Chapter 15 – The Mission Goes Wrong

--Xyphora Volaris System, Sector 7-42D--

-Scavenger Clan Headquarters – Underground Base-

Rei sat on the edge of a supply crate, every inch of his body aching from the combat trial earlier. His ribs throbbed where Seyra had kicked him across the ring, and his arms were sore from deflecting blows.

Despite all that, he felt something new.

I didn't win, but I lasted. I adapted.

For the first time since arriving on Xyphora, he felt like he was actually getting somewhere.

The excitement didn't last long.

Because the moment the alarm klaxons blared through the underground base, everything changed.

-Scavenger Clan Control Room-

Rei, still exhausted from training, hurried into the command center, where Keven, Garek, and several others were gathered around the holo-display.

Flashing red warning symbols covered the map.

Rei's stomach twisted. "What's going on?"

Keven's expression was grim. "The supply team just sent an emergency distress signal."

Seyra narrowed her eyes. "What happened?"

Garek, arms crossed, scowled at the holo-display. "They ran into something unexpected."

A flickering video feed popped up on the screen—grainy, shaky, and full of static.

For a moment, Rei could only see blurred images—scavengers running, firing their weapons, explosions in the background.

Then—

A figure appeared on the feed.

A hulking, metallic silhouette, its glowing red optics burning through the smoke.

Not a Sentinel.

Not a Killer Drone.

Something worse.

A scavenger's voice crackled through the speakers.

"We've got a Class-Two Enforcer! We're pinned down—multiple wounded—need immediate extraction!"

Rei's breath caught.

A Class-Two Enforcer.

If the Reaper-Class Enforcer that attacked the base days ago was bad…

This was even deadlier.

Keven clenched his jaw. "Damn it."

Doc Veyna, arms crossed, spoke up. "How many made it out?"

The static-filled transmission continued.

"Lost Ryn, Fargas, and two others. We're down to six fighters. Fuel cells are compromised—we had to leave them behind."

Keven's fingers tightened into fists.

They had already lost people.

Seyra exhaled. "What's the plan?"

Keven straightened. "We're getting them out. Fast."

Garek glanced at him. "You sure that's a good idea? We could lose even more people."

Keven's expression darkened. "We don't leave our own behind."

A scavenger at the console spoke. "Coordinates locked. They're taking cover in an old structure, but they won't hold out for long."

Keven nodded. "Garek, you're leading the extraction team."

Garek smirked. "Figured as much."

Seyra tilted her head. "And me?"

Keven's eyes flickered toward her. "You're going with them."

Rei expected Keven to look at him next.

But he didn't.

Instead, Keven turned to the others. "Move fast. We don't have time to waste."

The scavengers hurried to prepare, grabbing weapons and checking armor.

Rei gritted his teeth.

He already knew what was coming.

As the others rushed out, Rei followed Keven into the armory section.

He clenched his fists. "I should go with them."

Keven, already checking his weapon, didn't even look up. "No, you shouldn't."

Rei scowled. "I can fight now. I lasted in the trials. I—"

Keven finally turned, fixing him with a sharp stare. "You lasted in a training match. Against scavengers who were holding back. This?" He gestured toward the holo-screen. "This is real combat. You're not ready."

Rei's hands tightened into fists.

"I can't just sit here and do nothing," he snapped.

Keven sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Look, kid. You're improving. I see that. But I'm not sending you out to die just because you feel ready."

Rei gritted his teeth.

He knew Keven was right.

But that didn't make it any easier.

Especially when people were out there fighting, dying—while he just stood back and waited.

Keven, seeing the frustration on his face, exhaled. "You want to prove yourself? Fine. Train harder. Learn more. Get better. Then—when I say you're ready—you'll go on a mission."

Rei's jaw clenched, but he didn't argue.

Not because he agreed.

But because there was nothing he could say that would change Keven's mind.

--Meanwhile… In Xyphora's Orbit--

A lone starship hovered in the upper atmosphere, scanning the planet below.

Inside, the pilot adjusted the controls, eyes flickering over the flickering sensor displays.

The interference was stronger here.

But something was here.

Then—

A soft beeping sound.

The pilot's breath caught.

[Confirmed: Starborn Awakening Signal Detected.]

Their fingers hovered over the controls.

That's impossible…

The signal was faint, buried beneath the interference of the war-torn planet's radiation fields.

But they recognized it.

Because only the Star Council had the means to track this kind of anomaly.

A new Starborn had awakened on this world.

And they were somewhere down there.

The pilot leaned forward, activating the ship's stealth descent mode.

Xyphora… of all places…

This changed everything.

They were going in.