Ares

The early morning sun did little to pierce the blinds of the underground command room. I sat at the center of the screens, maps, and surveillance feeds that covered every inch of the city. The past seven months of peace had lulled me into a fragile sense of safety—but today that illusion was shattered.

Leon’s voice cut through the silence. “Sir, movement detected. Multiple vehicles are approaching strategic points. Heavy, organized. They’re not subtle.”

I leaned forward, ...