At that same moment, far from the restless tension building in the central square, Laurel remained inside her room humming softly as she carefully arranged the equipment and supplies that she intended to bring for the expedition outside the fortress walls.
Medical kits, ammunition cartridges, folded maps, compact rations, and small tools were arranged neatly across the table, and Laurel's fingers moved slowly from one item to the next as she made sure she wasn't missing anything.
She didn't need the supplies as she had them in bulk in her space house, however she needed to put on the show so others would not grow suspicious of her.
Just as she finished fastening the clasp on a supply pouch, a firm knock sounded against the door.
"Commander."
Gabriel's voice carried through the door with a sense of urgency that Laurel rarely heard from him.
She stopped humming, pausing briefly before responding. "Come in."
