The first medical transports reached Sanctuary Ardent less than six minutes after Aurelian gave the order.
They came down through the western approach in a tight line, flying low between the mountain ridges while Solenne’s ships held the sky above them.
Neris guided the landing herself, placing the lead transports beside the newly opened cargo shafts that Eirenne had brought back online.
Inside the command room, Aurelian watched their signals appear one after another.
"First group has landed," Eirenne said. "Neris is moving medical teams into the lower halls now."
"Keep the route clear."
"I am already shifting the sanctuary’s internal traffic controls. Compact personnel are being blocked away from the western shafts."
Aurelian nodded and turned his attention back to the map of the sanctuary.
The surrender message had weakened the remaining defenders, but it had not ended the fighting.
Some soldiers had accepted the proof that Yarric was captured and laid down their weapons.
Others refused to believe it. A few groups had stopped answering entirely and were now moving toward storage rooms, maintenance levels, and the western barracks.
Astra studied the movement.
"They are not all acting together."
"No," Aurelian said. "The command structure is broken."
That made the situation easier in one way and harder in another. The Compact soldiers could no longer organize a proper defense, but smaller groups might panic and do something foolish, especially if they believed Drann’s fleet was about to return.
Yarric sat under guard near the wall, restrained by two support frames. He had stopped speaking, though his eyes followed every change on the tactical display.
Rhoswen noticed.
"You look disappointed."
Yarric said nothing.
She leaned slightly closer.
"You should be. Your people are surrendering."
"Some of them are frightened," he finally said. "That is not the same as surrender."
"It looks very similar from here."
Aurelian stepped between them before the exchange could continue.
"Rhoswen."
"I was only talking."
"I know."
That was the problem.
Aurelian turned back to Eirenne. "Which group is the greatest risk?"
"The western barracks. Nearly two hundred soldiers are gathered there, including several officers from Yarric’s security staff. They have sealed the entrances and moved weapons into the central training hall."
Astra looked toward the map.
"That hall is large enough for them to organize."
"It is also close to the western cargo route," Aurelian said.
If those soldiers pushed out at the wrong time, they could reach the medical teams moving toward the preservation halls. He could not allow that.
"Can you isolate the barracks completely?" he asked.
"I can lock most outer doors and cut their communications, but they still control local power and several maintenance exits."
"Then we take it."
Rhoswen lifted her shield immediately.
Aurelian looked at her.
"Carefully."
Her expression grew patient, the way people do when they have heard the same warning too many times.
"I understand."
Astra checked the charge on her weapon.
"What about the other sectors?"
"Eirenne can keep them separated for now. We clear the barracks first, then the storage compounds."
Aurelian left eight support frames in the command room to guard Yarric and the captured officers.
He took the rest with him, along with Astra and Rhoswen, and moved through the northern passage toward the western barracks.
The sanctuary felt different now.
When they first entered, every corridor seemed hostile. Doors closed in front of them, alarms filled the walls, and Compact soldiers rushed toward every breach.
Now the old systems obeyed Aurelian.
Security doors opened before they reached them. Lights turned on in dark passages. Ancient signs appeared along the walls, showing routes the Compact had never known how to use.
At several junctions, frightened soldiers stepped out with their hands raised. Support frames took their weapons and directed them toward secured holding rooms.
Others tried to hide.
Eirenne found most of them through the sanctuary’s sensors.
Aurelian did not waste time searching every room. Those who remained hidden were isolated and left behind.
The evacuation mattered more than chasing frightened men who no longer had any way to interfere.
As they approached the barracks, the sound of voices carried through the walls.
The Compact troops inside were confused.
Some wanted to break out and reach the command room. Others wanted to hold their position until the fleet returned.
A few were arguing that Yarric’s capture meant the sanctuary had already fallen and that further resistance would accomplish nothing.
Eirenne listened through the local system.
"They do not trust each other," she said. "Several junior officers are challenging the senior staff."
"Can we use that?" Astra asked.
"Probably."
Aurelian stopped at the final junction before the barracks entrance. The main doors stood ahead, reinforced with military locks.
Two smaller service passages connected to the sides, while maintenance shafts ran above and below the training hall.
He studied the layout.
"We do not storm the main door yet."
Rhoswen looked disappointed.
Aurelian continued before she could comment.
"Eirenne, can you send orders through their local network?"
"Yes. They still believe the barracks system is under Compact control."
"Tell them the command staff has ordered every remaining unit to assemble in the training hall for evacuation duty."
Astra understood immediately.
"You want them in one place."
"Exactly."
Rhoswen looked toward the heavy doors.
"And then we surround them."
Aurelian nodded.
Eirenne created the order using Yarric’s captured command authority. She copied the proper language, attached the correct access seals, and sent it through the barracks network.
For several minutes, nothing happened.
Then the movement began.
Soldiers left their sleeping rooms, storage sections, and guard posts. Some complained openly about the sudden instruction, but most obeyed because the message appeared to come from the highest remaining authority inside the sanctuary.
A few officers asked for confirmation.
Eirenne answered each request through the same network.
The training hall slowly filled.
"They are almost all inside," she reported. "One hundred and seventy-three confirmed. Twenty-one remain in side rooms or maintenance posts."
"Can you lock the side rooms?"
"Yes."
"Do it."
Heavy doors closed throughout the barracks.
The remaining soldiers found themselves trapped in small sections with no access to the main hall or the outer corridors.
At the same time, the lights around the central training area dimmed as Eirenne took control of the local power.
Aurelian divided the support frames between the side passages.
Astra moved toward the eastern entrance.
Rhoswen took the west.
Aurelian remained at the main doors.
"Wait until everyone is in place," he said.
Rhoswen’s voice came through the channel.
"I am in place."
Astra answered a moment later.
"So am I."
Eirenne checked the room one final time.
"Most of the soldiers are unarmored. Some have rifles, but their heavier equipment remains in the storage cages. There are no combat frames inside."