“Reattaching the final panel.”

Dr. Lockhart’s voice sounds hollow and raspy through her helmet’s communicator. She reaches for another tool from the magnetized box on the hull beside her. Over the curve of Heimdall Station, the yellow glow of light reflecting off Andvari’s rings is a familiar sight, but not one that she has the time to appreciate right now.

“Secured. Returning to Airlock C. Give those frequencies another scan now.”

With a short burst from her propulsion jets, the station commander glides effortlessly towards the opening. Far below, the swirling, dark mass of the Wellspring Storm obscures part of the continents of Valhalla.

Valentina wastes little time once the air lock is secured, removing her equipment and making her way to the station’s communication center. Heimdall was a marvel of ingenuity, combining technology from 5 different worlds to achieve something not yet seen on Valhalla, in no small part thanks to Dr. Valentina Lockhart herself. Growing up on a Martian research and engineering colony, she had learned to be resourceful from a young age. The struggle for the recognition of Martian sovereignty by the nations of Earth had only helped to reinforce those early lessons, and taught her the value of cold, hard resolve.

“Anything? Did you check the encrypted channels?” she asks one of the Primadons seated at the radio controls. He shakes his head in response.

“Nothing. No signs of any transmissions.”

Dr. Lockhart puts a hand to her temple. “Alright, that’s it, we can’t wait any longer. Tune to the covert emergency frequency.” She picks up a receiver.

“Montfre 1, this is Heimdall. Montfre 1, this is Heimdall. We have not received communication for over 20 cycles. We are engaging operation Stjornufall, repeat engaging operation Stjornufall. Over and out.”

She had no choice. This was the agreed-upon protocol if General Vydar went this long without any contact. He was probably too deep to be reached by any reliable signal. Or worse. Besides, Qhyrion’s actions needed reigning in. This new “covenant” was useful for their aims for now, but it carried too much risk to be managed by someone outside the inner circle.

“Jayar, Nurim, are any of the drop bays ready for deployment?”

The other Primadon turns to her.

“Hangar 2 just finished prepping after the last Deflectatron deployment, commander,” Nurim responds.

“Alright then. Both of you suit up and meet me in Bay 2 in 5. Target the coordinates we identified in the last surface scan.”

“Commander, are you sure?” Jayar asks.

“Positive,” Valentina says, and checks the blaster secured at her hip. “Sometimes, if you need something done right, you’ve just got to do it yourself.”

Dr. Valentina Lockhart is available in the Scientists of the Umbral Covenant army expansion. Pre-order now for a May 2027 release!