“So, you’re saying we have to restart a star?” Puck asked.
“Well, no,” Mesa corrected pleasantly. “We have to make a star. Or, primarily, Cavalon does.”
Cavalon pinched the bridge of his nose. “I think I get the theory behind it, guys, but…”
Adequin took a step toward him, lowering her voice. “That’s all any of this has been,” she said, trying to sound encouraging. “Just putting theory into practice. You’ve built hydrogen bombs—it’s similar, right?”
Jackin’s eyes went wide in alarm. “I’m sorry—what?”
“Bombs?” Puck croaked.
“Really…” Mesa’s large eyes narrowed.
Cavalon shook his head. “Similar, maybe … but I mean, you’re asking me to jury-rig a star. Inside of something else. With ancient alien technology I can’t even begin to understand.”
Adequin nodded. “Yeah, I am.”
He stared back at her, unmoving.
“Can you do it?” she asked.
He let out an extremely long breath that went from his nose to his throat in a crackling grumble. “Yeah, I think I can.”
She shook her head. It wasn’t good enough. To risk their lives at a chance to stop this, she needed him to be sure. “I can’t accept that. Can you do it or not?”
Cavalon’s resigned stare flickered into worry. Then his features flattened out, eyes narrowing. “Yes. I can do it.”
Adequin swept her look to Mesa. “Mesa, I would like you to be there to help, but I only want you to go if you feel comf—”
“Excubitor, please,” Mesa scoffed. “I will be going.”
“Jack—”
“Come on, boss.”
Adequin sighed, knowing the futility of trying to talk him out of it. She looked at Griffith next, and her heart sank. “Griff, I think you should stick with the crew. They could use your guidance, and a couple relays inward, you might be able to find a doctor.”
He rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. Adequin swallowed the lump in her throat. Arguing with him would be beyond pointless. Of course, he’d be coming. He literally had nothing left to lose. Hours of life left.
“Fine,” she said, voice weak. She cleared her throat, then turned to Emery and Warner.
“Sir,” Emery said, back straight. “I’m there if you need me, sir.”
Warner nodded. “Me too, EX.”
“Thank you both for all you’ve done,” Adequin said, “but I need you to help out with things here. Report directly to Circitor Eura.”
“Yes, sir,” Emery said.
Warner saluted, fist to chest. “Yes, sir.”
“And me, sir?” Puck asked.
“You need to get the gate turned on, then help Eura get everyone aboard the Synthesis and ready to go through the second we’re back.”
“Excubitor,” Mesa began, then gave a hesitant glance at Puck. “His expertise may be useful. We do not know what kind of issues we may encounter with the generator’s mainframe.”
Adequin wrung her hands. She didn’t want to risk anyone else, but Mesa was right. If they ran into issues with the computers, Puck would be their best shot. She locked eyes with him. “Puck? You up for it?”
“Yes, sir.” His back straightened. “Of course, sir.”
“You understand the risks?”