The power flickered in hub six just long enough for people to notice.
Lights dimmed, then steadied. Doors hesitated before opening. The hum of the station dipped, then returned, slightly altered. Not a failure. A recalibration.
Kael stood in the hub's control alcove, watching the readouts stabilize. The margins were thinner here. They always had been.
Juno leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "Iron Veil rerouted another shipment."
Kael didn't look away from the display. "Which one?"
"Power regulators," she said. "They're calling it a compliance check."
Mira stepped closer, eyes scanning the data. "Without those, this hub can't sustain full output."
Kael nodded. "How long before it becomes critical?"
"Two days," Mira said. "Three if we cut non‑essential systems."
Juno snorted. "Everything's essential when people are watching."
A technician nearby cleared his throat. "Commander. We can compensate by drawing from hub two."
Kael turned. "At what cost?"
The technician hesitated. "Hub two will dip below optimal reserves."
Mira's jaw tightened. "That puts them at risk."
Kael closed his eyes briefly. The station's hum pressed in, steady but strained. "Do it."
The technician nodded and moved to comply.
Juno watched him go. "Iron Veil's forcing you to choose who gets protected."
"They're forcing us to spread ourselves thin," Kael said.
Mira looked at him. "That's the same thing."
A comm alert chimed. Kael glanced at the display. A public broadcast from Iron Veil, already circulating.
Iron Veil remains committed to ensuring safe and reliable infrastructure for all. We urge cooperation to prevent further disruptions.
Kael dismissed it. "They're framing this as concern."
Mira's voice was quiet. "People are starting to believe them."
Outside the alcove, a small crowd had gathered. Not angry. Just watching. Waiting.
A man stepped forward, voice steady but tight. "Commander. Is it true power's being cut?"
Kael met his gaze. "We're adjusting distribution."
"For how long?" the man asked.
Kael didn't answer immediately. He chose his words carefully. "As long as necessary."
The man nodded slowly. "Necessary for who?"
Before Kael could respond, another voice cut in. "Iron Veil says they can help."
Juno stiffened. "They're lying."
The first man shook his head. "They're offering something."
Mira stepped forward. "At a price."
The crowd murmured. Not hostile. Curious.
Kael felt the Law stir, reacting to the rising tension. He raised a hand, subtle, and the pressure eased.
"We're not abandoning this hub," Kael said. "We're keeping it running."
The man studied him. "Then why does it feel like we're the ones paying for it?"
Kael held his gaze. "Because someone always does."
The man looked away, unsatisfied but not defiant.
As the crowd dispersed, Mira turned to Kael. "Iron Veil's not trying to break us."
Kael nodded. "They're trying to make us choose."
Juno's voice was low. "And every choice leaves someone exposed."
Kael looked back at the readouts, at the thin lines separating stable from critical. "That's what leadership is."
Mira watched him closely. "Is it?"
Kael didn't answer. The station hummed around them, systems compensating, margins tightening.
Iron Veil hadn't fired another shot.