Chapter 22: Being Followed

The Vanguard drifted silently through the cold expanse of space, leaving the chaotic energy of Vorlun’s Shroud far behind. The crew’s relief from their escape was short-lived; they all knew that danger had a way of finding them, even in the quiet stretches of the galaxy.

Nova sat at the helm, her eyes darting between the star maps and the ship’s sensors. The surrounding void was vast and unbroken, yet she couldn’t shake the sense of being watched. “Scar,” she called, her voice tense, “we’re being followed.”

Scar, who had just finished a grim conversation with Jefro about the state of the ship’s engines, straightened immediately. “By who?” he demanded, moving to stand behind Nova.

Nova tapped the scanner, bringing up a faint but unmistakable blip on the screen. “There,” she said. “It’s barely showing up, like it’s masking its signal. But it’s there.”

Cyko, leaning against the bulkhead, cracked his knuckles, his grin returning with an edge of danger. “So much for a break,” he muttered. “Delta Command?”

Scar’s jaw clenched. “Possibly. Or it could be a pirate ship. Either way, we can’t take any chances.”

Jefro’s voice crackled over the intercom, still weary but now tinged with urgency. “Engines are stable, but we’re not equipped for a chase. We’re running on patchwork repairs and a prayer.”

Scar’s eyes narrowed. They couldn’t afford a direct confrontation, not in their current state. “Options?” he asked.

Nova’s fingers flew over the navigation controls, her mind racing. “There’s an asteroid field a few light-minutes away. If we can get there, it’ll give us cover.”

Cyko perked up, his usual humor turning dark. “Asteroids again? I’m starting to think the universe really has it out for us.”

Scar ignored the comment, focusing instead on Nova. “Do it,” he ordered. “And make it quick.”

Nova didn’t need to be told twice. The Vanguard’s engines flared, and the ship surged forward, leaving a trail of light behind as it raced toward the asteroid field. The shadow trailing them followed, a predator biding its time.

The asteroid field loomed ahead, a labyrinth of tumbling rocks and jagged debris. The closer they got, the more it became clear that navigating it would be no simple task. Scar braced himself against the command chair, his mind running through every possible scenario.

“Hold on,” Nova said, her voice tight with concentration. She guided the Vanguard into the field, weaving through the floating rocks with expert precision. The ship shuddered, scraping dangerously close to a massive chunk of iron ore.

Cyko’s hands tightened around his rifle. “Remind me why we keep running into death traps?” he quipped, though his humor failed to mask his nerves.

Jefro’s voice came over the comms again. “If we take too many hits, we’re done for,” he warned. “The shields can only handle so much.”

Scar knew they were skating on the edge of disaster, but they had no choice. “Keep us moving, Nova,” he said. “And everyone else, be ready. If they get too close, we’ll have to fight.”

Arlen sat in the common area, Pip perched on his shoulder. The boy had finally begun to calm down after their ordeal on Vorlun’s Shroud, but the news of being pursued reignited the fear in his eyes. He hugged his father’s notebook to his chest, drawing comfort from its familiar weight.

Pip sensed his distress and chirped softly, nuzzling his cheek. Arlen managed a small smile, though his hands trembled. He wished he could do more, be more useful to the crew that had become his family.

Nova’s voice came through the ship’s speakers, calm but urgent. “Arlen, we’re about to hit turbulence. Make sure you and Pip are secure.”

Arlen fastened his harness and held Pip close, whispering reassurances to the creature. “We’ll be okay,” he said, more to convince himself than anything.

On the bridge, Scar and Cyko watched as the shadowy ship entered the asteroid field behind them. Its silhouette was sleek and menacing, clearly built for hunting. It was too large to maneuver as nimbly as the Vanguard, but it made up for that with firepower.

“They’re not giving up,” Cyko said, his voice tight. “Whoever they are, they really want us dead.”

Scar weighed their options. “They’re not pirates,” he said. “Too disciplined. It’s got to be Delta Command.”

Nova’s eyes narrowed as she dodged another spinning asteroid. “If they catch us, we’re finished.”

Scar’s mind raced, searching for an edge, anything that could turn the tables. “Nova, keep us close to the largest asteroids you can find,” he ordered. “We’ll use them for cover.”

Cyko raised an eyebrow. “And then what? Hope they crash into a rock?”

Scar’s mouth set into a grim line. “If we’re lucky.”

The chase continued, the predator ship closing the gap. The Vanguard weaved and dodged, scraping past asteroids that could have flattened them in an instant. The enemy ship fired a warning shot, an energy blast that grazed the Vanguard’s rear shields and sent a shudder through the hull.

“Shields down to forty percent!” Jefro shouted. “We can’t take another hit like that!”

Nova bit her lip, pushing the ship to its limits. “Almost there,” she whispered, her hands steady on the controls.

Scar leaned forward, his eyes locked on the scanner. “Wait for my signal,” he said. “We need to time this perfectly.”

Cyko adjusted his grip on his rifle. “Whatever you’re planning, make it good.”

Scar’s gaze remained fixed on the enemy ship, watching its movements. They were predictable, moving in for a kill, their overconfidence clear. “Now!” he barked.

Nova veered sharply to the right, skimming dangerously close to a massive asteroid. The enemy ship followed, firing another blast that narrowly missed. Scar’s eyes never wavered as he watched the perfect opening reveal itself.

“Cyko, fire the EMP pulse. Target that asteroid—now!”

Cyko grinned, adrenaline surging through him. “With pleasure.” He aimed and fired the EMP pulse, hitting the asteroid’s dense iron core. The electromagnetic charge sent a wave through the surrounding debris, destabilizing the asteroid and causing it to spin violently.

The enemy ship couldn’t adjust in time. It collided with the asteroid, the impact sending shockwaves through the field. Rocks splintered and careened in every direction, and the shadowy vessel spun out of control, forced to retreat or risk total destruction.

Cheers erupted on the bridge, and even Nova allowed herself a triumphant smile. “That was insane,” she said, glancing at Scar. “But it worked.”

Scar exhaled, relief washing over him. “Let’s get out of here before they recover.”

The Vanguard emerged from the asteroid field, battered but still flying. Jefro reported from the engine room, his voice weary but relieved. “Engines are holding, but I’ll need time to make real repairs.”

Scar nodded, knowing their luck couldn’t hold forever. “Set course for the nearest starport. We need supplies, repairs, and a chance to regroup.”

Nova locked in the coordinates, and the Vanguard sped away, leaving the shadowy ship and the chaos of the asteroid field behind.

In the aftermath, Arlen came to the bridge, Pip still perched on his shoulder. He looked at Scar, his young face a mixture of fear and hope. “We’re safe?” he asked.

Scar’s expression softened, though the weight of responsibility never left his eyes. “For now,” he said. “But we’ll always be hunted, Arlen. We just have to stay one step ahead.”

Arlen nodded, clutching his father’s notebook tighter. “I believe we can,” he said, his voice steady. “As long as we’re together.”

Scar placed a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “That’s the spirit,” he said. But in his heart, he knew that the universe would never stop testing them. They had survived another day, but new challenges awaited.