A faint crackle buzzed through the communicator. Static hummed for a breath too long before a voice broke through, rough and low.
"Ash, are you there?"
Fingers tightened around the edge of the console. Ash leaned in, his pulse steady, controlled.
"Yeah. I'm here."
A slow exhale on the other end.
"Good… You made it out."
Ash's grip didn't loosen.
"I did. The others didn't they are still on there way out."
"I know."
Ash straightened.
"Wait, how do you know that?"
"Max reached out. Told me what happened. Their condition. Why you left."
A beat of hesitation.
"And about your ability."
Ash's jaw set. He hadn't planned on that detail getting out so soon.
"So he told you."
"He had no choice."
Ash let out a slow breath but he didn't push the topic.
"Anyways since you already have a way to reach him, can you get a message to him?"
Rowan clicked his tongue.
"Doubt it. Their communicator barely holds a signal."
Ash muttered a curse under his breath.
