Distorted.
Then a man’s face comes into focus.
Older.
Tired.
Determined.
The President.
His voice is low.
Grave.
“If you’re seeing this… then the system has already been compromised.”
The room goes still.
Even the alarms feel distant now.
“This network was designed as a failsafe,” the President continues. “A way to track global financial threats, trafficking rings, covert operations—”
His jaw tightens.
“But it was taken.”
Daniel leans closer.
“By who?” he mutters.
As if the President can hear him.
“They’ve infiltrated every level of government,” the President says. “Military. Intelligence. Judiciary.”
Jase swears under his breath.
“They’ve turned oversight into control.”
The screen shifts.
A symbol appears.
One we’ve seen before.
One that makes my blood run cold.
“The Ascendancy.”
Silence crashes over us.
Even Jase doesn’t move.
“They are not a single organization,” the President continues. “They are a coalition. Hidden. Layered. Protected.”
Gunfire gets louder outside.
Closer.
