Elias looked back at Geras and understood the answer before it was spoken.
Kikaru did too. She stepped forward and squared her shoulders at Geras, ready to challenge the decision before he stated it.
"You are not sending Elias into Vardency without someone strong enough to pull him out."
Geras accepted the interruption without blinking. "The embedded contact cannot carry an obvious shard signature. That limits who can pass through early screens and who can stand near the Epics without being treated as immediate inventory."
"Inventory is the word you chose for living people," Paul said. "You are making that word do far too much work."
Geras tapped the console. A second broadcast loaded over the map.
"Watch this first, then argue with me in a more informed way."
The feed cut in mid-address. Commandant Vael stood behind the same military podium with gray panels behind him and regional sectors displayed over one shoulder.
