Chapter Three: The Admission Order from the Stars

He looked toward the hangar. Behind thick doors, Astra-X's chest core lit as if answering. Admiral Ardent's voice came through the comm. "Voss, you may refuse. You have barely recovered." Leon raised his head and looked at the proud red-white mech in the center of the arena. He remembered the meal voucher on the ground. He remembered twenty-three percent. He remembered the words spoken in the deep mine: sole compatible pilot. "Astra-X," he said softly. "Here." "Let them know we have arrived." The hangar gates thundered open. The deep silver giant stepped into the arena of Starsea Main. For the first time, the entire academy went silent.