Time/Date: TC1853.01.20 – Late Afternoon
Location: Long Estate, 3rd Ring – Main Entrance → Private Study
The magnetic suspension vehicle barely settled into its designated space before Darian was moving. His hand gripped the door release with enough force to leave marks in the metal, his jaw set with the kind of grim determination that came before battlefields.
Terryn was waiting at the main entrance, his face drawn with worry that intensified the moment he saw his father's expression. The young man had clearly been watching for their return, positioned where he could intercept them before they entered the estate proper.
"Father," Terryn started, his voice careful. Respectful. "Is everything—"
"Family estate goes into full lockdown." Darian's words cut through the greeting like a blade through silk. "Code Yellow. Effective immediately. No one enters or leaves without my explicit authorization. All external communicators blocked. House wards at maximum strength."
