## Chapter 0: The Silence Before the Storm
The command center's sofa was winning. Jin had tried six different positions, and each one made his spine question his life choices with a fresh, synthetic squeak. The faux leather was a special kind of hell, designed to look comfortable while actively conspiring against comfort.
"Can't sleep?"
The voice was low and familiar. Jin didn't need to look up. Scarlett was leaning against the doorway, a silhouette of contained energy against the dim emergency lighting. She was still in her training gear, a thin sheen of sweat on her arms, even though it was past 0200. Of course she was. Her twin swords were strapped to her back, an extension of her body she never put down, even here, in the one place they were relatively safe.
"My room's..." Jin gestured vaguely toward the corridor, the word 'occupied' hanging unsaid in the air.
