Page 57 of Warrior’s Mate

At the western relay, the situation had changed again. Civilians filled the loading yard. Some carried packs. Others had arrived with nothing but children, pets, or the clothes they wore. A woman Maelis knew from the southern orchard district was sitting on the curb with blood running down one side of her face while she repeated three names into a registry terminal.

Missing people. The list kept growing.

Kaiven received three reports in less than a minute. The northern defense line was collapsing. A transport corridor had opened briefly near the western ridge. The remaining evacuation ship could take another ninety-six people if they reached the extraction point within forty minutes.

Then his comm chimed with a priority military code. His expression changed before he answered.

"Daratu."

Maelis watched him listen.

"Understood, Commander."

A pause.

"Yes, sir."

Another pause, longer this time.

"I understand the order. Daratu out."

She knew before he looked at her.

"They need you somewhere else."

"The north approach lost its field commander. I have to take over the withdrawal and keep the corridor open long enough for the transport to clear."

"How long?"

"Longer than we have."

Around them, civilians continued moving. A child cried because someone had taken away a bag that was too heavy. Two elderly farmers argued over which of them should take the last seat on a medical carrier. A security officer shouted for everyone assigned to the western extraction group to form rows by household number.

Maelis looked at the map. The official route to the extraction point was already flashing amber.

"I can move them through the lower grain tunnels."

Kaiven's gaze sharpened. "The tunnels under Ridge Three?"

"They connect to the old freight cut. It comes out less than a kilometer from the extraction pad."

"You said one of those tunnels was unstable."

"One branch is. We won't use it."

"Maelis—"

She waited. He stopped. That mattered.

Kaiven looked from her to the civilians assembling in the yard, then to the darkening sky beyond the relay walls. His jaw tightened, but when he spoke, his voice was controlled.

"What do you need?"

Not You can't go. Not I won't allow it. What do you need?

Maelis felt the answer rise through fear, exhaustion, and something warmer that had become impossible to deny.

"Two security teams. Portable cutters. Three med kits. And every working household registry terminal you can spare."