Chapter 4: Chapter 4: The Shadows Follow
The Ironsight roared into the docking bay of the Federation Space Center, barely slowing before settling into its berth. Rhys practically leaped out of the cockpit, his face a storm of fury. Jax was right on his heels, struggling to keep up as they marched straight toward the mission office.
"That bastard has some explaining to do," Rhys snarled, fists already clenched.
Jax nodded sharply, just as agitated. Neither could shake the image of that ship—whatever it was, it wasn't like anything they'd seen before. It haunted them, like a nightmare that refused to fade. But right now, Rhys's anger drowned out any lingering fear.
They burst into the office. The same bored clerk sat behind the terminal, eyes barely lifting until Rhys slammed his fist on the desk.
"You sent us into a death trap!" Rhys shouted, his voice echoing off the metal walls.
The clerk blinked, looking as if he'd just been jolted awake. "What are you talking about?"
"We found a wrecked base and a ship—a monstrosity," Rhys spat, leaning in. "Not pirates. Definitely not pirates."
Jax crossed his arms, his voice tight with barely controlled anger. "You said there was no risk of a Necrolythian attack. Yet we arrive, and everything's in ruins."
The clerk's indifferent mask cracked. His eyes darted to the terminal before meeting theirs again. "I don't know what you're implying," he said slowly. "If the base was attacked before you arrived, we'll investigate—"
"Investigate?" Jax cut him off, tone sharp. "We nearly didn't make it out alive! We weren't prepared for... whatever that thing was."
Rhys opened his mouth to unleash another tirade, but—
BOOM
The station shuddered violently, sending all three sprawling to the floor. Rhys caught himself just before his head hit metal. Overhead, lights flickered as alarms blared.
"What the hell—" Jax started, but another shockwave rocked the station, even stronger this time. Rhys grabbed a railing, pulling himself up.
The clerk scrambled to his feet, fear replacing his earlier apathy. "What's happening?" he mumbled, stumbling back toward his terminal.
Rhys's blood ran cold. "It's them..." he whispered, more to himself than anyone else. "They followed us."
Jax's eyes widened as realization hit. "That thing traced us back here?"
Red alerts flashed across the clerk's screen. "We're under attack. The Necrolythians—they're here!"
Panic erupted. Outside the office, chaos consumed the corridors. Federation personnel dashed in every direction as another explosion tore through the station. Rhys grabbed Jax's arm. "We need to get back to the Ironsight," he shouted over the sirens.
Jax nodded, face set. The hallways were a blur of frantic faces—workers fleeing, soldiers rushing to defensive positions. Moments ago, this place was a fortress. Now? A warzone.
They pushed through the crowd, but suddenly stopped dead.
A massive figure emerged from the docking bay of a familiar gigantic ship. It was a federation owned Titan-class ship, The Resolute Dawn. It was unlike anything Rhys had ever seen. Colossal. More like a walking fortress than any machine he'd known. Twin plasma cannons blazed from its arms, sending thundering bolts into Necrolythian ships, blowing them apart.
Rhys's heart pounded. He'd heard whispers about these Arbiter-class warmachines. Rumor had it the Federation called them "Angels of Destruction." Cold, relentless engines of war.
Jax's voice was barely audible over the chaos. "So they're real... the rumors were true."
The Arbiter bore no insignia, no flag. Just a stark "53" painted on its massive shoulder plate, standing out against the dark, twisted metal of its armor. Its plasma cannons boomed again, tearing through enemy ships. Debris scattered like confetti.
"We need to go!" Rhys snapped, tearing his gaze away. Watching wouldn't save them.
They were close to the hangar when the screech of metal grinding against metal filled the air. Rhys looked up just in time to see a sleek, black Necrolythian auxilary craft descending toward the station. Its hull gleamed—a predator ready to strike.
"Move!" Rhys yelled, yanking Jax forward as they sprinted toward the Ironsight.
They dashed up the ramp. Rhys jumped into the pilot's seat; Jax powered up the weapons. The Necrolythian craft fired a volley just as the Ironsight's engines roared to life. The hangar wall exploded, showering them with sparks and debris.
"Shields up!" Rhys shouted, flipping switches frantically.
"They're coming back around!" Jax's fingers flew over the console.
The enemy ship banked sharply, weapons charging for another attack.
Rhys slammed the throttle forward, launching the Ironsight out of the hangar as laser bolts streaked past, close enough to make the hull shudder.
"Hold on!" Rhys gritted his teeth, diving the ship sharply. The enemy pursued relentlessly.
Jax fired the rear plasma cannons, but the Necrolythian craft was too fast, dodging like a shadow. "They're too quick!" he shouted, panic edging his voice.
Another blast rocked them as the shields took a direct hit. Rhys's hands moved in a blur, desperate to outmaneuver their pursuer, but it wasn't enough.
"We're not gonna make it!" Jax's eyes were wide, fixed on the enemy closing in.
Rhys's mind raced. No tricks left. Nowhere to hide. The Necrolythian ship was upon them.
Too fast.
Too close.
And this time, escape seemed impossible.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone