165. Escape Plan

Buried within GLoW’s headquarters, Stroth, Krellos and Challe could only watch remotely as night fell early over Kollian, the vast black disc of orbital bastion Denier blotting out the light from the local star as it descended into atmosphere. Despite the distance, they all felt the tremors as the bombardment began.

Challe spat a curse as he struggled to stay upright, rapidly appraising the projected scene. “It’s the Queils,” he growled, a momentary scowl evaporating into the practised detachment of someone accustomed to crisis. “I guess it was a matter of time. We’re running. We’ve got safehouses in the CEZ.”

“You don’t have the ships for that,” Krellos retorted with arms crossed, seemingly unperturbed by their imminent demise. “I’ve seen those platforms blast whole squadrons outta the sky.”

Uncertainty shadowed Challe’s expression, but to his surprise, Stroth offered, “Why not use the Fortitude?” Noting her companions’ quizzical expressions, she continued, “The Illal Strait is mostly asteroid field, meaning the Fortitude needs to withstand massive impact stress. I’d wager that would stop missiles too.”

“I’ll take that bet,” Challe agreed, visibly rallying. “It’ll take time to get her warmed up, but she’s big enough to carry everyone we have here.” He moved to begin coordinating the evacuation, but Stroth held him back for a moment.

“Challe, I know what you have in your vaults,” she stated with a surprising confidence, “and if you truly mean what you say about preserving cultural artefacts, you’ll get them on that ship before they’re obliterated.”