The console hums as the encrypted burst fires, bouncing through the debris field. The progress indicator creeps upward.
At thirty percent, Kael stiffens. “Incoming signatures,” he says, his voice tightening.
My head snaps toward him. “Origin?”
“Alliance class fighters,” he answers, pulling up a tactical overlay. “Three fighters and one scout vessel. Fast approach.”
“That’s not random patrol,” I say.
“No,” Kael agrees.
The shuttle rocks slightly as proximity alarms flare. The transmission bar hits sixty percent.
“Can they see us?” I ask.
“They are narrowing,” Kael replies, rerouting power to shields.
The transmission reaches eighty percent.
A crackling voice cuts through the comm channel. “Unidentified shuttle, power down and prepare for boarding.”
Alliance frequency. Calm. Professional.
Kael’s jaw tightens. “They want us alive,” he says.
“For interrogation,” I reply, watching the progress bar crawl toward completion.
“Ninety-five percent,” Kael says.
Outside, streaks of light flash past the viewport as the fighters adjust formation.
The transmission completes with a soft chime.
“Packet sent,” I confirm.
“Confirmed?” Kael asks sharply.
“Confirmed receipt,” I answer, forcing steadiness into my voice.
The shuttle shudders as something glances off our shields.
“They are not firing to kill,” Kael says. “They are herding us.”
“To where?” I demand.
Kael’s fingers move rapidly across the controls. “Away from debris cover,” he replies.
The comm crackles again. “Power down immediately or we will disable your vessel.”
Kael glances at me. “Your choice,” he says evenly.
I meet his eyes across the cramped cabin. “If we let them take us,” I begin carefully, “they control the narrative.”
“And if we run,” Kael counters, “they escalate.”
The shuttle vibrates as warning alarms intensify.
“Don’t let them cage us,” I say, my voice low but steady.
