Lena stood in the command center of the underground facility, staring at the holographic display that illuminated the dimly lit room. The eerie blue glow cast long shadows over the walls, but the images it displayed were far more disturbing. The council's fleet was closing in, a dark tide of ships that threatened to swallow them whole.Kira's voice broke the silence, tense and urgent. "We don't have much time. The fleet is moving fast. By tomorrow night, they'll be in orbit around Zaltron."Lena's heart skipped a beat. Tomorrow. It felt like a lifetime away, yet it was all too real. She turned to Elias, her breath catching in her throat. "We're running out of time, Elias. We've barely scratched the surface of the core's power, and the council is already here."Elias stepped up beside her, his face set in a determined expression. "We can't let fear hold us back. We've learned enough to know that we have a fighting chance." His gaze softened as he met her eyes, the warmth of his hand on her shoulder grounding her in the moment. "And no matter what happens, we'll face it together."Lena nodded, but the uncertainty gnawed at her. The weight of their mission had grown heavier with each passing day, and the closer the council came, the more she felt the pressure. This wasn't just a battle for survival. It was a battle for the future of everything she loved—the people of Earth, their world, and the bond she had with Elias.The voice of the System cut through her thoughts, its usual mechanical tone now carrying an ominous edge.[System]: "The council has detected the energy signature of the core. They are aware of your presence on Zaltron. Their fleet is mobilizing. The time for secrecy has passed."Lena's mind raced. They had kept the discovery of the core hidden as long as they could, but the council's advanced detection systems had found them. The core's power was unmistakable, and now, it was only a matter of time before they would be here in full force."We need to decide," Kira said, her voice sharp. "If we're going to use the core against the council, we need to learn to control it—quickly. But it's risky. The core's power is not something we fully understand, and using it blindly could cause catastrophic damage."Lena clenched her fists, her thoughts turning inward. There was so much at stake. The core could give them the edge they desperately needed, but could they trust it? Could they learn how to wield such a volatile force in time to stop the council?"Maybe there's another way," Elias suggested, his tone thoughtful. "We don't have to use the core's full power just yet. If we can create a diversion, draw the council's ships away from the planet, we might be able to buy ourselves some time to learn more."Lena's heart sank at the thought of waiting. Every moment they delayed felt like a missed opportunity, but Elias was right. They couldn't rush into using the core without understanding its full capabilities. The stakes were too high."What kind of diversion?" Lena asked, her mind turning to the tactical possibilities.Kira stepped forward, her fingers dancing across the holographic display, pulling up a map of Zaltron's atmosphere and the council's fleet positions. "We have a few options. We could launch a series of decoy ships with false signals to mislead their fleet. Or we could initiate a controlled detonation of some of the core's excess energy—just enough to create a massive energy spike that would pull their ships off-course temporarily. It's a gamble, but it might work."Lena frowned, weighing the options. A controlled detonation of the core's energy was dangerous. There was no telling how the council would react to such a powerful burst. But the idea of drawing their attention away, even for a short while, could give them the time they needed to finish their preparations."Do we have any guarantees it'll work?" she asked, her voice tight."No," Kira replied bluntly. "But it's the best shot we have."The air in the room seemed to grow thicker, the tension rising with every passing second. Lena could hear her heartbeat pounding in her ears, the weight of the decision almost suffocating her. She turned to Elias, searching his eyes for any sign of doubt. What if they were making a terrible mistake? What if they were rushing into a battle they couldn't win?Elias took her hand in his, squeezing it gently. "We've already come this far, Lena. We can't stop now. We've got one chance to make a difference. We'll take the risk together."She held his gaze for a long moment, the flickering lights of the command center casting shadows on his face. His belief in her gave her the strength she needed. There was no turning back now. She couldn't afford to falter—not when the entire future of Earth was at stake."Alright," Lena said, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions inside her. "We'll do it. Prepare the decoys, and get the core ready for detonation. But we'll need to keep the energy spike as low as possible. We can't afford to give the council any more of an advantage than we already have."Kira nodded. "Understood. We'll need to move fast, but we can make it work."As the team rushed to prepare for the diversion, Lena found herself standing beside Elias once more. The weight of their mission had never felt heavier, but she wasn't alone. Not anymore."We've got this," she said, more to herself than to him. But Elias heard her, and his smile was reassuring."We do," he said simply.Lena turned back toward the control panel, her fingers brushing against the surface of the holographic display. The countdown had begun. They had one chance to change the course of history, and every decision they made from here on out would determine the future of Earth and beyond.[System]: "Time is running out. The council's fleet is en route. Prepare for battle."Lena's heart raced as the final pieces of the plan fell into place. The energy surge would trigger a chain reaction, pulling the council's ships off course. But it was only a temporary fix—just enough time to give them a fighting chance.The battle was coming. They had no choice but to face it head-on.