<h2>Prologue: Wheel of Fire</h2>


    June 20th, 3266. That date that everyone was prepping for. Chronos had no idea what he was jumping into. But we were blindsided. Fate works out its knots.—Thomas Murphy


    Alert the Fleets. Tell Aether that the mission is a go.—Adm. Y’lansa


    In the end? Even if Hilary were here to deny it? Blood ties still mattered. No matter how far she ran.—Sleeping in Starlight


    Mirror Sector


    Edge of Edenverse


    June 20th, 3266


    Chronos blinked as the white light faded.


    His monitoring systems no longer echoed from the Oort Cloud circling Humanity’s home sector. Static hissed across all systems. He brought up his holo display. The completed Ark hovered silently next to his capital ships. Its outer hull was a mix of metal and living wood. Silvered bark. Red leaves intertwined at critical junctions.


    A small chime at his left shoulder rose in volume. <<Incoming targets.>>


    Bright sparks lit up the space between stars as millions of vessels jumped in.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    <<Identified. Dominion status confirmed.>>


    Chronos frowned, “It will not be enough. Daughter.”


    He watched as the symbols disappeared on the surface of Noah’s ship.


    *****


    Z’ahramdus came alive as the Keeper drones crawled within his skull. He had made a pact with the she-devil. It mattered not who he served as long as he could consume all in his path. He spat green fire into the void. The wraiths clung to Chronos’ forward screen vessels. They would find a way in. Such was the purpose of those who resided outside the Path of the Ouroborous. His draconic eyes glittered. To any normal observers, his eyes were the size of gas giants. Yellowed pupils widened as he saw it.


    Noah’s Ark.


    It would burn. His lips pulled back. He beltched additional flames.


    He would taste the sweet delight of Thronebearer flesh once more. This Dominion’s path assured him of it. Z’ahramdus snorted as Brood shock troopers exploded from the inner holds of Chronos’ capital vessels. Their outer armor glinted a sullen wine coloration as they approached his first flame barriers.


    Dominion purred, <<Eat and be merry for today my father dies.>>


    The Necrotic Void dragon replied, <<Why just kill him? Why not feast upon his flesh? Make each second count!>>


    Hilary paused.


    That angle did have merit. She sent additional energy into Z’ahramdus as thanks.


    She hooked into his feed, “Oh father! Won’t you come out and play?!”


    *****


    Deep within the Ark, the countdown resumed, its mission not yet finished.


    A single droid scurried over to the main guidance platform. Its spherical shape turning the color of olive green. Comet’s yellowed iris expanded, <<In position.>> He had missed his friends but the ship had kept him whole within the deep sleep. Letting him watch as the Terran Alliance grew alongside the Arcane and Unseen Orders.


    Noah’s soul shard phased through the Ur-Flow.  He would never again see the Lighthouse of Reflections. Metal flowed over his shard.


    He would see this mission to its end.


    Comet hummed a familiar tune, <<…the final charge of the light brigade!>>