"Do it," Aiden said. "Myne, you're with me. If this goes south, we'll board that fortress and take the fight to them."
She laughed softly, her shadows coiling around her like living armor. "You always know how to make an entrance."
The ship shuddered as Liam worked to disrupt the tractor beam. Sparks flew from the console, and the air filled with the acrid smell of burning circuits. The beam flickered, its grip weakening.
"Now!" Aiden shouted. "Full power to the engines!"
The ship roared as it surged forward, breaking free of the beam's pull. For a moment, it seemed they had escaped—but the fortress was already reacting. Turrets along its spires came to life, firing beams of concentrated energy that lit up the night.
"Incoming fire!" Liam warned.
Aiden didn't hesitate. "Evasive maneuvers! Myne, get to the rear turret and cover us!"
"On it!" she called, disappearing into the ship's lower decks.
