A Guardian Lost

Ren entered his office, a cup of coffee in hand. At the moment, it was empty.

His team was on a week-long vacation. No one was around to pester him about the Marshal or pry into his relationship. No one was there to bombard him with questions about his designs either.

It was all too silent.

The space was bathed in the gentle morning light filtering through the tinted windows.

The holographic screens flickered to life as he settled into his chair. A small disk filled with project files was neatly arranged on his desk.

After all the neglect, he had a full day ahead—a busy one at that.

There were budget reports, research approvals, and a new energy-efficient infrastructure project meant to strengthen the defenses.

Yet, despite the structured calm of his workspace, an unsettling unease gnawed at the edges of his mind.

He tried to push it aside, focusing on the designs displayed before him.