The Devourer dropped out of rift space near the old Sovereign Veil station. The massive structure hung there like a forgotten relic, its hull scarred by centuries of void exposure. Scans lit up the bridge consoles.
The AI core inside was waking up, corrupted by old Seeker code fragments. It broadcasted a clear challenge: submit to the throne trials or get locked out. No passage. No tech caches. No upgrades for the fleet.
Elizabeth stood at the command station, arms crossed. "We don't beg for scraps. We take the throne."
Aiden nodded beside her. The imperial family docked without hesitation. They marched into the grand audience hall, a colossal chamber where crystal thrones floated in precise formation.
Each throne reshaped itself to match the dominant user. At the center sat the Sovereign Seat, pulsing with raw resonance energy.
The station AI appeared as a towering hologram. Its form shifted between male and female, testing their unity. "Prove your claim," it intoned.
