As Lion Stan scrambled through the smoke-filled hallways, King Stuar's bodyguards moved to intercept, but the chaos of the blast made the halls a maze of shadows.
"Where did he plant the bomb!?" Stuar's voice thundered over the sound of escaping steam. He gripped his sidearm, his knuckles white. The ship tilted sharply to the left, sending loose debris sliding across the floor. "I need to check the Pilot House—Nova is still there!"
He looked at his son and Bright. "Robert, Bright—take the primary strike team. Hunt Lion Stan down. Don't let him reach the exterior decks. Albert! Get to the military wing. I want every lifeboat deployed and every worker accounted for. Rov, you're with me!"
The family split up with military precision. Levis, however, stood frozen for a heartbeat. The heat was stifling, and the sound of the ocean rushing into the lower decks was terrifying.
"Levis, go with Albert! It's too dangerous!" Robert shouted back over his shoulder.
