High Regent Tal'Karr sat at the head of his grand war table, the dark expanse of the galaxy spread out before him. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the cold metal surface, his mind working through the possibilities. He knew the time was near. The Rhytil fleet had positioned themselves perfectly, their ships hidden in the shadow of a nearby nebula, ready to strike at a moment's notice."We can crush her, Tal'Karr," Rhi'Taal's voice sliced through the tension. "The core will be ours. Lena is a fool to think she can control it."Tal'Karr's gaze flicked toward his emissary, his face unreadable. "She may be a fool, but she is also a significant threat. We underestimate her at our own peril."Rhi'Taal chuckled softly, though there was no humor in it. "Her power is growing, but she is a pawn in the grand scheme. She does not yet understand the depths of the core's true potential. If she could only see it, she would know that joining us is the only logical choice. Together, we would rule the galaxy."Tal'Karr's eyes darkened. "She will never join us willingly."Rhi'Taal raised an eyebrow, an almost imperceptible smile tugging at his lips. "We don't need her to join us. We just need to give her a reason to believe it's the only choice left. That's where you're wrong, Tal'Karr. She's not just a threat. She's a tool—one we can manipulate."A flicker of doubt crossed Tal'Karr's face. He had never been one to underestimate his enemies, but there was something about Lena that unsettled him. Her determination, her defiance, her refusal to back down. She was unlike any leader he had encountered before. And yet, it was precisely her strength that could be twisted into a weapon.