[Inside Armored Truck]
The lead truck was spacious, designed for VIPs. Damian sat near the window, Luna beside him and Alessio across.
The engine hummed as they pulled away, two trucks ahead and three behind.
Luna watched Alessio carefully, her Empath skill focusing.
Loyalty was still there, but now she saw more. Pride in what he'd accomplished, nervousness about approval and underneath, bone-deep contentment from having purpose and from mattering.
"How have things been?" Damian's voice was casual, but Luna heard the real question underneath.
Alessio's nervous energy settled slightly, his professional mask sliding into place.
"The city is stable… Inner, Core, and Outer Regions all under full control. We've had minor incidents, petty criminals trying to establish operations, external organizations testing our boundaries, but nothing we couldn't handle."
He pulled out a tablet, began scrolling through reports with practiced efficiency.
