The Pacific wind struck the coast of Chiapas with a force that did not match the season. It was not a storm. It was pressure.
On the cliffs of Puerto Chiapas, the Aguilar family mansion dominated the coastline. Ancient walls ran along the perimeter like luminous veins. Inside them, a security system was ready to activate at the first sign of an attack.
Victoria Aguilar felt a pulse of energy before the sensors did.The mark on her forearm — an eagle with outstretched wings —vibrated with a rhythm she had never felt before.
—Father… —she said without turning— I think they are already close.
Alexander Aguilar, standing beside her in active combat gear, replied:
—Yes. Atlas has just confirmed it.
Victoria fixed her gaze on the horizon.
—Then we will be the first.
An operator rushed in from inside.
—We have satellite contact! Multiple distortions!They are all advancing directly toward our coasts. They are expected to arrive in approximately five hours.Forty energy signatures have been detected, but something is strange: they are beginning to split into two groups.
Command Bridge — Treiken Unit (Southern Front)
Morvak Hale observed the tactical projection.
—Main objective identified. Recon shows installations with a large amount of energy and active defenses —an operator reported—. Energy readings are increasing. Shield-type barriers. These installations are likely of great importance to the traitors.
Morvak tilted his head slightly.
—Good.
—Do not break formation. We will continue advancing in this direction.
—Confirm secondary objectives? —asked one of the officers monitoring coastal topographic maps.
—Not yet. For now, let us stay focused on this small base.
He looked toward the coast.
—I want to measure their capacity before attacking.
Chiapas Coast — Mexico
Alarms activated across the entire property.
Turrets emerged from the cliffs. Hidden platforms in the jungle released fighters. Lines of magical energy lit up underground, forming a defensive network extending more than five kilometers along the coast.
Victoria, who was in the communications room, addressed all the family agents.
—Fighting brothers, take your positions. Today the day our ancestors feared has arrived. I am sure we all grew up hearing stories about how cruel the war was five thousand years ago, about the number of lives that were lost to seal away the Kartnod. I know many of you, like me right now, feel afraid, but remember: they are not gods. They were defeated once, so we can defeat them again. We will fight to defend our land and all the innocent people who have lived these five thousand years in peace.
So take your positions and give everything you have. Now that we know where the Kartnod fleet is heading, the families of the United States have already sent reinforcements, along with those from Canada. Together, we will defeat the Kartnod fleet on our coasts.
Everyone to their stations and be ready to enter combat at any moment.
Everyone's eyes met. A strong surge of energy was felt in each combat station; the power seal had been released.
—Maintain the lines. Priority: communications and energy core.
Victoria looked at her.
—Great speech. You motivated them. They are all great men and women, but I am aware of what we are facing.
At that moment, they had not yet been informed that the Sevienko base had been destroyed.
Meanwhile at the Orleans Mansion — France
The map showed the Pacific with constant interference.
—They have not attacked —Sophie said— but they are still advancing.
Noah remained silent.
The pulse in his back was irregular.
—They are testing —he murmured.
Eleonor entered the room, now calmer and more stable.
—What is happening? —she asked.
—Mexico. About twenty Kartnod ships are about to attack its coasts.
Atlas Base — Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky (Russia)
The survivors of the Sevienko family forces were transferred to a small mountain base and sent on medical aircraft to one of the Atlas bases to be treated.
Irina lay on a bed, holding a tablet that displayed satellite images while simultaneously receiving reports of what was happening on the other side of the planet.
Indian Ocean — Main Kartnod Fleet
Kaisel observed the echographic projections showing the status of the remaining ships.
One of the officers interrupted him:
—Report, sir: the Sevienko fleet has been eliminated.