Chapter 100: Interrogating the Surrendered
The bridge of the Draconic Flagship remained silent as the enemy frigate drifted in the void, its engines crippled, weapons deactivated. The crew aboard had no choice but to accept their fate.
Liana scanned the ship's interior with the flagship's advanced sensors. "They have a crew of about forty-five, most of them standard mercenary personnel. No high-ranking officials, but their captain is still alive."
Raizen smirked. "Then let's have a chat."
Boarding the Frigate
A small team, including Raizen, Joran, and Kain, docked onto the enemy vessel, weapons at the ready. As the airlock hissed open, the opposing crew stood waiting, hands raised in surrender. Their expressions varied—some were fearful, others defiant.
At the front of the group stood a woman in a black combat uniform. She had short-cut silver hair, cold blue eyes, and a scar running across her cheek.
Raizen met her gaze. "I assume you're the one in charge."
She exhaled sharply. "Captain Lyra Kael, of the Black Talon Mercenaries."
Joran crossed his arms. "Never heard of you."
Lyra scoffed. "We don't operate in public. We take high-end contracts from those who can afford us."
Raizen stepped forward, his golden eyes gleaming with intrigue. "Then tell me… who hired you?"
Lyra remained silent, her jaw clenched.
Raizen sighed, shaking his head. "I don't have time for games." He took a step closer, his Draconic Aura pulsing subtly. The pressure in the room shifted, the air growing heavier as an unspoken force settled over everyone. Even the mercenaries who stood behind Lyra staggered under the weight of it.
Her eyes widened slightly, but she didn't buckle. "You're… not normal."
Raizen smirked. "You're just figuring that out?"
The Truth Revealed
After a tense pause, Lyra exhaled. "We were hired by a faction within the Noble Houses of Eltross. They sent us here to investigate a powerful signal that had been detected in this region."
Liana's voice crackled through the comms. "Eltross… that's a Tier 3 system. They don't usually meddle in lower-tier sectors."
Raizen tilted his head. "And what exactly were you supposed to do if you found something?"
Lyra hesitated, then answered. "Retrieve it. Or destroy it, if necessary."
Joran clicked his tongue. "Guess we know what they were after."
Raizen chuckled. "They didn't expect anyone to be here, did they?"
Lyra shook her head. "No. The signal they detected was ancient. They assumed it was some lost artifact, not… whatever you are."
Raizen's expression darkened slightly. If factions from higher-tier worlds were already looking in his direction, it meant his rise to power was no longer unnoticed.
A Message to the Nobles
Raizen stepped forward, standing inches from Lyra. "Here's what you're going to do. You're going to return to your clients and tell them nothing remains here but wreckage. You never found anything worth taking."
Lyra frowned. "And if I refuse?"
Raizen's golden irises burned, his Draconic Aura pressing against her like an unseen force. "Then I'll personally make sure no one hears from you again."
Silence fell over the bridge. Then, after a long moment, Lyra gritted her teeth and nodded. "Fine."
Raizen smirked, stepping back. "Good choice."
He turned to his crew. "We're done here. Let's get back to the flagship."
As they departed, Raizen couldn't shake the feeling that this encounter was only the beginning. If the nobles of Eltross were already sniffing around, more would come.
And next time, they wouldn't send mercenaries.
They'd come themselves.
Raizen's fingers clenched. Let them come.
He would be ready.