"They weren't," A'Ran confirmed. "And soon, you'll see just how serious they were."
"I'll do what you ask, A'Ran, but isn't there another way?"
"No," A'Ran said. "There's not."
Jetr was quiet for a long moment before he said, "Very well."
"Thank you, friend."
"You're welcome, A'Ran. I have some work to do to keep the Council out of your way. Contact me when you're safe," Jetr said.
"I will."
A'Ran closed the connection and checked the evacuation progress. He was pleased to see it was nearly complete. The civilians were off the planet while his armies remained. He set the timer for the explosions to start on the opposite side of the planet, startled when the first went off as soon as he gave the order. Just as fast, Mansr called him.
"The warriors aren't off the planet yet!" came his uncle's surprised voice.
"It started too soon. I just issued the evacuation order for those remaining. The mines will chain-detonate. Get everyone off now!" A'Ran ordered. He watched the visual before him as one mine, then the next and the next, exploded and spewed toxic dust into the atmosphere. They were going fast, much faster than he expected.
"I'm on my way to get you and nishani," Mansr said.
A'Ran stood, furious the timing was early. He shut down the battle planner and locked it. As he emerged into the early morning sun, he was again surprised to see clouds already forming over the eastern horizon.
He ran toward the sacred temple, suddenly thrown off his feet as a mine in the valley where his men were based exploded. Fountains shot up from the newly formed lake nearby, and the ground rumbled again. The explosions were coming faster, and he launched to his feet, ignoring the bruises and scrapes along his side.
Mansr's small spacecraft dropped from the sky and hovered above him, following as he darted toward the sacred cave. Another nearby explosion knocked him off balance. He caught himself against a boulder in time to see the ground ahead of him ripple, tear, and fold.
The craft above him opened its door and lowered itself as close as it dared to the ground. A'Ran launched himself upwards, catching the door as the ground beneath him crumbled and gave. The door pulled him in, and he sat in the doorway, coughing at the ore dust cloud and staring.
His destination, the cave hidden at the end of the draw where he'd left nishani, had been swallowed.