Chapter 49

The stolen shuttle sped through space, its engines humming as Wren piloted them away from the Syndicate warship. The silence in the cockpit was thick, everyone still processing the near-death escape.

Selene sat in the co-pilot’s seat, gripping the armrest. “How long until we hit hyperspace?”

Wren adjusted the controls. “A few minutes. But Lucas won’t just let us go.”

As if on cue, the radar beeped. Xara cursed. “We’ve got incoming.”

Dante checked the screen. “Three Syndicate fighters. Fast ones.”

Kade groaned. “They really don’t give up, huh?”

Selene pushed aside her exhaustion. “We have to outmaneuver them. Wren, can you lose them in the debris field ahead?”

Wren glanced at the swirling mass of broken ships and asteroids in their path. “It’s risky.”

“Better than getting shot down.”

Wren nodded and yanked the controls, steering them straight into the debris field.

\---

The shuttle weaved between massive chunks of wreckage. Pieces of destroyed warships floated aimlessly, creating a maze of jagged metal.

The Syndicate fighters followed, firing.

Boom!

A blast struck the shuttle’s wing, shaking the entire ship.

“Shields at forty percent!” Xara warned.

Selene grabbed the co-pilot controls. “Keep flying, I’ll handle the guns.”

She activated the rear cannons, swiveling them toward their pursuers. The first fighter dodged, but the second wasn’t so lucky.

Boom!

One down.

Kade fired from the side turret, clipping the wing of another fighter.

Dante shouted, “We’ve got a path opening—now’s our chance!”

Wren didn’t hesitate. She boosted the engines, diving through a gap in the debris. The last remaining fighter tried to follow—

Smash!

A massive chunk of metal crushed the enemy ship, sending it spinning into oblivion.

Silence.

Selene exhaled. “Are we clear?”

Xara checked the radar. “For now.”

Wren pulled them back on course. “Jumping to hyperspace in three… two… one.”

The stars stretched, and in a flash, they were gone.

\---

Inside the ship, everyone slumped in relief.

Kade exhaled. “That was hell.”

Dante chuckled. “Could’ve been worse.”

Selene wasn’t smiling.

Lucas wasn’t the type to just chase them. He always had another plan.

And she had a terrible feeling about what came next.

\---

Hours later, the ship dropped out of hyperspace near their next destination: Eldoria Station—a hidden outpost where old contacts could help them.

Selene stood at the viewport, watching the floating station come into view.

Dante stepped beside her. “You okay?”

She nodded, but deep down, she knew something was wrong.

They landed in one of the docking bays, and Wren immediately went to secure supplies. Kade stayed behind to repair the shuttle.

Selene, Dante, and Xara moved through the crowded station, looking for their contact—a man named Orin Vale, an ex-Syndicate informant.

But as soon as they stepped into the main market, everything went wrong.

\---

Gunfire erupted.

Selene ducked behind a crate as armed mercenaries flooded the market.

Xara fired back. “It’s a trap!”

Selene’s heart pounded. “Lucas knew we’d come here.”

Dante shouted, “We need an exit—now!”

Then, a voice echoed over the station speakers.

“Selene. Running is useless.”

Lucas.

He wasn’t here in person, but he had hired guns waiting for them.

Selene clenched her jaw. “Move!”

They fought their way toward the back exits, dodging bullets and weaving through panicked civilians.

A mercenary lunged at Dante, but Selene shot him first.

They burst into an alleyway—only to find more mercenaries blocking their path.

Trapped.

Lucas’s voice came again. “Surrender now, and I’ll be merciful.”

Selene scowled. Never.

Then—a flash grenade exploded in the mercenaries’ ranks.

Confusion.

A voice called out. “Come with me!”

Selene turned and saw Orin Vale standing in a hidden passage.

They didn’t hesitate.

\---

Inside Orin’s hideout, the air was tense.

Orin crossed his arms. “You led trouble straight to my doorstep.”

Selene ignored his complaint. “Lucas is after us. We need a way off this station.”

Orin sighed. “There’s a smuggler ship leaving soon, but you won’t like it.”

Dante groaned. “Let me guess—it’s illegal, dangerous, and full of criminals.”

Orin smirked. “Exactly.”

Selene made her decision. “We’ll take it.”

Orin nodded. “Then you better move fast. Lucas won’t stop.”

Selene already knew that.

This wasn’t over.

Not even close.