The bridge of The Ascendant was silent, save for the rhythmic, soothing hum of the hydrostatic core pumping fresh water through the living wooden hull. The air was perfectly climate controlled, smelling faintly of the ozone generated by the solar thrusters and the rich, earthy scent of the Ironwood deck.
Orion stood perfectly still at the head of the central holotable. He wore his heavy leather Vanguard coat. His broad shoulders were relaxed, but his golden eyes were razor sharp, projecting the cold, calculated focus of a sovereign preparing for a critical negotiation. Elara stood quietly by the transparent viewport, allowing the shadows of the cabin to drape over her like a second cloak.
Zenith was already at the primary console. The young Architect's fingers flew across the digital interface in a blur of motion, rapidly organizing the raw, corrupted data he had extracted from the subterranean vault into a structured, actionable format.
