*Rhys*

I was perched over the tactical console, my heart hammering against my chest as if it knew what my mind refused to accept. "Launch the drones," I commanded. My voice was a low growl of authority that belied my inner turmoil. The tech operator nodded, fingers dancing across the interface with practiced ease.

As the surveillance feeds blinked to life on the screens, a cold dread settled in my stomach. The valley was swarming with military chaos. Thermal imaging ...