Chapter 6: The Reserve

Kaito led Mara into the spine, into a corridor no one used anymore. The reserve reactor sat behind a sealed hatch marked with the founder’s crest. Dust lay in the grooves of its bolts.

“It was meant to be lit once,” Kaito said. “They built it as a bridge. We turned the bridge into a home.”

He opened the panel and showed her the ignition path. Power could be routed from the ring, but only if life support dropped to bare minimum. Vaults would hold most people, but many were already sleeping. The Wake Circle would have to keep the ship alive with half the oxygen and a fraction of the heat.

“We can do it,” Mara said.

“We can try,” Kaito replied.

They returned to the ring to find Councilor Dax waiting. His expression was tight. “You’re turning this into a revolt,” he said.

“No,” Mara said. “We’re forcing you to admit the choice.”

Dax looked at Kaito. “If the reserve fails, the ship dies.”

“If Continuity proceeds without consent, we die anyway,” Kaito said.

Dax held a pause. “We will call a ship‑wide assembly.”

“Before the burn?” Mara asked.

“Before,” Dax said.

Mara exhaled. It wasn’t victory. It was a door cracked open.