The morning sun broke through the thick veil of clouds over Neo-Lagos, spilling golden light across the Tech Nation's first permanent settlement outside Sector 18. Dust swirled softly in the air, catching the sun's glow, while construction drones hovered in perfect synchronization above shimmering rooftops. Jaden Cross stood atop one of the new towers, his eyes not on the steel and glass landscape below—but on the distant ruins where another village waited to be rebuilt.
Lyra hovered beside him, her blue eyes glowing faintly as data scrolled across her irises. "We've completed eighty-two percent of structural reinforcement in Grid Delta. Medical units are reporting lower infection rates. However, we've received troubling reports from the border posts near Red Rift territory."
Jaden turned slowly, his expression drawn. "Kaela's zone?"
Lyra nodded. "Scouts spotted movements—multiple unidentified units. Possibly rogue Red Rift defectors or... something worse."
