Chapter 114: The Hunters Close In
Raizen stood on the bridge, his golden irises glowing faintly as he watched the unidentified ships reposition themselves in orbit. Their presence was no coincidence. Whoever they were, they had tracked the activation of the ruins, and now they were moving to intercept.
Liana's hands flew across the control panel. "They're scanning for our energy signatures, but our stealth field is holding. They haven't pinpointed us yet."
Joran cracked his knuckles. "And what happens when they do?"
Kain leaned against the weapons console, his expression unreadable. "Then we either fight or run. Neither option looks great."
Raizen exhaled slowly. Running wasn't an option. He had just unlocked a fragment of his legacy—he wasn't about to let anyone take it from him.
He turned to Liana. "Can you get me a better read on them?"
She nodded, bringing up an enhanced scan. The holographic display flickered as the ship profiles loaded.
[Identified: Class E3 Recon Cruisers. Modified for high-speed pursuit.]
Seraphina's violet eyes narrowed. "Recon vessels… They aren't here for a fight. They're here to track."
Kain frowned. "Which means someone else sent them."
Raizen's jaw tightened. The noble factions? Another hidden enemy? Too many possibilities, and none of them good.
A Desperate Escape
Liana tapped a command. "If we break orbit now, we can slingshot around the system's third planet and lose them in the asteroid belt."
Joran grinned. "Sounds like a plan."
Raizen smirked. "Then let's not keep them waiting."
The flagship's engines roared to life as it shifted course, cutting hard toward the system's outer rim. The recon cruisers reacted immediately, their sleek frames adjusting in unison as they moved to pursue.
Kain glanced at Raizen. "So much for staying hidden."
Raizen's grip on the armrest tightened. They wouldn't be running forever.
Liana's voice came through the comms. "Brace for high-speed maneuvers. This is about to get rough."
The ship lurched forward, breaking into a full-speed escape. The recon ships followed, but Raizen had no intention of being caught.
The game had begun.
And he was playing to win.