The GameScape office hummed with subdued energy. Ayan sat at the head of the conference table, fingers drumming rhythmically as he replayed the mission's final moments in his mind. The watchers weren't just a curiosity anymore; they were a threat.
Vlada entered, her hands full with datapads, and dropped them onto the table with a loud thunk.
"Here's what we've got," she said, swiping across the topmost pad to project a holographic display. Streams of neural patterns, fragmented data from Jang's construct, and overlaying grids spun mid-air. "This isn't your standard interference. Whoever built that construct had resources and expertise far beyond anything we've encountered."
Nitya leaned back in her chair, her expression unreadable. "This feels coordinated—like they wanted us to find him, but not leave with him."
"Agreed," Ayan said, his gaze fixed on the hologram. "What's the scope?"
