The quiet of the asteroid field stretched out around Luka and Kaela as they prepared for their next steps. The vastness of space felt heavy, the weight of their mission bearing down on them.
Luka paced near *Vigil*, the powerful machine standing like a sentinel behind him, its surface still faintly pulsing with the energy of the Aether.
Kaela sat on a nearby rock, her wings folded behind her, her gaze distant as she tapped at her wrist-mounted communicator. They were reaching out to old contacts—mercenaries, smugglers, anyone who might be willing to fight back against the council's growing grip on the galaxy. But Luka knew this wasn't just about finding allies. It was about preparing for a war.
"They'll be regrouping," Luka muttered, breaking the silence. "The council won't stop until they get what they want."
Kaela nodded without looking up from her communicator. "I know. And it's not just us anymore. They want the Aether. And if they figure out how to control it..."
She trailed off, her words hanging in the air like a warning. Luka knew what she meant. The council's obsession with the Aether was more dangerous than anything they'd faced before. If they gained control of its power, they wouldn't just dominate the galaxy—they'd reshape it in their image.
"We need to stay ahead of them," Luka said, his voice filled with quiet determination. "We need to understand this power before they do."
Kaela stood, her golden eyes locking onto Luka's. "And to do that, we need to find more people. The council won't expect an uprising, but if we're going to rally others, they need to believe we can win."
Luka nodded, his mind racing. "We need a symbol. Something people can get behind. Something that shows them we're more than just a couple of rogue pilots running from the council."
Kaela raised an eyebrow. "Like a rebellion?"
Luka considered the word for a moment before nodding slowly. "Yeah. A rebellion."
Kaela's smirk returned, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "You've been reading too many old war stories."
Luka chuckled softly, though the weight of the situation remained. "Maybe. But we can't do this alone. If we're going to take on the council, we need more than just guns and mechas. We need people who are willing to fight."
Kaela turned back to her communicator, her fingers tapping rapidly as she sent out encrypted messages to the contacts she trusted. "There's one place I know where we might be able to start. A colony in the outer systems—run by smugglers and mercenaries. They're not fond of the council. If we can convince them to join us, it'll be a step in the right direction."
Luka watched her for a moment, then nodded. "We'll head there first. But we need to move quickly. The council won't just sit back and let us gather forces."
Kaela stood and dusted off her hands, her wings fluttering faintly behind her as she grinned. "Quick and quiet. My specialty."
Luka returned her smile, but a sense of urgency tugged at him. They were racing against time, and the council's reach was long. They needed to act fast, but they also needed to be careful. One wrong move, and everything could come crashing down.
"We'll leave at first light," Luka said, turning toward *Vigil*. "Make sure your mecha's ready. We'll need to move fast once we hit the colony."
Kaela gave him a mock salute. "Aye, aye, captain."
Luka chuckled, shaking his head as he made his way toward his mecha. But as he climbed into *Vigil*'s cockpit, the humor faded, replaced by the cold reality of what they were up against.
The council wouldn't stop. They had already seen what Luka and Kaela were capable of, and now that they knew Luka was connected to the Aether, they would come after him harder than ever. They would stop at nothing to take control of that power.
But Luka wasn't about to let them win. Not now. Not ever.
---
The next day, Luka and Kaela soared through the void, their mechas cutting through space like arrows. The stars blurred around them as they approached the outer systems, a series of isolated colonies and outposts far from the central control of the council. These places were lawless, chaotic—but also free.
Kaela had been right. If there was any place to find people who hated the council enough to join their cause, it was here.
"How much further?" Luka asked over the comms, his eyes scanning the distant shapes of asteroids and wreckage that dotted the space around them.
Kaela's voice crackled through the comms, calm and focused. "Just a few more minutes. The colony's hidden in an asteroid belt. Hard to find unless you know where to look."
Luka nodded, keeping his focus sharp. They needed to be careful. Smuggler colonies weren't exactly known for their hospitality, and if they showed up unannounced, things could get ugly fast.
As they neared the asteroid belt, Luka spotted a series of faint lights in the distance—outposts and small stations built into the asteroids themselves. It was a makeshift settlement, rough around the edges but bustling with activity. Ships of various sizes moved in and out of the colony, transporting goods, weapons, and who knew what else.
"There it is," Kaela said, her voice carrying a note of satisfaction. "Welcome to the edge of the galaxy."
Luka eyed the settlement warily. "Let's hope they're as unfriendly to the council as we've heard."
"They will be," Kaela replied. "But convincing them to join us? That'll take more than just talk."
Luka felt the weight of her words. These were people who valued their freedom above all else—people who lived outside the law and had no interest in taking sides in a galactic war. But if they could convince them that the council's grip was tightening, that their way of life was under threat, they might just be able to win them over.
They landed their mechas on a large platform carved into the side of an asteroid. The colony itself was a sprawling network of tunnels, docks, and makeshift buildings, with traders, mercenaries, and smugglers bustling around, exchanging goods and information. Luka could feel the tension in the air, a sense of barely restrained lawlessness that kept everyone on edge.
Kaela climbed out of *Aetheris* and glanced around, her eyes sharp. "We'll need to talk to the right people. There's a broker here—goes by the name of Dorian. He runs most of the deals in this place. If anyone can get us an audience with the colony's leaders, it's him."
Luka climbed out of *Vigil*, his gaze sweeping over the chaotic scene. "Lead the way."
They moved through the crowded streets of the colony, the smell of fuel and metal hanging thick in the air. Luka kept his hand close to his side, ready for anything. Smuggler colonies like this were unpredictable, and it wouldn't take much to start a fight.
They reached a large building on the outskirts of the main settlement, its exterior covered in flashing neon signs advertising all manner of goods and services. Inside, the place was dimly lit, filled with the sound of low conversations and the occasional clink of glasses. A bar for the rougher crowd—perfect for someone like Dorian.
Kaela made her way to the back of the bar, where a tall, lean man with a sharp jawline and calculating eyes sat, casually sipping a drink. His dark coat was worn but well-kept, and the way the crowd gave him space told Luka that this was the man they were looking for.
"Dorian," Kaela said, her voice low but firm.
Dorian looked up from his drink, his eyes flicking to Kaela and then to Luka. A slow smile spread across his face. "Well, well. Didn't expect to see you here, Kaela. Thought you were too busy flying around with your shiny mecha to come slumming with us."
Kaela didn't rise to the bait. "We need a favor."
Dorian raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. "A favor? From me? You must be desperate."
Luka stepped forward, his eyes hard. "We're putting together something big. Something that could bring down the council."
Dorian's smile widened, his eyes glinting with interest. "Now that's a tall order. And what makes you think I'd want to get involved in a mess like that?"
Kaela crossed her arms, her voice sharp. "Because if the council wins, this place won't last. They'll come for everyone—especially the ones who refuse to play by their rules."
Dorian studied her for a long moment before glancing at Luka. "And you? What's your angle?"
Luka's eyes burned with resolve. "I have a way to stop them. But I can't do it alone."
Dorian leaned forward, his smile fading as he looked into Luka's eyes. "You really think you can bring down the council?"
Luka's voice was cold, unwavering. "I know I can."
For a long moment, Dorian was silent, the weight of Luka's words hanging in the air. Finally, he stood, his smile returning.
"All right. I'll help you get in touch with the colony's leaders. But if you're serious about this rebellion of yours... you'd better be ready for a fight."