Chapter 152: The Aftermath of Zekron
The moment Raizen and his team returned to the Revenant, the ship's engines roared to life, pulling away from the research station just as secondary explosions rocked the facility. Fire and debris spiraled into the upper atmosphere of the gas giant below, consuming the station in a violent inferno.
On the bridge, Liana scanned the incoming data from Nyx's decryption efforts. "We've got something big," she said, her tone unreadable.
Raizen strode toward her, removing his battle-worn combat gauntlets. "How big?"
Nyx smirked as she tapped into the holo-display, projecting a series of encrypted Syndicate files. "Big enough that someone was willing to kill us all to keep it hidden."
Selara crossed her arms. "Then let's find out why."
Decryption and Revelations
Back in the secured war room, the team watched as Nyx worked through the security layers, breaking through firewall after firewall. As the data unraveled, Liana's eyes widened in recognition.
"This…" she began, shaking her head. "This isn't just Syndicate research. It's something more."
Malakar scowled. "Explain."
Nyx flicked through the files, pulling up schematic blueprints, genetic analysis reports, and energy readings beyond anything they'd seen before. "They weren't just working on weapons or ship designs. They were experimenting on… something. Or someone."
Raizen's expression darkened as he examined the research logs. The data referenced an unknown power source—something that defied conventional technology.
One particular file caught his attention: Project Revenant.
Selara leaned closer. "That's the name of your ship."
Raizen exhaled sharply. "It can't be a coincidence."
The Syndicate Strikes Back
Before they could dive deeper, alarms blared across the ship.
"Enemy fleet incoming!" Joran shouted, gripping the tactical console. "Three Syndicate battlecruisers just dropped out of hyperspace!"
Raizen clenched his jaw. "They're not wasting time."
The Revenant's shields flared as the first barrage of laser fire struck. The ship trembled under the force, but its advanced armor held firm.
"Evasive maneuvers!" Raizen barked. "Liana, get us an exit route."
Selara manned the weapons station, unleashing a counterattack as the Revenant's railguns fired, slicing through the enemy shields. Explosions dotted the void, but the Syndicate forces pressed forward, overwhelming them with sheer numbers.
"They're trying to box us in," Malakar growled.
Raizen smirked. "Then let's break their formation."
The Decisive Maneuver
With the Syndicate ships closing in, Raizen knew they had only one chance to escape. He activated the Revenant's experimental phase-drive, a feature of the ship he had yet to fully test.
"Hold onto something," he muttered.
The ship's energy core roared to life, and in an instant, the Revenant blinked out of existence, phasing through enemy fire and emerging several thousand kilometers away. The Syndicate battlecruisers, caught off guard, scrambled to adjust, but it was too late.
"Now," Raizen ordered.
Selara fired the ship's heavy plasma cannons, tearing through the weakened enemy vessels. One after another, the Syndicate ships erupted in flames, their hulls breaking apart as the Revenant made its escape.
As they entered hyperspace, Raizen leaned back in his chair, exhaling. "That was too close."
Nyx, still staring at the decrypted files, nodded slowly. "And it's only going to get worse."
The Syndicate was no longer just chasing them for revenge.
They were protecting something far bigger.
And Raizen was determined to uncover the truth.