It began with a ripple.
Not a roar, not an explosion—just a low tremor that shook loose some dust from a crumbling wall near a narrow alleyway in what was once the Ortigas commercial district.
Scout Team Echo-7 was on patrol, one of several reconnaissance groups sent out daily from the MOA Complex to monitor Bloom Nest spread and scavenge for supplies. They weren't elite commandos. They weren't heavily armed. Just well-trained Overwatch recon in patched gear and reinforced vests. Light loadouts. Fast in, fast out.
Erika was one of them, and this was her first field mission.
"Echo-7 actual, reporting in. Southeast quadrant is clear. Minimal vine movement. No spores airborne. Proceeding to checkpoint Lima." Her voice came through clear, if a little winded.
"Copy that, Echo-7. Maintain comms interval at ten. MOA Control out."
