Elara reached the Needle first.
The lock was still there.
A thick band of dark Star-Steel wrapped around the root system, exactly where she'd sealed it twenty years earlier.
She pressed her palm against it.
Nothing.
A red pulse flashed across the surface.
AUTHORIZATION DENIED
Elara swore under her breath and tried again.
Denied.
Again.
Denied.
"Yara."
"I'm aware."
"You knew this would happen."
"Yes."
Elara closed her eyes for a second.
"Why didn't you mention it?"
"Because you would have spent three days arguing."
The answer came immediately.
"We don't have three days."
Elara looked over her shoulder.
Xin was still fighting his way through the last of Voss's guards.
"He looks occupied."
"He'll get here."
Yara sounded annoyingly confident.
"Hold the position."
****
