Page 162 of Scorching the Alien Empire
The dozens of Voidbanes adjust course. But instead of diving in after us, they split apart, repositioning like the severed tendrils of a great beast, flowing outward to surround the asteroid field rather than giving chase.
A chill runs through me.
They’re blocking us in.
Not reckless. Not blindly aggressive. But methodical. Cold. Patient.
The creeping sensation of unease seeps through my veins, curling around my heart like frost. But why seal the asteroid field rather than simply go around?
Because they assume I will change course.
Yes. They believe I will bide my time, looking for an opening—giving them the chance to trap us with Voidbanes while their Seeker drones tighten the noose. If I hesitate, if I slow for even a moment, they will flush us out like prey.
They’re almost right.
Almost.
But I will not hesitate. I will not allow the net to close.
A new way forward appears.
Less glorious, but far more likely to succeed. The Voidbringer has blundered again—once more underestimating me, failing to compute the depth of my fury, my capability.
The three Voidbanes ahead begin to spread apart, their thick, pulsing markers shifting into wider formation to cover more space.
And in doing so, they thin their ranks.
There. A weak point. A single, precise line to punch through.
“Shields holding at ninety-five percent, War Chieftain,” Corsark announces, his usual formality strained by hesitation. The atmosphere aboard the bridge is suffocating—a held breath, the weight of every soul aboard pressing into the silence. Dozens of pairs of eyes fixate on the displays, the viewport, the boiling mass of debris beyond.
“That’s good, right?” Princesa asks, hope flickering through her voice. “Does that mean it’s safe to come out now...” She peeks from behind the throne, only to immediately recoil at the dazzling hues streaking past the viewport. “Nope. I think I’m going to be sick—” she dry-retches before disappearing once more.
It’snotfor the faint-hearted.
The maneuvers I execute are so precise, so razor-thin that colossal asteroids almost brush against our shields—jagged edges skimming just beyond reach before vanishing in an instant. No time to react. No time to breathe. One miscalculation, and we are ash.
Yet I do not stop—cannot stop.
Another massive rock snaps into focus—another crushing death narrowly avoided. It is an endless, dizzying dance—one that only I can orchestrate.
“Better strap in, boys!” Drexios bellows, his amusement clear as he practically presses his face to the reinforced polymer screen. “We’ve got incoming. A lot of the shiny bastards.” He spins away from the viewport, cracking his knuckles.
He’s right.
Beyond the shifting asteroid belt, an ocean of red lenses glint in the dark, like malignant stars burning with cruel intent. The Seeker swarm moves with eerie precision, darting throughthe debris, adjusting—adapting—their mechanical hunger relentless.
Let them come.
Chapter 31
Dracoth
Boom
Asneercurlsmylipsas my fingers flex over the controls.
“Destroy them.” My arm swings wide in command.
