Icarus turned toward Damian, his pale face still processing what he'd just heard.
"You–"
Beep Beep Beep
His communication device erupted with noise, cutting off whatever he'd been about to say.
He picked it up, eyes scanning the incoming message.
Then he went completely silent, his expression freezing.
"What is it, General?"
Zara's whisper came out strained.
"The news couldn't be contained."
Icarus's voice emerged flat and emotionless.
"The death toll at Lufen Portal was too high, too many families demanding answers, too many survivors broadcasting what they saw..."
He looked up from the device.
"The entire Federation already knows. War has been declared."
Nobody spoke for several long seconds, the weight of that statement pressing down on all of them.
Then Icarus turned toward Damian, his expression hardening into something focused.
"Candidate Damian, we don't have much time."
His hand moved, Aura flowing as he summoned something from his spatial storage.
