"You can't come in here." Kaede's voice rang, sharp and authoritative, carried through the wooden door. "This is a closed meeting. You are not invited."
"Get out of my way. Now." Another voice rang this time male, commanding, completely unfamiliar to the prospects.
"Step aside, Kaede. You too, Moriyama. I'm not asking."
The sound of footsteps. Multiple people. Movement in the hallway outside, deliberate and unstoppable.
Everyone in the briefing room froze, eyes turning toward the double doors.
Matsuno's hand moved instinctively toward his phone. Hasegawa's expression went cold, calculating, already knowing who this was before the doors opened.
The handles turned.
The doors swung inward with force not violently, but with unmistakable intent.
Five figures stepped in silhouetted in the doorway, backlit by the hallway fluorescents.
The one in front was immediately, undeniably recognizable.
