Three days later, the Ethereal’s worst scars had been patched with fresh hull plating, and damaged sensors and weapons had been repaired. The Crux and its fighter escort had departed earlier that day, sent on its journey to contact the Empire of the Hand’s high command.

  Standing on the bridge by the viewport, Laceeya gazed out into the mottled vortex of hyperspace. It was a journey of two days from the Nyar system to the Kwenast system. The route they were taking was the only efficient path between the two regions. Nyar Three’s key location along the hyperlane was likely the reason for the Grysk attack, as with the Empire of the Hand in control of the Nyar system, the Grysks wouldn’t be able to pass through undetected.

  The tunnel of hyperspace morphed into the stretched blurs of stars as the Ethereal returned to realspace. Navigating the Chaos was complicated and required frequent stops to reposition due to the many shifting obstacles across the region, and the numerous dangers posed by the precarious nature of travel. Staring out the viewport, Laceeya never ceased to be amazed at the incredible number of stars that filled space.

  Behind her, Apoyarp was working away at his console, calculating the next hyperspace jump and turning the Ethereal onto its new vector. The Chiss military used navigators to travel through hyperspace, young girls known as sky-walkers with a gift called third sight. The rest of the galaxy called those with these abilities force sensitive. The Chiss girls who had it would guide ships through hyperspace, using their abilities to detect and avoid navigational dangers. this allowed for far quicker travel than a typical jump-by-jump method among the treacherous paths through the Chaos. Those with the ability were exceedingly rare, and among the Chiss they were possessed almost exclusively by young girls, though for unknown reasons their abilities usually would begin to fade around the age of thirteen or fourteen.

  Without access to such navigators, the Empire of the Hand thus had to rely on navicomputers, a technology that had not been developed among most peoples of the Chaos. It was faster than a traditional jump-by-jump method, however not as quick as with one of the Chiss navigators. Calculating routes was slow and difficult due to the nature of the Chaos.

  Apoyarp finished his calculations, and the Ethereal returned to lightspeed, the stars once again stretching from bright pinpricks of light into long streaks and then to the swirl of hyperspace. It was always a mesmerizing sight, Laceeya thought. When she was young, she had been fascinated by the stars, wondering about all the places and people that surrounded each one. She’d always desired to travel among them, to see all of the wonders that the galaxy held.

  Now, older and more experienced at the age of 27, the galaxy still obtained the same magic to Laceeya that had first drawn her to space. However, she’d also come to realize just how much darkness and evil was contained in the galaxy, which threatened to spread and consume all if not repelled.

  Laceeya had witnessed firsthand on numerous occasions the evil of the Grysks. She’d seen worlds torn apart from civil war incited by Grysk manipulation. Once friendly peoples turned into an enemy under their control. People enslaved to do their bidding. Friends killed trying to stop them.

  She swallowed, clenching her jaw. The Grysks shadow loomed darkly over the Chaos. They had to be stopped. Laceeya just hoped the cost of trying to do so wasn’t too great.

  Alone in her quarters later that day, Laceeya stood staring silently at herself in the mirror. The reverse image of herself stared back at her. Bren was still on duty a while longer, so here she was alone with her thoughts.

  Not the best place to be.

  She pursed her lips, turning away from the mirror and walking back into the main area of her room, glancing at the chrono to check the time. Laceeya undressed, neatly folding up her uniform and setting it to the side, leaving her in her typical evening outfit of a light grey tank top and black shorts. Grabbing a baggy black flight suit out of a drawer, she slipped it on, leaving the front unzipped down to her waist. Typing in a message on her datapad to let Bren know where she was, she set it down on the bed.

  Pulling her boots back on, Laceeya opened the door and set off down the corridor. taking the turbolift on a brief ride. A short way down the hallway she stopped at a door, knocking. After a few seconds the door hissed open, revealing Major Ufsa’fir’ammano standing there.

  He grinned upon her arrival. “Commodore! Laceeya, I mean,” Safiram corrected. “Good to see you here. You want to come in?” He inclined his head in the direction behind him.

  “That’d be great,” Laceeya replied, smiling back at him. “Thanks.”

  Safiram, who was the commander of the Ethereal’s starfighter squadron, stepped out of her way, allowing her to enter. It was a pilots ready room, which was often used as an unofficial spot to hang out at by many of the pilots and their friends.

  “Look who’s here.” Safiram called out to the small group seated on the couches. They looked up. There were three pilots sitting across the couches, Vyron Kyst, Joak Cartova, and Faelynn Katani. Faelynn was a young woman, average height with dark brown hair tied back, leaving only her bangs loose. She had fair skin and large, hazel eyes.

  The two of them were looking over, waving a greeting and smiling at Laceeya.

  “Good to see you,” Kyst said from where he was lounging on one of the couches. Kyst had warm brown skin, and black hair that was closely cropped on the sides. “You don’t stop by here as much as we’d like.”

  “I know, I know,” Laceeya replied. “There’s been a lot going on lately.”

  “Can’t argue with that,” Joak conceded grimly. He was a tall man with a tan skin tone and a shock of tousled dark hair and a trim mustache. ”We just miss having you spend time hanging out with us, you know?”

  “Ever since she was promoted to Commodore, she just doesn’t have time for us lowly pilots,” Safiram said mock seriously, sighing and shaking his head, clearly fighting to keep a smile off his face.

  Laceeya snorted softly, shaking her head.

  “It’s true,” Kyst agreed, leaning back on the couch. “She doesn’t even acknowledge my presence or speak to me anymore.”

  “You wish,” Laceeya joked, rolling her eyes. “So what trouble have you been getting into tonight?” She nodded at the table between the couches, which had an array of cards spread across it.

  “Trouble?” Safiram said, an injured expression on his face. “You must be thinking of someone else.”

  “Safiram has been busy losing at sabacc all night,” Faelynn put in, grinning.

  “Maybe you could give me an actual challenge?” Kyst spoke up. “So I don’t have to keep beating these three.”

  “Hey, I’ve won the game I played.” Faelynn countered, scowling at him.

  “I don’t even know the rules,” Laceeya protested. “We didn’t have sabacc back in the Ascendancy, and I’ve never bothered to learn.”

  “Better late than never,” Kyst said. He paused, furrowing his brow. “Well, not in Safiram’s case. He'd have been better off not learning in the first place.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” Safiram grumbled. “You’ve both played your whole life. You’d stand no chance against me in a game of tactica.”

  Kyst waved his hand dismissively. “What do you say, Laceeya?”

  “I think I’ll just watch you play for now,” She replied, taking a seat on the couch beside Faelynn. “I’m interested to see if Safiram’s really as bad as you say.”

  “Well, I can certainly show you that,” Kyst proclaimed confidently. “You want in this round, Faelynn?”

  Faelynn scrunched up her nose. “I guess,” She conceded. “I’m just hesitant to risk losing my undefeated record.“

  Kyst began dealing the cards. “You sure you don’t want to play?” He asked, looking up at Laceeya.

  She shook her head. “I’d hate to embarrass Safiram by winning my first game,” She said wryly. “He’d lose his excuse about not having it back in the Ascendancy.”

  “Ouch,” Safiram said. “So where’s Bren at?” He asked.

  “She was on duty a little longer,” Laceeya told him. She looked around the room, finding the chrono to check the time. “She should be getting off any minute.”

  “Hopefully she’ll stop by.” Safiram said.

  “That would be great,” Joak agreed. “I couldn’t think of anyone else I’d rather spend time with than you all, you know?” He gave a warm smile.

  ”Thanks Joak. I’m lucky to have you all as friends,” Laceeya said, smiling back in return. ”I’m sure she’d like to play a couple games,” Laceeya continued with a nod. “Though she’s pretty good at sabacc, so I’m not sure you’d want that.” She tilted her head to indicate Safiram, a sly smile playing across her lips.

  The others laughed, and Safiram shook his head defeatedly, grimacing. “I can’t catch a break tonight,” He groaned, exasperated.

  “You won’t catch a break in this sabacc game either,” Kyst put in. “I’d throw some credits on it, but I probably shouldn’t with our commanding officer here.” He joked.

  “Hey, do you see a rank plaque on here?” Laceeya asked, gesturing to her chest.

  Kyst narrowed his eyes. “This seems like it could be entrapment to me…”

  Faelynn snorted. “A lowly flight officer like yourself wouldn’t be worth bothering with.” She grinned.

  “I knew that’s how the top brass thought of us,” Kyst said solemnly, but with a subtle smirk indicating humor. “Nothing but cannon fodder.” Faelynn snorted again and Safiram let out a short laugh.

  Laceeya shifted uncomfortably in her seat, lowering her eyes. She knew Kyst was joking, coping with the recent loss of friends in his own way. But the joke hit a bit too close to home for her.

  Kyst apparently noticed her discomfort, and his expression softened. “I’m sorry Laceeya,” He apologized, a bit of guilt showing through his face. “I wasn’t being serious.”

  Laceeya gave him a not entirely convincing smile. “It’s okay,” She assured him. She felt guilty for bringing down the mood. And although Laceeya wasn’t on duty, she still felt like a commander shouldn’t be so sensitive to such things. She swallowed and wet her lips. “I know you’re joking. I just…feel guilty about the losses we took at Nyar Three.”

  Joak had sat down beside her and set a hand gently on her shoulder. “We couldn't ask for a better commander than you, Laceeya.” He said softly. The others all murmured agreement and nodded.

  “Thanks Joak, I appreciate it. But hey, don’t let me kill the mood,” Laceeya said with a smile, trying to be upbeat and push the thoughts of death away. “I’m ready to see Safiram lose.”

  “If I win, you’ll all be looking pretty silly,” Safiram warned.

  “Kyst always looks silly, so he doesn’t have much to lose.” Joak said, raising his eyebrows.

  Kyst snorted. “Safiram’s just trying to deflect the fact that he’s never won a game of sabacc, all the times we’ve played.”

  “You all are ruthless,” Safiram said. “Like a pack of nighthunters pouncing on their prey.”

  “You might be a difficult target in a starfighter, but not when it comes to sabacc.” Faelynn put in with a grin, picking up her cards from the table to examine them.

  Laceeya smiled. It was reassuring to see the pilots able to laugh and joke and smile, in spite of the fresh and recent death of close friends. Turning to their friends for support and camaraderie.

  “Yeah, we’ll see.” Safiram grumbled, but he too was grinning behind his cards.

  A knock at the door suddenly sounded. Safiram lay his cards facedown on the table, and hopped up to answer the door. Laceeya turned, looking expectantly and hopefully towards the door.

  “Hey, you’re just in time,” Safiram said after the door slid open. “We were just starting a game of sabacc, but we can still deal you in.”

  Bren stepped into the room, the door closing with a hiss behind her. “You’re playing sabacc?” She asked him incredulously. “Must be a lucky night for everyone else.” She smirked at him.

  Safiram just threw his hands up in defeat and shook his head.

  Laceeya met Bren’s gaze, and smiled up at her. Bren gave her a broad grin in return. She was wearing her uniform pants and boots, and a light grey tank top. It was always a good look on her, Laceeya thought, the tight top clinging to her body.

  Joak had seemingly anticipated that Bren would want to sit beside Laceeya, and was scooting over on the wide couch to make room.

  “Deal me in.” Bren said, sitting down on the couch next to Laceeya. “Hey Laceeya.” She rested a hand on her shoulder for a long moment.

  “Hey Bren,” Laceeya replied, staring over and getting lost in her warm brown eyes. “Glad you joined us.” She looked effortlessly gorgeous, despite just coming off duty. Bren rested a hand softly on her thigh, and Laceeya couldn’t help but continue to gaze at her face.

  Safiram cleared his throat. Laceeya jerked out of her trance, her face warming slightly in embarrassment. Safiram sent a glance over towards Joak, trying to keep a grin off his face.

  “What’s so funny?” Bren asked innocently.

  Safiram shook his head, still grinning. “Nothing at all.” He nodded towards the table. “It’s your turn.”

  “Oops,” Bren said. “Didn’t realize.”

  “We could tell.” Kyst put in, also grinning.

  Laceeya cocked her head slightly to the side, narrowing her glowing red eyes and raising an eyebrow towards them.

  Bren reached to draw a card, carefully keeping it hidden. She scrunched up her nose in frustration, but kept the card. She slid a chip into the pot, and the game continued.

  Further into the game, Bren leaned over to show Laceeya her cards. Laceeya winced. It wasn’t a good hand, but Bren added a few more tokens in and laid down the cards with a sigh.

  Kyst matched her bet and set down his cards. “Rhylet.” He said, grinning triumphantly at his winning hand. “What can I say?” The others groaned, and he collected the tokens into a pile.

  Laceeya had seen her play plenty of times before and knew what Bren was planning. The games continued, with Bren winning the next two. Joak and Katani then won one each, but Bren was cautious with her bets on those rounds.

  Then Kyst and Safiram went all in on the following round. Kyst looked at Safiram in surprise, raising his eyebrows. “You seem confident.”

  Safiram shrugged, keeping his face composed.

  Bren narrowed her eyes. “I guess I’ll go all in too.” She shoved her hefty pile of chips into the pot.

  “Don’t get ahead of yourself Bren.” Kyst warned lightly.

  “You’d never live it down if you lost all that to Safiram.” Joak put in with a grin. Safiram scowled at him but remained silent. Laceeya watched in anticipation, pursing her lips.

  Kyst showed his cards, raising his eyebrows. “Rhylet.”

  Safiram shook his head, keeping a straight face. He laid down his cards, giving a dramatic flourish with his hands. ”Prime sabacc.”

  Kyst looked shocked at seeing his hand beaten by Safiram. His mouth hung open, speechless.

  “Not bad.” Faelynn muttered, laying down her own hand. “Straight staves.” She groaned in realization that Safiram’s hand had beaten hers.

  “Stand.” Joak said, laughing at the sight of the other two’s loss to Safiram.

  Bren threw another glance at her hand. “Well,” She sighed theatrically, looking defeated. “Tough to beat Safiram’s hand. Who would’ve thought he’d get a prime sabacc?” She held up her cards. “If only, I didn’t have this,” She set down her cards. “Fleet.” She finally allowed herself a grin.

  Safiram’s face fell in disappointment. Bren smirked at him as she raked in the pile of sabacc chips. Laceeya put her arms around Bren’s shoulders, pulling her in for a hug. “Good job Bren,” She congratulated her, beaming with pride. “I told you all she was good.”

  “Yeah, yeah. I was hoping she was having a bad night.” Kyst mumbled, waving a hand dismissively. “Congratulations, Bren. I have to admit that you’re damn good.”

  “Thanks Kyst,” Bren said. “There’s no shame in losing to me,” She cocked her head to the side, a wry smile playing across her lips. “But there is shame in losing to Safiram.”

  “I didn’t win the game, but I beat Kyst which is all that matters to me.” Safiram said.

  “I’ll never live this down.” Kyst sighed.

  “You got that right,” Bren confirmed with a grin. “We won’t let you.”

  “That’s what you get for all your boasting.” Safiram said. ”All those words, with nothing to back them up.”

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  Laceeya smiled, her arm still resting on Bren’s shoulder.

  “At least I won a round, unlike you.” Kyst pointed out.

  Safiram shrugged nonchalantly. “Having a hand that beats yours is all the victory I could ask for.”

  “You should join, Laceeya.” Joak suggested.

  “I need her as my cheerleader,” Bren said, turning to Laceeya to give her a radiant smile. “She’s my good luck charm.”

  Laceeya couldn’t help but grin in response. Bren’s smile made her feel like an excited schoolgirl. Laceeya took in her features.The way her blonde bangs fell around her face, her sharp jawline and full lips, they all combined to make her ethereally beautiful.

  “So we should arrive in the Kwenast system in a couple of days?” Joak questioned.

  Laceeya turned to face him. “That’s right,” She confirmed gravely. “We’ll find out if the Grysks are in the area or not. Hopefully they’re not, but…” She trailed off, leaving the rest unsaid.

  The others nodded. Laceeya looked around the room at everyone. She was thankful for her friendships with them. Most commanders likely didn’t mingle with their subordinates in such a way, but things were different on the Ethereal. They were so much more than just pilots or officers or crew. They were her friends, her family. And she’d do everything in her power to keep them alive.

  A couple more days of travel passed, spent with the grueling process of navigating through the twisted and dangerous hyperspace routes. But finally, the Ethereal dropped out of lightspeed at the edge of the Kwenast system. The main bridge crew were all in position, and Laceeya stood behind one of the consoles looking over the sensor officer’s shoulder.

  “Captain, have the ship brought to battle readiness,” Laceeya called. “I want to be ready in case any trouble finds us.”

  “Yes, Commodore.” Captain Harax said, and began barking out orders.

  As the ship’s weaponry came to life, Laceeya peered out the side viewport to gaze at the red and purple clouds of the Sharasil nebula. It stretched expansively across that portion of space, and Laceeya never ceased to be amazed by the utter beauty of it. The galaxy contained so many breathtaking things. However, like so much in the Chaos, the surface level beauty of the nebula concealed the true danger inside.

  “Ensign Frenara,” Laceeya said to the sensor officer seated at the console in front of her, pulling her attention away from the scenery. “Full scan, see if you can see anything in the system from here.”

  “Yes ma’am.” Frenara nodded in acknowledgment. He hunched over his controls, tapping buttons and glancing at displays. Laceeya glimpsed the sun of the Kwenast system against the black background of space, almost imperceptibly larger than the thick spread of stars filling the sky.

  Frenara worked his console for a moment before responding. “I can’t pick up anything from here, ma’am.” Frenara said slowly, turning to look up at Laceeya. “It’s likely we’re too far out to get a good read on things, but I’m not seeing any movement.”

  Laceeya pursed her lips, nodding. She’d expected that. “In that case, Felayun, finish calculating the final jump to the Kwenast homeworld and send it over to the helm.”

  “Will do, Commodore.”

  Although calm and collected on the outside, internally Laceeya was feeling apprehensive. She had an ominous feeling that the Grysks were active in the system. She could admit to herself that she was afraid. After all they were just a lone light cruiser, separated from any of the Hand’s other forces by vast distances and days of travel.

  Taking a deep breath, Laceeya let it out slowly, trying to help calm her nerves. She couldn’t let down her crew, she told herself. She needed to be strong and confident for them, as a commander and leader. They deserved that.

  Drawing herself up straighter and trying to push her worries aside, Laceeya clasped her hands behind her back and turned to Shyka. “Senior Lieutenant, are your weapons crew at their stations and ready?” Laceeya asked Shyka.

  “They are, ma’am.” Shyka replied, giving Laceeya a confident smile. “Time to see if we can get any answers to our questions?”

  “Seems as good a time as any.” Laceeya confirmed. She heard Harax’s footsteps return behind her, having completed his circuit of the bridge. “Is the Ethereal prepared for battle?”

  “It is, Commodore, all systems are green and the crew is standing by.” Harax responded, his tone clipped and official.

  With a nod towards Harax, Laceeya stepped over to the helm, checking to see if the hyperspace calculations were ready. Apoyarp confirmed that they were, and the Ethereal’s bow rotated slightly onto its new vector.

  Raising her voice so the whole bridge could hear her, Laceeya called out. “Hyperspace in three…two…one…now.” The hyperdrive activated as the last word left her mouth, and the stars outside Ethereal’s viewport blurred for a fleeting moment and then focused again, the in-system jump complete. The Kwenast homeworld loomed in the distance, a green, blue, yellow and brown planet with the lights of cities occasionally speckling the night side.

  Out of the side viewport, the tumultuous red and purple clouds of the distant Sharasil nebula could still be seen.

  “Take us in, Lieutenant. Rikal, give me the comm and broadcast to the Kwenast.” Laceeya hoped for a civilized conversation, but if her gut feeling was right, and the Grysks had obtained a hold on the Kwenast…

  “Yes ma’am.” Rikal said. Laceeya walked over to her at the communications console. Rikal pressed a few buttons to open up a channel, hailing the Kwenast. “You have the comm, Commodore.”

  “Thanks Rikal.” She squared her shoulders and took a deep breath. “This is Commodore Laceeya of the Empire of the Hand ship Ethereal.” Laceeya spoke into the microphone, changing to the trade language of Minnisiat, a language often used in the Chaos. Past ventures through the system had indicated that Minissiat had been used in all previous encounters with the Kwenast. “We mean you no harm and are just passing through the system. Please respond at your convenience.” She motioned for Rikal to cut the comm and broadcast the message on a repeating loop.

  “Now all we do is wait and see how they respond.” Laceeya said, rubbing her thumb and forefinger together. With its thrusters aglow with pale blue energy, the Ethereal moved forward, approaching the planet. Two moons were visible orbiting the planet, one large and dusty brown moon, the second smaller and covered in lush green and red forests. “Commodore,” Frenara spoke up, glancing over at Laceeya. “I’m picking up what appears to be multiple large ships in orbit. One cruiser sized vessel, one frigate, and two corvettes,” He consulted his display further. “Also what may be three gunships or small transports, as well as a large orbital station.”

  “Thank you, Frenara.” Laceeya said as she walked forward to the viewport, narrowing her eyes. “Keep me updated if they move.” She looked out at the colorful planet, her eyes scanning the space between for any sign of potential trouble. But there was nothing to be seen, with the orbiting warships still beyond visible range.

  “Commodore!” Rikal called, looking up towards Laceeya. She quickly strode back over to the comm station. “I have the Kwenast on the comm, ma’am.”

  Laceeya nodded. “Put them on.” With a click of a button, Rikal activated the channel. Laceeya wet her lips and took a deep breath. “This is Commodore Laceeya of the Empire of the Hand ship Ethereal. Who am I speaking to?”

  “I am High Chieftain Henorr’or.” A liquidy yet hoarse voice said through the speaker in Minnisiat. “Why do you intrude on the space of the Kwenast Dynasty?” He questioned.

  “We’re passing through, and are having to stop briefly to make some minor repairs to our hyperdrive.” Laceeya responded. Rikal looked questioningly up at her. ”We mean you no harm.”

  A purring noise came through the speaker, but Henorr’or was otherwise silent a moment before answering. Laceeya felt her heart beat in her chest as she awaited his response. “Very well.” The voice finally spoke. “You may take all the time you need, and you may dock at our orbital station for repairs.”

  That certainly wasn’t normal, Laceeya thought with a frown. She narrowed her luminous red eyes. “Thank you High Chieftain, your hospitality is appreciated.”

  Another slight pause. “No thanks are necessary.” There was a click as the High Chieftain closed the comm channel. The unusual behavior was not typical whatsoever for the Kwenast, Laceeya considered as she bit the inside of her cheek, and it left a foreboding sensation hanging over her.

  “Well that was unexpected.” Shyka said suspiciously. “I thought these people hated having outsiders in their system. Seems awfully considerate for them to let us dock at their station and take however long we want. I’m all for believing in the good of others, but…” She trailed off.

  “Yes, it does.” Laceeya murmured, then suddenly spun around. “Apoyarp, bring us around. Junior Lieutenant Felayun, get a hyperspace jump ready, back the way we came.” She raised her voice, calling out to the young woman seated at the navigation console further back in the bridge. Apoyarp was able to complete hyperspace calculations from the helm, but typically Felayun handled it from her dedicated station, especially if he was occupied flying the ship.

  Apoyarp sent a somewhat confused glance Laceeya’s way, but obeyed without question. “I’m on it, Commodore.” The Ethereal immediately banked into a sharp turn that was quite tight for a ship that large, the bow swinging to port. Open space replaced the planet that was previously dominating the view as the Ethereal executed its maneuver.

  “Commodore?” Harax politely asked from where he stood slightly further back in the bridge, his back straight as ever and hands clasped behind his waist.

  Before Laceeya could respond, Frenara spoke up from the sensor station. “Ships are breaking orbit and heading in our direction.” Sure enough, on the display the Kwenast ships were on the move. The cruiser and frigate were in the center of the formation, flanked by a corvette on either side. Gunships swung around and took up position beside the corvettes, with the whole array of ships arranged in a horizontal line.

  Laceeya sighed. Their movement wasn’t unexpected, she thought. When she heard the High Chieftain offer help and tell her to take all the time they needed, she was instantly suspicious. “Thank you Ensign.” Laceeya said.

  “What are they doing?” Harax grumbled.

  “They were hoping to catch us off guard,” Laceeya said sourly.

  “Commodore,” Frenara said, calling out to Laceeya again. He was hunched over his console, tapping a few buttons and studying the display monitor closely. “There’s a large object in orbit just at the edge of the planetary horizon. Seems like a space station or something similar.”

  “Interesting,” Laceeya murmured, chewing her lower lip thoughtfully. In the past, there’d only ever been one orbital station around the planet. She didn’t think the Kwenast had the capability to build such a large station on their own in that amount of time. It hadn’t been here a couple months ago.

  Was it a Grysk operation? Whatever the Grysks might be doing, it certainly couldn’t be good. However, there were more pressing matters to worry about at the moment. Laceeya turned around, speaking to Apoyarp at the helm. “How long until we’re clear of the planet’s mass shadow?”

  “Less than a minute, ma’am.” Apoyarp replied. “The position of Kwenast’s moons increases the reach of the gravity well slightly.”

  “I’ll have hyperspace calculations completed shortly after that, Commodore.” Junior Lieutenant Felayun’s voice called from behind.

  Laceeya nodded, and looked over Frenara’s shoulder at the display, watching the Kwenast ships following the Ethereal. Multiple blips suddenly appeared on the display ahead of the Ethereal’s position. “Multiple ships exiting hyperspace.” Frenara snapped out urgently.

  Sure enough, out in the distance a few large ships had appeared. Laceeya pursed her lips and clenched her jaw, inhaling a sharp breath. “Captain, stand by to launch fighters and tell the pilots they’ll make the jump on their own.” Laceeya said calmly, her heartbeat picking up. “Felayun, Rikal, be sure when our hyperspace calculations are complete, they’re sent and received by the fighters. Give me a rundown of what we’re looking at, Frenara.”

  They acknowledged their orders and calmly worked to complete their tasks. “One cruiser sized ship, one light cruiser, two corvettes, and two gunships.” Frenara said. “Configurations seem to be a match of the same models as those seen in orbit that are currently pursuing us. The cruiser appears to be launching fighters.” Sure enough, out the viewport the small specks of starfighters were exiting a hangar bay from the largest ship.

  “Shyka, stand ready to fire turbolasers and laser cannons.” Laceeya ordered. She moved to stand by Frenara, examining the display. She called out a vector for Apoyarp to change Ethereal’s heading to.

  “Should we launch our fighters now, Commodore?” Harax spoke up.

  ”Yes, go ahead and do so Captain.” Laceeya responded. A moment later, the first starfighter shot out of the launch tube, accelerating to attack speed thanks to the repulsors lining the notch in the bow that they exited through. The rest of the starfighters exited sequentially, nine in total. The squadron consisted of three TIE Defenders, a couple TIE Hunters, a TIE Avenger, a pair of TIE Advanced V1s, and a TIE Royal Guard Interceptor.

  The reason for such a mismatched group of TIEs was that when sourcing the fighters, a full squadron of a ship such as the TIE Defender wasn’t available. However, a variety of different models were able to be acquired, since it was far easier to divert a couple TIE Defenders rather than a full squadron. An elite squadron of advanced TIE models had been desired, and although it required extra training for the pilots to become accustomed to the different capabilities of the other members of the squadron, they eventually became an incredibly deadly force with unique capabilities.

  Forming up around the Ethereal, the TIEs prepared to screen the larger ship from enemy starfighters.

  The Kwenast ships had adjusted their vector to intercept the Ethereal. The ships began to near effective attack range, and flashes of spectrum laser fire started to lance out from the Kwenast ships.

  “Full power to shields. Shyka, be ready to target enemy starfighters with the point defense cannons.” Laceeya said, slowly running her hand along the seam of her uniform trousers in anticipation. “Load proton torpedoes in the bow and starboard launchers. Target the bow of the nearest gunship with all turbolasers and laser cannons that have a line of fire.”

  “Yes ma’am.” Shyka said, turning to work at her console and speaking quietly into her headset to issue orders to gunners.

  As the Ethereal began to close in on the Kwenast ships, getting close to turbolaser range, Laceeya gave the order to fire. “Shyka, open fire, aim for the bridge of that gunship.” The enemy gunship was overly eager to attack, its thrusters burning as it drove hard towards the Ethereal, leaving the protective company of its fellow ships.

  Green bolts of turbolaser fire were discharged from the barrels of the Ethereal’s weapons, raking the surface of the overconfident gunship as it began its attack run. The gunship’s electrostatic barrier absorbed the hail of laser blasts at first, and it retaliated with salvos of spectrum lasers. But the concentration of fire proved too great for the smaller ship, overwhelming its protective barrier. The gunship swerved and dodged in a futile effort to evade the incoming attack, but the pinpoint accuracy of Ethereal’s gunners proved to be too great a match. Explosions bit into the hull, and targeted the bridge. The strong viewports held initially and then shattered, and turbolaser fire shredded through the bow of the smaller vessel. Bodies were sucked into space as the bridge was exposed to the cold vacuum and atmosphere rushed expeditiously to escape.

  The gunship’s spectrum lasers ceased firing, and its corpse drifted lifeless in space. The other enemy ships' spectrum lasers were also springing into action as the ships crept into range, but the vibrant bolts were soaked up by the Ethereal’s shields. One of the corvettes boldly turned in front of the Ethereal’s current vector, presenting the weapons on its flank. The other Kwenast capital ships similarly began to turn, to bring the side weapons to bear and to remain following the Ethereal.

  Missiles shot from the largest Kwenast vessel, a 600 meter long cruiser. The cruiser had an interesting design, with organic, flowing lines and wings, as well as small fins that ran along its body, and the rear of the ship split to form a sort of V shape with engines nestled in between.

  Ethereal’s point defense gunners targeted the incoming ordnance, lasers flashing away to destroy the missiles before they reached the Ethereal. Crimson explosions marked the space where the missiles were destroyed.

  “Target the cruiser’s engines with proton torpedoes,” Laceeya called to Shyka. “Fire now, one salvo, followed by three when I give the word.”

  “Yes ma’am.” Shyka’s voice came back promptly. The first two proton torpedoes sped away from the Ethereal’s starboard ordnance launchers, racing towards their target. the cruiser’s point defense cannons proved adequate, and were able to shoot down the torpedoes before they hit.

  Right when the first torpedo began to blossom into an explosion, Laceeya urgently said, “Fire!” Shyka nodded in response as she simultaneously fired the weapons, and the next salvos of proton torpedoes were launched.

  The explosions of the prior two torpedoes had expanded, helping to block and confuse sensors and gunners. The next salvos sailed through that space, a pair at a time speeding towards the thruster section of the cruiser. Two of the six torpedoes didn’t make it to their target, hit by spectrum laser fire that caused them to transform into a ball of fire and gas. The remaining four reached their target, smashing into the thrusters of the cruiser with large explosions.

  Electrostatic barriers were not as strong as deflector shields, and the cruiser's barriers were overwhelmed. Although the proton torpedoes payload was dulled, a portion of the explosions got through to scar hull panels and thrusters.

  “Focus starboard turbolasers on the area of impact on the cruiser.” Laceeya said, feeling her ship shake around her from incoming fire, as if in a thunderstorm.

  “Will do, Commodore.” Shyka replied. Brilliant green bolts of turbolaser fire converged on the cruiser’s engine area, the weakened electrostatic barrier doing its best to absorb them.

  Meanwhile, around the Ethereal, starfighters were engaging with each other in dogfights. The Hand’s ships were fighting to keep the enemy craft away from the Ethereal. The Kwenast starfighters proved to be impressively agile, yet their electrostatic barriers were weak and easily punctured by the Imperial fighters. One of the enemy starfighters was approaching a TIE Defender in a head to head, dodging and weaving as it spit spectrum laser blasts at the Defender.

  The Defender dodged and rolled to avoid the oncoming attack, itself waiting patiently to line up a shot. As the two starfighters closed in on each other, the Defender fired, green lasers leaping out of the barrels on its wingtips. The small Kwenast ship was practically vaporized by the flurry of laser bolts that assailed it, leaving nothing but a fiery cloud and small pieces of shrapnel.

  Laceeya chewed her lip anxiously as showers of spectrum lasers assaulted the Ethereal, the ship rumbling as its deflectors strained to absorb the attacks. The Kwenast cruiser fell back, as Ethereal’s turbolasers started to damage its engines where the electrostatic barrier had been broken through. It dropped back behind the Ethereal, where the Imperial ship wouldn’t have an angle to fire on its rear.

  “Commodore, we’re clearing the mass shadow now and hyperspace calculations are almost complete.” Apoyarp reported.

  Laceeya nodded, feeling relieved that they could make their escape momentarily. “Be sure you get those sent immediately to our fighters once they’re ready.” She ordered.

  They both acknowledged their orders, and Laceeya glanced over at the sensor display. The group of pursuing Kwenast vessels that were previously in orbit were still farther back, with no chance of catching the Ethereal. The Kwenast light cruiser, a ship that was roughly the same size as the Ethereal, although comparatively weaker, was vectoring in to cut across their path.

  Off the Ethereal’s port side, one of the corvettes was running parallel to the Imperial ship, exchanging a broadside attack. The corvette was not faring well, with smoke rising from pits in the hull. Although similar in size to a Raider-Class corvette, the Kwenast corvettes weren’t as well armed or armored. In addition to that, the electrostatic barrier was far weaker than the deflector shields of a Raider-class.

  And it showed. The corvette was being pummeled by the Ethereal. “Shyka, hit that corvette with proton torpedoes,” Laceeya pointed out, ”Aim for that spot on the dorsal side of the rear, that damaged protruding bump.” If her guess was right, that was the ship’s reactor.

  “On it.” The pair of torpedoes jetted away, and the already damaged corvette attempted to target them with the few remaining operational weapons, but failing. They impacted the targeted area, detonating with fiery explosions. Even larger explosions followed, fire bursting out through the hull and tearing it apart. The back half of the corvette disintegrated from the reactor detonation, chunks of hull flying out, the front half bucking forward as the explosions separated it from the rear.

  Laceeya grimaced to herself. More death caused by the Grysks. The Kwenast had not previously been enemies of the Hand, yet now they were acting with unprecedented aggression. The only explanation was Grysk machinations behind the scenes, turning the Kwenast into a yet another species to be used as a tool for the Grysks conquest. She wished she didn’t have to take the lives of beings that the Grysks used as weapons, but there was no other choice, they had to be stopped to hopefully prevent future death and destruction and enslavement of beings that the Grysks would cause.

  The Ethereal shuddered again as spectrum lasers ate away at the deflector shields. The ruins of the corvette fell behind as the Ethereal continued pushing forward. “Shields starting to get low in sections 2 and 5, Commodore.” Ensign Asmaril spoke up from the defense station slightly further back in the bridge.

  “Understood.” Laceeya said. “Redirect power from other sections to reinforce them.”

  “Yes ma’am.”

  “Course plotted and calculations complete, ma’am.” Apoyarp said.

  Rikal quickly began to work at her console. “Sending that to our fighters… now.” Rikal put in. “Waiting for confirmation…Major Safiram confirms they’re ready to make the jump.”

  Laceeya nodded. “Have them make the jump,” Laceeya ordered. “Lieutenant, once the fighters are on their way we’ll follow.”

  The TIEs disengaged from their dogfights, breaking off to align themselves on the vector necessary to make the jump to hyperspace. A ball of fire marked one of the Kwenast starfighters exploding as a concussion missile from a TIE Avenger tore through its hull and transformed it to shrapnel. It juked around the fireball, dodging and jinking around spectrum laser fire from the Kwenast ships.

  Finally, with a flicker of motion, the TIEs escaped to lightspeed.

  “Make the jump, Lieutenant.” Laceeya said.

  The Ethereal shifted, maneuvering to get clear of the Kwenast ships. ”Yes ma’am,” Apoyarp responded. “Lining us up right now.” Finishing it’s turn, with the Ethereal’s bow arranged on the proper vector, Apoyarp pressed a series of buttons on the control panel, and finally the stars melted into streaks of light and then into the swirl of hyperspace.

  Laceeya sighed heavily in relief. They’d made it, without any significant damage to the ship or fighters, and most importantly, without any casualties. After every battle or mission, no matter how minor, she would always remind herself that each and every person unharmed was a victory.

  “Well,” Shyka’s voice cut into her thoughts. “It seems like our friends the Grysks must have gotten a hold on the Kwenast somehow.” Shyka leaned back in her seat, absently twirling a lock of blonde hair around her finger.

  “I should think so.” Captain Harax’s gruff voice replied. “Why else would they want to tangle with the Hand?”

  “The second they offered for us to use their facilities for repair, I knew we had to get out of there.” Laceeya said. “Under normal circumstances, the Kwenast would never do that. A good reminder of why it’s important to know potential opponents or enemies.”

  “Yes ma’am.” Shyka said. “It was clearly meant to be a trap, if we’d docked at that station we’d have been a sitting avian.”

  Laceeya nodded in agreement. She gazed out the viewport in thought, her glowing red eyes narrowed. So the Grysks had obtained another tool to use in their goals of conquest. Their ability to control and manipulate peoples was terrifying, it seemed that they could just continue to grow endlessly and build power through their client species, like a plague spreading.

  The Hand was trying to push them back, yet it was difficult to defeat an enemy that could wield whole species as their weapons.

  “Shall I secure the ship from battle stations, Commodore?” Harax offered.

  “Let’s wait until we drop out of hyperspace and get the fighters loaded.” Laceeya said with a slight shrug. “Just to be safe.”

  Suddenly, the view of hyperspace was interrupted, and the Ethereal was jolted and shaken as it was torn from lightspeed. An alarm sounded on the bridge, signaling the ship exiting from hyperspace before it was supposed to.

  Laceeya felt her stomach sink. There was likely only one reason the ship would’ve been pulled from hyperspace like this. A gravity well generator, a device capable of ripping ships from hyperspace. A device used by the Grysks.