Rudy stepped back through the impenetrable blue energy dome, leaving the vast, empty trench where the siege battalion used to be. Before he could access his Spatio-Temporal powers to return to the thermal baths, a massive surge of digital static interrupted the quiet night air.
A colossal holographic projection rendered itself directly against the curved exterior of Lu Bela's barrier. The image flickered violently, taking the form of a towering, faceless amalgamation of red code and shifting digital static of the visual avatar of the parasite controlling the dead founders.
"A commendable parlor trick, anomaly," the parasite spoke, its overlapping, metallic voice booming across the empty fields. "You have proven yourself capable of defending a single border. The New World Order values efficiency over endless, tedious conflict. Out of our infinite benevolence, we are willing to grant you a generous concession."
The static shifted, projecting a glowing map of the world.
