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Zane leaned forward in his chair. ‘Hellnada, no way.’

Thirty-odd Katánian hawkers were racing towards Devansi.

‘Way,’ the Sable A.I. said with a dry murmur.

‘Tell Kainan to keep the Katánians behind us busy while we take on the planetary charge.’

The Sable Riders’khosiwas leading an armada approaching along a geodesic between the planet’s moon and sun. They hid their approach by slipping into a large asteroid field, the planetoid’s brightest and noisiest phenomenon.

Now, they leapt into theater, surrounding the remaining Katánian ships.

Kainan’s voice roared over the speaker. ‘Go, Riders, I’ve got this.’

The Phantasm took an arced turn and burned for Devansi’s surface.

In the ready room, Élisa fixed her eyes on the screen, her face tight and drawn.

Riv was supporting his fellow Riders, using the holo to pinpoint any incoming volleys for the enemy.

Killen stood at the viewport, his handsome face growing grave and stern.

‘I won’t stand for this.’ His undertone was laced with fierceness.

Riv jolted as his son swiveled on his heels, making a beeline for the bridge.

Killen ignored him, punching the panel to slide open the ready room’s secure door before striding inside the bustling command centre.

Riv charged out after him. ‘Killen, what the hell do you think you’re doing?’

‘What needs to be done.’ The younger man growled and pointed at the screen. ‘Open a channel to the Katánians.’

Zane turned to face Killen. ‘We can’t put you at risk. Nor your mother.’

Killen’s jaw clenched as he gazed dead ahead. ‘But I won’t let one Devansi die because of me. A channel, please.’

His calm, unwavering voice stopped all activity in the bustling command room. All eyes turned to Zane.

‘I’ll need to check in with Kainan.’

The Sable Riders’khosibeat him to it, his rich, deep voice sounding out over comms from his ship. ‘Do as he says, Zane. I sense this young man is more prescient than we think. Let Killen choose his path.’

Élisa stared at her son, her head shaking. ‘Are you sure about this course of action, my love?’

He gave a faint smile, glancing at her. ‘This is the reckoning we’ve been waiting for. It’s either now or never.’

She took a shaky breath as tears fell from her eyes. Élisa summoned her inner strength and raised her chin in understanding at her son. ‘As you see fit.’

‘As I see it.’ He touched his hawkstone with a slight incline of his head.

Turning back to Zane, he lifted a brow. ‘Please.’

Zane sucked his lips, shared a glance with Riv, and then Élisa. ‘Only if you three are sure.’

Riv squeezed his woman’s hand and gave her a nod.

‘We are.’ Élisa whispered on behalf of their small family.

‘So be it,’ Zane rasped. ‘Mirage, do the honors.’