The head operators looked over Ryan, who stood in front of the motionless Orion who lay behind him.

He looked over to each and every single one of their faces. Calmly, he initiated.

“Request for a medical capsule and get Violet to attend to it.”

Stuttered coughing can be heard behind as Orion grunted.

Ava knew the decision. She quickly dived to Orion’s side to help relieve him from the choked blood. 

Athena’s crying quickly stopped. She was wrapped in Neka’s arms as she witnessed Orion being taken care of. A response that was unfortunately inconsistent.

“No…” Destoria quickly turned back to Ryan.

Her tone lowered but she knew she had no control over the decision. Her heart ached at the decision but she didn’t feel oppressed. On the contrary, she felt an abnormal feeling of relief. Maybe it could be a second chance. Maybe she was wrong.

“Ryan, what the fuck are you doing?” Kal’s angered voice raised at his comrade.

“This was my decision from the beginning. It had to be done.” He looked over to the ship that came to escort them off the mount top.

Out of the boiling rage from within, Kal pulled out his revolver and aimed right for the head of the fallen brethren.

Before he could pull the trigger, he’d head the pullback of a bowstring. Ava, from Orion’s side, aimed for Kal.

“Drop it, Kal.”

“You’re seriously going to defend what he did?” He yelled over.

“He’s our friend.” She calmly replied.

“He toppled innocent worlds! He slaughtered millions! He nearly killed us! Tortured us. Imprisoned us!” His cry of anger was heard.

Kal primed his revolver. His face lit up in anguish.

“Why would you spare such a cruel piece of shit?”

“Because he’s our friend.”

The grounds would slowly be swarming with Allegiance troopers. A medical capsule accompanied by Ardago and his men would safely extract Orion out of the battlegrounds.

Kal couldn’t stand the merciful gesture. He aggressively holstered back his revolver. He marched over to the ship. 

Now, more than ever, the Head Operators are tested with the ultimate challenge of acceptance or accordance. A trial that risks the future of the universe. The future of the Allegiance.