"Commander Yarric is in custody. Put down your weapons and return to the holding sector."
The voices outside stopped.
Then another man spoke.
"This is Captain Dresk. We know who you are, Arcturus. Open the door and leave the reactor level."
"No."
"You have taken the sanctuary. You do not need the core."
"We need it running."
"If you remain, we will destroy it."
Rhoswen glanced toward Aurelian.
"He is not very good at surrendering."
Aurelian kept his attention on the door.
"Captain Dresk, damaging the reactor will kill the people in the preservation halls."
"They are not our concern."
The answer came too quickly.
Aurelian had heard enough.
"Eirenne, open the first layer only."
The outer section of the door unlocked.
The soldiers reacted at once and forced it wider, believing they had broken through the final defense.
They entered the short security chamber between the outer and inner doors.
Eirenne closed the first door behind them.
