WOLINM

The command tent hummed with the low murmur of men who knew what was coming.

Sergeant Mike Chen sat in the second row, Williams beside him, the rest of the squad filling the benches behind. At the front, a sand table displayed a model of the valley they'd driven through yesterday—the same valley where Morrison had died.

Colonel Vance stood at the head of the table, pointer in hand. "We've located the enemy staging area. A cave complex in the northern hills. Intel says they're planning another attack. This time, we hit them first."

The map showed the caves, the approaches, the kill zo

The Odyssey discovered a planet that was alive, its surface pulsing with a rhythm. Captain Elena Vasquez stood on the bridge, her eyes on the viewscreen.

"Command, this is Vasquez. I've found a living planet."

"Copy, Odyssey. What do you mean?"

"It's a single organism. Vast, ancient, aware."

Kaelen appeared beside her. "It's a First Ones' creation. A world with a single consciousness."

"Can we communicate with it?"

"We can try."

Elena opened a channel. "This is Captain Vasquez of the alliance. We come in peace."

The planet pulsed, and a voice echoed in their minds.