The stabilized numbers on the system interface did not ease the atmosphere inside the pavilion. The third anchor had been forced down, yet the detection of three to five additional dormant anchors inside the same territory changed the shape of the problem entirely. What had been a pair of isolated incidents was now a networked threat sitting under the entire Azure Phoenix compound.
Lydia finished repairing the thermal seal in silence and then reinforced the outer formation lattice against the increased observation pressure. The redirected patrols had not returned to their original routes. They held the tighter cordon as if waiting for a second event that would justify escalation.
Seraphina kept her attention on the northern wing for several more minutes before she finally spoke.
