As the council chooses, so the strength of our banner grows. Six cutters join the fleet from the garrison reserves of the Kindred Fortress, eager warriors of distant Sovendahl, glad to join their kin in this campaign. These are new eyes on the voidward battlefield, a premier source of reconnaissance, and a fierce spearhead when they are pulled together. Elsewhere, by the outer bastions, the first Nuzirrim are beginning to break through. Slowed in its advance, the bulk of the

Faint, a mere glittering of dust and fire, hostile battle lines are drawn across the stars. The tall ships of Nuzirrim and Tir stand firm against one another, locked in vast formations, maneuvering hour by hour. But in-between them, lesser vessels run freely, skirmishers rushing fast along the periphery, charging at the flanks and breaking through where they can. Harriers and cutters, corvettes and harpies needling at the enemy, exposing weaknesses and drawing blood, tipping