Page 60 of Honor Bound

“We can’t lose Tesla Terra. It would be devastating. The rebellion will be over if the Legion destroys the planet,” General Ba’tar exclaimed, his deep voice raising.

“Never! The Torrians will stand and fight,” General Natta Gomerant stated.

Josh glanced around the room again. His eyes were hard, sharp, and focused. This was not the time for democracy. He needed to make a command decision.

“And you would all die, along with billions of people on the planet,” he said in a quiet voice that spoke volumes.

That realization was enough to silence the dissent. He knew he had their attention. When he spoke, he let the weight of what they were facing sink in.

“The Legion’s new weapon is our target. We destroy it, we set them back. A full, frontal attack would be suicide and accomplish nothing but hand the Legion certain victory,” he stated.

“What do you suggest? That we let the Legion destroy this base and sacrifice all the people—many of whom are our family—to run and hide?” General Har asked, his voice low.

Josh shook his head. “No. To slay a giant, sometimes it takes a small, strategic strike. The Legion will be anticipating a large-scale attack. What we need is a distraction. While they are looking the other way, I suggest a small team goes in, boards the space lab, and blows the shit out of it.”

“How? You would need someone who knows the layout of this space lab, how to get on a Legion vessel, and bypass the surrounding ships,” General Natta Gomerant said.

Josh looked up when the door silently slid open. His expression softened and a small smile pulled at the corner of his mouth when he saw who had entered. He bowed his head in greeting.

“You have someone with an intimate knowledge of not only the space lab, but the Legion,” a deep voice said.

The room stilled.

Two figures stepped into the command center—Roan Landais, the legendary Legion general-turned-rebel, and Julia Marksdale, the woman who had defied the Legion and lived to tell the tale.

Roan’s presence was a commanding force of its own, his tall frame cutting through the tension like a blade. Julia stood beside him, unwavering, her eyes determined with quiet resolve.

A murmur swept through the room—recognition, distrust, awe.

Josh lifted his chin, his voice carrying through the stunned silence. “May I present General Roan Landais, former Legion officer… and Dr. Julia Marksdale, an Ancient of the Gallant.”

Julia arched an eyebrow at him but said nothing.

Roan’s eyes swept the room, cool and assessing. “You want to stop the Legion’s weapon?” he questioned, his voice calm but commanding.

He let the words hang before adding, “Then you’re going to need me.”

Together, Roan and Julia walked to the front of the room to stand next to Josh and Cassa. The room parted as members of the Gallant rebellion warily followed Roan’s approach. Josh kept his expression neutral when Julia raised her eyebrow at him and mouthed ‘Ancient Knight of the Gallant?’

Roan turned and studied the room. “The space lab contains a weapon capable of killing everyone and everything on the planet. There are two components to it. One is the sonic cannon that will blast a hole through the atmosphere. The second is the system controlling the cylinders containing the parasites that will strip the oxygen. Both must be destroyed. One will not work without the other, but they can individually have a devastating effect on the planet. It won’t be easy, but—” He paused and glanced at Josh before continuing, “…but I believe if a small team can gain access to the ship, it can be done. The destruction would be devastating to the Legion.”

“And you believe you are capable of doing this?” General Ba’tar asked.

“Yes.”

“How can we trust you? You-your father—” General Natta Gomerant started to say before she shook her head.

“I trust him… and I will be with him as part of his team,” Julia stated, sliding her hand into Roan’s.

Josh couldn’t hide his grin at Julia’s cool, commanding glare. He had been on the receiving end of it and knew how powerful it was. He stepped forward with Cassa by his side.

“Cassa and I will be part of his team as well,” he said. “We will need volunteers for the second team with the ability to take down the cannon system they will use to punch a hole into the atmosphere.”

“We volunteer. There is no way we would let you have all the fun, isn’t that right,dusha moya?”

Josh’s eyes widened when two figures who had been standing in the shadows of the room stepped forward. He shook his head when he saw Sergi’s mischievous grin. Now all they needed was Ash and Mei to join in the fun.

La’Rue elbowed Sergi who winced and grinned. “She is blood thirsty and is amazing with a wrench.”

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