Prisoner Break

The Stellar Devourer paid no mind to Ian's stunned expression and shifted his attention to Skylight, whose guarded stance betrayed his unease. With a flick of his hand, he summoned a virtual document. "This comes directly from your admiral," he announced.

The document detailed a mission briefing. If Skylight agreed to assist in rescuing Barrett, he would be allowed to return to the Empire. Not only that, but he'd be promoted to Vice Admiral, with the option to join the admiral's elite legion or command his own.

The proposal hit Skylight like a bolt of lightning.

Return to the Empire? A promotion to Vice Admiral?

When he glanced at Ian, however, something in him hardened. He shook his head firmly. "I'm not going back."

He already knew Lyra's plan: to escape to Voidstar No. 2—a distant haven where neither humans nor Stellar Devourers waged their wars. It was a place of absolute freedom, an ideal refuge for Ian.