Axel felt a hot surge of anger, frustration, and helpless desperation swelling up inside his chest.
Tears prickled at the corners of his eyes, making his vision blur as he gripped the communicator.
"That plan cannot work anymore!" Axel yelled, his voice trembling and breaking under the crushing weight of panic.
"Why won't you listen to me for once? You need to get out of there right now! Jayvaughn, please, I am begging you!"
He waited for a response, but only static echoed back. Jayvaughn had severed the radio link completely.
Realizing Jayvaughn had cut him off, Axel lost his composure and hurled the modified communicator against the concrete wall with all his strength. The device shattered into pieces, bouncing off the floor.
"Fuck! Fuck!" Axel roared, slamming his fist onto the edge of the desk.
Commander Luke stood frozen beside him, utterly speechless. He had no words to soothe the distraught young man, nor did he possess the energy to try.
