He makes it just in time

(Complication: [6] Things actually go as planned)

Lux dangles awkwardly from the metal claw’s grip. Her boobs have worked their way free of the torn tunic and now hang down humiliatingly in full view, and although she can’t see what’s happened to her makeshift skirt-loincloth, she imagines everything is on display up there too. She twists and squirms in a frustrated effort to get free.

Still trembling from the shock she gave him, the outcast leader glares up at Lux’s helpless form. “You stupid bitch,” he hisses. “I should kill you now – but that’s too merciful. I’ll make you wish you never – ”

Abruptly, the pressure on Lux’s ankle is gone – the claw’s grip released. She barely manages to grab the edge of the control panel to break her fall, and looks up, tossing her hair back, to see the outcast’s expression turned to one of shock and disbelief. Before he can recover, she lunges forward and kicks him off the dais, into the grasp of another grabbing arm.

The arm grips the outcast tightly and – screaming threats and insults – he is swiftly hoisted up to a corner of the room. One by one, the other arms retract back to the walls and ceiling.

Catching her breath, Lux looks over to see Eron stepping up to the Great Machine’s control panel. His expression is one of awe as he studies it.

“Is that it?” Lux asks. “Can I get out of here now?”