Chapter 156: A Reckoning Begins
The Revenant moved through hyperspace, its course set toward neutral space where Raizen planned his next strike. Lylith remained in the war room, guarded closely by Selara and Malakar. Though Raizen had allowed her aboard, trust was something she would have to earn.
As Raizen sat in the captain's chair, Liana monitored their trajectory. "We're approaching the Syndicate's border. If we make a move here, they'll know we're coming."
Raizen smirked. "Good. I want them to see me."
Nyx sighed from her station. "That's the kind of arrogance that gets people killed."
"Only if I miscalculate," Raizen countered. "And I don't."
Joran leaned forward. "So, what's the plan? Hit them before they hit us?"
Raizen nodded. "We're not just attacking them—we're crippling them. If the Syndicate is as tied to the Obsidian Covenant as Lylith says, then we need to sever those strings before they pull something worse."
Lylith, arms crossed, finally spoke. "If you want to destroy them, you'll need to strike at their core territories. Their leadership doesn't reside in Syndicate-controlled space. It's deeper, in the fringes of Tier 6 space."
Selara raised an eyebrow. "And you conveniently know where?"
Lylith smirked. "I was one of their best assets. I know all their hiding spots."
Raizen studied her before finally nodding. "Then let's make some noise."
First Strike
The Revenant dropped out of hyperspace near a Syndicate-controlled station in a lawless region of space. The structure hovered above a dying planet, its reinforced docks teeming with mercenary ships.
Raizen stood at the airlock, adjusting his armored coat. "Malakar, Selara, you're with me. Joran, lead the secondary team through the maintenance corridors."
Liana's voice came through the comms. "Raizen, this place is crawling with hostiles. If we start a fight, it's going to turn ugly."
Raizen chuckled. "It's already ugly."
With that, the airlock hissed open, and they stepped onto the station.
A Message of Fire
The moment Raizen entered the main hall, eyes turned toward him. Syndicate enforcers tensed, their hands hovering over their weapons. A low murmur spread as they recognized the man who had been dismantling their operations one by one.
A broad-shouldered enforcer sneered. "You've got some nerve showing up here."
Raizen smirked. "I've got more than nerve."
Before the enforcer could react, Raizen moved, crossing the distance in an instant. His fist crashed into the man's chest, sending him flying into a row of mercenaries.
Chaos erupted.
Selara's blades flashed as she tore through Syndicate thugs, weaving between their counterattacks. Malakar grabbed one enforcer by the throat and slammed him through a metal table, the sound of crunching steel ringing through the air.
Gunfire erupted, but Raizen was already moving, his Draconic reflexes heightening. He dodged, weaving between shots, his energy blade igniting as he cut through the ranks.
Within minutes, the station's main hall was littered with bodies.
Raizen stood in the center, blade still glowing, as the remaining enforcers backed away in fear.
He exhaled slowly. "Go tell your masters. Their reign is ending."
With that, he turned and walked away, his crew following behind.
As the Revenant lifted off, the Syndicate station burned behind them.
The first shot had been fired.
And the war had truly begun.