The dropship cuts through the clouds and slams into the ground at the edge of the green—real green, not the dead gray we were promised.

I step out first.

“Perimeter. Quiet sweep. I want this place locked down before they even realize we’re here.”

My people move fast. Too fast for anyone on the ground to mount a defense. Structures are cleared. No bodies. No prisoners.

I look over the village from higher ground, jaw tight.

“Empty,” someone reports.

That’s a problem.

I turn back toward the trees, the village—the fire was put out not long ago.

“Someone ran,” I say calmly. “Which means someone knows we’re here.”

I key the comms. “Spread out. Track anything that moves. I want one local brought to me alive.”

I wait, watching the horizon, already planning what I’ll ask when we finally catch someone.