Lucifer didn't look up at the floating city.
"Vexia," Lucifer commanded, his voice a low, steady rumble of absolute authority. "Engage the Aether-Nova Engine. Prepare the blind jump to the upper stratosphere."
"I am prepping the jump sequence now," Vexia confirmed rapidly. "But I need five minutes to charge the spatial anchors. We are holding position."
"No," Lucifer corrected her smoothly. "You aren't holding. You are jumping the second it's ready. You are evacuating."
Silence fell over the comms link.
"Evacuating?" Celeste's voice crackled through. The High Ranger was stationed in the lower armory. "Commander, the ground troops are sealed. The Dragoons are recalled. We are ready to move. But you are still on the pillar."
"I am covering the retreat," Lucifer stated coldly.
