53

Flames rising from the lake formed a roiling wave, a tsunami of rage. Steam blasted in a funnel straight into the air. Mist billowed out from this central pillar like a giant wheel. A wave of fire rose up and descended upon the shore where they stood. Sean had time to register all this in the one brief instant it took to grip the Ambassador’s arms and step away.

As it was, they were almost too late.

They landed on the orbiting vessel and sprawled in the foyer that served as the ready room for the flight deck and the Cygnean council chamber. Thankfully, Brodwyn was there, deep in conversation with Commander Taunton. A meeting must have just broken up, because the antechamber held a dozen or so people. They all gaped in shock at the sight of the two new arrivals. Both Sean and Anyon smoldered from the flames that had almost consumed them.

Sean croaked, “It’s happening.”

Brodwyn used her parade-ground voice to command, “Sound the alarm!”

As Sean helped Anyon rise to his feet, the Ambassador showed his age for the very first time. Being that close to his own death had clearly left him shattered. He gripped Sean’s arm with tremulous force and whispered, “You saved my life.”

Sean saw Brodwyn gesture to him and knew the Ambassador’s comments would have to wait. “Sir, I need to go back.”

Anyon’s gaze searched the metal chamber for a fury that was not there. “Back?”

Sean gently pried away Anyon’s fingers and said what the Ambassador needed to hear. “You’re safe now.”

Brodwyn reached out as Sean approached. “Show me.”

Sean, Brodwyn, and Commander Taunton returned with the first contingent of Praetorian Guards. A frontline phalanx had been stationed on the orbiting vessel to serve as shock troops. The shipboard Watchers were backed up by ground troops on observation detail with direct comm links to the vessel. The reason for their silence was clear the instant they arrived back on Cygneus Prime.

The forward command post was atop a trio of steel towers built upon a hill overlooking the eastern cannons. Or it would have been, if the blasters still existed. The first waves of flames had rolled back by the time they arrived, leaving behind a sea rimmed by ash and heaps of molten metal.

The Praetorians transited onto transport platforms that looked to Sean like floating patios. More and more of the transports lifted from the ground and hovered over the blackened earth. The lake boiled, and the rising steam clouds were fierce enough to defy the winter storm. Sean felt his face sweat and his back freeze.

Brodwyn was busy regrouping her ground troops when Carver appeared at the tower’s rear quarter. He stepped forward and saluted Brodwyn. “General, I suggest—”

His comment was cut off by the second assault, which caused even these hardened warriors to freeze in shock.