The tension in the base was palpable after Luka's encounter with Commander Thalia. Her cold, calculated words replayed in his mind as he prepared for what was coming. This wasn't just another bounty hunter—Thalia was different. She understood the Aether, and that made her more dangerous than any enemy they'd faced before.
Kaela found Luka in the control room, staring at the now-dark holographic screen where Thalia's image had flickered away.
"She really got to you, huh?" Kaela said, her voice soft but concerned.
Luka shook his head, though his expression was tight. "She's different. The council sent her because she knows the Aether. She's not just coming for the bounty—she wants the power behind it."
Kaela leaned against the edge of the console, her golden wings folding neatly behind her. "So what's the plan? We can't just sit around and wait for her to show up."
Luka sighed, his hand gripping the edge of the table. "We have to be ready for her, but she's smart. She won't come straight at us. She'll play a long game—try to learn more about me, about Vigil and the Aether."
Kaela's brow furrowed as she considered his words. "And if she knows that much, it means she's already been watching us for a while."
Luka nodded, the weight of the revelation sinking in. "Exactly. She's probably tracking our movements, gathering intel. We've hit the council hard, but if we make the wrong move now, she'll use it against us."
Kaela's eyes hardened. "Then we need to play smart. We can't afford to be predictable."
Luka gave her a small, grateful smile. "We'll figure something out. But we need more information on Thalia—something that gives us an edge."
Kaela pushed herself off the console, her expression set with determination. "I'll reach out to some of Orris's contacts. There are plenty of people who have crossed paths with the council's elite units. Maybe someone knows more about her."
Luka nodded, his mind already racing through the possibilities. Thalia was hunting him, but that didn't mean he had to wait for her to make the first move.
---
Over the next few days, Kaela worked tirelessly, using Orris's network to gather as much information on Commander Thalia as possible. Every scrap of intelligence was analyzed, every report cross-referenced. Luka and Kaela had been in dangerous situations before, but this felt different. The threat of Thalia loomed over them like a shadow.
Eventually, Kaela managed to track down a source—a former council officer who had defected to one of the outer system factions. His name was Sorin, and he had served under Thalia before escaping the council's grasp. If anyone knew what Thalia was capable of, it would be him.
They arranged to meet Sorin on a small, neutral outpost, deep in the uncharted territories. The place was a haven for smugglers, mercenaries, and fugitives—perfect for a discreet meeting.
Luka and Kaela landed on the outpost, their mechas hidden in the shadows of a nearby docking bay. The outpost itself was rundown, with dim lighting and the smell of burning fuel in the air. As they made their way through the crowded streets, Luka kept his hand close to his side, ready for anything.
"This place feels... sketchy," Kaela muttered, her golden eyes scanning their surroundings.
Luka smirked. "That's what makes it perfect. No one's going to ask questions."
They found Sorin in a dingy, smoke-filled cantina at the edge of the outpost. He was a tall, lean man with a face hardened by years of battle, his dark hair streaked with silver. His eyes flicked to Luka and Kaela as they approached, but he didn't speak until they sat down.
"You're the ones asking about Thalia?" Sorin asked, his voice rough and low.
Luka nodded. "We need to know what we're dealing with."
Sorin studied them for a moment, then leaned forward, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "You don't want to be dealing with her. Thalia isn't like the other council officers. She's... obsessed with the Aether. She's been studying it for years, trying to unlock its secrets."
Kaela frowned. "And the council lets her?"
Sorin shook his head. "Not exactly. Thalia's unit operates in the shadows. She's got more freedom than most council officers because she gets results. She doesn't care about politics or power struggles—she only cares about the Aether."
Luka's heart raced. "What does she want with me?"
Sorin's eyes locked onto Luka's, his expression grim. "She wants to control you. You've got a connection to the Aether that no one else has. If she can figure out how to replicate that—how to tap into that power—she'll be unstoppable. The council won't just rule the galaxy. They'll reshape it."
Kaela leaned back in her chair, her eyes dark. "So she wants to use Luka as some kind of weapon?"
Sorin nodded. "Exactly. And she won't stop until she gets what she wants. Thalia is relentless. She's already brought down entire factions to get what she's after. She doesn't care about collateral damage."
Luka clenched his fists under the table, the weight of Sorin's words settling over him. "How do we stop her?"
Sorin hesitated, his gaze flicking between Luka and Kaela. "Thalia's biggest strength is also her biggest weakness—her obsession with the Aether. She'll take risks, make mistakes if she thinks it'll get her closer to unlocking its secrets. You have to use that against her."
Luka's mind raced. Thalia's obsession with the Aether might give them the edge they needed, but it was also dangerous. She understood the Aether in ways Luka was only beginning to grasp, and that made her unpredictable.
"We'll have to draw her out," Luka muttered, his voice thoughtful. "Make her think we're vulnerable—give her something she can't resist."
Kaela raised an eyebrow. "You're going to use yourself as bait?"
Luka met her gaze, his expression serious. "It's the only way. If we stay on the defensive, she'll wear us down. But if we give her a reason to come after us, we can control the fight."
Sorin's eyes narrowed. "You'd better be careful. Thalia isn't the type to fall for simple traps. If she thinks you're playing games with her, she'll destroy you without hesitation."
Luka nodded, his jaw set. "We'll be ready."
---
Back at the asteroid base, Luka and Kaela spent hours planning their next move. Drawing Thalia out would be dangerous, but it was their best chance at gaining the upper hand. They would stage a mission, something that would make it look like Luka was vulnerable—like he was about to unlock something new about the Aether.
"We'll need to make it believable," Luka said, his voice firm as he studied the holographic display. "Thalia needs to think we've found something important—something related to the Aether."
Kaela nodded, her expression serious. "She'll be watching our every move. If we slip up, she'll know it's a trap."
Luka's eyes gleamed with determination. "Then we won't slip up."
They decided on a location—a remote system that had been abandoned by the council years ago. The system was home to a series of ancient ruins, long thought to be remnants of a forgotten civilization. The perfect place to stage a discovery related to the Aether.
As they finalized their plan, Luka felt a strange sense of calm settle over him. Thalia was dangerous, but this was their fight now. They were taking the offensive, forcing her to play their game.
Kaela glanced at him, her eyes filled with concern. "You sure about this? Using yourself as bait... it's risky."
Luka gave her a small, reassuring smile. "It's the only way to stop her."
Kaela's gaze softened, but the tension in her expression didn't fade. "Just promise me you'll be careful. We've been through too much for you to get yourself killed now."
Luka's heart warmed at her words, but he nodded seriously. "I promise."
---
The stage was set. Luka and Kaela left the asteroid base and headed for the remote system, their mechas cutting through the void like silent predators. The abandoned ruins loomed ahead, shrouded in mystery and darkness.
As they landed near the entrance to the ruins, Luka could feel the weight of the Aether pulsing through him. The plan was simple—lure Thalia to the ruins, make her believe she was about to unlock a new piece of the Aether's power, and then strike before she could act.
But as they entered the dark corridors of the ruins, Luka couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching them. Thalia would come. He knew it.
And when she did, he would be ready.
Author's Note: Luka and Kaela are setting a trap for Commander Thalia, but the stakes have never been higher. Do you think their plan will work, or will Thalia outsmart them? Let me know your thoughts before the next chapter!