Shadowfang raced away from Atraxis Prime, its engines straining as Kairo pushed them to their limits. The planet's toxic haze dwindled in the distance, but the Syndicate wasn't giving up the chase. Ships launched from the surface, their glowing red markers closing in fast.
"They're persistent, I'll give them that," Kairo muttered, hands deftly navigating the controls.
"We just stole their most prized artifact," Kyra said, leaning against the wall with her rifle slung over her shoulder. "They're not going to let this slide."
Arkan stood near the viewport, watching the incoming fleet. His grip tightened on the Pale Shard as he considered their options. "We're not out of this yet. Luna, can you jam their signals?"
Luna's fingers flew across the console, sweat beading on her brow. "Already on it. But these aren't your average Syndicate grunts—we're dealing with their elite hunters. They've got advanced tech, and they're not afraid to use it."
A burst of plasma fire shook the ship, and alarms blared.
"They're locking weapons," Kairo growled. "If you've got a plan, now's the time."
A Daring Escape
"We need a decoy," Arkan said, his voice sharp. "Something to draw their attention away."
Luna's eyes darted to the control panel. "The auxiliary drones—they're rigged for maintenance, but I can override their cores. Turn them into bait."
"Do it," Arkan commanded. "We'll need every second we can get."
As Luna activated the drones, Kairo maneuvered the Shadowfang into a debris field, using the floating wreckage as cover. The drones zipped out of the ship, each one emitting false energy signatures to mimic their vessel.
The Syndicate ships split off, some pursuing the decoys. But the most advanced of the hunters—a sleek, black cruiser with crimson-tipped wings—remained locked on their trail.
"That one's not falling for it," Kyra said, narrowing her eyes. "Looks like their flagship."
Taron hefted his heavy blaster. "Then we take it down. Simple."
"Not in this state," Kairo snapped. "The Shadowfang's shields are barely holding. We need to outmaneuver them."
As if on cue, a volley of torpedoes streaked toward them. Kairo twisted the ship, narrowly avoiding the explosions, but the force rocked the crew inside.
"Brace yourselves!" Kairo shouted as another impact sent sparks flying.
Iris Steps Forward
Amid the chaos, Iris sat in the corner, the Nexus energy humming faintly within her. The Pale Shard's presence had calmed the storm inside her, but now it felt like the Shard was waiting—watching.
She stood, her voice cutting through the noise. "Let me help."
Arkan turned to her, his expression unreadable. "You've done enough for now. Get to the secure chamber."
"I'm not hiding while the rest of you fight," she said firmly. "The Shard… it's connected to me. I can feel it. If I focus, I might be able to—"
A direct hit shook the ship, throwing everyone off balance. Kyra cursed under her breath, while Luna scrambled to stabilize their systems.
"We don't have time to argue!" Luna shouted. "Do something, or we're done for!"
Arkan hesitated for a moment before nodding. "All right. But you keep it controlled."
Iris moved to the center of the room, placing her hands on the Pale Shard. The crystal flared to life, its glow spreading through the cabin. A surge of energy coursed through her, and she closed her eyes, reaching out with her Nexus power.
She felt the pursuing ship—a dark, predatory presence cutting through the void. Its weapons charged, ready to deliver a killing blow. But Iris wasn't defenseless. She reached deeper, channeling the Shard's energy into a single, precise pulse.
Turning the Tide
Outside, a ripple of light shot from the Shadowfang, spreading in an expanding wave. The pursuing cruiser faltered, its systems flickering as the pulse disrupted its weapons and engines.
Kairo grinned, seizing the moment. "That's our window. Hold on!"
He pushed the ship's engines to full throttle, weaving through the debris field. Behind them, the Syndicate cruiser struggled to recover, its crew scrambling to counter the pulse.
"They'll be back on us soon," Luna warned. "We need to disappear."
"Working on it," Kairo replied, his fingers dancing across the controls. He brought up a star chart, scanning for nearby systems. "There's a nebula not far from here—high radiation, dense gas clouds. Perfect for losing them."
"Radiation won't fry us?" Kyra asked.
"Not if I'm as good as I think I am," Kairo said with a smirk.
Into the Nebula
The Shadowfang plunged into the nebula, the ship's hull groaning under the strain. Visibility dropped to near zero, and the sensors crackled with interference.
"This place is a death trap," Taron muttered, peering out the viewport.
"Exactly why they won't follow us," Arkan replied.
Iris sat down, her breathing heavy. The pulse had drained her more than she'd expected, but she felt a strange sense of accomplishment. The Shard's glow dimmed, as if resting alongside her.
"You did good," Arkan said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "But you've got to be careful. That kind of power—it can consume you."
She nodded, her gaze distant. "I know. But it felt… different this time. Like the Shard was guiding me."
Before Arkan could respond, Kairo called out. "We're in the clear—for now. But we can't stay here long. The radiation's already starting to mess with our systems."
Arkan turned to the crew. "Luna, plot a course to the next safe zone. We need to regroup and figure out our next move."
The Shadows Ahead
As the Shadowfang limped through the nebula, the crew gathered in the main cabin. The victory was temporary, and everyone knew the Syndicate wouldn't stop until they reclaimed the Pale Shard.
"They'll come at us harder next time," Luna said, her tone grim. "We need a plan."
Arkan nodded. "We'll find one. But for now, we focus on survival."
Iris looked at the Shard, its faint light casting long shadows across the room. She couldn't shake the feeling that their struggle was only beginning—and that her role in it was far from over.