Chapter 176: The Echoes Take Flight

The interconnected network pulsed with a renewed vigilance. News of the destructive entity, gleaned from the silent civilization within the Void Sector, sent ripples of concern across the vast tapestry of melodies. The Academy Council convened, a solemn air hanging heavy in the chamber. Xylo, though his aged body bore the weight of millennia, stood tall before the council. His voice, though raspy, held a steely resolve. "We cannot," he declared, "remain passive in the face of this potential threat. Our focus has been on exploration and understanding, and that will not change. But we must also be prepared to defend the symphony from those who seek to disrupt its harmony." His words resonated with the council. Anya's legacy, they knew, wasn't just about artistic expression; it was about protecting the very fabric of interconnectedness. A plan, daring and ambitious, began to take shape. Project: Harmony Shield was born. The Andorian engineers, drawing upon their expertise