"Commander, what shall we do? It seems like the cradle ship is surrounding the bloom, almost like they're stopping us from getting anywhere near it!" Riku's voice cracked through the bridge, urgency dripping from every word.
From the raised commander's seat, Tenka, Haruka, and Shogo stared at the tactical map, their faces grim. The glowing display pulsed in ominous reds, where the cradle ships were holding position, forming an iron wall around the bloom.
The best case scenario, the only realistic scenario, was to stay back.
Fighting the Supreme Commander wasn't even on the table. Tenka could match raw power with almost anyone, but her endurance… That was her weakness. In a drawn-out fight, she'd lose. And without Serica or Yura backing them up, the odds tilted hard against them.
"But… Kentaro…" Tenka's voice trailed off, almost swallowed by the hum of the ship. She bit her nail, eyes fixed on the bloom like she could somehow will it to open.
