The war raged beyond the ocean’s edge, but within the steel walls of Deep Crown, another battle was brewing—one of trust, betrayal, and survival.

  Elizabeth paced outside the command center, hands balled into fists, pulse hammering against her ribs. She had to tell him. She had to say something before it was too late.

  Nathan stood at the holomap, analyzing their next strike with Rafael and Ortega at his side. The tactical display projected enemy positions across the water—three more harvesters, one dangerously close to the Vey’Narii city.

  Elizabeth took a steady breath and stepped forward.

  "Nathan, I—"

  "Sir," Ortega cut in, barely sparing her a glance. "We should target the harvester closest to the city first. If it activates its gravitational siphon, they’re done for."

  Elizabeth clenched her teeth. Not now.

  Nathan nodded, scanning the data. "Agreed. We hit them hard before they get the chance."

  She tried again. "Nathan, I need to—"

  The door hissed open. Sinclair entered, shadowed by the low light, silent as a predator.

  Elizabeth froze.

  He was watching her.

  His eyes lingered for a moment too long before shifting back to Nathan. "Just came to check in. I assume you’re not planning on letting these bastards breathe."

  Nathan didn’t look up. "No, we’re not."

  Elizabeth backed away. Now wasn’t the time. She turned and left, feeling the weight of Sinclair’s gaze on her back.

  The nervous glances. The hesitation. The subtle tremors beneath composure. Elizabeth Ward was hiding something.

  And he wasn’t the only one who noticed.

  "She’s lying to you," Sinclair murmured.

  Nathan finally looked up. "What are you talking about?"

  Sinclair didn’t blink. "Her breathing’s off. Eyes keep darting, hands fidgeting. I’ve seen it in men about to betray their squad or run for their lives."

  Nathan’s face hardened. "You sure?"

  Sinclair’s gaze sharpened. "I don’t say things unless I’m sure."

  A beat of silence. Then—

  "Confirmed."

  Nathan turned toward the interface. ANDI’s voice was calm, but the data wasn’t.

  "Lieutenant Ward’s vital signs have been elevated. Increased heart rate. Blood pressure rising at unusual intervals. Psychological analysis suggests internal conflict—potential deception."

  Nathan’s fists clenched. "Where is she now?"

  "Her quarters," ANDI responded. "She appears to be… conflicted."

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  Sinclair exhaled slowly. "You want to wait and see, or you want the truth now?"

  Nathan didn’t answer. He was already moving.

  Elizabeth sat at her desk, staring at the encrypted console. The hum of Deep Crown’s systems felt deafening.

  She couldn’t keep this up.

  With a deep breath, she pressed the transmission key.

  “Mission terminated.”

  Static.

  Then a voice.

  "You misunderstand the scope of your orders, Lieutenant Ward. Termination is not an option."

  She stiffened.

  "Deliver the information. Or suffer the consequences."

  Her stomach twisted.

  "You deceived me, Calloway," she hissed. "I won’t be your pawn anymore."

  She barely heard the sharp intake of breath behind her.

  She turned—Nathan stood in the doorway.

  The silence was crushing.

  "You had plenty of chances," he said, his voice low, controlled fury radiating from him. "You could’ve told me before the battle. Before we almost died together."

  "Nathan, I—"

  "Get out of my sight."

  The words hit like a gunshot.

  She didn’t argue. She didn’t beg. She left.

  The air in the command center was thick, hostile.

  Nathan stood at the center, his presence commanding. Around him, the crew watched Elizabeth like a caged animal. She stood alone.

  "I say we throw her out," Ortega snapped. "She’s a traitor."

  "She made a mistake," Elizabeth said through clenched teeth. "I was lied to."

  "So were we," Sinclair said. "Difference is, we didn’t send enemy intel while doing it."

  Nathan exhaled sharply. "We need every hand on deck."

  "You can’t be serious," Ortega spat.

  Nathan met Elizabeth’s gaze, his face impassive. "You’ll prove yourself. Or you won’t. Either way, we don’t have time for this."

  Then the alarms blared.

  Nathan turned, his mind already shifting gears. "ANDI, report."

  "Critical food supply detected. Rations will not sustain the crew beyond five days."

  A cold chill settled over the room.

  Sinclair cursed under his breath. "We were so busy staying alive, we didn’t stop to check if we’d starve to death."

  Nathan rubbed a hand down his face. "How long can we stretch it?"

  ANDI’s interface pulsed. "At maximum rationing? Seven days. Not enough."

  Ortega slammed his hand against the table. "So what the hell do we do? We’re in the middle of an ocean with no land."

  Nathan’s jaw tightened. "We find food. We don’t have a choice."

  A silence stretched.

  Then—Kaelen’s voice echoed through the comms.

  "We have a solution."

  Nathan stood before the water wall, the Vey’Narii city gleaming behind it.

  Kaelen’s bioluminescent form shimmered, his eyes watching him carefully. Behind him, the elders stood—watching. Waiting. Judging.

  Nathan didn’t give them the satisfaction of intimidation. "We need food."

  Kaelen studied him. "We can provide sustenance from the ocean. We harvest creatures that will sustain you. It is…not what you are used to, but it will keep you alive."

  Nathan exhaled, already accepting the reality. They would adapt. They had no choice.

  "And fresh water?" he asked.

  Kaelen hesitated. "There are rumors."

  Nathan’s eyes narrowed. "Of what?"

  Kaelen’s voice dropped. "Land."

  Silence.

  The words hung between them.

  Nathan tilted his head. "You said there was no land."

  Kaelen’s expression didn’t change. "I said no one has seen it. But some believe it exists. Far beyond the reach of the Phyrax. If it does… it could be your only chance."

  Nathan turned to his crew.

  He didn’t need to ask.

  They knew.

  They had a war to fight. But they also had to survive.

  And that meant finding the land.

  "Then we find it," Nathan said. "Before it’s too late."

  The war wasn’t just about the Vey’Narii anymore. Now, it was about the survival of Deep Crown itself.