The Rhytil Counterattack

Just as the Rhytil drones began to close in, a massive explosion rocked the battlefield. The Alliance fleet had successfully crippled the Rhytil's outer defenses, and their remaining forces were now regrouping for a final push.

The Rhytil scrambled to recover from the chaos, but the Alliance was on the offensive. The strike team, battered but alive, planted the final charges that would destroy the relay station and send a shockwave through the Rhytil's communications grid.

The Alliance fleet closed in for the final push, and the tide of the battle began to turn.

Lena stood on the bridge of the Flagship, watching the battle unfold. Her hands trembled, not from fear, but from the energy coursing through her. The core had nearly consumed her, but she had pushed through. She had made the right call, despite the sacrifices.

The battle wasn't over, but they had won a crucial victory. The Rhytil had been dealt a devastating blow, and their command structure was in disarray. But Lena knew that this victory came at a cost. She was no longer the person she once was. The core had changed her—whether for better or worse, she couldn't say.

She could only wonder what the future held for her and the galaxy they had yet to save.