[Open ocean — Empty Fleet Zone — Day 55 — 5:47 AM]
The first ship appeared at dawn.
Kira saw it from the crow's nest before there was enough light for normal eyes to confirm it — Predator's Sense reading the magical signature on the eastern horizon, a power density that didn't correspond to any of the previous four factions.
"One ship. East. Signature level between ninety and ninety-five."
Max came up on deck.
The ship on the horizon — completely black, no flag, no name on the hull. Moving with the slowness of something in no hurry because it was already where it needed to be.
"The Empty Fleet," said Max.
Before he finished saying it, Kira added:
"Two more. North and south."
Thirty seconds.
"Four. Northwest and southeast."
Another minute.
"Seven total. They're surrounding us."
