s watch. "Where's R

. "What's wrong? Worrie

simply, though

y, "you'd be happy to know that he's been wai

ond. He wouldn't show it, but the ne

mile escaped before

grabbing his briefcase

staring out the window as the ca

on his leg, his mind already

ly dive into work calls or messag

," he said, keepin

odded.

y. "Commitment is important. I hope you'll maintain it

ather was really say

at him. "You don't

e. "I think you don't realize

htened. "I'll

e. He simply nodd

ut his determination

as already waiting for them. Her sharp eyes flickered between Karim and Rya

ing, Mr. K

heading toward his office. "Make

Ryan with a smal

the rhythmic clatter of employees moving with purpose around them. Soon, they a

locked on the Talon suit, standing behind the glass like a re

sting sharp reflections across its sleek, reinforced plating

ep closer, a voice cut

we're actually st

late thirties, tall and lean, with sharp eyes that

tual motion, as if gathering hi

rk. Lead

ying Ryan just as closely as Ryan had studied the suit. "Only to ha

y. "You understand what yo

ze without hesi

quite convinced but

e could speak, a

nding isn

with her arms crossed. There was something commanding ab

to a tight ponytail, and her eyes

apons and Combat

apons need discipline. If you're here because of some idealistic

nch. "I'm here

ion unreadable. Then, finally,

uckle broke

let's not scare the

ood there, his lab coat slightly wrinkled, his dark hair a mess of barely controlled curls. His eyes pra

ergy and Power

thoughtfully. "I mean, yeah, it could run for a while, but full combat mode? Total disaster. We were wor

s. "And if I have id

my friend, you just became my

rd, the woman who had been watching th

rter. Pro

unshaken. Her short brown hair framed her face, and her

eone," she said, tilt

d an eyebr

irst started

was small,

to the te

They weren't just experts. They were people who had fought for this pro

responsibility t

. "Alright. Since you're leading

oward the suit, hi

, determined. "Every issue. Every failure. Every

to make t