Page 57 of Stars in Nova

Samira nodded, stepping into their circle. ‘Good. Check everything twice. We only get one shot at this.’

The tension was palpable, their usual camaraderie replaced by the heavy silence of pre-battle focus. The sound of boots scuffing against stone and the metallic clicks of weapons being prepped filled the cavern.

The air stirred as Sharin arrived, her engineering kit slung over her shoulder.

The wiry woman walked to Samira, holding up a compact device.

‘These are the kinetic disruptors,’ Sharin said.

She handed one to her Commander, who turned it over in her hands.

The small attachment was sleek, and its matte finish was designed to blend seamlessly with their firearms.

‘They’ll scramble the neural connections in the cyborgs’ control systems, but only at close range. Clip them here,’ Sharin demonstrated on her rifle, the disruptor clicking into place with a soft hiss.

Samira nodded, motioning for the crew to gather.

Sharin repeated the demonstration, her tone brisk but patient as the fighters equipped their shooters with the disruptors.

‘Stay sharp,’ Sharin said, her tone rising as she gazed at her friends. ‘These things will give us an edge, but they’re not foolproof. Aim true.’

Samira stepped forward, her long gun slung over her shoulder, its mass familiar against her back. ‘You heard her,’ she said, her inflection calm but assertive. ‘We’ve trained for this. We know the risks. Stay close, remain focused, and we’ll make it back.’

The group nodded in unison and moved out in silence, their boots crunching over the stone-covered ground.

The narrow passage twisted and climbed, the air growing thinner and colder as they ascended.

Samira led the way, eyes sweeping and alert.

The only sounds were the subtle shifts of gear, the soft breaths of exertion, and the occasional drip of water from the tunnel ceiling.

Hours passed as they wound their way upward, the journey grueling but necessary. Each step brought them closer to the outer world—and proximate to danger.

Samira motioned for the group to halt, her hand raised as she scrutinized the area. The terrain beyond was still, the charred remains of trees casting skeletal silhouettes over the cracked ground.

‘This is where we wait,’ she murmured. ‘Til after sundown.’

The crew settled into the shadows, weapons at the ready.

Samira crouched near a boulder, her firearm resting on her knees.

Her eyes scanned the horizon, her body tense, eyes alert.

The drone of Corilian patrols drifted on the wind, a reminder of the enemy’s constant presence.

She inhaled, the acrid atmosphere stinging her lungs.

The battle to come was the culmination of weeks of planning and training.

Samira’s fingers tightened around the grip of her rifle, willing herself to believe that they would not falter.

The day stretched as the Rider moved through the rugged terrain surrounding the cyborg camp.

His suit adjusted to the temperatures on the scorched planet that shifted depending on the winds blowing over the stark, desolate expanse.

He crouched behind a blackened outcrop, his eyes scanning the base below while his mind cataloged every detail of his surroundings.

The land was a harsh mosaic of cracked terra firma, jagged cliffs, and scattered remnants of forests burned to their skeletal frames.

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