Chapter 116: Shifting Tides
The tension in the Draconic Flagship's command center was thick as the ship moved beyond the asteroid belt, the wreckage of the destroyed recon cruisers left behind. They had won the skirmish, but it wasn't over.
Liana's voice was calm yet firm. "I've identified their origin. The ships were flagged under a private mercenary fleet, but the encryption patterns suggest noble house involvement."
Seraphina crossed her arms. "Which house?"
Liana's screen flickered before she answered. "No direct proof, but based on fleet movement patterns and encrypted relays, the best guess is House Valtheris."
Joran frowned. "I've heard that name before."
Raizen exhaled. "They control several Tier 5 worlds. Not the biggest, but powerful enough to cause problems."
Seraphina's violet eyes narrowed. "They wouldn't act against us unless they saw you as a real threat."
Raizen smirked. "Then let's make sure they understand just how big of a mistake they made."
Unraveling the Web
Kain brought up a holo-map, highlighting several coordinates. "We can take a detour and hit one of their supply routes. It'll send a message."
Raizen shook his head. "Not yet. If they're watching us, we need to play this smart. I want more information first."
Liana nodded. "I might have something. The encrypted logs on the merc ships mention a meeting point, a station in the outer fringe. If we infiltrate it, we can get intel on their next move."
Raizen's golden eyes gleamed. "Perfect. Prep a stealth approach."
Seraphina studied him. "You're walking deeper into their web."
Raizen chuckled. "I'm not caught yet."
Approaching the Unknown
The flagship altered course, slipping into deep-space stealth as it neared the fringe station. The structure was a massive orbital platform, surrounded by dozens of smaller ships coming and going.
Joran cracked his knuckles. "So, what's the plan?"
Raizen's grin widened. "We're going in quietly. No flashy entrances."
Liana smirked. "For once."
Seraphina sighed. "This is a terrible idea."
Raizen's confidence never wavered. "Maybe. But it's going to be a fun one."
As the ship docked under falsified credentials, Raizen felt it again—that same pull, the feeling of being watched.
Something was waiting for him in that station.
And he was ready to find out what.