The voice returned moments later, still crackling and almost incomprehensible. “—Gate this—Legion Command Soter—”
Adequin stepped forward as Jackin carefully typed in a few slow commands, narrowing in on the signal. He backed away, then she sat and pressed the link. “This is Excubitor Adequin Rake with the SCS Argus, hailing from Kharon Gate.”
“Copy, sir,” a male voice responded. “Loud and clear. Sorry, sir, did you say the Argus?”
“Yes. Who am I speaking with?”
“Oculus Rio Murphy, sir,” he said, his youthful voice wavering.
“Where are you, Murphy?” Adequin asked.
“The Drift Belt, sir. Soteria cluster, Poine Gate.”
Adequin scooted closer to the edge of her chair. “Soldier, we were forced to evacuate our post aboard the SCS Argus, stationed at the Divide. We’ve regrouped at Kharon Gate, but it’s been abandoned. Do you know what happened to the troops that should be stationed here?”
“Uh, sir, sorry, sir,” Murphy said quickly. “But, uh, the SCL has withdrawn from the Divide, including Kharon Gate. Eris and Zelus too, and some others…”
Jackin scoffed. “Did they plan to tell us that?”
Adequin pressed the link again. “Oculus, are forces being summoned elsewhere?”
“No, sir.”
“Then why are we withdrawing?”
“Sir, that information is Caesus Level Delta, sir.”
“I have Alpha clearance.”
“But I don’t,” he said. “I don’t have that information, sir.”
“Is there someone there who does? Where’s your CO?”
“Off-site, sir. We’re on skeleton crews here.”
“And you know nothing about why we’re withdrawing?”
“Well…” He cleared his throat and hesitated.
“Speak freely, soldier,” she encouraged.
“Nothing official, but there’s been talk. The withdrawal order came down right after the LPWA passed.”
She glared at the comm link in confusion. She had no idea what that meant.
“Fucking goddamn—” A gruff voice began a tirade of exasperated cursing, and Adequin turned around to find Cavalon gripping his hair with both hands.
“Oculus…” she warned.
“Sorry,” he said, releasing his head. He lowered his voice. “That’s Augustus’s doing.”
“Explain.”
“LPWA—Legion Personnel Welfare Act.” He gritted his teeth. “The Guardians.”
Jackin crossed his arms. “Excuse me?”
Adequin sighed. “They intend to start replacing Legion soldiers with cloned Drudgers.”
Vaguely aware of a clamor of hushed voices rising up behind her, Adequin tried to stay focused on Jackin as his brow furrowed. “You’re saying these Guardians are supposed to come replace the Sentinels?” he asked.
Cavalon shrugged. “Maybe, or at least to start. Probably some kind of trial run.”
“But why pull us away before sending replacements?” Adequin asked.
Jackin scowled. “More importantly, why’d we never get a withdrawal order?”
Adequin turned back to the comms screen and pressed the link. “Murphy, we never received an order to withdraw.”