Kroids, the notorious pirates that they were, often tactically acquired advanced weaponry and shadow market inventions. They were constantly moving to avoid detection and capture by the Authority. Looting or dealing on a Xaal-dominated planet wasn’t necessarily abnormal for them, but entering clan territory so openly without permit was. When in large enough groups, they’d maybe stand a chance of raiding a weaker clan, but with only seven ships—and in Cleave territory—their breach of protocol was a death sentence. The moment they’d crossed the western divide, they sealed their fates.
Ved made quick work of powering up his shadowdrifter and running diagnostics. Once in the air, he felt like he could breathe deeply again. The splatter of color across the skies from the dying suns above him and the expanse of his thriving land below helped him leave all thoughts of the gazer and her messages behind.
The seven Kroid ships populated on his detection system instantly, moving fast. Their speed made it seem as if they were being pursued, but even the Authority knew better than to enter clan territory without warning. “What is their mission? They’re not even attempting to infiltrate the lowlands,” he said to Kravis through the communication line.
Kravis rumbled a thoughtful sound but kept whatever theories he had to himself.
Their crafts aligned for the briefest of moments before Ved veered off. His plan was to force the Kroids into the rocky terrain so that the burning ships didn’t crash into their fertile lands.
However, he hated the idea of an aerial battle. He wanted a fight. Aphysicalone. He wanted to see them as he took their lives. That was the way of the Xaal. But regardless of whether they died in flight or on the ground, they’d meet their stars either way. Initiating his thrusters, he flew to meet them.
As they closed in on the enemy fleet, he powered up his cannons. He didn’t need to tell Kravis that he wanted the ships grounded if possible.
Kravis gave a warning shot, hitting the first Kroid’s left wing. Its shield flashed yellow and rippled out. Their ships were weak, but even with the warning, they continued recklessly onward. Not even a slight shift in direction.
Ved, coming up to flank, shot at two more of the ships. And still, they remained unfazed.
Exxo, his neurolink system, reported, “There is no indication of lifeforms on these vessels. Either they have a biomask of unknown design, or they are being piloted off-planet.”
“Should have known even pirates wouldn’t try something so uselessly reckless,” Kravis said, having received the same information.
The Kroid ships pulled up at the same time, their movements too synchronous as they now raced upward toward the stars. They could have been testing a new system, but Ved was certain something more was at play. The moment he shifted in pursuit, his general followed without hesitation.
“What do you think we’ll find?” Kravis asked as they sailed through the jade and violet of dusk.
“A Kroid Driver, perhaps,” Ved theorized. Where Kroids were, their mother ship was never far behind.
They broke through the atmosphere and orbit, entering the expanse to find—
Nothing.
Though they had been only seconds behind the small fleet, the vastness of space was all that surrounded them.
“Nevskol,”Kravis cursed. “Last time I checked, those ships didn’t have warp capabilities.”
“They don’t,” Ved rumbled.
Right then, his warning indicator went off, followed by the detection of something large advancing at breaking speeds. Ved immediately turned his shadowdrifter in a defensive maneuver, leaving him and Kravis positioned for a fight.
They could take down a Kroid Driver with just the two of them, but it would take perfect coordination—a challenge Ved looked forward to.
But what slammed into the expanse around them were not Kroid ships.
They wereXaal.
Their weapons locked onto Ved and Kravis.
An ambush.
Their vessels were unmarked, giving no indication of which clan they belonged to.Cowards.Instead of issuing a blood challenge, they used tricks and snares. Only a weaker warrior need take his opponent by surprise to ensure victory.
Ved snapped his jaws in aggression as his more lethal weapons powered up.
Exxo rattled off his reports. “I detect auto-guided missiles on all vessels. The two flanks are armed with tows and grounders. There is an unidentifiable organic mass located in the right wing of the center ship. It is possible they are carrying a biological attack system. Probability of survival with confirmed weaponry is—”
“Don’t,” Ved snarled at the AI as Kravis veered off, his cannons sending beams of deep red through the black. Ved went the other way, taking a shot to the underside of his ship as he did. One enemy ship homed in on Kravis while the other two followed him.
He spent the next crucial moments dodging some of the blasts while targeting the weak spots in their shields. More of their shots hit than missed, though. His shadowdrifter was strong, but even so, it was built to withstand only so much. Xaal were never meant for space assaults. And yet…
