Chapter 151: The Assault on Zekron Station
The Revenant emerged from hyperspace at the edge of the Zekron system, its stealth systems engaged to avoid immediate detection. Inside the bridge, Raizen studied the holographic display of the research station orbiting the gas giant.
"Their defenses are tight," Liana noted, pointing to the active patrols of Syndicate frigates. "If we go in loud, they'll have time to send reinforcements."
Raizen nodded. "We won't give them that chance. Nyx, you're up."
The hacker smirked, already tapping away at her console. "Give me ten minutes, and their sensors will read clear skies."
Meanwhile, Selara, Joran, and Malakar prepped the boarding teams. "Once we're in, we move fast," Joran said. "Get to their data core and extract everything."
Raizen took a deep breath. This was it. The moment to prove himself to the mysterious faction watching from the shadows.
The countdown began.
With Nyx disabling their outer defenses, the Revenant's strike teams launched, gliding undetected toward the research station.
Raizen activated his comm. "Let's take this place apart."
The battle for the Syndicate's secrets had begun.
Deepening the Assault
The infiltration teams landed on the station's surface, their magnetic boots activating as they traversed the hull in complete silence. Nyx led a small squad through an access hatch, her fingers flying over a control panel as she disabled interior sensors.
"We're in," she whispered through comms. "You've got about twenty minutes before their backup systems kick in."
Selara and Joran moved first, slicing through the airlocks and entering the dimly lit corridors of the station. The interior was eerily silent, the usual hum of operational machinery subdued under emergency power mode.
As they advanced, a squad of Syndicate enforcers emerged from a side corridor.
"Contact," Selara growled, lunging forward.
Her blades flashed, slicing through the first two enforcers before the rest had a chance to react. Gunfire erupted, but Joran was already in motion, disarming an opponent and slamming him against the wall.
Raizen stepped forward, his energy blade igniting in a crackling blue glow. "Let's make this quick."
With practiced precision, the team tore through the Syndicate resistance, advancing toward the research sector.
Reaching the Data Core
Nyx's voice crackled in Raizen's ear. "We've got a problem. Their security systems are running an encrypted firewall. I can't hack through it remotely."
Raizen exhaled sharply. "Then we do it manually."
They reached the central chamber where the research core was housed. The vault doors were reinforced with Syndicate-grade plating, designed to withstand direct explosions.
"Can you open it?" Raizen asked.
Nyx plugged into the interface. "With enough time, yes. But we don't have time."
Raizen glanced at Malakar. "Then we make time."
Seconds later, an alarm blared across the station. Reinforcements were on the way. Syndicate enforcers poured in from every entrance, gunfire erupting as Raizen's team took defensive positions.
Raizen surged forward, his draconic bloodline activating, his strength and speed amplifying beyond human limits. He deflected incoming shots with his energy blade, cutting through enemies with ruthless efficiency.
Joran grinned, planting explosives along the entrance points. "We'll hold them off, but Nyx, you need to move faster."
Nyx cursed under her breath, fingers blurring over her holo-screen. "Almost there…"
The Syndicate forces pressed harder, and for the first time, Raizen sensed something different. Among their ranks was an elite unit—fighters who moved with uncanny precision, enhanced just like him.
One of them stepped forward, a figure clad in black armor with a visor obscuring his face. "You're not the only one with an edge, Raizen Izumoto."
The two warriors clashed, energy blades igniting in a dazzling display of power.
Raizen felt the heat of battle course through his veins, his bloodline roaring for dominance. But this opponent was different—strong, fast, and lethal.
Their duel intensified, sparks flying as each strike met its counter. The enemy's blade came dangerously close, forcing Raizen to tap deeper into his awakened strength.
"You don't even know what you are," the elite warrior taunted.
Raizen smirked. "Then let's find out together."
With a final surge of power, he broke through the opponent's defense, sending him crashing into the wall. But before Raizen could finish him, an explosion rocked the station.
Nyx shouted, "I've got it! We have what we need—we have to go, now!"
Raizen exhaled, stepping back from his fallen opponent. "Next time."
The team retreated, their mission a success. But Raizen knew—this war was far from over.