[Time: 0900 Hours]
[Location: Conrad Hotel – Command Center]
[Date: May 30, 2024]
Thomas walked into the Command Center, his steps firm, his expression unreadable. Phillip and Rebecca followed behind, both sensing the urgency in his posture.
Inside, his officers were already present. Marcus Holt, Deputy Chief of Staff, stood at the head of the table, while the heads of the Army, Air Force, Logistics, Security, and Civilian Affairs were seated around the large tactical display. The room buzzed with quiet conversations, but all fell silent when Thomas entered.
He wasted no time.
"We have a problem."
He told them about the mission's description that he received from the system and a minute later, silence filled the room as they processed the information.
Marcus was the first to react. His fingers curled into fists. "Eight hundred thousand?" he repeated, voice steady but grave. "That's more than double the largest horde we've encountered."
