The command chamber of the resistance flagship, Valiant Star, buzzed with tension. The dim glow of tactical screens illuminated the faces of the key resistance leaders as they stood gathered around the central holomap.

Thalira Vorneth, her battle-worn armor still streaked with soot from the skirmishes on Talvoth, clenched her fists as she studied the holographic projection of Aegis Prime. The Technokratium stronghold glittered ominously like a fortress carved from obsidian. Every tactical analysis predicted heavy losses.

“We cannot delay,” Thalira declared, her voice a mix of steel and conviction. “Aegis Prime is vulnerable after the damage we dealt to their orbital defenses. If we hesitate, the Technokratium will regroup, and this opportunity will be lost.”

Kyren Axalor leaned against the edge of the table, his sharp eyes scanning the map. His normally calm demeanor was shadowed with doubt. “Even if we breach their defenses, reaching the Astralis Core is another matter entirely. That technology isn’t just a weapon—it’s alive, and it doesn’t trust us.”

“Alive or not,” Drayk Zenaros cut in, his voice low and edged with cynicism, “the Technokratium won’t stop until they control it. We’re out of time to argue about morality, Kyren.” His presence was unsettling, his dark cloak blending with the shadows, as though he were still part of the Phantom Syndicate.

Vexara Lurenthis adjusted the interface on her datapad, her face pale but determined. “The Astralis Cube fragments we’ve collected have shown us enough. The Core will react to intent—if we approach it with clear, unified purpose, it may allow us to use its power.”

Thalira shot her a sharp glance. “And if it doesn’t?”

“Then we die trying,” Vexara answered quietly.

The silence that followed was suffocating, broken only by the faint hum of the flagship’s engines. Finally, Thalira slammed her fist on the table, sending a ripple through the holomap. “We fight. Every step we’ve taken, every loss we’ve endured, has brought us to this moment. If we falter now, the galaxy falls to the Technokratium forever.”

The room erupted into a flurry of final preparations. Orders were issued, coordinates relayed, and ships mobilized.

In the Valiant Star’s hangar bay, Kyren stood beside Vexara as they boarded the dropship Lancefire. The hum of energy shields and the clatter of boots echoed around them as resistance troops loaded supplies.

“You ready for this?” Kyren asked, his voice laced with an uncharacteristic softness.

Vexara gave a weak smile. “No. But that’s never stopped me before.” She hesitated, then placed a hand on his arm. “Kyren... if we don’t make it out, promise me you’ll finish what we started. The Astralis Core can’t fall into the wrong hands.”

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Kyren nodded solemnly. “We’ll make it. Together.”

Before she could respond, the ship’s engines roared to life.

The descent to Aegis Prime was chaos. The Technokratium’s remaining orbital defenses unleashed torrents of laser fire, cutting through resistance ships. Explosions lit up the atmosphere like fireworks of destruction.

Inside the Lancefire, the tension was palpable. Kyren gripped the edge of his seat as the ship shuddered violently. “Pilot, status?”

“Shields at 50%,” the pilot shouted over the noise. “We’re pushing through, but—”

The ship jerked hard to the left as a blast tore through its right wing. The cabin filled with the acrid smell of burning metal.

“Brace for impact!” the pilot yelled.

The Lancefire careened through the atmosphere, skimming the surface of a barren plateau before slamming into the ground. Sparks flew as the ship skidded to a halt, its hull groaning in protest.

Kyren coughed as he unbuckled his harness, helping Vexara out of hers. “Everyone alive?”

“Barely,” a soldier muttered, nursing a bleeding arm.

Thalira’s voice crackled through the comms. “Lancefire, report!”

“We’re down, but operational,” Kyren responded. “Advancing toward the target.”

The resistance forces regrouped quickly, moving toward the obsidian gates of the Technokratium stronghold. The air was thick with the scent of ozone, and the distant rumble of explosions served as a grim soundtrack.

As they approached the gates, a low, pulsating hum filled the air. Vexara stopped abruptly, her eyes wide. “The Astralis Core... it’s waking up.”

Inside the stronghold, the corridors were a labyrinth of polished metal and flickering lights. Resistance soldiers exchanged fire with Technokratium guards, the sound of blaster shots ricocheting through the halls.

Drayk moved with lethal precision, his twin pistols dispatching enemies with unsettling efficiency. Kyren and Vexara stayed close, navigating toward the Core’s location.

When they reached the final chamber, Vexara froze. The Astralis Core loomed before them—a massive, crystalline structure pulsating with otherworldly energy. Its surface shifted and glowed, as if alive.

“This is it,” she whispered.

Thalira and her squad arrived moments later, their armor scorched but their resolve unshaken. “What now?” she demanded.

Vexara stepped forward, raising the Astralis Cube fragments they had collected. The Core reacted instantly, its glow intensifying. A deep, resonant voice echoed in their minds, alien yet somehow familiar.

“Why have you come?”

The resistance leaders exchanged uneasy glances. Kyren stepped forward. “To save the galaxy from tyranny.”

The Core’s glow dimmed, then flared brighter. “And if salvation requires destruction?”

Before Kyren could respond, the chamber trembled violently. An explosion tore through the wall, and a squad of Technokratium soldiers stormed in, led by Xenith Callorn himself.

“Step away from the Core!” Xenith commanded, his voice cold and imperious.

The resistance raised their weapons, but Xenith held up a hand. “Do you truly understand what you’re tampering with? The Astralis Core isn’t a tool—it’s a judgment. It decides who is worthy to wield its power. Do you think it will choose you?”

The Core’s glow intensified, filling the chamber with blinding light. Everyone froze as the voice returned, louder and more ominous than before.

“The decision has been made.”

A shockwave erupted from the Core, throwing everyone to the ground. When the light faded, Xenith stood untouched, his eyes glowing with the Core’s energy.

“Fools,” he said, his voice resonating with the Core’s power. “It has chosen me.”