Chapter 20: Shadows of the Fallen

The battlefield was silent now, but the scars remained.

Wreckage drifted in the void, the shattered remains of both enemy and ally vessels turning slowly in the dim light of a distant star. The dreadnought’s sensors swept across the debris, scanning for survivors, but we all knew the truth—this battle had claimed many lives.

I sat in the captain’s chair, staring at the holo-display. The victory was ours, but it felt hollow.

Kael’Voran’s voice crackled over the comms. “Captain Harper, we are retrieving what survivors we can. Your ship fought well today.”

I let out a slow breath. “Not well enough. Too many good people died.”

“War is never just,” he replied. “But the Kha’reli are weakened. You have struck a blow they did not expect.”

I ran a hand through my hair. The battle was over, but the weight of what we had done—and what was still coming—pressed down on me.

Then Ny’Vara’s voice snapped me out of it. “Captain, we’re picking up a distress signal from the wreckage.”