[Open ocean — Central zone — Day 35 — 1:00 AM]
Three days this time.
And it wasn't nine ships.
It was fourteen.
Kira from the crow's nest with Predator's Sense reading the horizon:
"Fourteen ships. Different formation from the previous two." A pause. "And they're bringing something else."
"What kind of something else?" asked Alex.
"I don't know yet. There's a signature on the center ship I haven't read before in the Red Bones."
Seraph from the railing, her left arm still slightly stiff from the fight three days ago.
"The captain brought reinforcements from outside his fleet."
"Is that possible?"
"If he paid enough." Seraph. "The ocean has mercenaries just like the continent does."
---
The captain spoke from his ship — without jumping this time, without approaching. His amplified voice carried clearly.
"I'm not here for F2 today." The captain. The Depth Mark visible but still at fifty‑five percent, not having rested enough. "I'm here for F6."
