The centrality is a surprise, is the thing. If Ember were, hypothetically, doing this sort of thing, attempting to conquer a people through subterfuge, hidden amongst the prey, she'd be up in the mountains, hidden in the forests, sprawling fortresses invisible in the wilderness. But not the Star Kings. Hiding in plain sight for those with eyes to see, a swirling maelstrom of sudden color and life in the middle of this world of sickness. It's daring.

Well. They'll see daring, won't they?

"This won't be able to knock out their entire network." [i]Courage. The sharp tang of facing down a giant.[/i] Ears alert underneath hats. "But it will keep their eyes on us." [i]Challenge. Acrid, heady, impossible to ignore.[/i] "Stoneribs, you will hold back half. Go to ground, watch for them to commit, then hit their weakest point." [i]Cunning. A shiver at the base of the tail.[/i] "We will meet them where they dare to come out. And if they do not dare, we will walk up to that Engine and signal for its extraction, then deal with them without their arms." [i]Eagerness. Bright, flowery, a twitch in the fingers.[/i]

So marches forth the anglerfish's lure, bag in one hand, art project in the other, flanked by women who move like the gods of this world. How far will they be permitted to penetrate into the heart of the Star Kings?