Chapter 7: Skies on Fire

  Scene 1: Civilian Trap

  The Starlance sailed through the early morning skies, its engines purring steadily as the crew settled into a rare moment of calm. The sun rose in the distance, its golden rays painting the clouds with streaks of pink and amber. Kael leaned back in the pilot’s seat, his eyes scanning the horizon for any signs of trouble.

  “This route’s clear,” Tov said, stepping into the cockpit with a steaming mug of tea. “Finally, some peace.”

  “Don’t jinx it,” Sierra muttered from her station, her fingers idly drumming against the console.

  Jack chuffed softly from his perch, his wings folding neatly as he dozed in the corner. Calla was in the navigation room, poring over the relic and the maps they had uncovered, her quiet determination a constant reminder of their mission.

  The tranquil morning was shattered by a sudden, urgent ping on the ship’s comm system. Kael stiffened, leaning forward as a frantic voice crackled through the speakers. “This is the civilian colony of Blue Haven! We’re under attack—Syndicate ships—”

  The transmission cut off abruptly, replaced by static. Kael exchanged a grim look with Sierra and Tov.

  “They’re baiting us,” Sierra said, her voice cold. “The Syndicate knows you’ll jump in.”

  “Maybe,” Kael replied, his tone hard, “but we can’t ignore it. Civilians are dying.”

  Tov grimaced, setting his mug down. “They’ll have an ambush waiting. We’d be walking straight into it.”

  “We’ve handled worse,” Kael said, adjusting the ship’s trajectory toward the distress signal. “Prep the shields. Jack—wake up, buddy. We’re going in.”

  The Starlance roared toward the colony, its engines straining as Kael pushed it to maximum speed. Blue Haven came into view—a sprawling network of floating platforms suspended above a serene expanse of sea. Smoke billowed from several sections, and flashes of laser fire streaked across the sky.

  Three Syndicate ships circled the colony like predators, their weapons tearing through the colony’s defenses. Kael gritted his teeth, his fingers tightening on the controls. “Calla, status on the artifact?”

  Calla’s voice came through the comms, steady but tense. “It’s stable for now. What’s the plan?”

  “We hit them fast and hard,” Kael said. “Tov, get to the guns. Sierra, you’re on comms—coordinate with any survivors.”

  The Starlance dove into the fray, its cannons blazing as Tov unleashed a barrage of fire on the nearest Syndicate ship. The enemy vessel veered off course, narrowly avoiding a collision with one of the colony’s platforms.

  Kael maneuvered the Starlance between the platforms, the ship’s hull groaning under the strain of rapid turns and evasive maneuvers. Jack crouched low, his glowing eyes locked on the chaos outside as if sensing the urgency of the moment.

  “Kael,” Sierra called out, her voice sharp. “The Syndicate’s targeting the central platform. That’s where most of the civilians are taking shelter.”

  Kael’s jaw tightened. “Tov, cover me. I’m taking us in.”

  The Starlance surged toward the central platform, dodging enemy fire as Kael brought the ship dangerously close to the surface. The sight below was chaotic—families huddled together, their faces pale with fear as Syndicate drones descended on them like vultures.

  “Calla, we need to get those people out of here,” Kael said, his voice urgent.

  “I’m on it,” Calla replied, already coordinating with the colony’s scattered defenders.

  As the Starlance hovered above the platform, a ramp extended from its side. Sierra and Calla rushed out, guiding terrified civilians aboard while Tov provided covering fire from the ship’s guns. Jack darted between them, his wings flaring as he let out a sharp trill to urge the stragglers forward.

  A sudden explosion rocked the platform, sending debris flying. Kael’s heart lurched as he saw a child stumble near the edge, the ground crumbling beneath her. Without hesitation, Jack leapt toward her, his wings propelling him across the gap. He caught her just in time, dragging her back to safety with surprising strength.

  Kael’s voice crackled through the comms. “We’ve got more Syndicate ships inbound. We’re out of time.”

  Sierra herded the last group of civilians aboard, her expression grim as she signaled to Kael. “We’re loaded up. Let’s move.”

  The Starlance lifted off, its engines roaring as Kael pushed it to the limit. The Syndicate ships pursued relentlessly, their weapons lighting up the sky as the crew raced to escape.

  Kael’s voice was steady but filled with resolve as he addressed the crew. “They wanted a fight. We’ll give them one.”

  Scene 2: Evacuation Heroics

  The Starlance hovered precariously above the crumbling central platform of Blue Haven, its engines straining to hold steady against the fierce crosswinds. Smoke billowed into the air, mingling with the acrid stench of burning debris. Explosions echoed across the floating colony as the Syndicate ships pressed their assault, their laser cannons tearing through the colony’s feeble defenses.

  Kael’s voice came through the comms, sharp and commanding. “Sierra, Calla, you’ve got ten minutes to clear that platform. Tov, keep them off our backs. Jack—stay with them and keep the stragglers moving.”

  The ramp of the Starlance extended again, and Sierra and Calla rushed out, their movements swift and purposeful. Civilians were scattered across the platform, some injured, others too terrified to move. Sierra’s voice cut through the chaos, steady and urgent. “Everyone, this way! Stay close, and don’t stop!”

  Calla knelt beside an older man struggling to stand, her hands gentle but firm as she helped him to his feet. “We’ll get you out of here,” she said, her voice filled with quiet determination. Jack darted past her, his glowing eyes scanning the smoke for anyone left behind. He let out a sharp trill, alerting Sierra to a small group of children huddled near a collapsed structure.

  “Go, Jack!” Sierra called, running toward the children. Jack reached them first, his wings spreading protectively as he nudged them toward Sierra. She scooped up the smallest child, a girl clutching a soot-streaked doll, and gestured for the others to follow. “You’re going to be okay. Just keep moving.”

  Above them, the Starlance’s cannons roared as Tov unleashed a barrage of fire at the pursuing Syndicate ships. “They’re closing in, Kael!” he shouted. “We’ve got three bogeys on our tail, and they’re not letting up.”

  “Just keep them off the ramp,” Kael replied, his hands steady on the controls. “Sierra and Calla are almost done.”

  Another explosion rocked the platform, sending a section of it plummeting into the sea below. Sierra stumbled, clutching the child tightly as she regained her footing. “We’re running out of time!” she yelled into the comms.

  Calla ushered the last group of civilians toward the ramp, her eyes darting to the platform’s edges as pieces continued to give way. “That’s everyone on this side. We need to—”

  A deafening crash interrupted her as a Syndicate drone slammed into the platform, its weapons charging as it locked onto the fleeing civilians. Jack let out a feral growl, leaping onto the drone and clawing at its sensors. Sparks flew as the drone struggled to shake him off, its aim faltering.

  “Tov, I need that drone gone!” Kael shouted.

  “I see it!” Tov replied. The Starlance’s cannons fired a precise shot, striking the drone and sending it careening into the sea. Jack landed gracefully, his wings flaring as he trotted back toward Sierra.

  Kael’s voice came through again, tense but determined. “Sierra, Calla, we’re pulling out. Get everyone aboard—now.”

  Calla guided the last group onto the ramp, her heart pounding as she glanced over her shoulder. “We’re clear. Go!”

  Sierra ran up the ramp, Jack close behind. The moment she was aboard, the Starlance lurched upward, its engines roaring as Kael steered it away from the collapsing platform. Syndicate ships swarmed around them, their weapons lighting up the sky as the crew fought to escape.

  Tov’s voice was steady despite the chaos. “I’ve got two of them locked. Firing!”

  The Starlance’s rear cannons unleashed another barrage, striking one of the Syndicate ships and sending it spiraling out of control. The second ship veered off, its pilot struggling to regain control.

  Kael maneuvered the Starlance into a dense cloud bank, the ship’s frame groaning under the strain. “We’re not out of this yet,” he muttered, glancing at the radar. “Calla, check on the civilians. Sierra, get to the guns—Tov needs backup.”

  The crew sprang into action, their exhaustion overridden by adrenaline. The Starlance was battered, its shields flickering, but it was still flying. And as Kael guided it toward safety, the cries of the rescued civilians echoed through the corridors, a reminder of why they fought.

  Scene 3: The Defector’s Offer

  The Starlance had settled in a hidden cove within the floating colony’s outskirts, shielded by jagged cliffs and thick mist. The crew worked quickly to triage the injured civilians, makeshift medical supplies scattered across the cargo bay. The air was heavy with the scent of smoke and antiseptic, and the occasional groan of the injured punctuated the tense silence.

  Kael stood near the main hatch, his arms crossed as he watched the perimeter. Jack sat at his feet, his glowing eyes scanning the shadows with uncharacteristic wariness. Sierra approached, wiping soot from her face. “Everyone’s accounted for, but some of the injured need proper medical attention. We can’t stay here long.”

  Kael nodded. “We won’t. As soon as we’re sure the Syndicate’s cleared out, we’re moving.”

  Before Sierra could respond, a faint shuffle came from the shadows just beyond the hatch. Jack growled low in his throat, his wings flaring slightly. Kael raised a hand to signal for quiet, his other hand moving instinctively to his weapon. “Who’s there?” he called, his voice sharp.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  A figure staggered into the faint light of the bay, their movements unsteady. It was a Syndicate operative, their uniform torn and bloodied. They raised their hands weakly, a faint tremor in their voice as they spoke. “I’m... I’m not here to fight. I need your help.”

  Tov appeared at Kael’s side, his expression dark. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

  The defector collapsed to their knees, clutching their side as blood seeped through their fingers. “Please... I know things. About the Syndicate. About the artifact. I can help you, but you have to help me.”

  Kael and Sierra exchanged a tense glance. Calla emerged from the interior of the ship, her brow furrowing as she took in the scene. “He’s hurt,” she said softly, stepping forward. “We can’t just leave him.”

  “And we can’t trust him either,” Tov countered, his hand resting on his weapon. “This could be a trap.”

  The defector coughed, their voice hoarse but insistent. “It’s not a trap. They left me to die when I failed them. I don’t have anywhere else to go.”

  Kael crouched to meet the operative’s gaze, his voice cold but measured. “If you’re lying, I’ll personally throw you out of this ship. Now talk.”

  The defector nodded weakly. “The artifact... they’re tracking it. There’s a device hidden in one of their relics—a fragment. It’s how they’ve been following you.”

  Calla’s eyes widened. “That’s why they’ve always known where we are. It’s not the artifact itself—it’s a piece of it.”

  The defector nodded again, their breaths shallow. “I can tell you where the tracking device is. I can help you disable it. But I need... sanctuary. If they find me, I’m dead.”

  Kael stood, his mind racing. The information could be the key to gaining the upper hand against the Syndicate, but trusting a Syndicate operative could put the crew at even greater risk.

  Sierra stepped forward, her tone low. “He’s desperate. That much is clear. But desperate people are dangerous.”

  “And so is flying blind while the Syndicate keeps finding us,” Kael replied, his voice hard. He turned to Calla. “Patch him up. We’ll decide what to do with him once he proves he’s telling the truth.”

  Calla hesitated, then nodded, kneeling beside the defector to assess their injuries. Tov muttered something under his breath but didn’t object further.

  As Kael stepped away, Sierra followed, her voice quiet. “You think this is the right call?”

  Kael’s expression was unreadable. “I don’t know. But if he’s telling the truth, this could buy us the time we need.”

  Jack chuffed softly at Kael’s side, his wings twitching as if sensing the tension in the air. Kael glanced down at him, his resolve hardening. “We’ll play this smart. If he’s lying, he’ll regret it.”

  The defector’s labored breathing filled the silence, their fate now tied to the crew’s fragile trust. The Syndicate’s shadow loomed larger than ever, but for the first time, Kael felt they might have a way to turn the tide.

  Scene 4: The Artifact’s Temptation

  The Starlance’s observation deck was quiet, the faint hum of the ship’s systems the only sound as Kael stood alone, staring out at the endless stretch of clouds beyond the reinforced windows. The artifact sat on the console in front of him, its faint blue light pulsing rhythmically, casting eerie shadows across the room.

  Kael rubbed the back of his neck, his thoughts a tangled mess. The Syndicate’s relentless pursuit, the near-destruction of Blue Haven, the mounting losses—it all weighed heavily on him. And now this artifact, humming with an almost hypnotic energy, seemed to mock his every decision.

  Jack padded into the room, his glowing eyes fixed on Kael. He let out a low chuff, hopping onto the console beside the artifact. Kael glanced at him, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “What do you think, buddy? You trust this thing?”

  Jack tilted his head, his gaze shifting to the artifact. He pawed at the edge of the console, his wings twitching as the artifact’s glow intensified. Kael’s smile faded, replaced by a deep frown.

  He reached out hesitantly, his fingers hovering over the artifact’s surface. The light seemed to respond, brightening and flickering in a way that felt almost alive. Kael’s chest tightened as a wave of warmth coursed through him, followed by a flood of images—vivid, disjointed, and overwhelming.

  A sprawling city of crystal and light. Aetherium veins pulsing like rivers of life. The sound of whispers, soft and melodic, yet filled with urgency. And then, a blinding flash, followed by darkness.

  Kael yanked his hand back, breathing heavily as he steadied himself against the console. Jack let out a sharp trill, his wings flaring as if to break Kael from his trance.

  The comm crackled to life, Calla’s voice cutting through the silence. “Kael, we’ve got movement on the scanners. Syndicate ships are regrouping.”

  Kael pressed the comm button, his voice steady despite the turmoil roiling inside him. “How far out?”

  “Twenty minutes, tops,” Calla replied. “Sierra’s working on the defector’s intel, but we’ll need to move soon.”

  “Understood,” Kael said, cutting the connection. He turned his gaze back to the artifact, its glow softer now, almost inviting.

  “You saw something, didn’t you?”

  Kael turned to see Sierra standing in the doorway, her arms crossed and her expression unreadable. He hadn’t even heard her approach.

  “More than I wanted to,” Kael admitted, his voice low. “This thing... it’s not just a key. It’s alive. Or something close to it.”

  Sierra stepped into the room, her eyes fixed on the artifact. “And it’s tempting you.”

  Kael snorted, shaking his head. “Tempting me to what? Use it to wipe out the Syndicate? End this fight in one move?”

  Sierra leaned against the console, her tone sharp. “And risk becoming worse than they are? You don’t know what it’ll do—what it’ll cost.”

  Kael clenched his fists, the frustration bubbling to the surface. “I’m trying to keep us alive, Sierra. To stop them before they destroy everything. And this—” he gestured to the artifact—“might be the only way.”

  “But at what price?” Sierra countered, her voice softening. “You’ve always trusted your instincts, Kael. Don’t let this thing take that away from you.”

  Jack let out a soft trill, nudging Kael’s arm. Kael exhaled slowly, the tension in his shoulders easing as he met Sierra’s gaze. “I’m not going to use it. Not yet. But we need to figure out what we’re dealing with before it’s too late.”

  Sierra nodded, a hint of relief flickering across her face. “Good. Because once you cross that line, there’s no going back.”

  Kael picked up the artifact carefully, its light pulsing faintly in his grip. “We’ll find another way. We always do.”

  As Sierra left the room, Jack settled beside Kael, his glowing eyes watching the artifact intently. Kael stared out at the stormy horizon, his resolve firm but his mind heavy with questions. The artifact was a weapon, a beacon, a curse—and it was in his hands. For now.

  Scene 5: Sierra’s Sacrifice

  The Starlance shuddered as a barrage of laser fire struck its shields, the impact rocking the ship. The Syndicate’s assault ships loomed in the distance, their crimson lights glowing ominously against the darkened sky. Kael gritted his teeth, his hands flying across the controls as he tried to keep the ship steady.

  “Tov, status on the engines?” Kael barked into the comms.

  “They’re holding—for now,” Tov replied, his voice laced with strain. “But we can’t take much more of this.”

  In the common area, Sierra tightened the straps on her gear, her expression grim. She glanced at Calla, who was monitoring the defector’s condition. “How much longer until we’re ready to jump?”

  Calla shook her head, her voice tinged with worry. “Not long, but we’ll need time to charge the core. We’re sitting ducks until then.”

  Sierra’s jaw tightened. “We don’t have time. Those ships will rip us apart before we can jump.”

  She strode toward the armory, pulling out a compact detonator and slipping it into her pocket. Jack chuffed softly from his perch, his golden eyes following her every move.

  Kael’s voice came through the comms, sharp and commanding. “Sierra, get to the guns. We need all the firepower we can muster.”

  Sierra paused, her hand resting on the hatch to the lower deck. “There’s another way,” she said, her voice steady.

  “What are you talking about?” Kael demanded.

  Sierra glanced at the viewport, her eyes narrowing as she watched the Syndicate ships close in. “If I can get aboard one of their warships, I can sabotage it. Buy us the time we need.”

  “That’s suicide,” Kael snapped. “You won’t make it out alive.”

  Sierra smirked faintly, her tone softening. “I’ve survived worse. Trust me.”

  Kael’s silence was heavy, the weight of her words settling over him like a stone. Finally, he spoke, his voice low but firm. “Don’t do this, Sierra. There has to be another way.”

  “There isn’t,” she said, her tone resolute. “And you know it.”

  Before Kael could respond, Sierra deactivated the comms and stepped into the airlock. Jack chuffed again, leaping onto her shoulder and nuzzling her cheek as though sensing her intent.

  “Not this time, Jack,” she murmured, gently setting him down. “They need you more than I do.”

  The airlock door slid shut behind her, and Sierra activated her thrusters, launching herself into the chaos of the battlefield. Syndicate drones buzzed around her, their weapons firing wildly as she weaved through the storm of laser fire. Her focus was unshakable, her movements precise as she closed in on the nearest warship.

  Sierra landed on the ship’s hull with a heavy thud, her boots magnetizing to the surface. She moved quickly, her hands deftly placing charges along key structural points. The ship’s alarm blared, red lights flashing as Syndicate soldiers scrambled to respond.

  Inside the Starlance, Kael’s voice was a sharp bark over the comms. “Sierra, come in! What’s your status?”

  No response.

  “Sierra!” Kael shouted, his voice cracking with frustration.

  Tov glanced up from his station, his expression grim. “She’s not coming back, is she?”

  Kael’s jaw clenched, his knuckles white as he gripped the controls. “We’re not leaving without her.”

  Suddenly, a massive explosion lit up the sky. The Syndicate warship shuddered, its engines engulfed in flames as it began to break apart. The blast sent a shockwave rippling through the battlefield, forcing the remaining Syndicate ships to retreat.

  The comm crackled to life, Sierra’s voice faint but steady. “You’ve got your window. Get out of here.”

  “Sierra, where are you?” Kael demanded, his heart pounding.

  “Doesn’t matter,” she replied, her tone soft. “Just keep them safe, Kael. That’s all that matters.”

  The connection went dead, and Kael slammed his fist against the console. “Tov, prep the jump. Now.”

  The Starlance surged forward, its engines roaring as the ship entered the jump sequence. Jack let out a mournful trill, his wings drooping as the crew sat in stunned silence.

  Kael stared out at the stars, his expression a mix of anger and grief. Sierra’s sacrifice had bought them time, but the cost was almost too much to bear.

  And the fight was far from over.

  Scene 6: Jack’s Revelation

  The Starlance emerged from the jump sequence with a shudder, its engines groaning in protest before stabilizing. The crew sat in tense silence, the weight of Sierra’s sacrifice pressing heavily on them. The stars outside the viewport stretched endlessly, their distant light a stark contrast to the chaos they had just escaped.

  Kael remained in the cockpit, his hands gripping the controls tightly. His jaw was set, his gaze fixed ahead, though there was nowhere to look but the vast emptiness of space. Calla approached cautiously, her voice soft. “Kael, we need to assess the ship’s damage. And the civilians—”

  “I know,” Kael interrupted, his tone sharp. “Just... give me a minute.”

  Calla hesitated but nodded, retreating to the cargo bay where Tov was checking on the rescued civilians. Jack lingered near Kael, his glowing eyes fixed on the artifact resting on the console. The artifact’s light was dim, its pulsing rhythm slower than usual, as though it too were weary from the battle.

  Kael finally let out a long breath, leaning back in his seat. He turned to Jack, his voice softer now. “You miss her too, don’t you?”

  Jack chuffed softly, hopping onto the console and nudging the artifact with his nose. The moment his paw touched its surface, the dim light flared to life, filling the room with a sudden burst of energy. Kael jerked back, his hand instinctively reaching for his weapon.

  “What the—” Kael started, but the words died in his throat as the artifact began to hum, its glow intensifying. Symbols appeared, floating above its surface in a vivid holographic display, shifting and rearranging themselves in rapid succession.

  Jack stood perfectly still, his wings half-extended as though caught in a trance. The artifact’s light seemed to flow into him, illuminating the faint veins beneath his skin. He let out a low, resonant trill, unlike any sound Kael had ever heard.

  “Jack?” Kael said cautiously, rising from his seat.

  The artifact’s glow pulsed one final time, and the symbols coalesced into a three-dimensional map hovering above the console. It was more detailed than anything the crew had seen before, showing not just the route to the Shattered Veil, but intricate pathways and energy flows radiating from the Heart of Aether.

  Calla rushed into the cockpit, her eyes widening at the sight. “What’s happening?”

  “I don’t know,” Kael replied, his gaze locked on Jack. “He touched the artifact, and now... this.”

  The map began to shift again, zooming in on a specific point. A structure emerged, faintly outlined but unmistakable in its shape—a crystalline spire surrounded by pulsating aetherium veins.

  “It’s the Heart,” Calla whispered, her voice filled with awe. “It has to be.”

  Jack let out another trill, the light from the artifact fading as the map dissolved. He turned to Kael, his golden eyes glowing with an intensity that sent a chill down Kael’s spine. For a moment, it felt as though Jack was trying to communicate, his gaze filled with purpose.

  Kael crouched down, his tone gentle but firm. “What did you do, buddy? What did you show us?”

  Jack blinked slowly, his wings folding neatly against his back as he hopped into Kael’s lap. The weight of the moment hung heavily in the air, the crew struggling to process what they had just witnessed.

  Calla finally broke the silence, her voice trembling. “Jack isn’t just connected to the artifact. He’s a conduit. It’s like... it’s using him to guide us.”

  Kael ran a hand through his hair, his mind racing. “Or he’s using it. Either way, we need to figure this out—fast.”

  Jack chuffed softly, nuzzling against Kael as though sensing his unease. Kael sighed, placing a hand on Jack’s head. “Whatever’s happening, we’ll figure it out. Together.”

  The faint glow of the artifact pulsed once more before dimming entirely, its power seemingly spent for now. But the map, the spire, and Jack’s newfound abilities had changed everything. The path ahead was clearer, but it was also far more dangerous.

  Kael stood, his resolve hardening as he looked out at the stars. “Set a course for the Shattered Veil,” he said, his voice steady. “This ends there.”