Lucas remained by the entrance for a while longer, then turned back into the room.
"Everyone," he said.
They gathered without delay, forming a loose circle around him. The tension in the air had shifted again, no longer just about waiting, but about the next step.
"We cannot move like this for long," Lucas began, his voice calm but direct. "If we are to reach deeper into the capital, we need to blend in properly."
Vorde nodded slightly. "Agreed."
Lucas continued, "That means armor. Not partial disguise. Full integration."
Wesley folded his arms. "How many."
"Seven," Lucas replied. "One for each of us."
There was a brief pause as they all considered it.
Then Murray, Wesley's companion, spoke up.
"We go out one by one," he said. "Isolate patrol units. Take them down quietly. We collect their armor and regroup here."
His tone was matter-of-fact, like it was the most obvious solution.
Bartho frowned slightly, but it was Darmian who spoke first.
