Great story! It strikes a lot of themes familiar to most fiction readers. So it was easy to follow. Even for non-fans, there was enough dialogue and interaction between the characters that the setting was identifiable. The setting was almost secondary to the action.
The editor in me notes: ““We can make sure that none of your friends have died in vein.” That should be “vain.” 
The designs are solid and complemented each other well. You definitely have an eye for making characters part of the same world. And, of course, the group shots at the end.
