Chapter 30
Debt and Shadow
The eagle soared high into the sky, silence fell all around. The crew sat tired but strong in the battle room, the excitement of escaping the Solas station still coursing through their veins. The faint flickering light of the ship's systems was the only sound as Selena stood at the head of the table.
"The crows have betrayed us," Dante shouted, clasping his hands together. "We cannot let him escape." "We can't think about revenge anymore. The Syndicate's forces are scattered across these four regions, but they will regroup soon. We need to get to a safe area, a place where they can't find us,
Ryan, he was busy with administrative work, reported. "We managed to escape Solas, but our supplies are very thin. We have only gathered enough supplies to last us a week." Loyalty to the Ravens, we are no longer allies. "
"No," Selina said, her voice strained. She pressed the console and the map of the area expanded. Her finger hovered over a small unmarked dot. "I know, a traveler named Cassian? . . “He owes me.”
Dante shook his head. “Another romance? Haven’t we had enough?”
“That’s not like Raven,” Selene replied sharply. “Cassian doesn’t betray people. If anyone can help us get what we want, it's him."
Ren sighed. "Where's Cassian?" "
Selina tapped the map and identified an asteroid field near the edge of the sector. "He's operating from Paragon Drift. It's dangerous, but it was perfect for a guy like him."
Dante folded his arms, a look of confusion on his face. "But what is this?" People like Cassian don't work for free."
Selene's face grew serious. "No. But he owes me. – I can tell you I saved him once, but he hasn't forgotten it
Dante locked eyes with Ren, but he didn't argue. The decision was made.
\---
Aquila made a disastrous landing in the Paragon Drift Zone, a dangerous area filled with moving asteroids and gravitational fields. Selina steered the ship precisely, her hands on the controls, the crew watching the debris fly outside.
"Repair the shield and the boundary," she said. "One wrong move and we'll be a garbage truck."
Ryan checked the sensors. "I had negative symptoms. There may be other ships, but they are hidden. "
"Pirates," Dante muttered. "This is their safe haven."
"That's why Cassian chose this," Selene said, leading Aquila through a narrow gap between two large asteroids. "Wait. We're almost there."
Finally, they reached a group of hollow asteroids, each emitting a bright artificial light. Selene led the ship away from the largest, where two smaller, armed ships guarded the entrance.
A voice came over the message. "Find yourself."
Selene leaned forward, her voice calm but commanding. "Tell Cassian that Selene Velen has come to collect a debt." "Go ahead."
\---
The interior of this asteroid was surprisingly complete, with beautiful pathways and bustling crowds. Armed guards patrolled the area, eyes alert. Selina, Dante, and Ren were led into a large room where Cassian was waiting.
Cassian was a tall man with a sharp face and an easy smile. His black robes fluttered as he approached, his arms spread wide. "Selina Viren," he said in a low voice. "It will take time."
"It is not too late," Selina replied, though her voice was pleasant.
Kasian smiled. "As sharp as ever. What brings you to this humble corner of the galaxy?"
"I need supplies," Selina said calmly. "Honey, ammo, medical supplies. That should be enough to get us back on our feet."
Kasian raised an eyebrow. — Look, I thought you were here to see me. "He saved your life, didn't he? It's time to pay him back"
Cassian's smile faded a little. "Of course, luck can only go so far. What you ask is not cheap. "
"We are not demanding," Selina said, "We are collecting a debt. You owe me, Cassian. Or have you forgotten?
Cassian studied her for a moment, then sighed. "Good." You get your device. But I'm not doing this for charity. "Think about paying off your debt."
Selina replied, "I think he did.
\---
While the crew waited for the cargo to be loaded onto the Aquila, Selina and Cassian returned to their private cabin.
"You've got a problem, haven't you?" Cassian asked, pouring a glass of amber liquid and setting it on the table.
Selene didn't touch him. "This is deeper than I wanted. The Syndicate, the Alliance... they're closing in on us from all sides.
Cassian thought. "But, you're fighting. Why?"
"Because it has to be done," Selene said simply.
Kasian smiled. "You haven't changed."
"You?" "It's enough to know when to cut your losses. Be careful, Selena. The Syndicate is unforgiving, and neither is the Alliance."
"I know the risks," he said, standing up. "But thanks for the warning."
\---
Everything is in order and Aquila is ready to go. As they prepared to begin, Ryan pulled Selina aside.
Something is wrong," Ren said quietly. "Cassian too... "Acceptance."
Selene shook her head. "It worked." ”
“It's possible. But we have to be vigilant.”
Selene nodded “forever.”
\---
The crew took a deep breath as the Aquila Paragon drifted away. But their break didn't last long.
"There are more ships approaching," Renn said in a firm voice. "They are in an adjustment period
Selene's heart sank." "Syndicate?"
Ryan checked the reading. "No... "Handshake."
Dante cursed. "They're following us to
Selene's mind raced. "How much?"
"Too much," Ren said. "We can't kill everyone."
"We won't talk," Selina said through gritted teeth. "Get ready to jump. We're out of here.
The Skyhawk's engines roar as the Coalition ship approaches. Selene uses the vegetation as cover to guide her spaceship through the asteroid belt. Laser bullets fly in front of them, shields twitching with each hit.
"Jump in and get ready," Ryan says.
"Do it," Selene orders.
Stars stretch out in shards as the Aquila leaps into space, narrowly escaping the Alliance's clutches.
\---
In the safety of hyperspace, the crew gathered in the war room.
"We can't keep running," Dante said, his frustration evident. "They'll only catch us a moment later."
Selene looked at the map of the area, which looked vast. "Then we'll make sure they do, we're ready, we have the equipment we need. Now we will focus on increasing our strength and finding allies.
Ryan nodded. "What about Raven? She won't stop following us either.
Selene's eyes lit up with excitement. "Let her go. We'll be ready.
The crew's gaze shifted. Their resolve was growing stronger. The odds were against them, but there was one thing the Alliance and Syndicate despised: hope. On their own, they fought on.
The Aquila drifted through the void, like a small light in the darkness.