The Marauder's Revenge sliced through the dense mist of the Nebula Fringe, where starlight was muted and distorted by clouds of swirling gas. The Red Sun Corsairs' hideout loomed somewhere within, hidden among asteroids and electromagnetic fields that played havoc with scanners. Grimjack's intel indicated a heavily guarded base, concealed within a colossal asteroid hollowed out and fortified. As the crew prepared to confront the Corsairs, tension settled thickly in the air.
"Once we're in the field," Jax reminded his crew, "communications will be limited. We'll have to stay close, stay sharp, and move quickly."
Zara adjusted her weapon, her gaze intense. "We're heading into the hornet's nest for Marvek's sake. Let's just hope it's worth it."
Arin worked quietly at his console, glancing up as Jax entered the bridge. "Captain, I've located a narrow entry point in the asteroid's electromagnetic field. It'll bring us close without triggering their alarms, but we'll have to maneuver fast. Their sensors might still detect us if we're too slow."
Jax nodded. "Then let's get this right. Grimjack, Zara, gear up. Arin, bring us in. The second we hit that entry point, we're going dark."
The plan was simple but high-risk: penetrate the Corsairs' defenses undetected, then sabotage their main power generator. If they could cripple the Corsairs' base, Marvek's fleet would swoop in and finish the job, cementing his alliance with Jax and the Marauder's crew. But as they drifted into the asteroid's electromagnetic shadow, Zara's voice crackled over the intercom.
"Captain, you might want to see this."
Jax moved to the viewport, his eyes narrowing. In the distance, another ship, sleek and dark, hovered near the Corsair base—a ship marked with a familiar insignia.
"The Architects," Jax muttered, his voice laced with anger. "What are they doing here?"
Grimjack's voice was tense. "Looks like we're not the only ones with an interest in the Corsairs."
The realization hit Jax like a punch. The Architects must have already begun reaching out to factions, building alliances, or, worse, securing their prototypes. If the Corsairs were already in league with The Architects, this mission had just become much more dangerous.
"New plan," Jax said. "If the Corsairs are working with The Architects, we need evidence. That might be our best leverage to turn Marvek against them."
The crew disembarked in the shadows of the asteroid's jagged corridors. The place was a chaotic maze, dimly lit and filled with the hum of machinery. Corsair guards patrolled in pairs, weapons ready, unaware of the intruders navigating through the darkness. Arin hacked into a side terminal, locating the power generator and downloading a map of the facility.
"Generator's up ahead, but I've also found a command center," he whispered. "If they've made any deals with The Architects, there's a good chance their comms logs or cargo manifests would reveal it."
Jax considered their options, then nodded. "Alright. Arin, you and Zara head to the command center, get what you can. Grimjack and I will handle the generator. Move fast and stay quiet."
Arin and Zara made their way through the dim corridors toward the command center. As they rounded a corner, the sound of voices drifted toward them—a low, clipped exchange in a language neither recognized. Arin pressed his back against the wall, listening as the voices faded.
"Corsairs aren't known for their diplomacy," Zara murmured, her face tense. "If The Architects are here in person, this might be bigger than we thought."
They slipped into the command center, a circular room lined with holo-screens and communication terminals. Arin began pulling data from the main terminal while Zara kept watch, her weapon raised. She felt a chill as her eyes caught sight of the Architect insignia on one of the display screens.
"Captain," she whispered into her comm. "We've got a live feed here—it looks like a direct link to The Architects. They're transferring cargo to the Corsairs."
"Evidence," Jax's voice crackled back, though his tone was grave. "Get what you can and get out."
Arin's fingers flew over the keys, downloading every scrap of data he could find. As he worked, Zara felt the unmistakable prickling of danger. She glanced over her shoulder to see a figure in the doorway—a Corsair guard, weapon drawn.
"Arin, move!" she hissed, pulling him out of the way just as a blast seared past them. Alarms sounded, and they both dove for cover, returning fire as more guards rushed into the room.
"We're blown, Captain," Zara shouted over the chaos. "We're going to have to fight our way out."
Meanwhile, Jax and Grimjack reached the generator room, a cavernous space thrumming with energy. Thick cables ran along the walls, leading to a central core that pulsed with the power of the entire base.
"Ready for a little sabotage?" Grimjack grinned, cracking his knuckles as he examined the control panel.
Jax smiled despite himself. "Let's make it quick. Zara and Arin just ran into trouble."
Grimjack began setting charges around the generator's core, his movements precise and quick. But as he worked, a voice echoed through the room—a voice Jax recognized instantly.
"Captain Jax. I should have known you'd meddle."
Dr. Elwes stepped out from the shadows, his face half-hidden in the dim light, a smile twisting his lips. His cold, calculating gaze locked onto Jax.
"Dr. Elwes," Jax replied, his voice steady but cold. "What are you doing here?"
Elwes chuckled softly. "My employers prefer to maintain influence over… local authorities. The Corsairs understand the power of Eternity, of progress. And they understand what happens to those who resist."
Grimjack continued his work, his fingers subtly placing the last charge as he kept his attention on Elwes.
"Funny," Jax said, trying to stall. "The Corsairs were just petty raiders until The Architects took an interest. Is that what you're here for? To turn mercenaries into pawns?"
Elwes tilted his head, amusement gleaming in his eyes. "Pawns? Hardly. They are visionaries, Captain, far more open-minded than those who cling to outdated notions of freedom. When Eternity is fully realized, you'll see that resistance is not only futile—it's obsolete."
With a signal to Grimjack, Jax gave the slightest nod. Grimjack pressed the button, and the charges activated with a low hum.
"We're leaving, Dr. Elwes," Jax said, backing toward the door. "I'd advise you to do the same."
But Elwes merely smiled, unshaken. "You may delay the inevitable, but you'll never escape it, Captain. You'll see."
The charges detonated with a flash, sending tremors throughout the Corsair base. Jax and Grimjack sprinted through the corridors, the walls buckling as explosions cascaded behind them. They regrouped with Zara and Arin, who had fought their way free from the command center, their clothes scorched and faces smudged with soot.
"Got the data," Arin panted. "But we need to get out—now."
Together, they fought their way back to the docking bay, where the Marauder's Revenge awaited. The ship lifted off just as the Corsair base began to implode, its defenses crumbling as the charges ravaged the power core. As they cleared the asteroid, Jax glanced back to see Elwes's ship retreating into the darkness, its engines glowing like embers.
Back aboard the Marauder, Jax gathered his crew in the command room. Arin connected his device to the ship's console, pulling up the data he'd recovered. The evidence was damning: records of the Corsairs' dealings with The Architects, shipment logs of experimental technology, and encrypted messages revealing prototype testing sites scattered across the galaxy.
"This is exactly what we need," Jax said, meeting his crew's weary but resolute gazes. "Marvek wanted leverage, and now we have it. It's time we showed him that The Architects aren't just his enemy—they're a threat to everyone."
Zara exhaled, the intensity of the mission finally fading as a tired smile broke across her face. "Then let's make him an offer he can't refuse."
The Marauder's Revenge hurtled toward Marvek's fortress once more, the data that could change the course of their war safely in hand.