NEW DAWN, OLD SHADOWS[7 DAYS LATER]The Congressional hearing room was packed.Marcus sat at the witness table, flanked by lawyers he didn't want and didn't trust. Behind him, his team occupied the gallery. Aria in business formal that looked wrong on her. Leon taking notes compulsively. Danny looking like he'd rather be anywhere else. Dr. Reeves reviewing documents. His father beside his aunt Patricia, both looking concerned.At the elevated bench, fifteen senators stared down at him. Some sympathetic. Most hostile. All of them trying to understand how an eighteen-year-old cadet had stopped seven simultaneous terrorist attacks, exposed a decades-old conspiracy, and revealed technology that was supposed to remain classified forever.Senator William Harrison—chair of the Armed Services Committee—shuffled papers. "Mr. Chen. Or should I say Cadet Chen? Your rank is currently... unclear.""Marcus is fine, sir.""Marcus, then." Harrison leaned forward. "You've had quite the eventful four

HUMAN WEAPONS[10 HOURS UNTIL CONVERGENCE]Marcus stood in the command center, leaning on a crutch because his legs still didn't work right without the system compensating for damage.His team surrounded him. Aria, already planning defensive positions. Leon, mapping network traffic to predict the Wardens' approach vectors. Danny, coordinating with military units Rhodes had quietly mobilized. Thomas, checking weapons with the efficiency of someone who'd done this too many times.And in the corner, silent and watching, was Maya. Awake. Aware. Terrified."The network is using me," she said quietly. "I can feel them. Six minds connected to mine. They know where we are. What we're planning. Everything I know, they know.""Then we don't tell you the plan," Marcus said. It sounded harsh. Was harsh. But necessary. "You stay in isolation. Sedated if needed. We cut the information flow.""They'll still come. They don't need me anymore. I already led them here." Maya's hands shook. "I'm sorry. I