The Purity fleet dropped out of jump space without warning. Dozens of heavy cruisers and carrier groups targeted Halcyon Reach, the rim world's main supply hub.
Their goal was simple: cut the new alliance's logistics and test the strength of variance protocols in real combat. Harlan stood in the central command spire, eyes locked on the tactical displays. Alarms blared across the planet.
"Ground teams, priority on the capital landing zones," he ordered. "Mara, Sira, take the eastern fields. Sabrina, your youth militias hold the spire districts. Reyes, keep those gray-veil mercs mobile."
Mara and Sira hit the ground running. Their rapid-response squads dug into a key landing zone, trenches and automated turrets already firing.
Purity dropships came in waves, disgorging armored troopers loaded with binding emitters that pulsed ideological static across the battlefield. The variance protocols held for most soldiers, but the pressure built fast.
