• "He's what?" Jean shrieked. Ewan had never heard such a piercing noise in all his life.

    "Your father's left," the guard said. "He has asked for no one to interfere. This is grown-up business, something you wouldn't understand."

    Ewan sat down and rubbed his face. His hand had the same icy grip to it as Jerrad. The area was too hostile for even the Aums' presence; the Gigasi were furious. He had watched them rampage through the fortress. Their heads were stronger than diamonds, and could smash the place into pieces.

    William ran down the hall towards the Chancellor's office where Jean and Ewan were. In his hand was one of the documents they had secured late last night. Soon Gina and Drake were following behind him with large crates. "Guys!" he said. "We have to hurry!"

    Jean turned and Ewan stood up. Hurry? They did not have a mission planned for today. "What are you talking about?" Ewan asked.

    "We just saw it on the news, and it's right here in this log! The Aums are retreating." Will was panting, and the others caught up to him easily.

    "Retreating? They can't leave, it's impossible," Jean scoffed.

    "They're going to exterminate the Gigasi." Will handed the paper to the two of them. In this dim light, it was hard to read what was written. Jean read from the paper, Ewan's eyes too poor to see much.

    "After reviewing the recent attacks made by these so-called 'gentle creatures', Admiral Jerrad announced to the councilmen that the U.S.S. Leviathan is fully functional. We will launch the attack for Georigin this friday, starting with the native inhabitants that relentlessly attack us."

    "Wait, Leviathan? We have a record of the three ships they arrived with, but not this one."

    "Thats because the Leviathan is underground, in the Gigasi's nest," Drake said. "The other reports confirm it, and boy, it's a doozy. Solar powered weapons, cannons, and enough firepower to carve out another gorge."

    Ewan swallowed. His mouth went dry. These kinds of weapons were right under their noses? He had witnessed the extent of Azrael's main cannon, and he kept a reminder of it himself. "What will we do? The war's been hindered because we can't get over that gorge."

    "We managed it yesterday, but there isn't enough time. Gina? Would you like to explain?"

    For the first time, Ewan got to hear Gina's voice, although it was small and delicate, much like the girl herself. "After he stole Azrael, Vlad wanted the technology replicated. He had me construct a prototype, and his scientists perfected it. We have enough ships on hand to get this war off of the ground. They're easy to pilot, and if we can hurry, we can catch up to Vlad in time."

    Gina turned, ran down the hall, and motioned for the rest of them to follow. Drake left his crate unopened and the guards' responsibility. That crate would never be seen again...