Page 82 of New World

Cassa folded her arms. “So what you’re saying is, once you lock Cryon II down, we’d better hope we’re not still in the kill zone.”

Asta bared her teeth in something not quite a smile. “Precisely.”

She flicked her claws over the holo-display, adjusting the map to highlight key defense systems positioned across the moon port. “Zoak planted multiple explosives within our infrastructure. We dismantled them. The new system Dorane, Jammer, and I have developed is meant to optimize Cryon II’s defenses and keep the moon port safe. You focus on taking down Andronikos’s fleet. My focus is keeping my people alive.”

Josh nodded, studying the systems Asta was pointing out. “That’s a remarkable defense system.”

Cassa’s voice was steady. “We have no choice but to disable the Legion fleet without destroying it outright. If we strand their ships in space, we can buy time to separate the loyalists from the unwilling.”

Asta’s tail flicked in irritation. “This is war. You don’t get to pick and choose who dies.”

Josh met her gaze. “It may be that the majority of the people on the Legion ships don’t want to be there. This is the smart play to reduce our enemy’s numbers, but more importantly, we are not the Legion. If it is possible to save lives, Asta, we will try to do that.”

Asta let out a slow exhale, but she gave a sharp nod of understanding. Hutu leaned forward, his massive arms crossed over his chest.

“What about the Battle Cruiser heading toward Aetherial?” His voice darkened. “If that ship gets through, we could lose Dorane, Zoak, and the Ancient Knights.”

Josh’s fists curled at his sides. The weight of the decision pressed like a vice around his chest.

Hutu turned to him. “Josh, I recommend you and Cassa go to Aetherial and intercept the Legion cruiser.”

Josh looked up sharply. “What? What about the fleet… and Cryon II?”

Hutu’s expression was unwavering. “We have the Gallant fleet and Cryon II’s defenses. We can’t afford to send any more to Aetherial. Between a smaller, more agile Gallant warship, La’Rue, Kella, and Roan’s ships, you can stop the Battle Cruiser. It isn’t just Dorane and the others; it’s also the people of Aetherial. Go. Warn them. Use the new defense weapon Cassa and Bantu developed. If that Legion Cruiser makes it to Aetherial, we both know what will happen.”

Josh hesitated, his gut warring with responsibility and instinct.

Asta nodded. “Andronikos’s forces will be in for a surprise when they reach Cryon II. There’s a reason the freight lines are quiet. The Gallant forces aren’t going to be alone.”

Cassa placed a hand on Josh’s arm. “She’s right. We need to go.”

Josh exhaled sharply, his decision solidifying.

Hutu’s golden eyes met his. “We’ll hold the line here.”

Josh nodded. He hated leaving Hutu and the Gallant forces to face Andronikos’s fleet alone, but deep down, he knew the truth. If the Ancient Knights were eliminated, then even victory here would be meaningless.

They had to stop that ship.

Josh met Asta’s gaze. “Good luck.”

She bared her teeth, her tail flicking once. “We make our own luck, Ancient Knight.”

Hutu reached out, gripping Josh’s forearm in a warrior’s clasp. “Go. Make sure they live.”

Josh returned the grip firmly. Then, with a final nod, he turned toward Cassa.

The war was coming.

And it was about to explode on two fronts.

The desert stretched before them, the muted golds and deep ochres of the canyon walls standing in stark contrast to the bright, unforgiving sky. Mei kept her gaze moving, scanning the terrain, but she didn’t need to see Zoak to know he was already here. She could feel him.

The shift in Dorane was just as palpable. His shoulders had tensed, his grip on the skidder’s controls firm, almost mechanical. The closer they got, the quieter he became, his gaze fixed on the winding path leading into the ghost of his childhood home.

Mei’s chest tightened as she looked at him. This had been her suggestion—to use this place to trap Zoak—but now, seeing the subtle tension in Dorane’s posture, the memories heavy on his shoulders, she knew it had been insensitive.

She exhaled softly, her voice quieter than the wind that stirred the dust at their feet. “I’m sorry.”

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