The MQ-1 Predator proceeded to its original mission, which is to fly towards Boracay.
The drone adjusted its heading smoothly, banking slightly as it cleared the last stretch of Luzon's southern coastline. The dense urban sprawl faded from the screen, replaced by darker patches of land and scattered settlements that looked just as still from above.
"Back on course," the operator confirmed. "Maintaining altitude. Speed steady."
Adrian remained where he stood, eyes fixed on the feed.
"Keep the sensors active along the route," he said. "I want to know if the situation changes outside the city."
"Copy."
The camera swept across the terrain below as the Predator moved south. Smaller towns came into view—clusters of houses, narrow roads, fields that should have been active.
They weren't.
