The central command compound lay several levels above the preservation halls, connected to the lower sectors by old service corridors that had been widened and reinforced after the Drael Compact took control of Sanctuary Ardent.
Aurelian moved quickly through the eastern passage with Astra and Rhoswen beside him, while Lysara remained behind to help Vaela organize the medical teams and begin checking the first preservation chambers.
Eirenne guided them through the sanctuary network, closing doors behind them and opening alternate routes ahead whenever Compact security tried to block their path.
The enemy had already realized that the intruders were not moving blindly.
That made them nervous.
It also made them dangerous.
"They are concentrating around the central command level," Eirenne reported. "At least one hundred and forty soldiers, six combat frames, and several fixed defense positions."
Rhoswen adjusted her grip on the shield.
"So they finally decided to make this difficult."
Aurelian looked at her.
"Carefully."
"I know."
"You say that very quickly now."
"I have been practicing."
Astra glanced at her.
"That is true."
Rhoswen looked pleased by the support, though she hid it by raising her shield higher as they reached the next junction.
The corridor ahead was blocked by a security door large enough to stop armored vehicles.
Compact engineers had reinforced the edges with modern locking clamps, probably because they did not trust the older Vhaloric systems to remain under their control forever.
That concern had been reasonable.
Eirenne tried the command network first.
"The central lock has been removed from the sanctuary system," she said. "It is controlled locally."
Aurelian looked toward Rhoswen.
She immediately stepped forward.
"Now?"
"Now."
Rhoswen planted her shield against the center of the door while two support frames attached cutting charges to the locking clamps. Astra moved to the side, watching the narrow service openings for any sign of enemy weapons.
The charges went off together.
Rhoswen pushed.
The door resisted for several seconds before the damaged clamps finally gave way. Metal screamed against metal as the entire section bent inward and slid across the floor.
Rhoswen looked back at Aurelian.
"Carefully."
"You removed the entire door."
"It was blocking the way."
Astra passed her without slowing down.
"That is still more careful than destroying the wall."
Rhoswen nodded seriously.
"Exactly."
Aurelian decided not to encourage either of them.
The corridor beyond the door was empty, but fresh heat signatures marked several positions farther ahead.
Compact soldiers had abandoned the first defensive line and pulled back toward the command level.
That was not a good sign.
"They are giving up ground too easily," Astra said.
Aurelian agreed.
"They want us inside a smaller area."
Eirenne highlighted several routes on the map.
"There are fixed defense systems around the next two junctions. They may also be preparing to seal the lower elevators."
"Can they still trigger the demolition network from central command?"
"Yes. The main authority remains there, and I cannot remove it without physical access."
"Then we keep moving."
Before they reached the next junction, Vaela contacted them through the local channel.
Her voice was steadier than before, though Aurelian could still hear the strain beneath it.
"We have begun checking the first hall. Many chambers are stable, but some need immediate medical attention. If we start waking people without proper preparation, we will lose them."
"How long do you need?"
"At least several hours for the first group. Longer for the deeper halls."
Aurelian did not like the answer, but he expected it.
"Do what you need to do. Neris’s medical ships are preparing to descend."
"There is something else," Vaela said.
Aurelian slowed.
"What?"
"One of the Compact researchers may be willing to help us."
Rhoswen looked toward the communication display.
"A Compact researcher?"
"Her name is Serah Venn. At least, that is the name she has been using. She was assigned to the sanctuary research staff several months ago and has quietly tried to improve conditions for the Human engineers."
"Quietly?" Aurelian asked.
"Small changes. Better food. Shorter shifts. Medical access for people who were becoming too weak to work. Nothing large enough to attract direct attention."
Astra spoke calmly.
"Why would she help?"
"We do not know," Vaela admitted. "But she has tried to contact us more than once."
Aurelian looked toward Eirenne.
"Find her."
"I already am."
The answer came quickly.
Serah Venn was listed as the acting director of the Compact research division inside Sanctuary Ardent.
The position had been created only weeks earlier, though most of the authority attached to it was administrative rather than military.
At first glance, there was nothing unusual about her.
She was educated, politically reliable, and connected to several minor Compact families.
Eirenne looked deeper.
Within seconds, the records began to fall apart.
"The identity is false," she said. "The original Serah Venn died two years ago during a transport accident."
"Then who is she?"
"I am comparing facial data."
A second image appeared beside the first.
The woman was almost the same age, with similar features and hair color, but there were clear differences around the eyes and jaw.
Eirenne found the match inside a sealed Compact criminal archive.
"Her real name is Calira Deyn. She is the surviving daughter of a former Compact councilor who opposed Saevor Drann. Her family was removed during a political purge."
Aurelian understood immediately.
"She is hiding from him."
"Yes. According to the records, every known member of her household was arrested or executed. Calira disappeared before they found her."
Rhoswen frowned.
"Then why hide inside one of Drann’s secret facilities?"
"She likely did not choose it," Astra said.
Eirenne confirmed the guess.
"Her false identity was placed on a list of technical staff conscripted into the sanctuary service. She entered before learning where she was being sent."
That was bad luck on a truly impressive scale.
Aurelian continued down the corridor while Eirenne searched through recent internal records.
"Can she reach the command compound?"
"She is already inside the upper research sector, which connects to the eastern side of central command. Compact soldiers have restricted movement, but her position gives her access to several staff corridors."
"Contact her."
Eirenne hesitated.
"She may panic if approached without preparation."
"Then use her real name."
"That will definitely make her panic."
"It will also prove we know who she is."
Eirenne looked mildly unconvinced, but she followed the order.