Curfew made cities look obedient from the air.
From the street, Mara knew better.
She stood at the edge of Twelve‑Lower, visor up, watching the district settle under enforced night. Windows glowed in narrow slits. Doors shut early. Drones drifted along prescribed paths, sensors dialed up to compensate for what the Framework had lost.
Her wrist‑unit chimed softly.
NEW DIRECTIVE – KAEL WARRANT
ENGAGEMENT PRIORITY: CAPTURE.
ACCEPTABLE COLLATERAL: MINIMAL.
Minimal.
Such a polite word for broken bones.
"Captain," her lieutenant said, stepping up beside her. "Patrols are in place. Curfew compliance is… reasonable."
Which meant people were not yet angry enough to risk walking past an arch after dark.
Mara glanced at the nearest checkpoint.
The scanner there had died half an hour ago.
