Fort Hanley, 0430 Hours.
The base was still dark when the trucks rolled in, engines humming low as they crossed through the final checkpoint. Guards saluted the convoy, then waved them through. Inside the hangars, crews had been working since midnight, clearing space and prepping the secure unloading zone.
Colonel Nathan Reynolds stood with his arms crossed, eyes fixed on the lead container being lowered onto the tarmac.
"This is it," he said, half to himself.
Beside him, Master Sergeant Harper gave a small nod. "We've run prep drills a dozen times. We're ready."
Reynolds didn't look away. "Hope so. Because once this thing powers up, everything changes."
The first container hissed as the locks disengaged. Hydraulic arms unfolded. The doors opened with a low mechanical grind, revealing the towering frame of Titan Mk-I—matte black armor plates, reinforced joints, and that distinct blue glow at its core.
The HUD blinked.
SYSTEM STANDBY. READY FOR OPERATOR INPUT.
