In an office at the center of Atlas City's compound…
General Maxwell Kane listened to the young man's report, his brow slowly knitting tighter.
"You're sure those flying mutant beasts were at least Tier 9?"
"Yes, sir. Based on their speed, they were at least Tier 9."
"And after you fired on them, they didn't keep flying toward the compound?"
"…Yes. That's what confuses me too." The young man looked genuinely baffled. "With how vicious mutant beasts are, if we attacked them, they should've come for revenge. But they turned around and flew off."
He hesitated, then added, "But… there's something else, and I'm not sure how to say it."
"What is it?"
"Some of our people got a blurry look through binoculars. It seemed like… there were people on the birds' backs."
"People?!" Maxwell's eyes widened.
"Yes, but it was too far. We couldn't see clearly, so I can't confirm it."
Maxwell fell into thought. After a long moment, he lifted his head again, staring at the young man.
