Lyria waits alone in a gray interrogation room after surrendering, her story doubted by local Wardens. Holiday ti Nakamura, a Howler and special envoy, arrives with Lionguards, forcibly muzzles and shells Lyria “for protection,” and assumes custody. Holiday threatens the Watchmen with classified charges and orders them collected for debriefing.

Holiday extracts Lyria under blinding strobes to a waiting warship. Armed Martian Lionguards and shadowy airborne escorts secure the shuttle as it lifts off toward the Citadel. Tension rises; the crew fears another attempt by the kidnappers and keeps weapons ready.

En route, the pilot reports incoming Barca-marked aircraft—fourteen atmospheric rippers and two gunboats. Holiday declines SkyLord support to keep the matter quiet. Victra au Barca opens a channel, demanding delivery of the “Red terrorist,” claiming her daughter was taken. Holiday insists Lyria is the only lead and must be brought in for questioning; Victra threatens to cut Lyria from the ship.

Choosing speed over escalation, Holiday orders full throttle and return fire only, anticipating boarders. The shuttle endures impacts and drilling on the hull but punches through the ripWing line toward the Citadel. As they approach, Augustus-aligned vessels and dozens of armored fighters rise from the pads, led by Niobe au Telemanus, signaling a looming clash.