Chapter 24: Fractured Loyalties

The Vanguard rocketed away from The Iron Maw, its engines sputtering from the strain of the sudden escape. The crew’s collective relief was short-lived. The realization that they had barely made it out alive hung heavy in the air, a reminder of just how precarious their situation had become.

Scar sat in the captain’s chair, running a hand over his face. Every muscle in his body was taut with exhaustion, but his mind refused to rest. Zera, the enigmatic woman they had met at the starport, had offered a warning that he couldn’t ignore. Information about Delta Command could be their salvation—or their doom.

Nova, still at the helm, turned her head slightly. “We can’t keep running like this,” she said, her voice tinged with frustration. “Every time we catch a break, something worse is waiting for us.”

Scar’s eyes hardened. “We don’t have the luxury of stopping. Not yet.”

Cyko, lounging in his usual seat but with a bruise forming on his cheek from the earlier brawl, shrugged. “I’m all for a good fight, but even I’m starting to wonder if we need a different strategy. Maybe Zera could be useful?”

Scar didn’t respond right away. Trust was a rare commodity in their world, and trusting a stranger with silver hair and a smile that hid secrets felt reckless. But she had known about Delta Command and their bounty, and she had approached them instead of turning them in. “We’ll consider it,” he finally said. “But only if we have no other options.”

Cyko rolled his eyes. “Just say you’re curious, boss.”

Scar shot him a glare but didn’t deny it.

Jefro, still smeared with oil and exhaustion, joined the conversation from the engine room. The comms crackled as he spoke. “Engines are patched for now, but if we don’t find somewhere to do proper maintenance, we’re looking at a full shutdown. And trust me, drifting in the void isn’t how I want to go out.”

Scar clenched his fists, thinking. “There’s a small, unmapped asteroid field not far from here,” he said. “It’s used by smugglers to hide their hauls. We’ll stop there, regroup, and plan our next move.”

Nova adjusted their course. “Setting a heading for the field. Should take us about thirty minutes.”

“Good,” Scar said, his voice a mix of exhaustion and determination. “Everyone, get some rest if you can. We’re going to need our strength.”

Arlen sat in the common area, still cradling his father’s notebook. Pip had finally calmed down and was dozing peacefully beside him. The boy’s mind raced with everything they had experienced: the rituals on Vorlun’s Shroud, the escape from The Iron Maw, and the constant fear that seemed to follow them everywhere.

Scar approached, his footsteps heavy but his eyes softening when he saw Arlen. “Hey, how are you holding up?” he asked.

Arlen looked up, his young face etched with worry. “I’m okay,” he said, though his voice wavered. “I just… I wish things would get better. I wish we could stop running.”

Scar sat down beside him, the weight of his own fears pressing on him. “We will,” he promised. “We just have to be patient.”

Arlen hesitated, then looked at Scar with wide, hopeful eyes. “Do you think we can trust Zera?” he asked. “She said she knew things about Delta Command.”

Scar’s expression darkened slightly. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “But if she really has information that can help us, we’ll have to decide whether or not to take that risk.”

Arlen bit his lip. “I hope she’s on our side.”

Scar wanted to reassure him, but the universe had taught him not to make promises he couldn’t keep. Instead, he ruffled Arlen’s hair gently. “Get some rest,” he said. “We’ll figure it out together.”

Arlen nodded, curling up beside Pip, who let out a soft, contented chirp.

The Vanguard entered the asteroid field, and Nova slowed their approach. The field was a tangled mass of spinning rocks and debris, a perfect hiding place but full of inherent danger. She expertly guided the ship to a sheltered spot between two massive asteroids, and the engines powered down to a low, steady hum.

Jefro emerged from the engine room, wiping his hands on a rag. “This should buy us some time,” he said, though he didn’t look entirely reassured. “But don’t get too comfortable.”

Scar nodded. “We’ll keep our eyes open.”

Cyko, who had finally stood up and stretched, frowned at the comms panel as it lit up with an incoming signal. “Uh, boss? We’re getting a transmission. It’s encrypted.”

Scar’s heart sank. “Can you trace it?”

Cyko tapped a few keys, his grin returning. “Already on it.”

The transmission crackled to life, and Zera’s voice came through, calm and laced with intrigue. “Vanguard crew,” she said. “I see you found a nice hiding spot. Impressive. But you can’t hide from Delta Command forever.”

Scar clenched his jaw and activated the comms. “How did you find us?”

Zera’s laugh was light, but there was an edge to it. “You’re not as invisible as you think. Besides, I told you—I’m not here to hunt you. I’m here to offer you a deal.”

Cyko leaned closer to the mic. “And why should we trust you?”

Zera’s voice turned serious. “Because if you don’t, you’ll be walking into a trap. Delta Command isn’t just hunting you; they’re setting the stage for something bigger. And if you’re not prepared, you won’t survive it.”

Scar’s mind raced. If Zera was telling the truth, they needed her information. But if she was lying, it could be their doom. “What’s your price?” he asked, his voice guarded.

Zera hesitated, as if weighing her words. “Meet me on Vesper Station, neutral ground. We’ll talk there. But don’t take too long. Time isn’t on your side.”

The transmission ended, leaving the crew in a heavy silence.

Nova turned to Scar, her eyes narrowed. “Vesper Station? That place is crawling with bounty hunters and mercs.”

Cyko cracked his neck, his grin returning. “Sounds like a party. I’m in.”

Scar didn’t respond right away. He looked at each member of his crew, seeing their exhaustion but also their resolve. They had been through hell together, and they would keep fighting—no matter the odds. “We’ll discuss it,” he said finally. “But if we go, we go prepared for anything.”

Jefro sighed, his shoulders slumping. “Just once, I’d like a mission where I don’t have to worry about getting shot at.”

Scar gave him a rare smile. “When this is over, I’ll find us a peaceful moon. Promise.”

Jefro rolled his eyes but didn’t hide his smile. “I’ll hold you to that, Captain.”

As the crew settled in, Scar retreated to the observation deck, the vastness of space stretching out before him. The stars felt both close and impossibly far, a reminder of the battles they had yet to fight. Zera’s warning echoed in his mind, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being drawn into a much larger web of danger and deceit.

He felt a presence behind him and turned to see Nova. She leaned against the bulkhead, her expression thoughtful. “Do you think we can make it to Vesper Station without walking into a trap?” she asked quietly.

Scar’s jaw tightened. “We don’t have much choice. We need answers. And if Zera is lying, we’ll make sure she regrets it.”

Nova nodded, her eyes meeting his. “Whatever happens, we’re with you.”

Scar felt a swell of gratitude, though he knew the road ahead would test them in ways they couldn’t yet imagine. “Then let’s get ready,” he said. “We’ve survived this long. We’re not giving up now.”

The Vanguard drifted in the shadows of the asteroid field, its crew preparing for whatever came next. Their future was uncertain, but their loyalty to each other remained unbreakable. And that, Scar knew, was their greatest weapon against the darkness.