Don watched the silver helicopter descend carefully toward the helipad through the compound lights.
It moved differently from the Aegis-9 strikers.
Smoother.
Quieter.
The aircraft itself looked narrower along the body, its silver exterior reflecting portions of the rooftop floodlights in muted streaks while dark reinforced windows concealed most of the interior.
Unlike the heavily armed UPSDF transports, this one carried no visible missile systems or mounted rotary cannons beneath the frame.
It looked expensive.
The rotors slowed gradually as the landing skids lowered toward the pad.
The rooftop vibrated lightly beneath the touchdown.
Nearby UPSDF soldiers barely reacted beyond brief glances toward the arriving craft while others continued securing nearby rooftops and guiding equipment deeper into SHQ.
Across the compound, more helicopters still moved through the darkening skyline while searchlights swept slowly across sections of the place.
