The destruction of the council's fuel depot sent ripples through the galaxy. The council's forces scrambled to adjust, their fleet movements delayed as they struggled to replenish their fuel reserves. It was a small victory, but an important one. Luka and Kaela had struck the first blow, and now they had the council's attention.
Back at the asteroid base, Luka was poring over star charts and intelligence reports, his mind racing with ideas for their next strike. The adrenaline from the fuel depot raid had faded, replaced by a sense of purpose. He knew they couldn't let up the pressure—not now, when the council was reeling from the attack.
Kaela entered the control room, her golden wings catching the light as she approached. "Got any new targets lined up, captain?"
Luka glanced up from the maps, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "I've been thinking. We hit their fuel supply, slowed them down. But if we want to keep them off-balance, we need to go for something bigger. More vital."
Kaela raised an eyebrow, leaning against the console. "Bigger, huh? What do you have in mind?"
Luka tapped the star chart, zooming in on a sector that was known for its strategic importance. "This. The Garris Shipyard. It's one of the largest manufacturing facilities for the council's fleet. They repair damaged ships there, build new ones. If we take it out, we'll cripple their ability to maintain their forces."
Kaela let out a low whistle, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "That's bold. Taking out a shipyard like that would send a serious message."
Luka nodded, his gaze hardening. "We need to send a message. But it's not going to be easy. The shipyard is heavily fortified. We'll need to plan this one carefully."
Kaela's expression grew serious, her voice softening. "You think Orris and his mercenaries are up for something like this?"
Luka's mind flashed back to their meeting with Captain Orris. The mercenaries had proven to be reliable so far, but this mission would push them to their limits. Still, Luka knew they had no other choice. The council was a machine, and if they didn't keep sabotaging its parts, it would crush them.
"They'll do it," Luka said with quiet confidence. "We just need to make sure we give them the right support. We'll need a distraction, something to pull the council's forces away from the shipyard while we hit it."
Kaela smirked, folding her arms. "You always come up with the most dangerous plans."
Luka returned the smirk. "It's what I do."
---
A few hours later, Luka and Kaela met with Captain Orris and his crew. The mercenaries had been stationed at a temporary outpost in a remote asteroid field, far from prying eyes. As they entered the outpost's command room, Luka could see the weariness in Orris's eyes, but also a gleam of interest.
Orris leaned back in his chair, eyeing Luka with a calculating expression. "So, you're here with another big idea, aren't you?"
Luka stepped forward, his voice steady. "We've got a target. The Garris Shipyard. If we take it out, the council's fleet will be crippled."
Orris raised an eyebrow, a slow grin spreading across his face. "The Garris Shipyard? You don't think small, do you?"
Kaela crossed her arms, her voice sharp. "We're not in this to play it safe. You want to hit the council where it hurts? This is the way to do it."
Orris stroked his chin, his gaze flicking between Luka and Kaela. "I'm not saying no. But this is a big operation. We're going to need more than just firepower. You've got a plan, I assume?"
Luka nodded, activating a holographic display of the shipyard. "We'll use a two-pronged approach. Your team will take out the outer defenses—distract the council's fleet, pull them away from the shipyard. Kaela and I will infiltrate from the other side, plant charges on the main ship-building platforms, and get out before they know what hit them."
Orris studied the hologram, his fingers drumming on the table. "It's risky. We'll need to move fast, or they'll swarm us."
Luka met his gaze, his voice unwavering. "We're ready for the risk. The council won't expect us to go after something this important. If we hit them hard and fast, they won't have time to react."
Orris leaned back, his grin returning. "You've got guts, kid. I'll give you that. All right. We're in. But you better be ready for the fireworks, because once this starts, there's no going back."
Luka smiled, his mind already racing with details of the mission. "We'll be ready."
---
Days later, the plan was set in motion. Luka, Kaela, and Orris's mercenaries were en route to the Garris Shipyard, flying under the radar to avoid detection. The tension was palpable in the air, but Luka felt a sense of calm settle over him. This was it. The real fight was beginning.
They approached the shipyard under the cover of darkness, using the shadows of nearby asteroids to mask their presence. The shipyard itself was a massive, sprawling structure, lit up by the glow of construction platforms and the steady hum of ships coming and going.
Luka's voice crackled over the comms. "You all set, Orris?"
Orris's voice came back, confident and steady. "Ready when you are. We'll draw their fire—just make sure you hit those platforms before they can send reinforcements."
"Copy that," Luka replied, his gaze locked on the shipyard.
Kaela's voice came through the comms, calm but filled with anticipation. "Let's do this."
Orris's mercenaries moved into position, their ships fanning out to engage the shipyard's outer defenses. The first volley of fire lit up the void as turrets and patrol ships scrambled to respond. Explosions rocked the shipyard as the mercenaries made their presence known, their attacks drawing the attention of the council's fleet.
Luka and Kaela darted through the chaos, slipping past the outer defenses and heading straight for the heart of the shipyard. The Aether pulsed faintly within *Vigil*, its energy guiding Luka as he navigated the twisting paths of the shipyard's interior.
"There," Luka muttered, spotting the main construction platforms. Massive starships were being built there, their skeletal frames looming over the station like silent giants.
Kaela's voice was sharp. "I'll set the charges on the first platform. You take the second."
Luka nodded, guiding *Vigil* toward the second platform. The shipyard's defenses were stretched thin, their attention focused on Orris and his mercenaries. Luka worked quickly, setting the charges in place, his heart racing as he felt the weight of the mission bearing down on him.
"Charges are set," Kaela called, her voice filled with tension. "We need to move now."
Luka finished placing the final charge, his hands moving swiftly over the controls. "I'm done. Let's get out of here."
They pulled back, their mechas soaring away from the platforms as the charges began their countdown. Luka's pulse quickened as he glanced at the tactical display—council reinforcements were on the way, their ships closing in fast.
"Time to go!" Luka shouted, pushing *Vigil*'s thrusters to full power.
Kaela was right behind him, her wings flaring with golden light as she flew beside him. "Orris, we're clear. Get your people out!"
Orris's voice came through the comms, filled with excitement. "We're moving. See you on the other side."
As they flew away from the shipyard, Luka glanced over his shoulder just in time to see the explosions rip through the platforms. The entire shipyard shuddered as the charges detonated, sending fire and debris into the void. The skeletal frames of the starships crumbled, their construction halted in an instant.
"We did it," Luka muttered, a sense of triumph surging through him.
Kaela laughed, though it was tinged with exhaustion. "That's one way to send a message."
---
Hours later, back at their asteroid base, Luka and Kaela debriefed with Orris. The mission had been a success—the Garris Shipyard was crippled, and the council's ability to maintain their fleet had been severely weakened.
Orris grinned, leaning back in his chair. "You pulled it off, kid. The council's going to be reeling from this one for a long time."
Luka nodded, though his mind was already turning to the future. They had won this battle, but the war was far from over. The council wouldn't take this lying down.
"We need to keep pushing," Luka said, his voice filled with determination. "The council will come after us hard now. We need to stay ahead of them."
Kaela glanced at him, her expression thoughtful. "What's next, then? Another shipyard?"
Luka's eyes hardened, his mind already forming a plan. "No. We go after their command structure. It's time to hit them where it really hurts."