The first security drones entered the geothermal passage in a tight formation, their weapons raised and their red identification lights flashing against the old walls.
Rhoswen stepped forward without waiting to be told twice.
Her shield expanded across the tunnel’s width, and the first burst of fire struck it hard enough to scatter bright sparks through the passage.
She held her ground while Astra moved along the left side, firing precise shots through the narrow gaps around the shield.
The lead drones fell almost immediately.
Rhoswen advanced before the remaining units could adjust, striking one aside with the edge of her shield and driving another into the wall hard enough to break its weapon mount.
She avoided damaging the pipes and power lines running along the ceiling, though Aurelian could tell it took effort.
For Rhoswen, fighting carefully was much harder than simply destroying everything in front of her.
She was still doing it.
Aurelian followed behind the support frames while Eirenne moved through the sanctuary network, trying to gain access to the deeper systems before Compact security could lock everything down.
"The security response is spreading," she reported. "Compact forces are sealing the nearest internal corridors and moving personnel toward the geothermal sector. Vaela is attempting to delay them by creating false pressure alarms."
"How long can she hold them?" Aurelian asked.
"Not long. The Compact officers inside the sanctuary know the local systems well enough to recognize the pattern."
Lysara looked toward the old markings along the walls as they passed.
"This tunnel connects to the lower engineering ring. If we reach the junction, we should be able to enter the preservation network without passing through the main security compound."
"That is still the plan," Aurelian said.
Another group of drones appeared around the next bend.
This time, Astra moved first.
She fired three shots in quick succession, destroying the weapons on the front units without striking their central cores.
Rhoswen then crossed the remaining distance and knocked them aside while the autonomous frames moved behind her to restrain anything still active.
Aurelian noticed she was not enjoying the restraint, but she had stopped complaining about it.
That was progress.
They reached the first internal junction after seven minutes.
The geothermal passage widened into a circular maintenance chamber filled with old conduits, sealed access doors, and a large central control platform that had been inactive for centuries.
Several Compact soldiers were already waiting there.
Unlike the patrol outside, these soldiers had prepared themselves properly. A portable cover had been placed across the chamber, heavier weapons were aimed toward the tunnel, and two armored mechs stood near the far door.
Their commander opened a communication channel before anyone fired.
"Identify yourselves."
Aurelian stepped forward but remained behind Rhoswen’s shield.
"Aurelian Arcturus, commander of the Crownward March. We are here to secure the sanctuary and evacuate its inhabitants."
The Compact officer stared at him through the channel.
"I have never heard of your March."
"That is intentional."
"You entered sovereign Compact territory, attacked our patrols, and stole authority from our sanctuary systems."
"The sanctuary is Human property," Lysara said from behind him. "Your people opened it without authorization and placed its survivors under armed control."
The officer looked toward her.
His expression shifted when he recognized the Vhaloric insignia on her equipment, though he quickly hid the reaction.
"This installation belongs to the Drael Compact."
"It does not," Lysara replied. "Your people found it. That is not the same thing."
The officer’s eyes narrowed.
"Lower your weapons and surrender. The sanctuary command will determine your fate."
Aurelian already knew the conversation would go nowhere.
"Last chance," he said. "Stand aside. We are not here to kill you."
The Compact commander gave his answer by cutting the channel.
The mechs opened fire.
Rhoswen braced her shield as heavy rounds struck the barrier. The impact pushed her back half a step, but she held her position and allowed Astra to fire past her.
One of the Compact mechs lost its right weapon arm before it could release a second volley.
The other tried to move around the barricade, only for two autonomous frames to launch disruption charges beneath its legs.
Its systems failed for several seconds.
That was enough for Rhoswen.
She crossed the chamber, smashed through the portable cover, and hit the disabled mech directly in the chest with her shield. The machine lifted off the ground and crashed onto its back without exploding.
The soldiers behind it scattered.
Aurelian’s support frames moved in immediately, using stun weapons and restraint lines rather than live fire.
A few Compact soldiers continued resisting, but most dropped their weapons once they realized the March forces were taking prisoners.
The Compact commander tried to reach the far control panel.
Lysara fired a light pulse into the wall beside his hand.
He froze.
"Do not touch that," she said.
The man slowly raised his hands.
The fight ended less than a minute later.
Rhoswen looked around the chamber, apparently checking whether she had broken anything important.
Aurelian noticed the concern and almost smiled.
"Damage?"
Eirenne checked the local systems.
"Minor. One conduit ruptured, but it is not connected to preservation power."
Rhoswen looked relieved.
"I told you I could breach carefully."
"You also threw a mech across the room," Astra said.
"It landed safely."
The disabled mech gave a weak metallic groan from the floor.
Astra looked at it.
Rhoswen added, "Mostly safely."
Lysara moved to the central control platform and connected another Vhaloric access tool. Ancient symbols appeared across the surface, followed by a long list of inactive systems.
"The engineering ring still has power," she said. "The deeper preservation grid is isolated, but the access route remains available."
Aurelian looked toward Eirenne. "Can you reach Vaela from here?"
"I am trying."
Her projection flickered as she pushed deeper into the sanctuary network.
For several seconds, she said nothing.
Then the chamber lights dimmed.
A second later, a Human face appeared on the central display.
Vaela Renn looked exhausted.
She was probably in her late forties, though preservation treatment and stress made her age difficult to judge.