Liora's pulse pounded as she stood on the bridge of the Stellarion. The ship's systems hummed in the tense silence, the crimson glare of the looming enemy fleet casting an ominous glow through the viewport. Orion's voice, cold and commanding, still echoed in her ears.
"The Key is mine. You cannot hope to defy me."
She gritted her teeth. Defiance surged through her, fiery and unyielding. But even as she steeled herself, the weight of her crew's uncertain gazes bore down on her.
Kael's words from earlier whispered in her mind:
The Key chooses its bearer.
Liora's fingers hovered over the comm panel.
"Prepare for evasive maneuvers,"
she ordered Vera, her tone sharper than she intended.
"Marcus, keep those shields steady. Kael, I need you—"
Kael cut her off, leaning closer.
"We can't just outrun them forever. The Key has power we're not tapping into. Let me help."
Liora's gaze snapped to her, suspicion flickering.
"And how do I know you're not leading us straight into Orion's hands?"
Kael smirked, though it didn't reach her eyes.
"You don't. But if we're going to survive, you'll have to take that risk."
"I don't trust her," Marcus muttered, not bothering to hide his disdain.
"She shows up out of nowhere with all the answers? Convenient."
"Enough," Liora snapped. "We don't have time for this. Kael, what's your plan?"
Kael hesitated, her confidence faltering for the first time.
"The Key responds to intent. It's… connected to your will. If you let me guide you, we can unlock more of its potential."
Liora's eyes narrowed. "You've seen it before. How?"
Kael's jaw tightened. "Because I was there when Orion first tried to claim it. I was one of them."
The admission hit like a thunderclap. The bridge fell into stunned silence, every gaze fixed on Kael.
"You what?" Marcus hissed, hand straying toward his sidearm.
Kael raised her hands, palms out. "I defected. I saw what Orion's plans would unleash. That's why I'm here—to stop him."
Liora stared at her, the weight of the revelation threatening to crush her resolve. Trusting Kael felt like stepping into quicksand, but the alternative was unthinkable. Orion's fleet was closing in, their weapons primed. They needed an edge, and Kael might be it.
"Fine," Liora said at last, her voice low and firm. "But if this is a trick, you'll wish you'd stayed with Orion."
Kael's lips twitched in a wry smile. "Fair enough."
The ship shuddered violently as the first volley struck their shields. Warning sirens wailed, the bridge bathed in red light.
"They're targeting our engines!" Vera shouted. "If we don't move, we're sitting ducks."
"Kael, you're up," Liora said, stepping aside.
Kael approached the containment field holding the Celestial Key. The artifact's glow intensified as she neared, its light pulsating in time with her movements. She extended her hand, fingers trembling slightly, and the Key responded, its energy surging toward her like a tidal wave.
"Focus," Liora urged.
Kael closed her eyes, her breathing steadying as the Key's power flowed through her. The ship seemed to hum in resonance, its systems coming alive with a new vitality. The lights brightened, and the warning sirens fell silent.
"What are you doing?" Marcus demanded, his hand still on his weapon.
Kael didn't answer. Her focus was entirely on the Key, her expression a mix of awe and determination. The ship's systems began to shift, energy readings spiking.
"Liora," Vera said, her voice tinged with alarm. "We're… we're cloaking. But we don't have cloaking tech."
Liora's eyes widened. The Key was bending the ship's systems to its will, creating a temporary shield of invisibility. The enemy fleet's weapons ceased fire, their targeting systems unable to lock on.
"It's working," Kael murmured, her voice strained. "But it won't last. We need to act now."
"Vera, plot a course out of here," Liora ordered. "Marcus, prepare for warp."
"And Orion?" Marcus asked, his tone challenging.
Liora's gaze hardened. "We'll deal with him later. Survival comes first."
As the Stellarion slipped past the enemy fleet, Liora felt a flicker of hope. But it was short-lived. Kael collapsed to the floor, the Key's glow fading as she released it. Liora rushed to her side.
"What happened?"
Kael's breathing was labored, her skin pale. "The Key… it takes a toll. It's not meant for prolonged use."
"Will she be okay?" Vera asked, concern etched on her face.
Kael managed a weak smile. "I've been through worse. But we're not out of the woods yet."
Liora helped her to her feet, her mind racing. The Key's power was immense, but it came at a cost. And Kael's revelation about her past with Orion raised more questions than answers.
As the ship sped away, Liora couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. The Key's glow had dimmed, but its presence was unmistakable. And in the back of her mind, she heard a voice—faint but unmistakable.
You cannot run forever, Liora. The Key is only the beginning.