“Protests. Cyber disruption. Transit threats.” I gesture toward the side feed, where media blocs dissect footage ofhardliner rallies unfolding across Alliance-adjacent systems. “Anything they can label destabilizing.”
The live protest feed expands at my request. A plaza in Alliance territory pulses with banners condemning “Reaper Normalization.” A speaker on a raised platform shouts about betrayal and weakness, his voice distorted slightly by feedback.
“This is what they’ll point to,” I say. “Unrest as justification.”
Rethan folds his arms. “Alliance cannot control its own radicals.”
“No,” I reply softly. “But it can leverage them.”
The systems analyst stiffens slightly. “We’ve intercepted chatter,” he says, tapping a separate feed. “Encrypted cluster referencing Kael’s transit schedule.”
I pivot immediately.
The chatter appears in fragmented bursts—coded phrases, indirect references to “ritual correction” and “symbolic recalibration.” Nothing explicit. Enough to imply intent.
“Multiple sources?” I ask.
“Three,” he replies. “Different relay origins.”
“Alliance?” Rethan asks sharply.
“Unclear.”
Kael does not look at the feed. He looks at me.
“You believe it is credible,” he says quietly.
“Yes,” I answer.
He nods once, as if I have confirmed something he already suspected.
“Layer the transit routes,” I say, shifting to fleet positioning overlays. “False manifests. Staggered escort windows. No predictable docking arcs.”
Rethan arches a brow. “You are issuing operational directives now?”
“I am responding to credible threats,” I say without heat.
Kael’s mouth curves slightly. “Continue.”
Rethan inclines his head. “Done.”
Outside the control suite, the main chamber doors slide open and Councilor Voss enters, posture precise, expression restrained. He carries the faint scent of Alliance-grade cologne—clean, clinical, deliberate.
“Captain Kael,” he begins, but his gaze flicks toward me. “Advisor Vance.”
“Councilor,” I reply.
“The unrest is escalating,” he says, projecting a composite feed into the suite. “Cyber attacks against Alliance public infrastructure have increased by thirty percent in the last hour. Financial nodes experiencing intermittent disruption.”
“Hardliners testing structural patience,” I say.
“Instability,” he corrects.
“Perception of instability,” I counter.
He studies me for a long moment. “Alliance requires expanded buffer authority to justify continued restraint.”
Rethan’s shoulders tense visibly.
