According to the projection, the Compact's outer defenses would begin falling apart within a few days.
Once that happened, Sanctuary Ardent would cease to be an asset in Drann's eyes and become a problem he could no longer ignore.
It held technology that could not be evacuated quickly enough, along with a massive civilian population that he would never want falling into enemy hands.
The system's prediction was clear.
If the ambush failed, preparations to destroy the sanctuary would begin almost immediately.
Aurelian read the final section of the report twice before closing it.
If no one interfered, the lower halls of Sanctuary Ardent would be destroyed within nine days.
The system could not predict exactly how many people would die.
The lowest estimate was around forty thousand.
The highest was more than 300,000.
For several long moments, Aurelian remained where he was, staring at the dark display without moving.
