Stephano's POV
I moved anyway.
That mattered.
I walked into the logistics hall without announcing myself, posture relaxed, expression neutral. The room quieted half a beat too late not enough to be rude, just enough to be noticeable.
Someone coughed.
Someone else pretended to check a ledger.
I took my usual place at the long table.
No one objected.
No one acknowledged it either.
A council liaison cleared her throat. "We'll proceed."
Not with me.
Just… proceed.
Data flowed. Projections updated. Resource allocations finalized.
Every decision reflected plans I had built -or anticipated -weeks ago.
Every outcome was technically sound.
And not a single one required me.
I spoke once.
As the meeting continued, I began tracking secondary reactions instead of the discussion itself.
Who leaned forward when decisions were finalized.
Who relaxed.
Who stopped taking notes because outcomes no longer required debate.
Relief was spreading.
And relief is the enemy of vigilance.
