As the Dissonance raged, Aethel-Arms struck. Their sleek, black aerial units descended on the Spire, bypassing the chaotic battle at the entrance. They blew a clean, precise hole in the upper levels and deployed their own elite troops.
Director Valerius's voice was calm over the open channel. "The asset is secured. Thank you for your service. The contract is fulfilled."
They weren't there to help. They were there to scavenge. They began methodically downloading all of Kronos's research and seizing control of the building's systems, ignoring the life-and-death struggle below.
Kaelen, Anya, and Jax were now trapped in a three-way war: against Vance, against the collapsing Spire, and against their new "allies."