Gideon pulls the network logs back up.
The data scrolls across the screens.
He runs the pattern analysis again.
Then again.
His expression tightens.
“Oh that’s not good.”
Cyclone leans over his shoulder.
“What?”
“There are two control structures.”
“How?”
Gideon zooms the map.
Two command signals now moving across the western infrastructure network.
Two competing authority paths.
Both converging on Los Angeles.
Cyclone exhales slowly.
“That’s going to cause problems.”
“Yes,” I say.
“Big ones.”
Because the system wasn’t designed for two commanders.
It was designed for one.
Which means when Phase Three activates—
The system will choose.
Or it will collapse trying.
Either way—
Ten million people are about to be caught in the middle.
Raven grabs the rifle case again.
“Well.”
Cyclone looks at him.
“Well what?”
Raven shrugs.
