Inside the emergency deck, the air hung heavy with gloom. The crew huddled in silence, their eyes dim with fear—until the boys arrived. Hope sparked back into their faces like fire catching dry wood.
Youri turned, his voice breaking the stillness."How did you guys find us?"
Tom answered, stepping forward. "We were in our cockpits when Zoma contacted us. She told us about your situation. We came here to regroup."
"What about you, Youri?" Preston asked. "How did you end up here?"
Youri shrugged, his tone calm but firm. "When the soldiers raided the ship, I was in the kitchen. I gathered the closest crew and locked us in here. Figured we'd wait it out until someone came."
"Smart move," Tom said with a nod. "But listen—we've got a mission. Zoma told me where the others are. The Emperor got pissed and sent them to a place called the Labyrinth. It's some kind of prison. We need to reach the control room and manually launch the ship. Then we can go rescue them."
Youri frowned. "Hold on—we can launch, sure. But how do we even find this Labyrinth?"
Tom smirked. "Zoma said she'll take the helm and guide us. All we need to do is get this bird in the air."
Tyler stepped forward. "Wait, Tom. The control room's crawling with guards. How the hell are we supposed to get past them?"
Tom gestured to his uniform. "Are you blind, Doc? Look at what we're wearing. Disguises. We'll walk in like we belong. Once inside, we take control of the room and initiate launch. As for the guards—we'll handle them if it comes to that."
Youri nodded slowly. "Leave the guards to me. Once we're inside, everything will fall into place."
Anita interrupted, concern in her voice. "Youri, how are you planning to get out? You don't have a uniform."
"Don't worry about that," Preston said. "We brought a spare."
Tyler muttered under his breath. "This plan is insane. But I guess we don't have a choice."
Youri looked at the crew left behind. "Tyler. Quin. Daniel. Watch the door. The girls' lives are in your hands now."
Tyler gave a sharp nod. Quin and Daniel spoke in unison. "Don't worry, Youri. We've got this."
The four infiltrators suited up, checked their gear, and slipped out. The hallway was quiet. No patrols in sight. With quick, silent steps, they made their way through the steel corridors of Sector Zero toward the control room.
As they rounded a corner, a tall officer with a thick mustache and a beret stopped them, barking, "You there! What are you doing wandering the halls?"
The boys froze, eyes darting. Marek stepped forward, voice crisp and confident. "Apologies, sir. We were assigned to the control room but lost our way."
The officer sighed and rubbed his temple. "Idiots. This way. Follow me!"
To their surprise, the officer began escorting them—right where they needed to go.
Soon, the massive doors to the control room hissed open. Inside, a hub of activity buzzed. Soldiers stood at attention. Scientists worked at panels. At the center, a commanding figure stood tall—mid-fifties, bald, his chest heavy with medals. He turned to them.
"Finally," he barked. "What took you so long?" He waved off the guards whose shift had ended.
Preston saluted. "Apologies, sir. We got turned around."
The general scowled. "Whatever."
He turned back to the scientists. "Have we cracked their system yet?"
One of the scientists shook his head. "No, sir. Nothing we have can interface with the ship's systems. It's... alien. Nothing complies with the output protocols."
The general slammed his fist on the console. "Damn them. They really are celestial."
While the others talked, the boys spread out—each taking position. Five guards remained: two near the general, one at the entrance near Marek, another helping a scientist at the helm, and the last beside Youri, just below the main panel steps.
Youri glanced at the others—his signal was subtle but clear. Now.
In a flash, Youri turned and fired at the guard beside him. Shots rang out across the room. Four guards dropped before they could even draw their weapons. The fifth, holding a panel, froze in shock—only to be dropped by Youri's second shot.
Bodies hit the ground. Scientists hit the floor, covering their heads. The general stood paralyzed, disbelief in his eyes.
Tom rushed to the main terminal and began initializing engine protocols. Youri approached the general, pressing the barrel of his pistol to the man's temple.
"We have one request," Youri said coldly. "Comply, and no one else gets hurt. Evacuate everyone from this ship. Once it's clear, you'll be allowed to leave by shuttle."
The general, legs trembling, nodded and gave the evacuation order through the emergency comms. Within minutes, the station began emptying.
Youri smirked. "Good job, General."
Just then, Zoma's holographic projection shimmered to life above the main console.
"Oh, you made it," she said with a grin. "Nice."
The general stumbled backward, shocked. Even the scientists stared, wide-eyed.
Zoma looked around. "Scanners show the ship is empty. Everyone's out."
"Perfect," Tom said, hands flying over controls. "Now we prep for launch."
But the general straightened, rage returning to his face.
"You may escape the station," he said, "but do you really think you can outrun the Empire? Every ship in Baraka will hunt you. Do you know what we do to rebels? Treason is a crime punishable by death."
Youri laughed—a bitter, cold sound.
"Oh, we know. Where we come from, rebels are a problem too. In fact, most of this crew are ex-rebels. We know exactly what's at stake." He leaned closer. "And since we're already criminals in your eyes... I'm breaking my promise."
The general's eyes widened.
"I'll show you," Youri whispered, "what a mere crew of ex-rebels can do to your mighty empire."
Tartarusios pulled away from the station.
Inside the Baraken control center, chaos erupted. Alarms screamed as word of the general's capture spread. Officers scrambled. Orders flew.
But the Tartarusios didn't run. It turned.
The ship's form was haunting—its smooth black hull a thing of nightmares. Then the main cannon powered up, glowing with blue light like a god's judgment.
In the control room, Youri approached the console and entered the override code:Power Output: 200%.
He turned to the general, eyes flat. "I don't see myself as someone worthy of much. But if there's one thing I do well—it's destruction. And the one thing I never forgive..." he pressed the final command,"...is someone messing with my ship."
Outside, the cannon charged.
Inside, the room filled with blinding light.
A piercing scream echoed across the void—then the Tartarusios fired.
The plasma cannon tore through the Brakan space station. A searing beam of energy exploded through its core, engulfing the structure in fire and steel. The debris spiraled into planetary orbit, glowing like ash in the void.
On the bridge, Zoma turned to Youri, her expression unreadable.
Her voice was soft, almost reverent."Monsters do truly exist."