November 22, 2025 — 4:18 PM
Japanese Self-Defense Forces Enclave – Mountain Command Bunker
The mountain air outside was crisp, a little drier than usual. Clouds hung low over the ridge, casting long shadows over the pine forests surrounding the enclave. Inside the reinforced command bunker, a meeting had just concluded.
Captain Hiroshi was finishing a routine supply update, while Warrant Officer Nishimura was reorganizing the patrol charts on the magnetic wall board. Sergeant Sato sat reviewing field reports with Ensign Morita. Nearby, Chief Kobayashi scrolled through a hardcopy civilian census, checking rations against updated headcounts.
Lieutenant Takeda entered the room briskly, a sealed folder tucked under one arm.
"Message from Overwatch," he said, holding it up.
That got everyone's attention.
Hiroshi turned. "Already?"
Takeda nodded and handed him the envelope. "Just received via burst packet. They attached an encryption key we already had from last week's relay test."
