The hum of the Ark's engines filled the quiet space of the briefing room, where Ethan and his crew sat around the large holomap, reviewing what they knew of the Shadow Council and the threat they were facing. The dim blue light from the screens cast deep shadows on their faces, reflecting the tension in the room. Everyone knew they were running out of time, each mission, each battle, brought them closer to a full-scale galactic war.
Tazra Kane, lounging against the wall with her arms crossed, was uncharacteristically quiet. She wasn't wearing her usual pirate leathers. Instead, she had opted for a sleek, dark jumpsuit, functional but also elegant, with silver accents that shimmered in the low light. Her usually playful expression was replaced by something much darker, fear, mixed with frustration.
Ethan, seated at the head of the table, glanced over at her. "You've been awfully quiet, Tazra. What's on your mind?"
