The canyon gradually grew quiet in the aftermath of the landslide. As the dust settled, the acrid scent of scorched metal lingered heavily.
Kael motioned the group forward, guiding them toward the twisted remains of their ship.
"We need to get out of here before more trouble finds us."
Zara carried the artifact securely at her side, her guns still at the ready.
"It doesn't look like anyone here is going to let up. But neither am I."
Rex shifted his rifle and scanned the area.
"I don't trust this silence. It's too quiet."
Lira moved closer to Kael.
"Do you have a plan for what we'll do if someone catches us on the way to the ship?"
Kael took a breath.
"We keep formation. If it happens again, we open fire. No compromises."
Taro connected the terminal to the makeshift shield.
"Maybe we can jam some of the communications until we get on the ship."
The dust cloud began to lift, and the first enemy silhouettes appeared in the distance. The mercenaries weren't going to let up.
Zara leapt over a rock, firing as she ran. The plasma hit one of the mercenaries, and the rest fell moments later.
Kael led the way, guiding the group through the ravaged terrain.
"Stay close. We can't let anyone get separated from the group."
Rex and Lira brought up the rear. Plasma from their rifles cut through the dusty fog as Zara continued to eliminate threats from the side.
The ship stood nearby, half-hidden behind the ruins of the old station. Kael looked toward the bridge.
"Quick! We're getting in and taking off."
Zara ran in first, the artifact at her side. Rex followed close behind. Lira slid aboard and checked the systems.
Taro connected the terminal to the central control.
"The engines are ready, but the sensors are detecting something in orbit. It doesn't look accidental."
Kael took the captain's seat.
"We're taking off. No time for talking."
The engines roared, and the ship lifted off the planet, kicking up dust. With every passing second, the view of the canyon grew smaller.
Zara looked out the window.
"Do you think that thing was following us?"
Rex closed the deck door.
"If not now, we'll find out soon enough."
Kael slid his hand across the console.
"The artifact is safe. This is just the beginning. Someone is definitely looking for it."
Lira looked at everyone.
"You saw that shadow's reaction. It wasn't just an ordinary beast."
Zara smiled coldly.
"That's why I love our job. It's dangerous and exciting."
Kael closed his eyes for a moment.
"We need to be prepared. Something tells me that the gangster paths in this galaxy are just opening up."
Taro looked at the artifact.
"The first clue is ours, but this is just the beginning. Someone will do anything to get it back."
The ship broke away from the planet's atmosphere. The red light of the canyon slowly faded into the background.
Zara pointed into the darkness of space.
"I can't wait to see what's next."
Kael looked away at the radar.
"Don't underestimate this. It's just the beginning of a game that could kill us all."
The ship glided through the orbit of Kharon-9. The red light of the planet reflected off the metallic walls inside.
Kael stood at the console, reviewing sensor data.
"The artifact is stable. But the systems are detecting something strange in its energy field."
Zara leaned against the railing, her guns still at her waist.
"It doesn't look dangerous. Not yet, at least."
Rex closed the drive panel.
"I didn't expect this night to be so long."
Lira looked at the artifact that Taro had placed in a secure container.
"The first clue. But someone will want it back. We can expect a chase."
Taro connected the terminal to the ship's systems.
"I'll try to generate false signals so they can't track us."
Kael raised an eyebrow.
"There's no time for experiments. We need to act fast."
Zara smiled coldly.
"Someone's chasing us? That's why I like space."
Rex scanned the monitors.
"First, gangster signals. There are connections in the orbital systems of the nearby planet."
Kael nodded.
"So our mission has just begun. The artifact is only the beginning."
Lira frowned.
"Someone will do anything to get it back. You'd better get your weapons ready."
Zara pulled her pistols closer to her.
"Don't worry. I'm ready. I'm always ready."
Taro looked at the data on the terminal.
"The first leads point to a smuggling station in the Draxon system. Lots of mercenaries, several gang groups."
Kael took a deep breath.
"Then we know where we're going. But we can't rush. We have to plan."
Zara rolled her eyes.
"Planning is for boring people. I prefer action."
Rex snorted.
"Action could get us all killed. You'd better listen to Kael."
Kael looked at Zara and Rex.
"This is no time for arguments. Everyone has their place. We're keeping formation and heading into space."
The red light haze of the planet Kharon-9 disappeared behind the ship's hull. Determination flashed in their eyes. The artifact was in Zara's hands, but this was only the beginning of a game that would span the entire galaxy.
Zara aimed into the darkness of space.
"I can't wait to see what's next."
Kael ran his hand over the console.
"Don't underestimate this. Every mistake could cost lives. The game is just beginning."
Rex looked at the artifact.
"The first clue is ours. But someone will do anything to get it back."
Taro sighed.
"I have a feeling this is going to be a long night."
Zara smiled coldly.
"I don't like quiet nights."
The ship approached the smuggling station in the Draxon system. Metallic platforms reflected the light of nearby stars, and security drones circled in space.
Kael stood at the console.
"Stay close. No one is welcoming us here. This is not a social visit."
Zara pulled her guns closer to her.
"Don't worry. Someone wants to fight us? That's exactly why we're here."
Rex scanned the radar.
"I sense several groups. This is going to be a circus."
Lira moved closer to the terminal.
"The artifact is in a secure container, but we need to hide it. We can't let the gangster rats find out about it."
Taro connected the terminal to the station's systems.
"I'll try to generate false signals so we won't be detected right away."
Kael nodded.
"Good. We're going in. Silence until we have to act."
Zara rolled her eyes.
"Silence is for boring people. I prefer action."
The ship slid into the station dock. The metallic walls reflected the light, and the echo of footsteps reverberated in the corridors.
Kael led the group through a narrow tunnel leading to the warehouse.
"Check every corridor. We can't let them take us by surprise."
Zara ran ahead, guns ready. One of the gangsters moved toward her. One shot, and he fell.
"Don't stop!" she shouted.
Rex covered the flank, plasma cutting through the air.
"He doesn't look like a man, he looks like a killing machine."
Lira aimed at another opponent, precisely incapacitating him with a kick to the legs.
"We have to keep going. The artifact is our goal."
Taro secured the rear entrance by connecting the terminal to the door.
"I can't jam everything. If anyone approaches, I'll let you know."
Zara jumped over a container, shooting as she ran. Another gangster fell. Kael took the lead, guiding the rest of the group.
The shadows on the walls began to shift. More people appeared from the sides.
"There are too many of them!" Rex shouted.
Zara smiled coldly.
"No problem. I'll make room for them to fall."
Shots lit up the corridors, plasma bouncing off the metal walls. Kael crouched by the container, aiming at more enemies.
Lira disabled the sensors in the side corridor.
"We have a way out. Move."
Zara ran in first, the artifact at her side. Rex and Kael followed close behind. Taro closed the door behind them, generating false signals.
Behind them, explosions boomed. Gangster drones and mercenaries gave chase.
Kael glanced at the radar.
"We won't give them an easy win. Jump to space!"
The ship lifted off the dock, and Zara aimed her guns through the windows. In an attempt to halt the drones, plasma hit them.
A mist of sparks and the red glow of explosions reflected off the metallic walls of the ship. Kael slid his hand across the console.
"The artifact is safe. But now, the real game begins."
Zara looked into the darkness of space.
"I can't wait to see what's next."
Rex pressed the booster button.
"This chase won't end well for those rats."
Lira approached Zara.
"Let's stick together. There's no room for mistakes in space."
The ship shot into hyperspace. They left the chase behind, but Kael knew one thing: this was only the beginning of a conflict that would engulf the entire galaxy.