The crew arrive in the cockpit of the Shadow's Heart just as the halo of Janriel disappears from view of the side window and before them is the refugee fleet assembled out of the former Republic blockade. Below them one of the cruisers reports to Chapman's recall and releases a tether to pull the computer brain into the hold.
Off in the distance, beyond the moon Orelius there are flashes of light. Tulia scans ahead to see Republic ships locked in battle with still further ships and so impossible to see.
TULIA: It looks like the Republic might
have picked up Zayd-Neil's scent.
NICODEMUS: No.
He leans forward to see the screen.
NICODEMUS: The Prestmoors have
begun their invasion.
VALORY: What does that mean for us?
You're not going to join them, are you?
He studies her a moment.
NICODEMUS: Now what would give
you an idea like that?
ERIMENTHA: The Republic will be overwhelmed.
NICODEMUS: Then I suggest you plan on this fleet
getting a lot bigger. The survivors we
pick up along the way will be all that's left.
He leaves the cockpit.
VALORY: I thought we were winning.
How did it all go so wrong?
AARON: None of us knew what
we were facing.
ERIMENTHA: I think Samael was trying to
tell us that there was still a way
to make things right.
VALORY: He was good the whole time?
DESDINE: No. Not the whole time.
But he was my master.
ERIMENTHA: The Masters. I need to find
a way to discuss what has transpired.
AARON: We'll go with you.
The fate of the Republic
depends on what the Order
decides to do now.
The Republic fleet drifts away from the Janriel system
leaving behind the rear guard to hold the Prestmoors at bay.
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THE END
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