“Setrákus Ra cannot be allowed to enter the Sanctuary,” Marina says, before I can reply. “That is a Loric place. A sacred place. He would defile it. Whatever he wants, we must stop him from getting it.”

I glance from Marina to Adam, and shrug at the Mogadorian. “You heard her.”

Adam shakes his head, growing more frustrated. “Look, I understand this place is special to you, but it’s not worth trading our lives for.”

“I disagree,” Marina replies curtly. She’s definitely already made up her mind. There’s no way she’s leaving the Sanctuary now, not after all that’s happened here.

“We accomplished what we needed to here,” Adam argues. “Some of the humans have Legacies now. There’s nothing Setrákus Ra can do to change that. He’s too late.”

“We don’t know that,” I reply, glancing over my shoulder at the Sanctuary. “If he got in there he could . . . I don’t know. Reverse what we’ve done, maybe. Or do something to hurt the Entity.”

Adam frowns. “He’s controlled your home planet for more than a decade and never been able to take away your Legacies. Not permanently, anyway.”

“Because Lorien was here,” Marina replies emphatically. “It’s been hiding here and now he’s found it. We can’t let him touch the Entity. The consequences could be catastrophic.”

Adam throws up his hands. “You’re not listening to reason!”

I glance away from Adam, towards the landing strip cluttered with disabled Skimmers. Of course, my eyes find their way to Phiri Dun-Ra. Still gagged and tied to a wheel strut, she’s made an effort to sit up straighter, probably trying to listen in to our conversation. I can tell by the way that her face crinkles around the duct tape that she’s smiling at me. I remember what she said earlier this morning, when she was trying to convince me that Adam was secretly out to get us.

“You don’t think we can win, so you’re afraid to fight,” I say bluntly, regretting the words almost as soon as they’re out of my mouth.

Adam whips around to look at me, then follows my gaze to Phiri. He must make the connection between my statement and her earlier rant. He disgustedly shakes his head and walks a few steps away from me.

Marina nudges me, whispering, “Six . . .”

“I’m sorry, Adam,” I say quickly. “Seriously. That was a low blow.”

“No, you’re right, Six,” Adam replies dryly, shrugging. “I’m a coward because I don’t want to die today. I’m a coward because, as a boy, I watched from the deck of one of those warships as your home planet was obliterated. I’m a coward because I think we should find a better way. A smarter way.”