The eting at the United Nations headquarters eventually ca to an end several hours later.
Leaders slowly began leaving the massive assembly hall while dia drones floated through the skies outside the building, broadcasting summaries of the discussions across every major network in the world. Delegations exchanged handshakes, assistants gathered docunts, and security escorts prepared convoys for departure.
The atmosphere throughout Dominion City remained calm and optimistic.
Humanity was peaceful.
Humanity was united.
And for the first ti in years, the future genuinely looked bright.
Jayden had just stepped out of a private discussion room together with Camilia when the phone in his pocket suddenly vibrated.
He glanced at the screen.
Charlotte.
His expression changed slightly.
"She usually doesn’t call during etings unless it’s important," Camilia said imdiately after noticing his face.
Jayden answered at once.
"Charlotte."
On the other end, Charlotte’s voice sounded calm, though there was a slight seriousness hidden beneath it.
"Jayden... I noticed sothing."
His brows narrowed slightly as he slowed his steps.
"What kind of sothing?"
There was a brief silence before she answered.
"A signal."
That alone was enough to make Jayden’s expression harden slightly.
"A signal from where?"
Charlotte inhaled softly.
"Outer space."
Camilia instantly turned toward him after hearing that part from the speaker.
"The sa direction the Sovereign Protocols ca from," Charlotte continued. "But this one is... strange."
Jayden completely stopped walking now.
Several security personnel nearby noticed the sudden shift in atmosphere imdiately.
"Explain," he said calmly.
"It’s difficult to explain over the phone," Charlotte replied. "It’s not aggressive. There are no detected combat formations or approaching fleets. But after ten years of complete silence, this signal suddenly appeared."
Jayden’s gaze darkened slightly.
"Why didn’t you notify earlier?"
"Because I wanted to study it properly first," Charlotte answered quickly. "And honestly, I still don’t think it’s a major threat. But I believe you should see it yourself."
Jayden exchanged looks with Camilia.
The ntion of outer space alone was enough to awaken mories both of them wished humanity would never experience again.
"I’m coming back," Jayden said.
Charlotte sighed softly in relief.
"Alright."
The call ended, and Camilia folded her arms lightly.
"You think it’s serious?"
"I don’t know yet," Jayden admitted honestly. "But after everything we went through, I’m not taking chances."
Within minutes, they had already inford the remaining officials that they needed to leave urgently.
Their convoy departed the United Nations headquarters almost imdiately and headed straight toward the Presidential Island.
The ride back was mostly quiet.
Outside the windows, Dominion City remained lively and beautiful beneath the afternoon sunlight. Citizens walked peacefully through the advanced streets while transport aircraft crossed the skies calmly overhead.
Ten years ago, scenes like this would have felt impossible.
And perhaps that was exactly why Jayden refused to let another threat destroy it.
When they finally arrived at the villa, several familiar figures were already waiting inside the main operations hall.
Charlotte stood near the giant digital display at the center of the room while Harper leaned against one side of the table with her arms crossed thoughtfully. Becky and Temi stood nearby discussing sothing quietly while Paula reviewed several reports from a tablet device.
The won who had once stood beside Jayden during the Sovereign War had now beco so of the most influential figures on Earth.
The Ministers.
That was what the world called them now.
Not only because of their direct influence within Nortasia, but because each of them played major roles in global affairs.
Charlotte oversaw global defense systems and technological monitoring.
Harper handled international military coordination.
Temi managed worldwide humanitarian and dical programs.
Becky supervised international finance and infrastructure developnt.
Paula was the top figure when it cos to worldwide chanical activities and engineering.
Camilia herself had beco one of the strongest diplomatic figures humanity had ever seen.
Together, they had helped shape the modern world.
The mont Jayden entered, Charlotte activated the massive screen imdiately.
A strange collection of moving signals appeared across the holographic display.
Jayden stepped closer.
"So this is it?"
Charlotte nodded.
"It appeared roughly three hours ago."
The room beca quiet.
The signal itself looked unusual. Unlike the massive aggressive formations once associated with the Sovereign Protocols, this one was smaller and unstable, almost fragnted.
Camilia studied it carefully.
"No visible fleet movent?"
Charlotte shook her head.
"None."
"No combat signatures?"
"None."
Harper narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Could it be leftover Nexus systems?"
"That’s what I initially assud," Charlotte replied. "But the strange part is that Nexus should no longer exist."
The room fell silent again.
That statent alone carried heavy aning.
Nexus had collapsed completely two years after the Sovereign War ended. According to every known report, the civilization had destroyed itself from within after the Grandmaster disappeared and their energy systems failed.
There should have been nothing left.
Jayden stared at the display for several monts before finally pulling out his phone again.
"Let’s hear what Royce thinks."
The call connected after several seconds.
Royce’s face soon appeared through the holographic projection system, and beside him sat Esta comfortably on a couch inside what looked like their private residence.
Both of them looked relaxed until they noticed the serious atmosphere.
"Well, this already looks stressful," Esta muttered imdiately.
Royce frowned slightly.
"What happened?"
Charlotte adjusted the display so they could see the signal clearly.
Royce’s expression shifted instantly.
"...That’s impossible."
"That’s what we thought too," Harper replied.
Esta sat upright imdiately now.
"Nexus should’ve completely crumbled years ago."
Charlotte nodded.
"It did. That’s why I called Jayden."
Royce stared carefully at the display for several long seconds.
Then he slowly shook his head.
"I don’t see any active military signatures," he admitted. "No approaching fleets either."
"That’s the strange part," Charlotte replied.
Esta folded her arms thoughtfully.
"Maybe it’s just debris activity from the collapse."
"Maybe," Charlotte said. "But I don’t trust coincidences involving outer space anymore."
"That’s fair," Royce admitted imdiately.
Jayden finally spoke.
"So what’s your opinion?"
Royce sighed softly.
"Honestly? I don’t think it’s an imdiate threat. If this was another invasion attempt, we would’ve already seen larger formations by now."
Esta nodded in agreent.
"But Charlotte should absolutely stay alert," she added. "If sothing changes, contact us imdiately this ti."
Charlotte gave a small nod.
"Obviously."
The conversation continued for several more minutes while they discussed possibilities and monitoring protocols. Eventually, however, everyone reached the sa conclusion.
The signal was strange.
But not yet dangerous.
After ending the call, the atmosphere inside the operations hall relaxed slightly again.
Still, Jayden remained thoughtful.
Because deep down...
He had learned long ago that peace never stayed peaceful forever.
******
anwhile, elsewhere inside the villa, Katie sat comfortably inside her room while scrolling through several digital reports on her tablet.
Her room reflected both luxury and personality beautifully. Shelves filled with books lined one side while holographic projectors illuminated sections of the walls softly. Despite growing up inside the Presidential Villa, Katie had surprisingly developed into a grounded and thoughtful young woman.
A soft knock ca from the door.
"Co in," she called.
The door opened gently.
Temi stepped inside with a warm smile.
"There you are."
Katie smiled imdiately.
"Mom."
That word ca naturally now.
Over the years, Temi had beco the closest maternal figure in Katie’s life. Even after having her own son, Dane, she never stopped caring for Katie with the sa warmth and patience she always had.
Temi walked over and sat beside her.
"You skipped the post eting gathering downstairs."
Katie sighed dramatically.
"Too many politicians."
Temi laughed softly.
"Fair enough."
For a mont, the atmosphere remained calm and peaceful.
Then Katie lowered her tablet slightly.
"Mom..."
Temi imdiately noticed the seriousness in her tone.
"What is it?"
Katie hesitated briefly before speaking.
"I want to be useful."
Temi tilted her head slightly.
"You already are."
"No," Katie replied quickly. "I an really useful. Like all of you."
She gestured lightly.
"You, Harper, Charlotte, Becky... everyone has an important place in helping the world now."
Temi listened quietly.
"I want that too," Katie admitted softly. "I want to serve the country. I want to help Jayden."
Temi’s expression softened instantly.
"Katie..."
"But every ti I bring it up," Katie continued, "he talks out of it."
Temi smiled faintly.
"That’s because he’s protective."
Katie frowned slightly.
"I’m not a child anymore."
"I know," Temi replied gently. "But to Jayden, you’ll always be soone he wants to protect."
Katie looked down quietly.
Temi placed a hand softly on her shoulder.
"He loves you very much," she said warmly. "And everything he does cos from wanting the best for you."
Katie sighed softly.
"I know..."
Temi smiled again.
"And trust , your ti will co. You absolutely have a place in this world."
Katie finally smiled faintly after hearing that.
"You think so?"
"I know so."
The mood lightened again afterward.
Temi suddenly stood up.
"Well, enough emotional conversations."
Katie blinked.
"Huh?"
Temi grinned.
"Co help at the island clinic."
Katie’s eyes imdiately lit up.
"Really?"
"Of course. We don’t have much going on today anyway."
Temi often volunteered personally at the island’s dical center despite her status. She always claid it helped her stay grounded.
Katie jumped up imdiately.
"Let’s go then."
Temi laughed.
"You’re suddenly energetic again."
A few minutes later, both of them entered Temi’s Royce Royce vehicle and drove off together through the peaceful roads of the Presidential Island, completely unaware that far beyond Earth’s atmosphere...
Sothing truly strange had already begun moving once again.
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