Chapter 29 · You killed us

He rolled the machine left. The missile clipped the shoulder armor and spun him into a burning transport.

The cockpit filled with heat. Kane smelled scorched metal. His vision narrowed.

"You killed us," Harrow said.

"I didn't give the order."

"You followed it."

"I was following Victor's command."

"You were following your fear."

Kane slammed his fist against the console. "I said shut up!"

The voices multiplied.

Every dead pilot climbed into the cockpit with him. They crowded the narrow space, shoulder to shoulder, their uniforms torn and wet with black simulation blood. One pressed a hand against Kane's helmet. Another leaned over his seat.

"Who locked the gate?"

"Who changed the launch route?"

"Who told us the Bastion would cover our retreat?"

"Who survived?"

Kane tried to breathe. The helmet tightened around his face.

"Stop it!"

"Answer us."

"You're code!"

"Then why do you remember our names?"

The cockpit shook again. The battlefield broke apart and rebuilt itself around him. The Ash Warden stood in the middle of the eastern gate, one leg damaged, ammunition empty.

The same position.

The same trap.

The same countdown.

00:31.

Kane saw the command feed open on the right side of the display.