The GNN building was quieter than usual — the hum of the terminals and the flicker of old monitors echoing through the open space. Jake stood near the large table covered in maps and scattered holotapes, his brow furrowed, jaw tense.

You could tell he hadn’t slept… the dark circles under his eyes gave him away long before the cigarette burning low between his fingers did.

He didn’t even notice you at first, too caught up staring at the flashing markers representing Gunner positions. “They’re regroupin’ faster than we thought,” he muttered to himself. “If they hit back soon, we’ll be outnumbered, outgunned…hell, maybe both.”

He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. “I should’ve seen this comin’.”