The Rhytil's Counterattack

Meanwhile, on a Rhytil flagship, High Commander Kri'tar paced restlessly. His alien skin, a translucent blend of dark purples and blacks, shimmered with an eerie iridescence. His mind was focused on revenge. The defeat at Serai had been a bitter blow to the Rhytil Empire, but it had only fueled their desire for retribution.

Kri'tar clenched his fists. "The humans are more resourceful than we anticipated, but they are still weak. Their reliance on inferior technology has limited them. The core, however, that is something I will exploit."

He glanced toward the officers standing by. "Prepare the Ascendant Fleet. We'll make Qamar a priority. We have to break their will before they have time to rebuild their defenses. At all costs, we must destroy their resolve."

"But, Commander," one of his subordinates spoke hesitantly, "the humans have discovered our tactics. If they hit us at Qamar—"

Kri'tar silenced him with a sharp wave. "We will feint at Qamar. Let them think they have the advantage. In the meantime, we strike at their supply lines. Thryx Station will be the key. Once we have cut off their supplies, we will cripple their ability to resist."

The Rhytil, though shaken by their losses, were quick to adapt. Kri'tar's decision to focus on Thryx Station meant that the humans' ability to wage war would be severely hampered. But it also meant a brutal confrontation was inevitable.