Y# Chapter: The Storm Gathering

Inside a small room within the military academy, five figures sit around a narrow table. The space is cramped, lit by a single overhead panel that casts harsh shadows across tired faces. Master Rein listens in silence, her posture rigid, spine perfectly straight against the metal chair. Her eyes are sharp, tracking each speaker with the precision of someone who misses nothing. Across from her, Master Olmo stands with his arms crossed, too restless to sit, his jaw working as he processes each word.

Beside Rein sits the general—a man whose hard expression seems carved from stone, made harder by the thick mustache that frames his mouth. Next to him is a flawlessly beautiful female major with dark hair pulled back in a severe bun, her smile unreadable, lips curved just enough to suggest amusement or perhaps calculation. An admiral occupies the final seat at the head of the table, fingers steepled beneath his chin, his gaze distant but focused.

The air in the room feels heavy. Too heavy.

Reports of ihe sightings in the Forbidden City dominate the discussion, each new piece of information landing like stones in still water, sending ripples of concern through the group.

The admiral speaks first, his voice measured but grave. "The pattern concerns me. These aren't random attacks. The timing, the locations—they suggest reconnaissance. Scouting parties, perhaps. Testing our defenses before a larger move."

Master Rein leans forward slightly, her fingers interlaced on the table. "The coordination supports that theory. Three separate incidents within a forty-eight-hour window, all at different entry points around the Forbidden City's perimeter. That's not coincidence. That's preparation."

She pauses, letting the weight of her words settle.

"They're learning our patrol routes. Measuring response times. Identifying weak points in our containment protocols."

Olmo shifts his weight, the floor creaking beneath him. "And they've already forced our students into real combat. Kids who should still be running drills are fighting for their lives against enemies we haven't properly prepared them for. That expedition wasn't supposed to be a battlefield. It was supposed to be controlled exposure."

The general's expression darkens further, if that's even possible. His mustache twitches as he exhales slowly through his nose. "If the ihe are preparing for something larger, we need to accept what that means. We're looking at the early stages of war. Not a possibility anymore—a probability."

The word hangs in the air like smoke.

War.

The major finally speaks, her voice smooth, almost melodic. "Then we need to shift our entire operational framework. The academy can't continue training students for hypothetical scenarios. They need combat readiness. Real combat readiness."

"Agreed," the admiral says, nodding slowly. "The curriculum needs immediate restructuring. Teamwork exercises, defensive formations, battlefield strategy—all of it moves to the forefront. Survival skills need to become second nature, not just theory."

Master Rein's jaw tightens. She doesn't like it—none of them do—but she nods anyway. "I'll coordinate with the other instructors. We'll accelerate the advanced combat modules and introduce squad-based tactics earlier than planned. If we're going to throw children into a war, we'd better make damn sure they know how to fight as a unit."

Olmo grunts his agreement. "I can work with the weapons division. Get them familiar with anti-ihe equipment. The standard ase-core weapons won't be enough if these things start showing up in numbers."

The general leans back in his chair, the metal groaning under the shift. "We'll also need to coordinate with the other academies. Share intelligence, synchronize training protocols. If this escalates beyond our borders, we can't afford to have fragmented defenses."

The major pulls a digital tablet from the table's surface, her fingers moving swiftly across the screen. "I'll draft the proposal for the council. They'll need to authorize increased military funding and potentially activate reserve forces. If we're preparing for war, the civilian government needs to be on the same page."

The admiral nods. "Make it clear this isn't alarmism. This is threat assessment based on verified intelligence. The ihe don't move without purpose."

For several minutes, they discuss logistics—supply chains, communication networks, evacuation protocols for civilian sectors near potential conflict zones. Each topic is addressed with clinical efficiency, but beneath the professional veneer, there's an undercurrent of tension. They all know what war with the ihe means.

Casualties. Devastation. The kind of conflict that reshapes civilizations.

Finally, the admiral rises, signaling the end of the meeting. "We reconvene in seventy-two hours. I want preliminary reports on academy readiness and civilian preparedness by then."

The others stand as well, chairs scraping against the floor. Master Rein and Master Olmo exchange a brief glance—one that speaks volumes without words—before filing out of the room. The admiral follows shortly after, leaving only the general and the major behind.

The door hisses shut.

Silence fills the space, thick and uncomfortable.

The major moves closer, her movements fluid, almost serpentine. Her voice drops to something softer, more intimate. "You handled that well. The admiral respects your judgment. So do the masters."

Her hand rests lightly on his arm, fingers tracing the fabric of his uniform.

The general pulls away, the motion sharp, deliberate. Exhaustion weighs on his features as he turns to face her fully. "Drop the act, Serena. There's no one here to perform for."

She doesn't flinch. Instead, her smile deepens, though it doesn't quite reach her eyes. "Who says it's an act?"

He studies her for a long moment, searching for something—sincerity, maybe, or proof of deception. He finds neither. Just that same unreadable expression she always wears.

"We don't have time for this," he says finally, his voice flat. "Not with everything that's coming."

Serena tilts her head slightly, as if considering his words. Then she steps back, and her smile becomes cockier.

"Fine," she says. "Then let's speak plainly."

The general nods.

"I'll meet with the president tomorrow morning," she continues, her tone all business now. "I'll relay the full situation—the ihe sightings, the coordination patterns, the threat assessment. I'll make sure the government understands the urgency. They need to authorize emergency protocols and military mobilization. If we wait for bureaucratic approval, we'll already be behind."

The general's shoulders relax slightly. This, at least, is familiar ground. "Good. I'll focus on the academy. Restructure training, coordinate with the other bases, make sure our students and staff are ready for what's coming. If war breaks out, this place will be a primary target. We need to be prepared to defend it or evacuate if necessary."

Serena nods. "I'll also push for increased surveillance around the Forbidden City. If the ihe are using it as a staging ground, we need eyes on every entrance and exit. Real-time monitoring, rapid response teams—the works."

"Agreed."

They stand in silence for a moment, the weight of responsibility pressing down on both of them.

Finally, Serena turns toward the door. "Get some rest, General. You look like hell."

He almost smiles. Almost.

"You too, Major."

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