The dust still hung thick in the air, mixing with the acrid smell of spent powder and burning fuel. Valkyrie Fang's gates stood half-open, scarred and smoking. Bodies, traitor and otherwise lay scattered across the churned earth like broken dolls.
Astrid walked forward slowly, wrists bound in heavy mag-cuffs that hummed faintly with restraining current to prevent her power. Two Norbata soldiers flanked her, rifles at low-ready. Behind her, the survivors of Valkyrie Fang, men, women, children stood in a ragged line, watching in stunned silence. A thousand eyes followed every step.
Olivia waited beside the lead jeep, arms crossed, her sharp face unreadable under the brim of her cap. The commissioner's uniform was crisp despite the battle; the insignia on her shoulder gleamed.
She studied Astrid for a long moment before speaking, voice low enough that only the two of them and the nearest guards could hear.
