A transport ship *Grey's Honor* cut through the void between Earth and Raiju Prime, its autopilot systems maintaining course while its passengers sat in heavy silence. The main cabin should have felt spacious with only five people aboard, but the weight of their recent failures made the air thick and suffocating.
Noah sat by the viewport, watching stars streak past in the familiar blur of hyperspace travel. His armor had been cleaned and repaired by the ship's maintenance systems, but he still felt dirty, still felt the phantom weight of every mistake that had led them to this point. Excaliburn rested across his knees, its void energy dormant but ready.
Sophie occupied the seat across from him, her normal composure replaced by a hollow stare that spoke of exhaustion beyond anything physical. Diana had claimed a corner of the cabin, her tactical mind probably running through scenarios and contingencies, trying to find patterns in their failure that might prevent future disasters.
