"In here, sir."
Arthur stepped through the doorway, instantly alert.
Gates sat at the far end of a polished table, his usual composure fractured by subtle signs of strain—loosened tie, fingers tapping an irregular pattern on the tabletop.
But it was the second figure that made Arthur pause.
It was Gates' daughter.
"Arthur." Gates rose. "Thank you for coming quickly."
"You said something big happened."
"Yes." Gates gestured to the young woman. "This is my daughter, Tiana. I wanted her here because... well, she needs to understand what's coming."
Tiana didn't offer her hand. Didn't smile. "Father's been quite mysterious about all this. Said I needed to see it for myself."
Gates tapped a command on his tablet. The viewing screen illuminated, displaying a map covered with pulsing blue dots spreading across different continents.
"What am I looking at?" Arthur moved closer, studying the pattern.
