"Yes. Drann will also be less likely to order the lower halls destroyed while he believes the battle is going well."
"That is reasonable."
Aurelian expanded the sanctuary map.
"I need to know whether its highest access level requires a Human authority."
Eirenne looked toward the buried structure. "The surviving records suggest that it does. The sanctuary’s central command system was designed to accept a verified Vhaloric Human administrator, a Preservation Program director, or an approved military authority."
"Would Lysara qualify?"
"Possibly for military access, but she is a shipgirl linked to a Directorate warship rather than a registered Human officer. The system may accept her, but we should not depend on it."
"And me?"
Eirenne considered the question more carefully.
"You are Human, but not Vhaloric. Your biology should pass the first test. The remaining problem would be command recognition."
"Could the system accept me if Lysara confirms my authority?"
"There is a strong chance. Especially if Vaela Renn supports the transfer from inside."
That settled the most important part.
Aurelian had already expected that he would need to go personally, but expectation and certainty were different things.
The commander of a rescue force was usually safer aboard his ship, where he could manage the entire battlefield.
Entering an occupied sanctuary beneath a hostile mountain carried risks that no amount of planning could remove.
However, sending someone else to claim control of the sanctuary created a different risk.
If the central system accepted them as the highest authority, they could gain access to every preservation hall, every archive, and every defense system.
Aurelian trusted the people around him, but that did not mean he should hand such authority to someone without need.
There was also the simple fact that he could survive situations that ordinary administrators could not.
He had reached Tier III. His body was stronger, his reactions were faster, and he would not be entering alone.
Astra and Rhoswen could accompany him, while autonomous units secured the paths ahead.
"I will enter the sanctuary," he said.
Eirenne did not immediately object, which was how Aurelian knew she had already reached the same conclusion.
"You will need protection."
"Astra and Rhoswen."
"Rhoswen may be effective during the breach, but the sanctuary’s internal corridors could limit her."
"She can control herself."
Rhoswen’s voice appeared through the nearby channel.
"I can."
Aurelian turned slowly toward the display.
"You were listening again."
"I was waiting nearby in case the plan involved me."
"That is not better."
Rhoswen appeared on the screen, looking completely serious despite having joined without permission.
"I meant what I said. I can breathe carefully."
Aurelian almost corrected the wording of her earlier message, but decided it was not worth it.
"This will not be an ordinary assault. There may be civilians behind every sealed door, preservation systems that cannot be damaged, and security controls we need intact."
"I understand."
"You may have to take fire without answering immediately."
"I understand that too."
"And you may have to stop other people from breaking things instead of breaking them yourself."
Rhoswen frowned slightly.
"That sounds more difficult."
"It probably will be."
She took a breath, then nodded.
"I can do it."
Aurelian believed her.
Not because she had become calm overnight, but because she had already shown that she could change when the situation demanded it.
She had held the line inside Mournveil. She had stopped before crossing pursuit markers. She had protected civilians during the abyssal incident at Vortan Redoubt.
Rhoswen still loved a good fight.
She was simply learning that winning sometimes meant controlling where the damage went.
"Then you are coming," Aurelian said.
Her expression brightened, though she kept herself from celebrating.
"I will prepare."
The channel closed.
Eirenne watched him for a moment.
"She has improved."
"Yes."
"Your trust matters to her."
"I know."
Aurelian sent the outline of the plan to Cassian and requested an immediate secure conference.
His father answered from the same restricted command room as before, though this time only Orvain and two senior military officers were present.
Aurelian explained the timing first.
"We move when the Compact ambush begins. At that point, Drann will believe he is winning, and his main fleet will be committed at Talis Verge. We should have several hours before he understands that Taran’s reinforcements are approaching."
Cassian studied the route. "You are certain those reinforcements will arrive?"
"Eirenne’s evidence makes it likely enough that we should plan around it."
Eirenne added, "Their supply network has shifted again. Long-range fuel reserves are being moved toward the route. The fleet is almost certainly already underway."
Cassian accepted that.
"What is your rescue plan?"
"Neris will remain outside the system with the extraction transports and a concealed escort group. Solenne will control the outer space around the sanctuary world and watch for the return of Compact forces. Lysara will guide us through the old Vhaloric systems. Astra and Rhoswen will accompany me inside."
One of the military officers frowned.
"You intend to enter personally?"
"The sanctuary may require Human authorization. If I stay aboard the Black Crown and the central system refuses everyone we send, the whole operation could fail."
"Could another Human officer do it?"
"Possibly," Aurelian said. "But whoever gains access may receive authority over the sanctuary’s archives, defenses, and sleeping population. I would rather not gamble with that."
Orvain nodded slowly. "He is right."
Cassian did not look pleased, but he did not reject the idea.
"You will not enter until the outer security network is controlled."
"Agreed."
"You will carry an emergency extraction beacon."
"Yes."
"Astra remains with you at all times."
Astra, standing just outside the display range, answered before Aurelian could.
"I will."
Cassian glanced toward her image and gave a small nod.
"Rhoswen handles the breach and forward defense. Lysara handles the old systems. Eirenne maintains communication and attempts to take control from outside."
"That is the plan."
"And the Black Crown?"
Aurelian hesitated.
The Black Crown was his strongest active ship and the safest command point for the operation.
Leaving it without Astra would reduce its full performance, but it could still operate under prepared command routines and with Eirenne’s support.