Kai and Eliana heard the announcement and quickly took of their VR headsets, exchanging playful glances before hurrying to change into their uniforms. The Black Swan must have been nearing Drakmoor by now—finally, home.
As Kai slipped into his uniform, he reflected on their mission. It had been his first real experience in space, and what an adventure it had been. The Black Swan had not only accomplished its primary goal of uncovering the truth about the True Kin but had also faced ship-to-ship combat, discovered an abandoned vessel, and navigated dangers Kai could never have imagined when he was just a miner.
Yet, despite their success, Kai felt a restless energy building within him. He craved more. He had a feeling they wouldn’t remain in Drakmoor for long. There was still so much to do. A war between the Empire and Federation was looming. The True Kin sought reunification with humanity. And above all, there was the ever-looming threat of the thing that dimmed the stars.
Stepping out of the training room, Kai’s gaze landed on Eliana. She had just finished changing out of her gym outfit and back into the Black Swan’s uniform. Her cheeks still carried a soft flush from the training session, and her eyes sparkled with warmth as she looked at him. Kai couldn’t help but think she looked adorable, and judging by the way she smiled at him, he figured he must look at her the same way.
Together, they made their way to the ship’s bridge. Most of the crew was already present, except for Baiyan, who was still resting in the medical bay. His recovery was progressing well, but Commander Grayson had insisted on keeping him under observation until he was fully cleared.
“Come, take your seats at your posts,” Commander Grayson called out, his tone unusually light, his smile hinting at some good news.
Kai and Eliana exchanged curious glances before heading to their stations.
Kai settled into his seat, his eyes immediately drawn to the radar interface in front of him. The screen was unusually busy, teeming with contacts. Numerous ships were flying around Drakmoor—far more than usual.
“What’s going on?” Kai asked, his fingers brushing across the controls as he pulled up more details on the radar.
Grayson stepped closer, his expression calm but serious. “The Federation’s forces are gathering. Looks like they have kept their promises and are preparing for the attack.”
Kai’s stomach tightened as he scanned the data. Ships of all sizes—freighters, warships, and smaller vessels—moved like pieces on a game board. Kai could sense the tension in the air, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning.
Then, a line of text appeared on Kai’s interface: a two-way connection request from none other than the flagship of the Federation Space Force, the Federation Star Ship Eclipse.
The FSS Eclipse cuts through the void of space like a blade forged for war. Its sleek, sword-like silhouette is both elegant and intimidating. The hull, painted a striking, reflective white, seems to shimmer with an otherworldly glow against the darkness of space. Gentle curves along its frame soften the sharpness of its overall design, giving it an almost organic feel despite its metallic construction. But the beauty of the ship is matched by its raw power. Dominating the prow is a massive rail cannon, its barrel extending like the edge of a poised sword, ready to strike with unrelenting force. Arrayed along its flanks are state-of-the-art weapon systems, seamlessly embedded into the hull, waiting to unleash a storm of firepower. The Eclipse isn’t just a ship—it’s a statement, a symbol of the Federation’s ambition, strength, and precision, commanding both admiration wherever it goes.
Kai’s heart skipped a beat. He knew that ship well—it was the crown jewel of the Federation fleet, often heralded as the Empire’s worst enemy. The media couldn’t get enough of it, plastering its image across every channel, every article. Yet for all its glory, Kai held conflicted feelings about the Eclipse. It wasn’t one of the ships that had come to Velmorra’s aid during the Empire’s attack on his home world. Perhaps if it had, Velmorra might still be standing, and his family might still be alive. But he also knew it wasn’t fair to hold the Eclipse accountable for that tragedy. If blame was to be placed, it lay squarely with the Empire.
Kai’s breath quickened as Commander Grayson accepted the call. The screen displayed the word "connecting" for a moment, then flickered to life.
The face that appeared on the screen was one Kai was familiar with. She was as much a symbol of the Federation as the Eclipse itself—the woman known across Federation-controlled space as the "Queen of Space," the commander of the Federation’s flagship.
She was in her mid-forties, though the years hadn’t dulled her appearance. Her features were sharp and striking, with a natural beauty hardened by experience. Confidence radiated from her, as did a commanding decisiveness that was written into every line of her face. Her dark brown hair was tied back in a sleek bun, highlighting her high cheekbones and piercing blue eyes that seemed to miss nothing. She wore the pristine uniform of the Federation Space Force, adorned with medals and insignias that spoke of her many accomplishments.
The woman broke into a grin as soon as she saw Commander Grayson, her tone warm yet teasing.
“Grayson, you bastard! Where have you been all these years?” she said, her voice carrying a mix of genuine happiness and sharp wit.
Grayson chuckled, leaning casually against the console. “Just doing what I love and stay far away from the space force, Admiral Steele.”
"I'm afraid you won't be able to stay away this time," Admiral Steele said, her expression shifting from casual warmth to a stern, commanding seriousness. Her piercing blue eyes locked onto Commander Grayson. "You know what's at stake here. The entire Federation Space Force has been on high alert since the attack on Velmorra. We’re not going to let the same thing happen to Drakmoor."
Commander Grayson nodded, his demeanor matching her gravity. "Good. Mr. Draco has been doing everything in his power to safeguard the planet. He's made his choice."
Admiral Steele's brows lifted slightly, though her expression remained measured.
"You know what that represents," Grayson continued. "Drakmoor is officially declaring itself a part of the Federation."
A moment of silence passed between them. The ramifications were clear. By aligning with the Federation, Drakmoor was not only drawing the Federation’s protection but also painting a target on itself in the eyes of the Empire.
Steele leaned back slightly, her hands clasped behind her back. “We appreciate your trust in the Federation. That’s no small declaration.”
Grayson nodded again. “It is not. But Draco and the local government understand what’s coming. Drakmoor would rather take a stand now than wait for the Empire to tighten its grip. We’re ready to fight.”
Steele’s expression softened, just a fraction. “Then we’ll make sure you have all the support you need. The Eclipse will remain in orbit as a deterrent. The Empire won’t have it easy while we’re here.”
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
Kai, still silent, listened intently. The mention of Velmorra and the possibility of Drakmoor becoming a battlefield stirred emotions within him. He clenched his fists slightly, his mind racing as Steele and Grayson exchanged grim nods.
"It was nice seeing you Grayson. And the crew of the Black Swan, please rest assured that the Federation is here to protect Drakmoor from the wraith of the Empire. " Admiral Steele said, and with a simple wave of her hand, the call ended.
As soon as the connection dropped, the mood on the bridge shifted. Teresa was the first to turn around, a mischievous smile on her face. “So, what’s the story between you and the Admiral? You two clearly have some kind of history.”
Robert chuckled, leaning back in his seat. “Didn’t you catch how she looked at our commander? She’s clearly into him.”
Commander Grayson, for once, seemed at a loss for words. Scratching the back of his head, he let out a reluctant sigh. “Well, I guess I have no choice but to tell you all.”
Eliana exchanged a quick glance with Kai, the two of them smiling at the rare and welcome shift of attention away from themselves.
“Yes, Commander Grayson, tell us!” Eliana pleaded in her most innocent voice. Kai couldn’t help but smile at her tone.
Grayson shook his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Well,” he began, “as some of you already know, I was in the Federation Space Force...”
The bridge fell silent, everyone listening expectantly. The only sound remaining was the soft creak of the Black Swan’s hull as it entered Drakmoor’s atmosphere.
---
18 Years Ago
The red glow of the rotating overhead light cast an eerie hue throughout the cramped hull of the ship, amplifying the tension. The only sounds were the faint creak of his combat suit rubbing against the seat and the steady rhythm of his own breathing.
The man was young, tall, and broad-shouldered, his full suit of combat armor making him appear even bulkier. The suit was anything but comfortable—his beard constantly brushed against the mouth guard of his helmet, an irritation he couldn’t ignore. He wanted to take it off, but doing so would mean death and the failure of what was perhaps the most critical mission in Federation history.
He glanced across the narrow space at the ship’s only other passenger—a young woman he’d met for the first time today. Her eyes were closed, her body still, as though she were asleep.
Her frame was petite, but the man knew better than to judge by appearances. In space combat, size didn’t matter—skill did.
Katherine Steele, he thought, recalling her name. She was a few years younger than him but already outranked him. A rising star in the Federation Space Force and the face of the recruitment campaigns.
She certainly had the looks for it, he mused. But now she would need to prove that she had the skills to match.
Their mission was unprecedented. Fifteen scientists and experts in astrophysics, ship engineering, and quantum navigation had defected from the Empire, seeking asylum with the Federation. If they succeeded in extracting them, these individuals could become invaluable assets—helping the Federation advance its starship technology and secure a stronger foothold in space.
It would be a direct threat to the Empire’s dominance, a blade poised at their throat, and the only leverage the Federation might have to force a peace talk that could end the long war.
The only problem was that the scientists were trapped aboard an Imperial starship, being transported from one development site to another. Grayson and Katherine were their only hope of escape, the sole operatives tasked with breaking them out of their high-tech “prison.”
Fortunately, the scientists were not ordinary captives. Experts in their fields, they knew the ship they were trapped in better than their captors did. Through clever sabotage and well-timed distractions, they had managed to disable the Imperial vessel, forcing it to land on an unclaimed moon. The moon, a desolate rock lying outside both Federation and Empire control, was the perfect location for the rescue mission.
The red light above stopped flashing, switching to a steady glow. As if on cue, Katherine unbuckled her harness and stood before Grayson even moved. Without a word, the two operatives made their way to the rear ramp of their shuttle, weapons in hand, waiting for it to open.
Grayson glanced down, checking his weapon one last time. He carried the Federation’s standard-issue rifle—a sleek, reliable automatic designed to fire caseless rounds. Its versatility made it ideal for both the vacuum of space and close-quarters combat. Across from him, Katherine inspected her own weapon with the same focus.
Neither spoke a word. Grayson figured she wasn’t the talkative type, which suited him fine. As long as she communicated when it is necessary, that was all that mattered.
With a hiss of hydraulics, the ramp dropped open, revealing the target ship sitting quietly in the crater below. The Imperial vessel was dark, its engines silent, surrounded by the barren, rocky landscape.
Grayson adjusted his grip on his rifle, this was it. Time to move.
Grayson bunny-hopped down the ramp, landing softly before tucking himself behind a large boulder. Katherine joined him moments later, her movements quick and precise.
It was then that she spoke her first words. “Grayson, is it? You cover me while I make my way down to the crater, then I’ll cover you. Do not fire unless necessary—we don’t want to expose ourselves.”
Grayson nodded, silently acknowledging her authority. As the lower-ranked operative, it was natural to let her take control of the mission, though he couldn’t help but harbor some doubts. Was her promotion a testament to her skill, or was it simply tied to her role in the Federation’s recruitment campaigns? He intended to find out soon enough.
“We have an hour at most before the Empire realizes their ship didn’t make it,” Katherine added, her tone sharp and serious. “So don’t drag me down, and try to keep up, Grayson.”
The remark stung, but Grayson bit back a retort. Normally, he wouldn’t let something like that slide, but this wasn’t the time or place. Instead, he resolved to prove himself through action. After all, he hadn’t earned his place here by chance.
He tightened his grip on his rifle and gave her a curt nod. “Lead the way,” he said simply, determined.
Grayson watched as Katherine’s already petite frame grew smaller and smaller, her figure almost blending into the crater’s shadowy depths. She moved with precision, half sliding, half hopping, using the moon’s low gravity to her advantage as she descended the steep incline effortlessly.
Shifting his gaze to the Imperial transport, Grayson studied the vessel. It was a hulking mass of black metal against the grey, barren surface of the moon. The ship looked menacing, with its angular design and heavy plating. The Empire built their ships to exude dominance and efficiency, favoring thick armor and minimal aesthetic touches. Coated in matte black paint, the ship reflected no light, giving it an ominous appearance. The absence of windows reinforced its utilitarian nature—this was not a vessel for comfort or exploration, but a war machine built for function over form.
This lack of luxury, however, worked in their favor. The ship, designed for large-scale space combat, lacked equipment sensitive enough to detect small, human-sized targets. It was a glaring oversight, born of the Empire’s overconfidence in their strategy: annihilate threats from a distance before they could ever pose a real challenge.
Grayson smirked slightly, slinging his rifle onto his back. Katherine had already reached the bottom of the crater, and now it was his turn.
He swung his legs over the edge and began sliding down the incline. Unlike Katherine, his descent was far from graceful. His heavier frame caused him to pick up speed quickly, and he had to press his hands against the crater’s walls to slow himself down. In the process, he kicked up a significant amount of loose dirt, creating a small cloud of debris trailing behind him.
“Slow down, big guy,” Katherine mocked through the comm, a faint chuckle in her tone.
“Trying,” Grayson muttered, shifting his weight as he attempted to control his speed. He was only halfway down when he noticed Katherine suddenly readying her rifle.
She crouched, aiming it toward the Imperial ship, her movements quick and deliberate. Grayson followed her gaze and immediately saw what had caught her attention—the ship’s underbelly floodlights had turned on, casting bright beams of light onto the crater floor.
“Someone’s coming out.”