They could only watch helplessly as the Ninth Institute's much-vaunted defense network was methodically dismantled by the enemy.
Nobody in the room looked pleased.
As the main culprit, Alfred Garland's face had turned extremely ashen; the tall man, nearly one meter eighty, had eyes rimmed red with frustration. Nathalie Quinlan observed his regret, almost as if he wished he could slap himself in the face, and with a sigh, she stepped forward and said, "Shall I take a look?"
About twenty people stood in the corridor, amidst this tense atmosphere.
Her light words seemed particularly jarring.
The man who had just criticized Alfred Garland for carelessly bringing her along narrowed his eyes, looked her up and down, and with utter contempt asked, "You?"
Nathalie Quinlan was not intimidated by his scornful gaze; she nodded confidently, hands in pockets, standing erect and somewhat defiantly, "Right. Me."