The door slid open just as Ava slid the final casing panel into place.
Lucas stepped in, back straight, half-armored already—black combat mesh layered under a tactical vest, bracers active and syncing. He hadn't shaved. Probably hadn't eaten. His hair was damp like he'd washed it with cold water and a deadline.
She didn't look up from the table.
"Good. You're here. We've got toys."
Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Do any of them explode?"
Ava smirked. "Three of them."
He walked over, scanning the table. His eyes moved fast—trained, precise—but even he paused when he saw the fourth item.
"You finished Sovereign?"
Ava didn't look smug. Just tired. "Finished enough. It'll burn through skyfeed if the signal's clean."
Lucas let out a low whistle. "That's not just loud. That's war."
"You asked for seismic."
He reached for Violet Dagger first. "This?"
