Chapter 34: The Dance of Shadows
The Ark sailed smoothly through the void of space, stars streaking past its viewports as Ethan, Prella, Nova, and Vala gathered in the ship's command center. The tension in the room was palpable, a reflection of the high-stakes mission they had just completed. The reptilian menace on Auronis-5 had been neutralized, but the reality of their ongoing battle against the Shadow Council weighed heavily on everyone.
Ethan sat in his chair, fingers drumming lightly on the armrest as he reviewed the holomap in front of him. Nova stood beside him, leaning against the console with her usual smirk, while Prella and Vala remained close by, their expressions more serious.
Prella was the first to break the silence. "We're fighting in the dark, Ethan. Every time we take out one of their forces, another pops up somewhere else. We need something bigger, something that hits them where it hurts."