{"id":1356,"date":"2026-05-19T03:52:14","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T03:52:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mattromanlopez.com\/?page_id=1356"},"modified":"2026-05-19T03:52:15","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T03:52:15","slug":"breakout-under-fire","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mattromanlopez.com\/es\/breakout-under-fire\/","title":{"rendered":"Breakout Under Fire"},"content":{"rendered":"

Commander Martin Dashiel stood at the forward rail of the Evelna\u2019s<\/mark><\/em> bridge, hands clasped behind his back, eyes fixed on the swirling horizon of the Infinite Plains. Even after years of service, the transition still made his skin prickle \u2014 the way reality folded, the way the ship hummed like a living heart preparing to breathe again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He had grown up on Xiso, on a farm carved into the red\u2011brown soil of the southern plains. Hard work had been his first language. Dawn meant irrigation lines, midday meant tending the herds, and night meant collapsing into bed with the kind of exhaustion that felt honest. He had always assumed he would return to that life when his service ended. Maybe he still would.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the war had changed everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He\u2019d been trained to fight since childhood \u2014 every Ixanian was \u2014 but Dashiel had seen more than most. Brutal planetside<\/mark> battles in the early years of the conflict had carved him into something sharper, harder. He\u2019d risen fast, too fast, some said. Twenty\u2011four and already a commander. But the battlefield didn\u2019t care about age. Only survival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Serving aboard the Evelna<\/mark><\/em> felt like stepping into legend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Captain Jo\u2019su Ori\u00f3n was a name whispered with reverence across the fleet, and the ship herself \u2014 powered by the Nexus of the Adored One \u2014 was more myth than metal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first time Dashiel met Ori\u00f3n, something had clicked deep in his chest. A familiarity he couldn\u2019t explain. And the way the captain had looked at him \u2014 not with curiosity, but recognition \u2014 had left Dashiel uneasy ever since. As if Ori\u00f3n knew something about him that Dashiel himself did not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those thoughts evaporated as the Infinite Plains peeled away and the Evel\u2019na<\/mark> phased back into realspace<\/mark>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A star system snapped into view, cold and distant. They were still a few lightyears<\/mark> from Jael\u2019Pre<\/mark>, but close enough to see the faint glimmer of ships on long\u2011range sensors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStealth mode,\u201d Dashiel ordered immediately. \u201cShields at full. Keep our signature low.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bridge crew moved with crisp precision. Lights dimmed. The hum of the engines shifted to a quieter, predatory thrum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMultiple support vessels around Jael\u2019Pre<\/mark>,<\/em>\u201d the sensor officer reported. \u201cBut\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dashiel\u2019s<\/mark> stomach tightened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The silhouette appeared on the holo<\/mark>\u2011display like a jagged wound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Ghra\u2019kul<\/mark>,<\/em>\u201d he muttered. \u201cDamn it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Captain Ori\u00f3n strode to the front of the bridge, his presence commanding without effort. He gestured Dashiel closer, and a cluster of tactical specs floated between them \u2014 ship positions, energy signatures, patrol routes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s our approach?\u201d Ori\u00f3n asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dashiel studied the data, jaw tight. \u201cWe send a small craft with fighter support. Slip in under their sensor net. Board the Ghra\u2019kul<\/mark><\/em> covertly and extract the team before they\u2019re moved.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ori\u00f3n nodded slowly, considering it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before he could respond, the air around them shimmered \u2014 a soft, resonant vibration that wasn\u2019t sound so much as sensation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Evelna<\/mark><\/em> spoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her voice emerged through the holographic display, layered and melodic, like a chorus echoing across time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have been detected.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dashiel\u2019s<\/mark> blood ran cold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe enemy vessel is altering course,\u201d she continued. \u201cFighter crafts launching. Attack vector forming.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alarms erupted across the bridge. Red lights strobed<\/mark>. Officers snapped into motion, calling out readiness reports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ori\u00f3n\u2019s<\/mark> expression hardened. \u201cBattle stations! Power up the batteries!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dashiel moved to his console, fingers flying across the controls. The Evelna\u2019s<\/mark><\/em> shields flared to life, shimmering like a translucent shell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ori\u00f3n glanced at him, eyes sharp with both urgency and something like amusement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCommander Dashiel,\u201d he said over the rising noise, \u201cit\u2019s time for Plan B.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dashiel blinked. \u201cThere\u2019s a Plan B?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ori\u00f3n winked. \u201cThere always is. I just need to think of it first.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bridge shook as the first Nalash fighters closed in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Dashiel braced himself \u2014 not for the battle, but for whatever impossible plan Jo\u2019su Ori\u00f3n was about to conjure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Nalash didn\u2019t bother warming the holding cells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

The air aboard the Ghra\u2019kul<\/mark><\/em> was dry, thin, and cold enough to bite exposed skin \u2014 a deliberate contrast to the wet, suffocating heat of Jael\u2019Pre\u2019s<\/mark> surface. The Nalash hated humidity, so they kept their prisoners half\u2011frozen instead. Another tactic. Another pressure point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commander Le\u2019nal<\/mark> Tak<\/mark> sat with his back against the wall, breathing slow and controlled despite the bruising across his ribs. His uniform \u2014 black field shirt torn at the collar, armored vest cracked along one edge \u2014 was stiff with dried blood. Weeks of interrogation had left him gaunt, but his eyes were sharp. Always sharp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Across from him, Major Nal<\/mark> Damus<\/mark>, stocky and broad\u2011shouldered, paced the length of the cell like a caged animal. His lip was split, one eye swollen nearly shut, but his mind was working. Nalash language, dialects, command patterns \u2014 he\u2019d been listening, absorbing, translating even while they beat him. He was the only reason they knew the ship\u2019s shift rotations, the guard patterns, the fact that the Ghra\u2019kul<\/mark><\/em> was headed toward the border.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporal Jurs<\/mark> Phel<\/mark> sat on the floor beside the door, arms resting on his knees, jaw clenched. Twenty\u2011one and built like a transport hauler, he\u2019d taken the worst of the physical punishment simply because he refused to break. He hadn\u2019t said a word to their captors. Not one. The Nalash hated that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Sergeant Fio\u2019na<\/mark> Trepel<\/mark> \u2014 blood on her knuckles, hair matted, one sleeve torn off \u2014 leaned against the far wall, eyes half\u2011closed but alert. She\u2019d broken a Nalash guard\u2019s arm three days ago before they\u2019d managed to restrain her. Seven martial disciplines, including all three Nalash forms. Beautiful, lethal, calculating. Even exhausted, she radiated danger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They had been held for weeks on Jael\u2019Pre<\/mark>. Two more aboard the Ghra\u2019kul<\/mark><\/em>. And time was running out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tak<\/mark> exhaled slowly. \u201cThey\u2019ll kill us soon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Damus<\/mark> muttered, still pacing. \u201cNot until they\u2019re certain we didn\u2019t transmit anything. They\u2019re paranoid. They always have been.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey should be,\u201d Fio\u2019na<\/mark> said, voice low and rough. \u201cWe got what we came for.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The attack on Arcal<\/mark>. The first strike in a war the Ixanians<\/mark> weren\u2019t ready for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tak<\/mark> had to get that intel home. He had to warn the Evelna<\/mark><\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But they\u2019d been intercepted the moment they lifted off from Jael\u2019Pre\u2019s<\/mark> surface. A Nalash patrol cutter had been waiting \u2014 too close, too fast. Someone had tipped them off. Or the Nalash had been watching the colony more closely than they realized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tak\u2019s<\/mark> jaw tightened. \u201cWe\u2019re not dying on this ship.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before anyone could answer, the Ghra\u2019kul<\/mark><\/em> lurched violently to port.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lights flickered. A deep alarm bellowed through the corridors \u2014 a sound like metal grinding against bone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jurs<\/mark> shot to his feet. \u201cThat\u2019s weapons fire.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Damus<\/mark> pressed his ear to the wall. \u201cStarboard hull. Heavy cannons. That\u2019s\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ship shook again, harder this time. Dust rained from the ceiling. Somewhere down the corridor, Nalash voices barked orders in their harsh, guttural tongue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fio\u2019na\u2019s<\/mark> eyes snapped open, a slow grin spreading across her bruised face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe\u00a0Evelna<\/em><\/mark>,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tak<\/mark> stood, every muscle screaming but his posture steady. \u201cWe\u2019re not waiting for a rescue.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He stepped toward the cell door, voice low, commanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPrepare to move. We escape on our terms.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

The alarms wailed louder. The Ghra\u2019kul<\/mark><\/em> shuddered under another impact. And for the first time in weeks, hope \u2014 sharp and dangerous \u2014 cut through the cold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first Nalash fighters broke formation like shards of obsidian slicing through the void. Their engines burned a harsh, acidic red \u2014 a signature of the Ghra\u2019kul\u2019s<\/mark><\/em> fleet \u2014 and they came in fast, weapons already warming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFighters on intercept vector,\u201d the tactical officer called out. \u201cEight\u2026 no, twelve. More launching.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bridge lights dimmed automatically as the Evelna<\/mark><\/em> shifted into battle posture. The air vibrated with the hum of charging batteries, a sound Dashiel had grown to love \u2014 the sound of a living ship preparing to bare her teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShields at full,\u201d Dashiel ordered. \u201cAngle forty\u2011two degrees starboard. Keep our signature low until they commit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The crew moved with flawless discipline. Ori\u00f3n stood at the center of the bridge, hands clasped behind his back, watching the fighters streak toward them like a swarm of angry insects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Evelna<\/mark><\/em> voice resonated through the holographic display, calm and layered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEnemy weapons charging. Impact in twelve seconds.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dashiel\u2019s<\/mark> pulse quickened. \u201cBring the forward batteries online. Target the lead formation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBatteries charged,\u201d the gunnery officer confirmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ori\u00f3n glanced at Dashiel, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. \u201cYour call, Commander.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dashiel didn\u2019t hesitate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFire.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Evelna<\/mark><\/em> responded instantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A brilliant arc of blue\u2011white energy erupted from the forward cannons, slicing through the void with surgical precision. The beam struck the lead Nalash fighter dead\u2011center, vaporizing it in a flash of molten metal. The explosion rippled outward, catching two more fighters in the blast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThree down!\u201d someone shouted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The remaining fighters broke formation, scattering like startled birds. Plasma bolts streaked toward the Evelna<\/mark><\/em>, slamming into her shields with a thunderous crackle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShields holding at ninety\u2011four percent,\u201d the officer reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dashiel gripped the rail, leaning forward. \u201cRotate port batteries. Track their evasive pattern.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Evelna<\/mark><\/em> voice chimed again, almost amused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPattern tracked. Firing solution ready.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTake it,\u201d Dashiel said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The port batteries unleashed a rapid\u2011fire barrage \u2014 smaller, faster bursts of energy designed for anti\u2011fighter combat. The shots curved mid\u2011flight, guided by the ship\u2019s predictive targeting. Two more fighters exploded. A third spiraled out of control, slamming into its wingmate<\/mark>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ori\u00f3n nodded approvingly. \u201cThey weren\u2019t expecting us to bite this hard.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dashiel\u2019s<\/mark> eyes narrowed at the tactical display. \u201cThey will now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A deep alarm pulsed through the bridge \u2014 lower, heavier than the fighter alert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNew contact!\u201d the sensor officer shouted. \u201cLarge signature. Very large.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The holographic display shifted, revealing the jagged, brutal silhouette of the Ghra\u2019kul<\/mark> emerging from behind Jael\u2019Pre\u2019s<\/mark>shadow. Its hull bristled with weapon ports, and its forward cannons glowed with gathering energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dashiel felt the temperature in the room drop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey\u2019re charging their main battery,\u201d he said quietly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ori\u00f3n stepped beside him, eyes locked on the monstrous warship. \u201cThen we hit them before they finish.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Evelna<\/mark><\/em> voice cut through the tension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWarning: The Ghra\u2019kul<\/mark><\/em> has locked onto us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEvasive pattern Delta\u2011Nine!\u201d Dashiel barked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Evelna<\/mark><\/em> dove sharply, engines roaring as she twisted through the void with impossible grace. A massive beam of crimson energy tore past them, missing by meters and lighting up the bridge in a wash of red.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cReturn fire!\u201d Ori\u00f3n commanded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dashiel slammed his hand onto the console. \u201cAll forward batteries \u2014 full power!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Evelna<\/mark><\/em> unleashed everything she had.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A torrent of blue\u2011white energy lanced across the battlefield, slamming into the Ghra\u2019kul\u2019s<\/mark><\/em> shields. The Nalash warship shuddered under the impact, its shields flaring violently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDirect hit!\u201d the gunnery officer shouted. \u201cShields on the Ghra\u2019kul<\/mark><\/em> down to sixty\u2011two percent!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the Nalash were already retaliating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBrace!\u201d Dashiel yelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Ghra\u2019kul<\/mark><\/em> fired a broadside volley \u2014 dozens of plasma bolts streaking toward them like a storm of burning meteors. The Evelna<\/mark><\/em> twisted, rolled, and dove, but several shots slammed into her shields, rocking the entire ship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShields at seventy\u2011eight percent,\u201d the officer reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ori\u00f3n steadied himself, eyes bright with battle\u2011fire. \u201cDashiel \u2014 keep pressure on them. We need to draw their attention.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dashiel nodded, adrenaline surging. \u201cAye, Captain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He leaned over the console, voice low and fierce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEvelna<\/mark><\/em>\u2026 let\u2019s show them what you can do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ship\u2019s lights pulsed in response \u2014 almost like a heartbeat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWith pleasure, Commander.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And the Evelna<\/mark><\/em> surged forward, diving straight into the jaws of the Ghra\u2019kul<\/mark><\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

The holding cells shook violently as another Evelna<\/mark><\/em> volley slammed into the Ghra\u2019kul<\/mark>. <\/em>The greenish energy shield flickered, its hum stuttering for a fraction of a second. Nal<\/mark> Damus<\/mark> stood closest to it, listening to the Nalash guards bark orders on the other side. \u201cThey\u2019re panicking,\u201d he whispered. \u201cThey\u2019re saying the Evelna\u2019s<\/mark><\/em> tearing through their outer batteries. They weren\u2019t ready for her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ship lurched again, harder this time. The lights dimmed. The shield sputtered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phel<\/mark> straightened. \u201cThat\u2019s twice now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Damus<\/mark>\u2019 eyes narrowed. \u201cThree seconds after the volley hits. Out for half a second.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He tore the rank pips from his collar, ripping off the outer casing with his teeth. The metal pieces were small, sharp, and conductive. He jammed them together into a jagged spike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tak<\/mark> stared. \u201cNal<\/mark>\u2014what are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMaking a very stupid decision,\u201d Damus<\/mark> muttered. \u201cGet ready.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trepel<\/mark> rose to her feet, eyes locked on him. \u201cIf you die, I\u2019m dragging your corpse through this ship myself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMotivating,\u201d Damus<\/mark> said dryly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The guards shouted again, louder this time. Damus<\/mark> translated under his breath. \u201cThey\u2019re calling for reinforcements. They think the Evel\u2019na\u2019s<\/mark> going to breach the hull.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ship shook violently, sparks raining from the ceiling. The shield flickered again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWait\u2026\u201d Damus<\/mark> whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another impact. The shield stuttered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWait\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A third, massive blast hit the Ghra\u2019kul<\/mark><\/em> broadside. The shield dropped for a blink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNOW!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Damus<\/mark> slammed the metal spike into the shield distributor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world detonated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A surge of raw energy blasted through him, lifting him off the ground. His scream was swallowed by the crackling roar of the overloaded system. Sparks erupted from the walls. The shield flared white\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014then blew out in a shower of molten circuitry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Damus<\/mark> collapsed, smoke rising from his clothes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The guards froze in shock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trepel<\/mark> did not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She vaulted over Damus<\/mark>\u2019 smoking body and slammed into the nearest guard, driving her knee into his ribs hard enough to crack bone. He swung his rifle, but she caught it, twisted, and smashed the butt into his jaw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tak<\/mark> tackled the second guard, slamming him into the wall. The Nalash swung a heavy fist, but Tak<\/mark> ducked under it and drove an elbow into his throat. The guard gagged, stumbling back\u2014right into Phel<\/mark>, who grabbed him by the beard and hurled him to the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first guard tried to rise. Trepel<\/mark> stomped on his wrist, breaking it clean, then punched him once\u2014hard\u2014and he went limp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tak<\/mark> and Phel<\/mark> finished the second guard with brutal efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silence fell except for the distant alarms and the rumble of the Evelna<\/mark><\/em> assault.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tak<\/mark> dropped to his knees beside Damus<\/mark>. \u201cNal<\/mark>? Nal<\/mark>!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phel<\/mark> rolled him over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Damus<\/mark>\u2019 eyes snapped open\u2014wild, unfocused\u2014then he burst into manic laughter. \u201cOh\u2014oh that hurt. That hurt so much. I wasn\u2019t sure that would work. Or if I\u2019d still be alive to find out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trepel<\/mark> grabbed him by the collar and shoved him back down. \u201cThat was fucking reckless,\u201d she snarled, though a smile tugged at her lips. \u201cWith all due respect, Major.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phel<\/mark> hauled him upright, slinging Damus<\/mark>\u2019 arm over his shoulder. \u201cYou\u2019re insane.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStill alive,\u201d Damus<\/mark> corrected, waving away the smoke rising from his clothes. \u201cLet\u2019s keep it that way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They sprinted into the corridor, boots pounding against the grated floor. The Ghra\u2019kul<\/mark><\/em> shook violently again, lights flickering. A Nalash patrol rounded the corner ahead, rifles raised. Plasma bolts scorched the walls, forcing the team to dive behind a support beam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got it,\u201d Trepel<\/mark> growled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She launched forward, sliding under the incoming fire. She grabbed the nearest Nalash by the ankle, yanked him off his feet, and drove her elbow into his throat before he could scream. Phel<\/mark> barreled into another, slamming him into the wall so hard the metal dented. Tak<\/mark> ducked under a blade swipe, grabbed the attacker\u2019s wrist, twisted until bone cracked, and drove his knee into the Nalash\u2019s<\/mark> gut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The last guard tried to flee. Trepel<\/mark> caught him by the beard and slammed his face into the wall. He dropped instantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Damus<\/mark> pointed to a wall panel. \u201cHere!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He ripped it open, revealing a narrow service hatch barely wide enough for an Ixanian shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phel<\/mark> stared. \u201cYou sure we\u2019ll fit?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Damus<\/mark> said. \u201cBut we\u2019ll fit better than we will into a Nalash body bag.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tak<\/mark> didn\u2019t hesitate. \u201cGo!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trepel<\/mark> dove in first, crawling into the pitch\u2011black tunnel. Tak<\/mark> followed, then Phel<\/mark>\u2014who grunted as his broad shoulders scraped the walls\u2014and finally Damus<\/mark>, sealing the panel behind them. The tunnel was hot, cramped, and vibrating with the ship\u2019s wounded engines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTry not to break the ship,\u201d Trepel<\/mark> whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTry not to break me,\u201d Phel<\/mark> muttered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Damus<\/mark> hissed from ahead. \u201cQuiet. They\u2019re searching the corridor above us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They froze as heavy Nalash boots thundered overhead. After a tense minute, Damus<\/mark> whispered, \u201cHere.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A faint draft brushed Tak\u2019s<\/mark> face\u2014fresh air from the maintenance shaft. One by one they dropped onto the ladder, gripping the cold rungs. The elevator shaft beside them flickered with light, illuminating the dizzying drop below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phel<\/mark> looked down and swore. \u201cI hate heights.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou`re going to love this then,\u201d Trepel<\/mark> said, climbing past him with ease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shaft shook violently as an elevator roared past, nearly knocking them off the ladder. Tak<\/mark> held tight. \u201cMove!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They crawled through another suffocating tunnel until Damus<\/mark> cracked open a panel and peered out. \u201cClear. Move.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They spilled into the corridor, weapons raised. Damus<\/mark> crept to the junction, peeked around the corner, and held up four fingers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trepel<\/mark> nodded once. She pulled a cylindrical explosive from her vest, twisted the timer, and lobbed it down the hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGRENADE!\u201d a Nalash soldier screamed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The explosion tore the corridor apart. Fire and shrapnel blasted past them. Trepel<\/mark> was already moving, flipping into the smoke and firing at anything that twitched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHangar\u2019s open!\u201d she shouted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They sprinted after her, leaping over twisted metal and charred bodies. The hangar bay was chaos\u2014alarms blaring, lights flashing, smoke pouring from ruptured pipes. Nalash soldiers staggered to their feet, dazed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trepel<\/mark> didn\u2019t give them a chance. She cut them down with ruthless precision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere!\u201d she yelled, pointing to a compact combat transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tak<\/mark> and Phel<\/mark> ran for it while Trepel<\/mark> covered them. Damus<\/mark> dove inside, sliding into the pilot\u2019s seat and powering up the systems. A side door burst open\u2014a flood of Nalash reinforcements poured into the bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cContact!\u201d Phel<\/mark> shouted, opening fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trepel<\/mark> sprinted across the hangar, firing behind her as she ran. Plasma bolts ricocheted off the transport hull. Tak<\/mark> leaned out, returning fire, shouting, \u201cMove, Fio\u2019na<\/mark>!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She was halfway there when the shot hit her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The impact spun her forward, blood spraying across the floor. She collapsed, gasping, clutching her chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTrepel<\/mark>!\u201d Tak<\/mark> roared, bolting toward her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phel<\/mark> grabbed him, dragging him back behind cover. \u201cCommander\u2014no!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trepel<\/mark> coughed blood, shaking her head violently. \u201cNo, Le\u2019nal<\/mark>! Go!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not leaving you!\u201d Tak<\/mark> shouted, voice cracking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou won\u2019t have to,\u201d she rasped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a final surge of strength, she pushed herself upright, turned toward the advancing Nalash, and ran straight at them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Phel<\/mark> yelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bullets tore into her, ripping through muscle and bone. She staggered but kept moving, hatred burning in her eyes. She pulled another explosive from her pocket, thumbed the trigger, and snarled, \u201cRun from this, bastards.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The explosion swallowed her\u2014a blinding sphere of fire that vaporized the front line of Nalash troops and shook the entire bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phel<\/mark> flinched, falling backward into the transport. Tak<\/mark> stared in horror, frozen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Damus<\/mark> shouted, \u201cWe have to go NOW!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tak<\/mark> forced himself into the copilot seat, jaw trembling. \u201cPunch it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The transport lifted, thrusters<\/mark> screaming. Damus<\/mark> fought the controls as the bay doors refused to open. \u201cIt\u2019s a failsafe<\/mark>! Pressure loss\u2014they won\u2019t release!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThen we make our own exit!\u201d Phel<\/mark> shouted, jumping into the weapons seat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He fired a missile straight into the hangar doors. The explosion tore them apart, decompressing the bay in a violent rush. Nalash soldiers were sucked into space as the transport\u2019s shields flared under the pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSkip drive ready!\u201d Damus<\/mark> yelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGet us out!\u201d Tak<\/mark> ordered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Damus<\/mark> threaded the transport through the shredded hangar doors, dodging debris and incoming fire. The Ghra\u2019kul\u2019s<\/mark><\/em> guns lit up the void, hammering their shields. Phel<\/mark> returned fire, blasting a fighter out of their path. \u201cThey\u2019re locking on!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Damus<\/mark> slammed the skip drive, and the stars stretched into white streaks before snapping back into the cold clarity of realspace<\/mark>. The transport shuddered violently as it dropped out of the jump, alarms blaring in protest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silence followed \u2014 a heavy, suffocating silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tak<\/mark> stared at the empty seat beside him, the one Trepel<\/mark> should have been in. His throat tightened. Phel<\/mark> sat rigidly in the weapons chair, jaw clenched so hard it looked like it might crack. Damus<\/mark>\u2019 hands trembled on the controls, smoke still rising faintly from his scorched sleeves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe bought us this,\u201d Tak<\/mark> whispered, voice raw. \u201cWe make it count.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But grief had no time to settle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The moment the transport stabilized, warning lights flared red across the console.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMultiple signatures incoming!\u201d Damus<\/mark> shouted. \u201cWe\u2019re in the crossfire \u2014 both fleets are firing!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outside the viewport<\/mark>, streaks of plasma fire crisscrossed the void. Nalash batteries hammered the space around them, and Ixanian fighters were screaming in from the flank, weapons hot and targeting anything not broadcasting a friendly code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phel<\/mark> swore. \u201cThey\u2019re going to blow us out of the sky!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tak<\/mark> snapped out of his grief, leaning forward. \u201cDamus<\/mark> \u2014 punch through their comms. Now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m trying!\u201d Damus<\/mark>\u2019 fingers flew across the controls. \u201cTheir jamming field is thick \u2014 hold on\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A blast rocked the transport, sending sparks flying from the ceiling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDamus<\/mark>!\u201d Tak<\/mark> barked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know, I know!\u201d Damus<\/mark> snarled, rerouting power. \u201cCome on, you stubborn piece of\u2014there!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The comm screen flickered, then stabilized into a clear channel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tak<\/mark> leaned in, shouting over the alarms. \u201cEvelna<\/mark><\/em>, this is Commander Le\u2019nal<\/mark> Tak<\/mark> aboard the stolen Nalash transport \u2014 DO NOT FIRE. Repeat, DO NOT FIRE. Ixanian crew aboard. We are not hostiles!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a heartbeat, nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then the comm crackled, and a familiar voice cut through the chaos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cConfirmed, Commander. Hold your course.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ixanian fighters streaked past the transport, blue thrusters<\/mark> blazing as they broke formation and peeled off to engage the Nalash ships. Two fighters slid into escort positions on either side of the transport, their pilots signaling with sharp, precise maneuvers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey\u2019ve got us,\u201d Phel<\/mark> breathed, relief and grief tangled in his voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fighters guided them through the storm of weapons fire, weaving between bursts of plasma and debris. Ahead, the Evelna<\/mark><\/em> hull loomed \u2014 elegant, alive, and opening a bay door on her far side just wide enough for the battered transport to slip through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSteady,\u201d Damus<\/mark> muttered, guiding the craft in. \u201cSteady\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The transport cleared the threshold, skidding slightly as it touched down inside the bay. The doors slammed shut behind them, sealing out the chaos of battle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since Trepel<\/mark> fell, Tak<\/mark> exhaled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They had made it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bay lights flickered as the Evel\u2019na\u2019s<\/mark> voice echoed through the speakers, calm and resonant despite the battle raging outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll hands \u2014 prepare to phase.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tak<\/mark> closed his eyes, letting the words settle over him like a weight and a promise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were back on the Evelna<\/mark><\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But not whole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And the war was far from over.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Commander Martin Dashiel stood at the forward rail of the Evelna\u2019s bridge, hands clasped behind his back, eyes fixed on the swirling horizon of the Infinite Plains. Even after years of service, the transition still made his skin prickle \u2014 the way reality folded, the way the ship hummed like a living heart preparing to breathe again. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_surecart_dashboard_logo_width":"180px","_surecart_dashboard_show_logo":true,"_surecart_dashboard_navigation_orders":true,"_surecart_dashboard_navigation_invoices":true,"_surecart_dashboard_navigation_subscriptions":true,"_surecart_dashboard_navigation_downloads":true,"_surecart_dashboard_navigation_billing":true,"_surecart_dashboard_navigation_account":true,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1356","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_hostinger_reach_plugin_has_subscription_block":false,"_hostinger_reach_plugin_is_elementor":false,"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false,"trp-custom-language-flag":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"mattromanlopez@gmail.com","author_link":"https:\/\/mattromanlopez.com\/es\/author\/mattromanlopezgmail-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Commander Martin Dashiel stood at the forward rail of the Evelna\u2019s bridge, hands clasped behind his back, eyes fixed on the swirling horizon of the Infinite Plains. Even after years of service, the transition still made his skin prickle \u2014 the way reality folded, the way the ship hummed like a living heart preparing to breathe again.…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mattromanlopez.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1356","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mattromanlopez.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mattromanlopez.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mattromanlopez.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mattromanlopez.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1356"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mattromanlopez.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1356\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1357,"href":"https:\/\/mattromanlopez.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1356\/revisions\/1357"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mattromanlopez.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1356"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}