Page 92 of New World

“It is his fate to die here,” Cassa murmured with certainty, looking at Dorane.

“Fate?” Kella asked with a frown.

Cassa nodded. “The legend of the Ancient Knights of the Gallant do not say where they came from, but some of the first recorded documentation of them came from Aetherial. Not far from here, actually.”

“A circle must close for it to be a circle,” Mei said, looking at Dorane. “The Legion’s presence here started this chain of events for you. It is here that it will end.”

Dorane swallowed, a peaceful calm settling in his eyes, and he nodded. “Yes, it is time for the circle to close.”

“More like a hangman’s noose if you ask me,” Ash retorted.

“We don’t have much time. I figure a transport can carry approximately twenty-five men and two flight crew,” Josh said.

“I can take at least one transport,” La’Rue said. “Does your shuttle have any weapons?”

Cassa nodded. “A small laser cannon with about a dozen shots.”

“The transports are faster and more agile. They are made for hostile territory,” Kella said with a shake of her head.

Roan looked at the moving dots. “If they can’t see you, you would have the element of surprise. Hell, even if you just knock one out, that’s twenty-five fewer bodies firing at us.”

Josh nodded. “The best move would be to take one out in the air and the other as it lands. The shuttle can’t maneuver well enough and the laser cannon is limited in range.”

“Cassa, you take the one landing. I’ll take the one in the air. This way I can help cover you if you need it,” La’Rue said.

“That leaves the rest of us to clean up any who make it to the ground,” Roan said.

“I hope it is more than one,” Sergi muttered.

“And you think I am blood-thirsty?” Kella asked.

“That still leaves the Legion Battle Cruiser in space. They can always send more troops,” Dorane said.

Cassa looked at Josh. “Our Battle Cruiser should already be aware of the Legion ship. It probably won’t engage until it knows we are safe. It’s cloaked and in stationary orbit. It can take out the Battle Cruiser. That will cut Andri off completely.”

“Good. Now, let’s talk about those ground troops who might survive the initial attack. What do you think, Josh?” Ash asked.

Josh glanced at Dorane. “Strategic points?”

Dorane tapped the holomap. “The canyon has three natural chokepoints. If we use the village ruins as cover, we can pick them off as they push through.”

Dorane pointed at a collapsed stone building and a small cave across from it in the cliff. “Sergi, Ash—up there. It’s the best sniper position. You’ll have clean shots at the main approach on each side.”

Sergi cracked his knuckles. “You hear that, Ash? He trusts us with the high ground.”

Ash grinned. “That’s because he knows we’re the best shots here.”

Kella arched a brow. “You’re adorable when you’re delusional.”

Ash brushed a soft kiss against Kella’s lips. “Don’t be jealous just because you have to fight on the ground.”

Kella gave a slow, predatory smile. “I always did love getting my hands dirty.”

Ash’s eyes darkened and a wicked smile curved his lips. “Oh, I know. It makes me?—”

Sergi loudly cleared his throat and waggled his eyebrows at La’Rue, who shot him a glare that promised death if he said anything. Sergi opened his mouth, closed it, and opened it again before he cursed softly in Russian and gave La’Rue an apologetic grin.

“You don’t want me to brag that I know you love it when I’m locked and loaded? But, dorogoy…” Sergi pouted with dancing eyes.

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