The alien cruiser groaned like a dying beast. Its walls vibrated with the faint rhythm of energy still pulsing through its veins. Kael Ardyn stood in the crystalline chamber with his hand resting on the butt of his blaster. His gaze was not on the glowing consoles or the strange glyphs; it was on the shadows. He didn't trust this place. In contrast, Lyra Veyra was full of wonder. She knelt by one of the consoles with her scanner humming. The light reflected in her auburn hair, painting her face with faint blue glimmers. "Kael," she whispered almost reverently, "this ship is more than a relic. These data cores—if I can decode even a part of them, we might learn where it came from, who built it, and why it's here." Kael smirked slightly. "Careful. You sound almost like a believer." Her lips curved. "And you sound like a cynic." "Survival makes you one." Before she could respond, Sentinel-7 stepped forward. The AI's armored frame gleamed under the glow of the crystals. "External readings fluctuate. Disturbances in the storm. Approaching vessels." Kael stiffened. "Council?" Sentinel's eyes burned orange. "Identification uncertain. But they are armed. Tracking your energy signature." Lyra quickly rose, alarm flashing in her eyes. "They followed us." Kael's gut clenched. Of course, they had. The Council wouldn't let go once they marked him. If they suspected the existence of this ship, they'd destroy entire systems to keep it buried. "What are our options?" Kael asked. Sentinel-7 tilted its head. "Defenses are compromised. Weapons are offline. Evasion is unlikely within the storm. Engagement is probable." Kael muttered, "Then we make them regret it." They hurried back toward the docking bay, their footsteps echoing through the alien halls. Kael's mind raced. They had a half-functional courier ship, one blaster between them, and an AI that might have its own hidden agenda. He glanced at Lyra as they ran. Her jaw was tight, but her eyes were steady. No panic, no hesitation. She wasn't just a scholar; she was something more. "You don't have to be here," Kael said. She shot him a sharp look. "Neither do you." Despite everything, Kael almost laughed. The docking bay came into view. The courier ship sat clamped against the alien hull, lights dimmed. Kael sprinted up the ramp, with Lyra right behind him and Sentinel clanking heavily as it followed. Kael slid into the pilot's seat. "Sentinel, can you link into this ship's systems?" The AI's eyes glowed brighter. "Yes. Accessing." Lyra strapped into the co-pilot's chair. "Kael, what if it's not the Council?" Kael's fingers darted across the controls. "If they're shooting, I don't care whose flag they're flying." The storm parted, revealing shapes in the void. Sleek ships with jagged silhouettes and black hulls. Not Council. Raiders. Kael swore. "Varrik." Lyra stiffened. "The raiders from the outpost?" "Looks like they want payback for me walking out alive." Kael's jaw tightened. "And they brought friends." The raiders' ships fanned out, weapons locking onto the courier. Plasma fire erupted, streaking through the storm. Kael yanked the controls, the courier jerking hard as bolts screamed past. Sentinel's voice was calm despite the chaos. "Shields at forty percent. Hull integrity is compromised." Lyra clung to her console with white-knuckled fists. "We can't outgun them." Kael's grin was grim. "Good thing I don't plan to outgun them." The courier dove through the storm, weaving between arcs of lightning. Kael flew with intense focus, every move reckless but precise. Plasma bolts streaked past, some grazing the hull with sizzling bursts. Lyra's voice rose over the alarms. "Kael, this isn't sustainable—" "Trust me." She looked at him, really looked. Despite the chaos, his eyes were fierce and focused. Against her better judgment, she nodded. "I do." Kael's chest tightened at her words, but there was no time to linger. He pulled the ship into a tight roll, skimming close to the alien cruiser's spires. One raider followed too closely and slammed into the jagged metal, bursting into flames. Lyra gasped. "One down." "Plenty more to go." Two raiders swung wide, trying to cut them off. Kael pulled the courier into the heart of the storm, lightning flashing around them. Sentinel chimed in, "Energy readings are unstable. This storm will consume us." Kael smirked. "Not if it eats them first." He skimmed dangerously close to a glowing rift, particles swirling violently. The raiders chased and were torn apart as the rift imploded, shredding their ships. Lyra stared at him, breathless. "You're insane." Kael's grin was sharp. "You're welcome." Only two raiders remained, but they pressed harder, their weapons tearing chunks from the courier's hull. Alarms blared, and consoles sparked. Lyra worked furiously, rerouting power. "Shields collapsing!" Kael gritted his teeth. "We need an edge." Sentinel's eyes glowed even brighter. "The Ark vessel still has dormant weaponry. If I interface, I may be able to reactivate one system." Kael didn't hesitate. "Do it." The AI's frame shimmered as it vanished, projecting itself into the alien systems. Moments later, the cruiser stirred. Glyphs across its hull flared to life. Energy surged through its veins. Then, with a soundless pulse, a beam of raw light erupted from its core. One raider ship disintegrated instantly, torn apart by the blast. The last raider broke formation and retreated into the storm. Silence fell. The storm still raged, but the battlefield was empty. Kael slumped back in his seat and exhaled slowly. "That'll do." Lyra's chest rose and fell rapidly. She looked at him, then at the glowing cruiser outside. "Kael, we just woke a sleeping giant." Kael's smirk faded. "Yeah. Let's hope it's on our side." The courier re-docked with the alien cruiser. Inside, Sentinel-7 reappeared, its eyes still glowing with residual power. "This vessel responds to my commands," it said. "But control is incomplete. Systems are damaged. More time is required." Kael rubbed the back of his neck. "Time we don't have if the Council catches up." Lyra stepped closer, her voice low but firm. "Then we use what we have. Kael, this ship isn't just technology. It's history. It's a weapon. If the Council gets it—" "They won't," Kael interrupted. His eyes met hers, steady and certain. "Not while I'm breathing." For a moment, silence stretched between them. Lyra's gaze softened, a storm of conflict and unspoken words behind her eyes. She wanted to believe him. Maybe she already did. Sentinel's voice broke the tension. "We are not alone. Other forces will come. Raiders, Council, perhaps more. You need allies." Kael smirked slightly. "Guess it's time to start building a crew." Lyra's lips curved into the ghost of a smile. "And you already have two." For the first time since his exile, Kael felt something stir inside him. Not just survival. Not just vengeance. Possibility.
