The Outlands stretched before me, a graveyard of broken dreams.
I moved through the ruins, my steps silent, my eyes scanning the horizon. Cassian's location was known now. The scouts had tracked him to an old manufacturing plant in the eastern sector. He was there, waiting.
But I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of a fair fight.
I was going to end this. My way.
"Aldric." Valeria's voice came through the communicator. "I've confirmed the location. Cassian is definitely there. But there's something else."
"What?"
"He's not alone. He's got a small army with him. At least fifty soldiers."
"Then I'll need to be careful."
"Aldric, that's suicide."
"I've survived worse."
The line went silent. Then, softly: "I know you have. Just... come back."
"I will."
---
The manufacturing
