CHAPTER 37
The Call: Hours Before the Match
It was late afternoon, just hours before final muster would bring the entire complex to the parade grounds for the Champion’s Special Match. Finn was in the middle of a dense, isolated jungle on his priority mission, surrounded by the heat and the ceaseless buzz of insects.
He stood on a ridge, the single bar of satellite connection clutched in his hand. He had heard about the challenge only moments ago, relayed through an emergency encrypted channel.
He stared at the number on the screen—a private line he rarely used—and hit connect. It rang twice before Ryle’s voice, cool and utterly detached, answered.
“Ryle.” He spoke almost as if he was in a rush. “Ryle, it's Finn. I just got the emergency file.”
Ryle sighed, the Champion’s impatience
