Re-Awakened :I Ascend as an SSS-Ranked Dragon Summoner Chapter 565 565: The citadel

The Eclipse transport touched down on the eastern lawn of what used to be called Washington D.C. Before the Harbinger war, before the world reorganized itself into four cardinals instead of two hundred nations, this place had been the center of American government. Now it was just the Citadel, named for its role as the impenetrable seat of cardinal governance that had weathered seventy-six years of chaos.

The building itself was massive, stretching maybe four hundred meters across its front facade. White stone that looked original but couldn't be—too pristine, too perfectly maintained despite being supposedly centuries old. Columns rose three stories high, each one thick enough that three people linking hands couldn't encircle them. The roof held communications arrays and defensive installations disguised as architectural flourishes, their sleek surfaces catching afternoon sunlight. Flying cars moved in controlled patterns overhead, their engines humming at frequencies designed not to disturb the people working inside. Some were civilian vehicles, their paint jobs colorful and varied. Others were clearly government transports, all black metal and tinted windows.

Noah watched from the transport's viewport as security personnel approached. Six of them, all wearing dark suits that probably concealed body armor and enough weaponry to handle most threats. Their movements were coordinated, professional, the kind that came from actual training rather than just standing around looking intimidating. Each one carried scanning equipment openly, making no attempt to hide the fact that Eclipse was about to be searched thoroughly.

"Standard security theater," Lila muttered from the seat beside him. "They know we're not a threat. This is just showing us they take protocols seriously."

"Or they're genuinely paranoid," Sophie replied from across the aisle. "Governor of the eastern cardinal probably has enemies we don't know about."

The boarding ramp extended with a pneumatic hiss. The security team entered immediately, their leader holding up a scanning device that looked like a tablet but was clearly something more sophisticated. Blue light emanated from its surface, sweeping across the transport's interior in patterns that made Noah's eyes hurt if he looked directly at it.

"Eclipse Faction personnel," the man said, his tone carrying bureaucratic efficiency rather than hostility. "Please remain seated while we conduct security verification. This will take approximately fifteen minutes. Any weapons, devices, or materials that could pose security risks must be declared now."

Noah raised his hand slightly. "We're armed. Standard faction loadout. Blasters, tactical equipment, personal defense items."

"Noted." The security lead didn't seem concerned. "We'll be scanning everything regardless. Please activate any personal shielding or defensive abilities you possess so we can catalog them properly."

That was unusual. Most security sweeps didn't ask people to demonstrate their abilities. But Lila was already manifesting her telekinesis, making a pen float lazily between her hands. Sophie remained still, her expression neutral, making no move to demonstrate anything.

Noah activated his void energy briefly, letting purple-black wisps dance around his fingers before dismissing them. The security lead's scanner chimed, displaying readouts Noah couldn't interpret from this angle.

"Energy manipulation," the man said, making notes on his device. "Classified as moderate threat potential but currently stable. No immediate concerns."

He moved to Lila next, his scanner recording her telekinetic display. Then to Sophie, where the device made several soft beeps before the man frowned slightly.

"No detectable abilities," he said, looking at Sophie directly. "You're registered as combat specialist?"

"Correct," Sophie replied. "Tactical coordinator and close combat. I carry twin plasma blades."

"Please display them."

Sophie reached behind her back, drawing both blades in a smooth motion. They weren't activated, just the hilts, sleek black metal with power indicators showing full charge. The security lead scanned them, nodded, and made more notes.

The security sweep took exactly fifteen minutes, just as promised. They scanned every surface of the transport, checked cargo holds, ran their devices over each team member individually. Professional, thorough, but not aggressive. When they finally finished, the lead nodded once.

"You're cleared for entry. An advisor will meet you at the east entrance to escort you inside. Please follow all instructions and remain with your escort at all times. The Citadel has restricted areas that require special clearance."

They disembarked, and Noah got his first proper look at the grounds. The lawn was massive, stretching maybe two hundred meters before reaching the building proper. Gardens lined the walkways, filled with flowers that probably required specialized care to maintain. Water features created ambient sound that was probably supposed to be calming but just made Noah aware of how exposed they were crossing this open space.

Security was everywhere. Not just the obvious guards stationed at visible posts, but the subtle kind Noah's military training let him spot. Movement in upper windows. Figures on rooftops. Camera systems disguised as decorative elements. Someone had designed this place to be defensible, and they'd done it well.

The east entrance was smaller than the main doors, more utilitarian. A woman waited there, maybe mid-thirties, wearing a gray suit that screamed government employee. Her hair was pulled back tight, her expression professionally neutral.

"Eclipse Faction," she said as they approached. "I'm Advisor Brenda . I'll be your liaison during your time here. Please follow me."

The interior of the Citadel was exactly what Noah expected from a government building trying too hard to look important. Marble floors polished to mirror brightness. Wooden panels on the walls that were probably synthetic but designed to look historic. Portraits of previous governors lined the corridors, their faces stern and serious in that way politicians always looked in official paintings.

They passed through security checkpoints every fifty meters. Each one required scanning, verification, confirmation that they were supposed to be there. Advisor Brenda handled it smoothly, her credentials apparently carrying enough weight that the process moved quickly despite the repetition.

"The Citadel was built on the foundations of the original Capitol building," Brenda explained as they walked. "Most of the pre-war structure was destroyed during the initial Harbinger attacks seventy-six years ago. What you're seeing now is a reconstruction that preserves historical elements while incorporating modern defensive capabilities."

"How many people work here?" Sophie asked.

"Approximately eight thousand personnel across all departments. Government administration, security forces, technical staff, support services. The building operates twenty-four hours a day, three hundred sixty-five days a year."

They entered a conference room that was smaller than Noah expected. Maybe fifteen meters across, with a table that could seat twenty people comfortably. The walls held more portraits, these ones of people Noah didn't recognize. Probably historic figures from before the cardinal system.

"Please wait here," Brenda said. "The governor will join you shortly. In the meantime, I'll provide the mission briefing."

She activated a holographic display at the table's center. A star map appeared, showing Earth and several other planetary bodies. One system was highlighted in blue, three planets orbiting a central star.

"Your mission is to escort Governor Sebastian to Raiju Prime," Brenda began. "The governor has scheduled diplomatic meetings with allied forces stationed there. Duration is five days total, including travel time. You'll depart from here, arrive at Raiju Prime for one day of meetings, then return."

Lila's eyebrow quirked. "Allied forces. Which ones specifically?"

"That information is classified at your current clearance level."

Noah felt Sophie shift slightly beside him. The Grey family ruled Raiju Prime. Everyone knew that. The fact that Brenda was calling them "allied forces" instead of using their actual name was either ignorance or deliberate obfuscation. More importantly, it was hilarious. Lucas Grey was literally on their team. They'd been to Raiju Prime multiple times. They knew exactly who ruled that system.

"So we're escorting the governor to meet with people you won't name," Noah said carefully. "That makes threat assessment difficult."

"The threat level is considered low to moderate. Standard security protocols apply. Your role is to provide additional protective capability during travel and on-site presence."

"Why us?" Lila asked although she knew the answer already. "Why not military escort?"

"EDF resources are currently deployed to front-line operations. Private military contractors like Eclipse fill capability gaps for Earth-side security requirements." Brenda 's tone suggested she was reciting from a prepared script rather than answering genuinely.

The door opened before anyone could press further. Governor Leo Sebastian entered, and the temperature in the room seemed to shift immediately.

He was tall, maybe six-three, with dark hair graying at the temples. His suit was expensive but not ostentatious, dark blue with subtle pinstripes that probably cost more than most people's monthly salaries. But what struck Noah most was his presence. Not threatening, not aggressive. Just the kind of natural authority that came from years of commanding rooms through personality rather than position.

"Eclipse Faction," Sebastian said, his voice warm and genuine. "Thank you for taking this contract on short notice. I know your reputation precedes you, and I'm honored to have your protection during this trip."

He moved around the table, shaking hands with each of them personally. His grip was firm without being aggressive, his eye contact direct without being invasive. Politicians learned this kind of thing, but Sebastian made it feel natural rather than performative.

"I've been following your work since the Synthesis Collective situation," Sebastian continued. "The way you handled that operation, gathering evidence while maintaining operational security, then coordinating with authorities to dismantle their network. That's exactly the kind of competence I need for this mission."

"We appreciate the confidence," Sophie replied. "Though we'd appreciate more detailed briefing materials. Advisor Brenda mentioned Raiju Prime but was light on specifics."

Sebastian's smile didn't falter but something flickered behind his eyes. "Raiju Prime is home to the Grey family. I'm meeting with their leadership to discuss resource allocation and strategic cooperation between Earth and their territories. It's diplomatic work, mostly boring unless you enjoy policy discussions."

The casualness of his tone was almost insulting. Like he thought they didn't know that the Greys were one of the original seven families, that Lucas Grey—their own teammate—was the son of King Damien Grey. Either Sebastian genuinely didn't know Eclipse's connection to the Greys, or he was pretending not to know for reasons Noah couldn't figure out. Bold not to give the people responsible for his security the full details of where they were headed and why. But no problem.

"We're familiar with the Greys," Lila said, her voice carefully neutral. "One of our team members is from that family actually."

"Is that so?" Sebastian's interest seemed genuine. "Well, that should make integration smoother then. Familiarity with the family dynamics will be helpful."

They spent another fifteen minutes in formal pleasantries. Official handshakes for media purposes, a photographer appearing to capture images of the governor with his security detail, the kind of political theater that made Noah's teeth ache. Sebastian smiled for every photo, shook hands with genuine warmth, made small talk that sounded sincere despite probably being calculated.

Finally, they were escorted back outside to a private landing pad that held a single ship.

Noah stopped, genuinely impressed despite himself.

The transport was white, its hull smooth and aerodynamic. But what made it distinctive was the shape. Someone had designed it to look like a falcon in mid-dive, wings swept back, nose pointed, every line suggesting speed and grace. The name was stenciled near the cockpit in black lettering: Peregrine.

"Beautiful, isn't she?" Sebastian said, obvious pride in his voice. "Custom built, synced to my biometrics, equipped with everything we could possibly need. Come, I'll give you the tour."

The interior was exactly what Noah expected from a politician's personal transport. The main cabin held seating for maybe twenty people, plush chairs arranged in conversation clusters. A bar occupied one corner, fully stocked with expensive bottles. Another section held what looked like a small restaurant kitchen, complete with actual cooking equipment rather than just food processors.

Sebastian gestured enthusiastically as they walked. "We've got a medical bay with full surgical capabilities. Entertainment systems throughout. Communication arrays that can reach anywhere in human space. Even a small recreation area with golf simulation if anyone's interested during the longer void jumps."

The ship was massive, easily a hundred meters from bow to stern. Each section they passed through was more elaborate than the last. Sleeping quarters with actual beds instead of bunks. A conference room with holographic displays. Storage bays that could hold enough supplies for months of independent operation.

"All very impressive," Sophie said, and Noah heard the edge underneath her polite tone. "But what I need to know is how many personnel will be aboard. What are the exit points? Emergency protocols? Defensive capabilities? Crew manifest? Escape pod locations? Communication redundancies? Weapons systems if any? Shielding specifications? Power plant type and backup systems?"

Before Sebastian could answer, a voice cut through the conversation.

"Crew manifest is forty-three people including the governor. Pilots, navigation, engineering staff, medical personnel, and security. Primary exits are forward, aft, and two emergency hatches on the port and starboard sides. Emergency protocols follow standard void-travel procedures with additional contingencies for hostile action. Defensive capabilities include energy shielding rated for Category five impacts, point-defense systems, and electronic countermeasures. We have six escape pods, each rated for ten people, positioned at intervals throughout the ship. Communication systems include primary arrays, backup quantum-entangled transmitters, and emergency beacons. No offensive weapons systems, strictly defensive posture. Shielding runs on dedicated generators separate from main power. Main drive is fusion-based with three redundant backup systems and enough fuel for forty days continuous operation."

The voice was feminine, sharp, delivering information in rapid-fire succession without pausing for breath. Noah turned to see who was speaking.

She was maybe five-eight, compact build that suggested serious combat training. Red hair, actually red like freshly spilled blood, cut in a buzz style that was definitely military regulation. Tactical red suit with a black jacket over it, form-fitting enough to show she was armed but professional enough to avoid looking like she was trying too hard. A small blaster was secured around her right thigh, the holster positioned for quick draw.

"Oh," Lila said quietly, and something in her tone made Noah glance over. His teammate's expression had gone carefully neutral in that way that meant she'd already decided she didn't like whoever this was.

Noah's eyes widened slightly despite his attempt to maintain composure.

The woman continued without acknowledging their reactions. "The Peregrine has three independent life support systems, medical supplies for extended operations, and enough food stores for sixty days assuming full crew complement. Bridge is restricted access, engine room requires engineering clearance, and the governor's private quarters are off-limits without direct invitation. Standard security protocols apply to all personnel including contractors. Questions?"

Sebastian cleared his throat, and something in his expression suggested this wasn't the introduction he'd planned. "Let me introduce Angel. She's my head of security and part of the cardinal's secret service division. She'll be accompanying us on this trip."

Angel's gaze swept across the Eclipse team, assessing them with the kind of professional evaluation that came from actual threat assessment training rather than just paranoia. Her eyes lingered on each of them for maybe three seconds, cataloging details, running calculations Noah could almost see happening behind those sharp eyes.

"Eclipse Faction," Angel said. "Three members deploying. Noah Eclipse, energy manipulation and dragon summoning. Sophie Reign, operations coordinator and close combat specialist. Lila Rowe, time manipulation and telekinesis. Correct?"

"That's correct," Sophie replied, her voice carrying the same professional neutrality Angel was using.

"Good. Then let's discuss how we'll coordinate security protocols during travel. I'll need to know your response procedures for various threat scenarios. Hostile boarding actions, Harbinger encounters, mechanical failures, medical emergencies, hostile fire from pursuing vessels, internal sabotage attempts, and governor extraction procedures if the ship becomes compromised. Also your equipment loadouts, capability limitations, medical conditions that might affect combat performance, and your chain of command structure for split-second decision making when communication is compromised."

"Angel," Sebastian interrupted, his tone gentle but carrying unmistakable authority. "Perhaps we can save the detailed briefing for later. Let them settle in first. We don't depart for another thirty minutes."

Angel looked at the governor, her expression suggesting she wanted to argue, that every second they weren't drilling security protocols was a second wasted. But ultimately she just nodded once, sharp and controlled. "Of course, sir. I'll be in the security office reviewing sensor logs and finalizing departure protocols. Eclipse team, I'll expect you there in twenty minutes for proper coordination."

She walked away, her boots making sharp sounds against the metal deck plating. Sebastian watched her go, then turned back to Eclipse with an apologetic smile that looked genuine.

"I apologize for her intensity," Sebastian said. "Angel takes security very seriously. Sometimes too seriously, if I'm being honest. She's convinced every diplomatic trip is one miscommunication away from turning into a combat zone. But she's the best at what she does, and I trust her completely."

He gestured for Angel to return, calling her over near one of the viewport windows. Their conversation dropped to tones too quiet to overhear properly, Sebastian's body language suggesting he was gently reminding her about professional courtesy while Angel's posture stayed rigid and defensive.

Lila immediately leaned closer to So