Ever since the Golden City fleet ventured into the perilous Shadow River Zone, most communications had been severed. The Shadow River Zone, known for its treacherous void space rivers and electromagnetic anomalies, made long-range communication nearly impossible. It had been more than a week since the fleet's departure, and for the past three days, the civilians of Golden City had received no updates. This prolonged silence only served to amplify the fear and anxiety among the populace, who were left to imagine the worst about their loved ones and protectors facing unknown dangers in distant battles.
The atmosphere in Golden City grew increasingly tense. Whispers of concern spread through neighborhoods, where citizens gathered to share what little information they had. Rumors and speculation ran rampant, each more dire than the last, as the lack of official communication fed the growing unease.