Chapter 43

At dawn, Gray pilots a radar-jammed hybrid into Dey Province with Evlynne co-piloting and Wren riding as sniper overwatch. They land within a five-minute radar window and move to a jungle overlook above the Tierra Fe port and airfield, where Wren sets up her rifle while Evlynne spots.

Adrienne arrives by Uprising chopper with Saint as escort. Commander Vásquez greets them with soldiers, quickly rejects Adrienne’s proposal on orders from President Ramos, and ends the meeting in under ten minutes. As Adrienne withdraws, Vásquez returns with a taunting remark that tips her off the team has been compromised.

Adrienne orders an immediate exfil. Wren and Evlynne sprint back toward the hybrid as Gray reports an approaching Tierran truck. Mid-run, Wren falls into a concealed pit and mangles her lower leg, pain incapacitating her as the threat closes in.

Gray jumps into the pit to rescue Wren, refusing to abandon her despite Evlynne’s warning and the ticking clock. Seeing that Gray will risk all to save her, Wren uses her trained incitement, overriding his will to force him to return to the plane. Evlynne races ahead to fly.

Fighting Wren’s command, Gray reluctantly retreats and boards. Evlynne lifts off, and their aircraft escapes. The mental exertion and agony overwhelm Wren; as Tierran forces arrive, she loses consciousness with a rifle aimed down at her, captured and alone.