Twelve hours passed in tense silence.
Rama sat in New York command center watching dual feeds. Left screen: London void signature intensifying. Right screen: New York defensive positions being finalized. Both cities. Both populations. One choice between them.
London Champions were preparing. Twenty-three people against Level 72 entity. They knew odds were impossible. Knew reinforcements weren't coming. Knew they'd die buying time for civilian evacuation.
No complaints reached his communicator. No requests for assistance. Just professional acknowledgment of situation. British hunters accepting mathematics with characteristic stoicism.
Sekar brought coffee he wouldn't drink and tactical updates he already knew. Presence was comfort, not information. They'd been through this before. Herald. Tokyo. Different cities. Same vigil. Same weight.
