as ever. "Teleportation node network is now online and synchronized with Astra Haven's perimeter grid. Efficiency: ninety-eight percent."
"Good," Ava said, tone clipped, focus sharp. "That's better than the last run."
