As Jaeden and his crew worked tirelessly to establish their new nation, shadows from the past began to loom. Old enemies of the Novereign Empire, now powerful factions in their own right, took notice of Elara's resurgence. Whispers of her survival spread, drawing both allies and adversaries out of the woodwork.
One such adversary was the ruthless mercenary leader, Darian Voss, who had played a role in the fall of Elara's empire. When he learned of her alliance with Jaeden, he saw an opportunity to eliminate a potential threat and settle old scores. His fleet, known for its brutality and cunning, began to track the Astral Voyager, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.