General Kazami paced back and forth inside her office.
Her boots tapped sharply against the polished floor, the sound echoing louder than usual in the quiet building. Every few seconds, she glanced at the communication panel on the wall, as if staring at it long enough would make it come back to life.
"Still nothing…" Kazami muttered.
Team Zero's signal had cut off hours ago. Right after the report about a giant monster waking up and them trying to engage with the monster.
That timing alone made her chest feel tight.
She stopped pacing and clenched her fist.
"Damn it," she whispered. "Don't tell me we lost them too."
The city outside was restless. Sirens echoed in the distance. Refugees kept pouring in from the outer districts. Fear was spreading faster than any official announcement could stop.
Kazami ran a hand through her hair and exhaled slowly.
"Olivia should be here soon," she told herself. "She always is."
As if summoned by those words, a knock echoed at the door.
