Aftershock continue

The next 48 hours were filled with preparation. Tavon and his team worked tirelessly, gathering intel on the Rhytil's movements and planning their infiltration of the Helios Nebula. Kellan oversaw the fleet's reorganization, ensuring that the ships were ready for whatever the Rhytil might throw at them. Meanwhile, Lena's mind raced with strategy, calculating risks and weighing outcomes.

But underneath it all, the core was a constant presence, a weight she couldn't escape. The power it provided her was a lifeline, but each time she used it, she felt herself slipping further. It was as if it were drawing her in, threatening to consume her. There were moments when she could feel its pull—its whispering voice at the back of her mind.

"Don't forget what you're capable of, Lena," it would say. "You can control it. You can make them bow to your will."

But the more she listened, the more she felt herself becoming someone she didn't recognize. She knew she couldn't let herself fall too deep. The core was too dangerous, and she couldn't allow it to become her crutch. But she was running out of options.

As the deadline for their mission drew closer, Lena stood alone in the war room, staring at the holographic star map in front of her. "We move now," she whispered to herself, her voice a mix of resolve and fear. "We end this, one way or another."

The Alliance was counting on her. She couldn't fail them now.