The Shadow Banner's mission had been grueling, but when they broke into the vacated command center, it suddenly became clear how tough the struggle was. The place was eerily silent; its machinery powered down, its halls devoid of life. Jun followed closely behind Lanoir, with the shadow snake coiled tightly around his arm, sensing the unease.
Myrda touched the central console, and her fingers flew over the holographic interface in a blur of motion. Logs and communications flared to life, casting a pale light across the room. The team gathered in to hear Rickety's translation of the information as his mandibles clicked irritably with annoyance.
"Texxon really doesn't care about Sector 13," he said, narrowing his compound eyes. "They've stripped everything of value. Oxygen factories, water, food —all emptied. They left the people here to die. Nothing will be able to sustain the whole planet"
Jun clenched his fists. "How can they do this? How can they just… leave?"
Slythe growled low in his throat, his scaled hands tightening on the hilt of his weapon. "Typical empire behavior. We've seen it before. They'll be back, though. They always come back for more."
Lanoir's face was composed, but her eyes were a little darker. "Not new to me. Same thing happened on another pseudo-planet I liberated. The corporations and the military consider frontier worlds expendable." She raised her fist in the air. "This time, though, we are ready.".
She touched something on her wrist and, all of a sudden, the room was filled with a soft hum. The others sighed in relief but Jun looked around confusedly.
"What just happened?" he asked.
Myrda smirked. "Just wait and see."
Within thirty minutes, the beam of otherworldly light drenched Sector 13. The surface shimmered and the fabric of space twisted and rippled. Jun watched in awe as the stars outside the windows of the command center moved to be replaced by a nebula of bright colours stretching across the universe.
"Welcome to the Universal Commune," Panois said, stepping up beside Jun. "We teleported the whole sector into friendly territory. This is home."
"The first half of the Aftermath Mission is evacuation," Lanoir declared. "We have to get everyone out before the terraformers arrive. The commune will take care of them, but it's our responsibility to make sure no one gets left behind."
The team dispersed fast to allocate the evacuees. Mega-spaceships the size of small towns started to touch down flat on the flatlands. Ramps began to reach out from these landing spaceships touching down to touch the ground, and streams of people mustered up, nervous yet hopeful.
Lanoir moved forward, authoritative step calming the anxious mob. Jun followed behind, helping where he could. Shadow snake slid out periodically from the crowd, colors of it shifting hypnotically on the children.
Three men stood at the entrance to the first ship. Three guards, each wearing his sleek suit of armor across his shoulders, their rifles slung. The three grinned widely as Lanoir approached.
Lanoir smiled and embraced Jayn, Smriti, Leela, "It's been far too long."
"And here you are, saving the day as always," Jayn returned, her voice edged with awe. The three women were hybrids, as Jun was, their unusual features a result of evolving on different planets. Smriti's antennal eyes glinted with curiosity as she surveyed the gathering, and Leela's feline tail whipped lazily back and forth behind her.
Myrda and Panois joined the conversation, exchanging banter and catching up. Jayn turned her attention to Jun, her sharp gaze appraising him.
"So, you're the new recruit," she said with a teasing grin. "Up-and-coming revolutionary, huh?"
Jun rubbed the back of his neck, feeling both pride and nervousness. "I'm still finding my way, but… I'll do my part."
She let out a laugh, the sweet sound relieving tension. "Oh, we like this one. He's humble. Don't let Lanoir work you too hard, kid.
It was a short conversation, but it made Jun feel connected to the greater good. The last of the evacuees boarded as drones and soldiers spread out over the landscape, scanning for any remaining civilians. No one would be left behind.
The scanning over, the ships launched with the roar of their engines alive with mana-imbued power. Jun found himself on the Aeroch with his eyes widening at the wonder of the ship's interior. The living quarters compared favorably to the cold harsh conditions of Sector 13. Soft lighting and plush furniture greeted evacuees who had spent most of their lives experiencing nothing but cold, rough conditions.
Jun settled into his room, flipping through the Red Book left on the bedside table. The manifesto of the Universal Commune outlined its principles: equality, collective responsibility, and the dismantling of oppressive systems. It resonated deeply with him, reaffirming his commitment to the fight.
That evening, Lanoir visited him. She leaned against the doorway, her expression softer than usual.
"You did good today, Jun. You're growing into your role."
"Thanks," he said. "But there's still so much to learn. So much to do."
Lanoir nodded. "There always will be. But you're not alone. The commune will support you, and so will I."
She handed him a communicator. "My supervisors have been briefed about you. They'll assign you a placement soon. Till then, you're free to reach out if you need anything."
Jun took the gadget with mixed feelings of gratitude and determination. "I won't let you down," he said.
Lanoir smiled weakly. "I know you won't."
The Universal Commune absorbed evacuees very fast. Professionals and skilled persons were assigned jobs where they could best fit in. Others received stipends and were given opportunities to explore their fields of interest. Even those who did not have an idea were granted contracts of citizenship so that everyone could find a place.
As the Aeroch slid through the nebula, Jun gazed out at the stars before him, deep, abiding hope in him. For the first time in his life, he wasn't running; he was part of something greater, a revolution that could change the face of the galaxy.
"Void is vast, but together we will carve out our path," the voice of the shadow snake whispered in his mind as she stirred.
Jun nodded though a faint smile played on his lips. Though the fight was far from being over, for the first time, he would be facing it ready.