The dim glow of the command room flickered as Jack studied the latest intelligence reports, his expression hardened with focus. Mira leaned over his shoulder, her fingers dancing across the console to highlight key data.
"This doesn't add up," she murmured, her voice a low hum of concern. "The movements of the dark force are too calculated. It's like they're baiting us."
Jack nodded, his mind already racing. "They know our strategies too well. Someone"
Before he could finish, the ship's alarm blared through the corridors. A hologram appeared in front of them, displaying the stern face of Admiral Kane, a senior leader in the Galactic Fleet. His usually composed expression was now marred with tension.
"Commander Ryder, we've detected an incoming fleet," Kane announced. "They're using an encrypted signal we haven't seen in years... until now."
Jack's stomach twisted as he recognized the coding pattern displayed on the screen. It was one he had hoped to never encounter again.
"No," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "It can't be him."
Mira glanced at him, confused. "Who, Jack? What's going on?"
He straightened, his jaw clenched. "Malric Voss. He's back."
Mira froze at the name. Malric Voss was a rogue commander who had once been a rising star within the Galactic Fleet before he defected, joining forces with the dark force. Known for his tactical brilliance and ruthless methods, Voss had nearly destroyed an entire star system during his last campaign. Jack had been part of the team that stopped him years ago.
But they hadn't captured him.
As Jack assembled his team in the briefing room, the tension was palpable. The crew sat in silence, awaiting Jack's explanation.
"Some of you may have heard of Malric Voss," Jack began, his tone measured but heavy with emotion. "He's not just another enemy. He was one of us, once. A leader, a mentor to many, and someone I trusted. But he betrayed the Galactic Fleet, aligning himself with the dark force to serve his own ambitions."
"What does he want now?" asked Tariq, the tactical officer, his brow furrowed.
Jack exhaled sharply. "If I know Voss, it's not about what he wants. It's about what he knows. He has intel valuable intel on the dark force. And he'll use it to manipulate us, to gain leverage."
Mira leaned forward. "Do we have any proof he's working directly with the dark force again?"
Jack shook his head. "Not yet. But we can't afford to wait for proof. We need to confront him before he has the chance to cause more damage."
The team exchanged uneasy glances. They had faced countless dangers, but this felt different more personal.
The ship exited hyperspace near the desolate planet of Kharon, where Voss's fleet had been detected. The dark, rocky terrain below seemed to mirror the crew's apprehension.
"Scans indicate minimal defenses," Mira reported. "It looks like he's expecting us."
Jack gritted his teeth. "Of course he is. Voss always liked playing games."
The team prepared for a ground mission, donning their gear and double-checking weapons. As they descended to the planet's surface, Jack's mind churned with memories of his past encounters with Voss.
The confrontation came sooner than expected.
Inside an abandoned facility, Jack and his team moved cautiously through the dimly lit corridors. The sound of their boots echoed against the cold metal walls. Suddenly, a familiar voice crackled through the comm system.
"Ah, Jack Ryder," Voss drawled, his tone dripping with mockery. "Still playing the hero, I see. How predictable."
Jack stopped in his tracks, his fists clenching. "Show yourself, Voss. Stop hiding behind your tricks."
Laughter filled the air, cold and menacing. "You always were impatient. Very well."
A door slid open ahead, revealing Voss standing in the center of a dimly lit chamber. His appearance was as Jack remembered tall, imposing, with piercing eyes that seemed to see through everyone around him. But there was something different now a strange, dark aura that made the hairs on the back of Jack's neck stand on end.
"Welcome," Voss said, spreading his arms as if greeting old friends. "To what do I owe the honor?"
Jack stepped forward, his voice steady but laced with anger. "Cut the theatrics. Why are you here, Voss? What are you planning?"
Voss smirked. "Always so direct. But I think you already know the answer, Jack. The dark force is not what you think it is. It's bigger, more powerful, and far closer to victory than you realize. And I have the key to understanding it all."
Mira interjected, her voice sharp. "If you know so much, why not help us fight them instead of aiding their cause?"
Voss turned to her, his expression almost pitying. "Oh, Mira. Still clinging to the illusion of heroes and villains, are we? This isn't a fight you can win with noble intentions and blaster fire. The galaxy is already lost. I'm merely ensuring I'm on the winning side."
Jack's anger boiled over. "You betrayed everything we stood for. You abandoned your people, your duty. You're nothing but a coward."
Voss's smirk faltered for a brief moment, replaced by a flicker of something darker regret, perhaps, or even guilt. But it vanished as quickly as it appeared.
"Think what you will, Jack," Voss said, his voice cold. "But mark my words: the choices you make in the coming days will determine whether you live to regret them. Or if you live at all."
Before Jack could respond, the facility shook violently. An explosion rocked the structure, and alarms blared.
Voss's smile returned, wicked and triumphant. "Ah, it seems our time is up. Until we meet again, Commander."
With that, he vanished into the shadows, leaving Jack and his team scrambling to escape the collapsing facility.
Back aboard the ship, the team regrouped, their faces grim.
"What now?" Tariq asked, his voice tinged with frustration.
Jack stared out at the vast expanse of space, his mind racing. Voss's words echoed in his head, filling him with both anger and unease.
"Now," Jack said finally, his voice resolute, "we prepare for whatever's coming. Because whatever Voss is planning, it's only the beginning."
Mira placed a hand on his shoulder, her gaze steady. "We'll face it together, Jack. No matter what."
Jack nodded, determination hardening his features. The return of Malric Voss had changed everything, but one thing remained certain: the fight for the galaxy was far from over.
Terjemahan Indonesia:
Cahaya redup di ruang komando berpendar saat Jack mempelajari laporan intelijen terbaru, ekspresinya mengeras dengan fokus. Mira berdiri di belakangnya, jari-jarinya bergerak cepat di konsol untuk menyoroti data penting.
"Ini tidak masuk akal," gumamnya dengan nada rendah penuh kekhawatiran. "Gerakan kekuatan gelap terlalu terencana. Seperti mereka sedang memancing kita."
Jack mengangguk, pikirannya sudah berputar. "Mereka terlalu memahami strategi kita. Seseorang"
Sebelum dia menyelesaikan kalimatnya, alarm kapal menggema melalui koridor. Sebuah hologram muncul di hadapan mereka, menampilkan wajah tegas Admiral Kane, seorang pemimpin senior di Armada Galaksi. Ekspresi biasanya tenang kini dipenuhi ketegangan.
"Komandan Ryder, kami mendeteksi armada yang mendekat," Kane mengumumkan. "Mereka menggunakan sinyal terenkripsi yang sudah bertahun-tahun tidak kami lihat... hingga sekarang."
Perut Jack bergejolak saat mengenali pola kode yang ditampilkan di layar. Itu adalah sesuatu yang dia harap tidak pernah dia temui lagi.
"Tidak," bisiknya hampir tak terdengar. "Itu tidak mungkin dia."
Mira memandangnya dengan bingung. "Siapa, Jack? Ada apa ini?"
Dia berdiri tegak, rahangnya mengeras. "Malric Voss. Dia kembali."
Mira membeku mendengar nama itu. Malric Voss adalah seorang komandan pembelot yang dulunya menjadi bintang dalam Armada Galaksi sebelum dia membelot dan bergabung dengan kekuatan gelap. Dikenal karena kejeniusannya dalam taktik dan metodenya yang tanpa ampun, Voss hampir menghancurkan seluruh sistem bintang dalam kampanye terakhirnya. Jack adalah bagian dari tim yang menghentikannya bertahun-tahun lalu.
Tapi mereka tidak pernah berhasil menangkapnya.
Saat Jack mengumpulkan timnya di ruang briefing, ketegangan terasa begitu nyata. Semua anggota kru duduk diam, menunggu penjelasan Jack.
"Beberapa dari kalian mungkin pernah mendengar tentang Malric Voss," Jack memulai dengan nada yang terukur namun berat dengan emosi. "Dia bukan sekadar musuh biasa. Dia dulunya salah satu dari kita. Seorang pemimpin, mentor bagi banyak orang, dan seseorang yang aku percayai. Tapi dia mengkhianati Armada Galaksi, bergabung dengan kekuatan gelap demi ambisi pribadinya."
"Apa yang dia inginkan sekarang?" tanya Tariq, petugas taktik, dengan alis berkerut.
Jack menghela napas dalam-dalam. "Jika aku mengenal Voss, ini bukan tentang apa yang dia inginkan. Ini tentang apa yang dia tahu. Dia memiliki intelijen informasi berharga tentang kekuatan gelap. Dan dia akan menggunakannya untuk memanipulasi kita, untuk mendapatkan keuntungan."
Mira menyela, suaranya tajam. "Apakah kita punya bukti dia kembali bekerja dengan kekuatan gelap?"
Jack menggeleng. "Belum. Tapi kita tidak bisa menunggu bukti. Kita harus menghadapinya sebelum dia punya kesempatan untuk menyebabkan lebih banyak kerusakan."
Tim saling bertukar pandangan penuh kecemasan. Mereka telah menghadapi banyak bahaya, tetapi ini terasa berbeda lebih ke personal.
Kapal keluar dari hiperspace di dekat planet tandus Kharon, tempat armada Voss terdeteksi. Permukaan berbatu yang gelap di bawah tampak mencerminkan kecemasan kru.
"Pemindaian menunjukkan pertahanan minimal," laporan Mira. "Sepertinya dia memang mengharapkan kita."
Jack menggertakkan gigi. "Tentu saja. Voss selalu suka bermain-main."
Tim bersiap untuk misi darat, mengenakan perlengkapan dan memeriksa senjata mereka. Saat mereka turun ke permukaan planet, pikiran Jack berputar dengan kenangan pertemuan masa lalunya dengan Voss.
Konfrontasi terjadi lebih cepat dari yang diharapkan.
Di dalam fasilitas terbengkalai, Jack dan timnya bergerak hati-hati melalui koridor redup. Suara langkah mereka menggema di dinding logam yang dingin. Tiba-tiba, suara yang familiar terdengar melalui sistem komunikasi.
"Ah, Jack Ryder," Voss berkata dengan nada mengejek. "Masih bermain jadi pahlawan, aku lihat. Sangat bisa ditebak."
Jack berhenti, tinjunya mengepal. "Tunjukkan dirimu, Voss. Berhenti bersembunyi di balik tipu muslihatmu."
Tawa memenuhi udara, dingin dan mengancam. "Kamu selalu tidak sabar. Baiklah."
Sebuah pintu terbuka di depan, menampilkan Voss berdiri di tengah ruangan yang remang-remang. Penampilannya masih sama seperti yang Jack ingat tinggi, berwibawa, dengan mata tajam yang tampak menembus siapa saja di sekitarnya. Tapi ada sesuatu yang berbeda sekarang aura gelap yang aneh membuat bulu kuduk Jack merinding.
"Selamat datang," kata Voss, membuka tangan seolah menyambut teman lama. "Untuk apa aku mendapat kehormatan ini?"
Jack melangkah maju, suaranya tenang namun penuh kemarahan. "Hentikan sandiwara ini. Kenapa kamu di sini, Voss? Apa rencanamu?"
Voss menyeringai. "Selalu begitu langsung. Tapi aku pikir kamu sudah tahu jawabannya, Jack. Kekuatan gelap bukan seperti yang kamu pikirkan. Ini lebih besar, lebih kuat, dan jauh lebih dekat dengan kemenangan daripada yang kamu sadari. Dan aku punya kunci untuk memahami semuanya."
Mira menyela, suaranya tajam. "Kalau kamu tahu banyak, kenapa tidak membantu kami melawan mereka daripada mendukung tujuan mereka?"
Voss menoleh padanya, ekspresinya hampir penuh iba. "Oh, Mira. Masih berpegang pada ilusi pahlawan dan penjahat? Ini bukan pertarungan yang bisa kalian menangkan dengan niat mulia dan tembakan blaster. Galaksi sudah hancur. Aku hanya memastikan aku berada di sisi yang menang."
Kemarahan Jack memuncak. "Kamu mengkhianati semua yang kita perjuangkan. Kamu meninggalkan orang-orangmu, tugasmu. Kamu tidak lebih dari seorang pengecut."
Senyum Voss memudar sejenak, digantikan oleh kilatan sesuatu yang lebih gelap penyesalan, mungkin, atau bahkan rasa bersalah. Tapi itu hilang secepat munculnya.
"Pikirkan apa pun yang kamu mau, Jack," kata Voss dengan suara dingin. "Tapi catat kata-kataku: pilihan yang kamu buat dalam beberapa hari mendatang akan menentukan apakah kamu hidup untuk menyesalinya. Atau jika kamu hidup sama sekali."
Sebelum Jack bisa merespons, fasilitas itu berguncang hebat. Sebuah ledakan mengguncang struktur, dan alarm meraung.
Senyum Voss kembali, jahat dan penuh kemenangan. "Ah, sepertinya waktu kita habis. Sampai jumpa lagi, Komandan."
Dengan itu, dia menghilang ke bayangan, meninggalkan Jack dan timnya yang berusaha melarikan diri dari fasilitas yang runtuh.
Kembali di atas kapal, tim berkumpul kembali, wajah-wajah mereka penuh kekhawatiran.
"Sekarang apa?" tanya Tariq, frustrasi.
Jack menatap ke luasnya ruang angkasa, pikirannya berputar. Kata-kata Voss bergema di kepalanya, memenuhi dirinya dengan kemarahan dan ketidaknyamanan.
"Sekarang," kata Jack akhirnya, suaranya tegas, "kita bersiap untuk apa pun yang akan datang. Karena apa pun yang direncanakan Voss, ini baru permulaan."
Mira meletakkan tangannya di bahunya, tatapannya mantap. "Kita akan menghadapinya bersama, Jack. Apa pun itu."
Jack mengangguk, tekad mengeras di wajahnya. Kembalinya Malric Voss telah mengubah segalanya, tetapi satu hal tetap pasti: perjuangan untuk galaksi masih jauh dari selesai.