“What?” I ask.
“Ron sent a broadcast through the captured Memories net.”
She turns the screen.
The message is short.
DRAGON CHOOSES CROWN. SUNSHINE BURNS.
My blood goes silent.
Arturo swears. “He’s targeting the bakery again.”
“No,” Cleo says, scanning. “Not just bakery. Multiple teams. One at Sweet Tooth, one toward the clinic, one toward the old tunnel triage site. He wants Kauss split.”
No.
He wants me to choose wrong.
Horus IV opens beneath my feet.
Thirty-seven civilians. Four alive.
Ships late.
Always late.
I look at the city map. Three targets. Not enough time. Not enough people. Not enough certainty.
Old smoke fills my lungs though rain wets my face.
Arturo says, “We can send teams.”
“Your teams are compromised.”
“Some are. Not all.”
“Cleo,” I say. “Clinic team?”
She checks markers. “Closest loyal crew is three minutes out if they move now.”
“Send them. Tell Nara to evacuate rear exit and kill lights.”
Her eyes widen slightly at the name, but she obeys.
“Tunnel triage,” I continue.
“Renn’s people are there, not ours.”
“Call Darlene.”
Arturo blinks. “The old woman?”
“She will answer. Tell her flood survivors at triage need immediate relocation to Sweet Tooth basement? No. Not Sweet Tooth.” My mind races. “Machine shop. Renn’s back room has reinforced shutters.”
Cleo is already dialing.
“And the bakery?” Arturo asks.
