While the battle ensued between Purge and the Eclipse task force, somewhere off in the galaxy, a different battle was about to unfold.
Still in orbit above a distant red planet, Grey forces circled, ships holding position, engines idling low while sensors swept the surface below for defensive positioning.
"Confirm insertion points," Lucy said, standing at the command deck's viewport, watching the world turn slow beneath them, its atmosphere hazed a dull, bruised red even from this distance.
"Three viable drop zones," her tactical officer answered. "Courtyard access, western gate, and a secondary entrance near what looks like a detainment structure."
"All three," Lucy said. "At once."
