Selena's eyes stayed fixed on the monitor, unable to blink, afraid the image might vanish if she did. The grainy projection showed Akira Yamamoto, Governor of the Federation.
He looked nothing like the untouchable man the world feared. Stubble shadowed his jaw, uneven and rough. His hair stuck out like he'd run his hands through it too many times. Deep bags framed his eyes, a tired man's confession written plainly on his face.
He looked like someone who'd been fired, came home to his wife cheating and his son telling him he liked boys, and then kept walking anyway.
But today, none of that mattered.
Because behind all that wreckage of exhaustion, there was a smile. A real one. Bright. Unrestrained. Hopeful.
And then he spoke the words.
"Leon is alive."
For a long moment, the room felt suspended. Even the blinking lights on the consoles seemed to slow.
Selena's breath hitched.
Her lips trembled.
Then the shock broke all at once.
