The Ark drifted out of jump space, its battered hull catching the light of a red sun. Before it stretched Havenreach—an independent colony world carved into the cliffs of a desert canyon. A sprawling city clung to the rock like an iron spider, towers jutting upward while smoke plumes curled from countless factories.
Kael studied the view from the bridge, jaw tight. "Looks the same as the last time I saw it. Angry, loud, and ready to explode."
Rhea smirked at his side. "My kind of place."
Lyra, standing at the command dais, tilted her head slightly as though listening. "The Ark doesn't like it. Too many weapons pointed in our direction."
As if to confirm her words, the comm crackled."Unidentified vessel, this is Havenreach Control. Power down your engines and state your purpose. You are under our guns."
Kael nodded to Rhea, who opened the channel. He stepped forward, his voice even. "This is Captain Kael Ardyn. Former pilot of the Council fleet. We're here to speak with the Havenreach Assembly."
A pause. Then a bitter laugh filled the channel."Ardyn? As in Ghost Admiral Ardyn? You have some nerve showing your face here. You'll find no friends on Havenreach."
The channel cut. Instantly, surface batteries rotated toward the Ark.
Lyra frowned. "They think you're your brother."
Kael cursed under his breath. "Then we convince them otherwise—before they turn us into scrap."
The Ark touched down on Havenreach's landing platform under heavy guard. Soldiers in patchwork armor surrounded them, weapons at the ready.
Kael disembarked with Lyra and Rhea at his side. The air was hot, dry, and acrid with smoke.
A man in a scorched officer's coat stepped forward. His face was lined, his eyes sharp with suspicion."Captain Ardyn. Or should I say Ghost Admiral's puppet?"
Kael forced calm into his voice. "I'm not Taren. He's my brother, yes—but I'm here to stop him."
The officer spat on the ground. "Words are cheap. Do you know how many of our ships he's already destroyed? How many families he's left ash in the void?"
Kael's chest tightened. "I know. That's why we're here. To unite against him. To fight back."
The officer's eyes narrowed. "Then you'll get your chance. But don't expect us to trust you. Not yet."
They were marched through the industrial city into a cavernous hall built into the canyon wall. The Assembly sat in a semicircle of metal thrones, each member scarred by years of war and loss.
The presiding chairwoman, a broad-shouldered woman named Veyra Kaas, glared down at Kael."You dare come here wearing his name. Do you think Havenreach is desperate enough to follow the Ghost Admiral's shadow?"
Kael stood tall, though sweat beaded his brow. "I don't ask you to follow me. I ask you to fight with me. Taren isn't just coming for you—he's coming for all of us. Alone, you'll burn. Together, we have a chance."
A murmur rippled through the chamber.
Lyra stepped forward, her voice steady, her presence radiating calm authority. "I was there. I saw his fleet. I touched the Ark's memory of what's coming. Havenreach cannot stand alone."
Some Assembly members leaned forward, intrigued despite themselves. But Veyra's scowl deepened."Words, again. Show us proof."
Kael hesitated—then nodded to Rhea. She activated a holo-projector, displaying recordings from their battle with Taren's fleet: ghostly warships materializing from the void, their black hulls like predators in the dark. The room fell silent.
When the projection ended, Veyra's voice was grim. "You expect us to throw everything into your cause on the strength of one battle? What guarantee do we have that you won't betray us—like the Council has for generations?"
Kael's answer came without hesitation. "None. Except this: I've already been exiled. I have no place in the Council, no power but what I make with my own hands. My fight isn't for them. It's for us."
Veyra finally raised a hand. "We'll deliberate. Until then—you'll remain under guard. Step out of line, and Havenreach will bury you where you stand."
That night, confined to a spartan chamber, Kael paced restlessly. Lyra sat quietly on the edge of the cot, watching him.
"You're doing it again," she said softly.
"Doing what?"
"Carrying the whole war on your shoulders."
He stopped, meeting her gaze. "Because if we fail here, the rest won't follow. This is our first chance—and maybe our last."
Before Lyra could answer, the lights flickered. Then an explosion rocked the building.
Rhea cursed. "That wasn't random."
The door burst open—one of Havenreach's guards staggered in, bleeding."They're… here… saboteurs…" He collapsed.
Kael grabbed his sidearm. "Taren's agents. He doesn't want Havenreach listening to us."
Lyra's eyes glowed faintly as she reached for the Ark's link. "I can feel them. Three… no, four. Moving fast."
"Then let's cut them off." Kael chambered a round. "If we save the Assembly, maybe they'll finally believe us."
The corridors of the Assembly compound erupted in chaos. Armed saboteurs in black armor stormed through, planting charges and firing indiscriminately.
Kael led the counterattack, moving with a soldier's precision. His blaster bolts cut through the dim halls, each shot a desperate bid to keep the Assembly alive.
Rhea fought like a storm at his side, blades flashing when ammo ran dry.
Lyra stood at the center of the maelstrom, her eyes alight, the Ark's power flowing through her. Barriers shimmered into existence, deflecting enemy fire. When one saboteur raised an explosive, Lyra thrust out her hand—energy rippled through the corridor, hurling the attacker into a wall.
Kael reached the Assembly chamber just as two saboteurs breached the doors. He gunned one down, tackled the other, and drove his knife into the man's chest.
The Assembly sat frozen, watching the blood spread across the floor. Kael stood, breathing hard.
"That's your proof. Taren doesn't want you united. That's why he sent them."
When the smoke cleared, Veyra rose from her throne. Her eyes, once cold, now burned with fierce respect.
"You bled for us," she said. "Saved us. That's worth more than words."
She turned to the Assembly. "Havenreach will stand with them. With him."
The chamber erupted with cheers and cries of defiance. For the first time, Kael felt the tide shift.
Lyra slipped her hand into his, squeezing softly. "You did it."
He shook his head. "We did it."
But inside, he knew this was only the beginning. Havenreach was one world. To face Taren, they'd need dozens. Hundreds. And each would demand a price.
As the Ark lifted from Havenreach days later, its hull reinforced and its holds stocked with supplies, Kael looked out at the red sun.
One alliance forged. A thousand more to go.
His voice was low but steady."Taren, if you're watching—I'm coming. And I won't stop."
The Ark leapt into the void once more, carrying hope into a galaxy on the edge of ruin.