Chapter 3
The Eclipse emerged from hyperspace, the stars stretching into streaks of light before snapping back into place. Ahead lay Veylor-9, a barren, rocky planet scarred by massive mining operations. The Zorvax complex was visible even from orbit—a sprawling network of black metal structures surrounded by automated defenses and patrol drones.
Kael sat in the cockpit, his black eyes scanning the planet below. The pendant on his chest pulsed faintly, its light a constant reminder of the task ahead. He had studied the colony's layout, memorized the locations of the defenses, and planned his approach. But plans had a way of falling apart, especially when the Zorvax were involved.
He activated the ship's stealth systems, the Eclipse blending into the darkness of space as it descended toward the planet's surface. The journey through the atmosphere was rough, the ship shuddering as it fought against the planet's gravity. But Kael's hands were steady on the controls, his focus unwavering.
The Infiltration
The Eclipse touched down in a narrow canyon on the southern edge of the colony, far from the Zorvax patrols. Kael stepped out of the ship, his hooded cloak concealing his Gaian markings. The air was thin and cold, the ground beneath his feet cracked and uneven. In the distance, he could see the glow of the Zorvax complex, its lights cutting through the darkness like a beacon.
He moved quickly, his ki cloaking him from sight as he approached the supply tunnel the woman had mentioned. The entrance was unassuming—a small, unmarked door set into the side of a rocky outcrop. But Kael knew better than to underestimate Zorvax security. He scanned the area with his ki senses, detecting the faint hum of automated defenses.
The door was locked, but Kael had come prepared. He pulled a small device from his belt, attaching it to the control panel. The device hummed softly as it bypassed the security system, the door sliding open with a faint hiss. Kael stepped inside, his senses on high alert.
The tunnel was narrow and dimly lit, the walls lined with pipes and conduits. Kael moved silently, his ki senses alert for any signs of danger. He didn't have to wait long. A patrol drone rounded the corner ahead, its sensors scanning the area. Kael pressed himself against the wall, his ki cloak rendering him invisible to the drone's sensors. As the drone passed, he struck, his energy blade slicing through its core. The drone collapsed in a shower of sparks, its systems shutting down.
Kael didn't pause. He moved deeper into the tunnel, his mind focused on the task ahead. The Zorvax command center was his target, but he needed to be careful. The colony was crawling with patrols, and one misstep could mean the end of his mission.
The Resistance
As Kael approached the end of the tunnel, he heard voices ahead. He pressed himself against the wall, his ki senses reaching out to assess the situation. A group of locals—miners, by the looks of them—were gathered near the entrance to the complex. They were armed with makeshift weapons, their faces grim with determination.
Kael hesitated. The woman at Taris Station had mentioned a leader named Ryn, someone who had been causing the Zorvax trouble. If these miners were part of the resistance, they might be willing to help. But alliances were risky, especially when trust was in short supply.
Before he could decide, one of the miners spotted him. The man raised his weapon, his eyes narrowing as he stepped forward.
"Who are you?" the miner demanded, his voice low and wary.
Kael lowered his hood, revealing his face. "I'm not your enemy," he said, his voice calm but firm. "I'm here to hit the Zorvax. If you're fighting them, we might be able to help each other."
The miner studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Follow me."
The Meeting
Kael was led to a hidden chamber deep within the tunnels, where a woman stood surrounded by a group of armed miners. She was tall and lean, her eyes sharp and calculating. This, Kael assumed, was Ryn.
"Who's this?" Ryn asked, her voice sharp.
"Says he's here to hit the Zorvax," the miner replied.
Ryn's eyes narrowed as she studied Kael. "And why should we trust you?"
Kael met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "You don't have to trust me. But if you want to take down the Zorvax, you'll need all the help you can get."
Ryn's lips curled into a faint smile. "Fair enough. But if you double-cross us, you won't live to regret it."
Kael nodded. "Understood."
The Plan
Ryn led Kael to a makeshift map of the colony, pointing out the locations of the Zorvax defenses and patrols. "The command center is here," she said, tapping a spot on the map. "It's heavily guarded, but if we hit them here and here"—she pointed to two other locations—"we can draw their forces away and give you a clear path."
Kael studied the map, his mind racing. The plan was risky, but it might work. "What about the automated defenses?" he asked.
Ryn smiled. "We've got a way to disable them. But we'll need you to create a distraction while we do it."
Kael nodded. "I can handle that."
The Preparation
As the miners prepared for the attack, Kael took a moment to gather his thoughts. The pendant on his chest pulsed softly, its light a constant reminder of the task ahead. He didn't know if he could trust Ryn and her people, but he didn't have much of a choice. The Zorvax were too powerful to take on alone.
He closed his eyes, focusing on his ki. The energy surged within him, a river of power that he could shape and direct. He would need every ounce of it for what was to come.
The Attack
The signal came just as the sun was setting, casting the colony in an eerie orange glow. Kael moved quickly, his ki cloak rendering him invisible as he approached the Zorvax defenses. The miners had already begun their assault, their makeshift weapons causing chaos among the patrols.
Kael reached the command center, his energy blade flashing as he cut through the guards. The automated defenses were down, thanks to Ryn's people, and the path was clear. He stepped inside, his eyes narrowing as he took in the scene.
The Zorvax commander stood at the center of the room, his face twisted in rage. "Who are you?" he demanded.
Kael didn't respond. He didn't need to. The commander activated his Aether, a wave of concussive force slamming into Kael. But Kael was ready. He raised a ki shield, the barrier absorbing the blast. He countered with a ki construct—a spear of light that he hurled at the commander. The commander dodged, but Kael was already moving, closing the distance between them in an instant. His energy blade flashed, cutting through the commander's armor and ending the fight.
The Aftermath
As the command center collapsed around him, Kael made his way back to the surface. The miners were celebrating, their cheers echoing through the tunnels. Ryn approached him, her expression unreadable.
"You did it," she said.
Kael nodded. "We did it."
Ryn studied him for a moment, then extended her hand. "If you're ever in the area again, look us up."
Kael shook her hand, his grip firm. "I'll keep that in mind."
The Eclipse drifted silently through the void, its engines humming softly as it charted a course toward Xerxis Prime. Kael sat in the cockpit, his black eyes fixed on the holographic display in front of him. The data he had stolen from Veylor-9 was spread out before him, a web of coordinates, troop movements, and supply routes. Xerxis Prime loomed large in his mind—a fortress of black metal and bristling defenses, a symbol of the Zorvax Empire's might.
But Kael wasn't intimidated. He had faced worse odds before, and he had survived. The pendant on his chest pulsed faintly, its light a constant reminder of the power he carried—and the burden it entailed.
The Complication
As Kael reviewed the data, a notification flashed on the display. An incoming transmission, encrypted and untraceable. He frowned, his hand hovering over the controls. He wasn't expecting any messages, and he didn't like surprises.
After a moment's hesitation, he opened the transmission. A holographic image flickered to life in front of him—a woman, her face partially obscured by a hood. It was the same woman he had met on Taris Station.
"I see you made it off Veylor-9 in one piece," she said, her voice smooth and teasing. "Impressive."
Kael's expression didn't change. "What do you want?"
The woman smiled, revealing a row of sharp teeth. "I thought you might like to know that the Zorvax are already scrambling to recover from your little stunt. They've doubled their patrols and tightened security across the sector. If you're planning another move, you'll need to be careful."
Kael's eyes narrowed. "Why are you telling me this?"
The woman's smile widened. "Let's just say I have a vested interest in seeing the Zorvax suffer. But that's not the only reason I'm contacting you. There's something you need to know."
Kael leaned forward, his interest piqued. "Go on."
The woman's expression grew serious. "The Zorvax are planning something big. Something that could shift the balance of power in the galaxy. If you want to stop them, you'll need to act fast."
Kael's jaw tightened. "What are they planning?"
The woman shook her head. "That's all I can tell you for now. But if you're serious about taking them down, you'll need to be ready for anything."
Before Kael could respond, the transmission ended, the holographic image dissolving into static. He sat back in his seat, his mind racing. The woman's words echoed in his mind, a warning—and a challenge.
The Preparation
Kael turned his attention back to the data, his fingers flying over the holographic interface. He needed to know more about Xerxis Prime, about the Zorvax's plans. But the information he had was incomplete, fragmented. He would need to gather more intel if he wanted to succeed.
He activated the ship's autopilot and moved to the rear of the ship, where a small workstation was cluttered with tools and spare parts. He sat down and began to sift through the data, his mind already racing with plans.
As he worked, the pendant on his chest pulsed softly, its light mingling with the glow of the holographic display. Kael's fingers brushed it briefly, his jaw tightening with resolve. He didn't know what the Zorvax were planning, but he knew one thing for certain: he wouldn't let them win.