A dark cloud of smoke engulfed the horizon, sending a jolt of fear through my body. I pleaded with Beta Witto again, my voice shaking, “Please, let me go see what's happening!”

He gave me a cold look. “We've been ordered to hold this spot. We can't just bail on our duty.”

“But don't you see?” I said, my voice growing more urgent. “The Star Ocean pack isn’t attacking here like we expected. The real threat is at the west ridge. We need to send ...