The cluster Eirenne had marked lay near the inner shadow lane, where the crystal dust thickened and the navigation space narrowed.
Fighting inside that region would give the beasts every advantage. They knew the terrain. The fleet did not.
So Aurelian chose the battlefield.
A wide clearing near the outer debris arc would serve as the ambush point. The outpost's sensors could still support them from behind, Solenne's drones could spread through the upper dust layer, and Lysara could mark incoming movement before the beasts reached the fleet.
The goal was to lure only a portion of the swarm, destroy or drive them back, then repeat later if the results were worthwhile.
The person chosen to lure them became the next question.
Rhoswen volunteered instantly.
"No," Astra said before Aurelian could answer.
Rhoswen stared at her. "You did not even wait."
"There was no need."
"I am fast enough."
"You are durable enough. That is not the same thing."
