Chapter 1: Squad Eclipse Assembles

Captain Nova Raines stared out the viewport of The Aether's Edge, her sleek starfighter, as her team's ship docked inside The Citadel, headquarters of the Interstellar Union. The stars stretched endlessly beyond the massive space station, but her focus was on the mission briefing she was about to receive.

Behind her, her squad gathered.

Vera Kade, the team's hacker, adjusted her cybernetic visor, already analyzing data feeds. Lt. Iris Valen, the best pilot in the sector, leaned against the bulkhead, arms crossed, exuding confidence. Dr. Selene Voss, their engineer, checked her gauntlets, always prepared for battle.

They were Squad Eclipse, the most elite force in the galaxy. And they had just been assigned the most dangerous mission of their careers—venturing into the uncharted Void Zone to retrieve an artifact of unimaginable power: The Ark of Eternis.

Nova had a bad feeling about this mission. The last squad sent in had vanished without a trace.

Still, there was no turning back. They were the best, and the best didn't back down.

"Alright, ladies," Nova said, fastening her plasma rifle to her side. "Let's make history."