"The Wraith reports it has the King and is making it's way to the extraction point," Lieutenant Yorn said.

I could feel the ripple of relief that went through those gathered on the bridge, but none of them were as strong as my own. I knew we weren't out of the woods yet, but it was good to know that the infiltration team was at least able to find Rainus and get him off that ship.

I watched as the green blip that depicted the Wraith detached itself from the red blip of the large Shixxaminti ship and started a darting path back into the asteroid field. Unfortunately, they didn't leave unmolested. At least a dozen smaller craft separated from the Shixx ship to follow the Wraith.

"Multiple hostiles in pursuit," an officer from one of the left consoles said. "The Wraith is taking evasive action through the field."

I leaned forward, eyes fixed on the chase playing out before us. The Wraith was faster and more maneuverable than the Shixxaminti fighters, but their sheer numbers of the enemy created a problem. One lucky shot could end everything. But we had prepared for such a hot pursuit and I watched as three squadrons of our own fighters moved from their hidden post inside the asteroid field to intercept the Wraith's pursuers.

"That was a good thinking to keep a few squadrons on standby." Captain Pylor said from beside me.

"It was Markus's idea. He wanted someone covering his rear end when he was making a hasty exit."

"Sounds like him," came the reply, and I caught the hint of admiration in the Captain's voice.

The tactical display showed our fighters engaging the Shixxaminti pursuit craft, bright flashes indicating weapons fire as the two forces clashed among the drifting rocks. The Wraith continued its erratic path through the field, using the larger asteroids as cover while our squadrons worked to thin out the enemy numbers.

"Wraith reports they have wounded aboard," Lieutenant Yorn announced, his voice tight with concern. "Requesting immediate medical assistance upon arrival."

My stomach dropped. We had been expecting that, especially for Rainus, but the likelihood that there would be others as well. I reached out to Markus through our bond. He seemed distracted and in pain. I felt entirely useless standing here and waiting. All I could do was watch and wait.

"First squadron engaging," Lieutenant Yorn reported, his voice crisp and professional. "They're drawing fire away from the Wraith."

The tactical display showed our fighters swarming the Shixxaminti pursuit craft like angry hornets. Green and red dots weaved through the asteroid field in a deadly dance, weapons fire lighting up the darkness between the massive rocks.

"Second and third squadrons moving to flank," another officer called out. "They're trying to box the hostiles in."

I clenched and unclenched my fists, watching as the Wraith's green blip continued its erratic path toward the extraction point. The ship was moving fast, but not recklessly—the pilot obviously knew how to navigate an asteroid field and was using every piece of cover that could be found.

Elsewhere in the asteroid field, the Vanguard fleet was pressing its advantage on the larger Shixxaminti ships. One ship was all but dead in space, and the second was being pummeled by another round of retrofitted missiles. It too was quickly dying as dark bruises formed on much of the ship. Many of the smaller ships were trying to cluster around the dying ship, but the missiles had cut through much of them, leaving the mother vessel exposed and vulnerable. Our capital ships were already moving in to finish the job, their heavy weapons charging for what would likely be the killing blow.

"Third Shixxaminti vessel is attempting to break away," Lieutenant Yorn reported. "It's heading for the outer edge of the field."

"Do we have any of the new missiles left?" I asked.

Yorn posed the question to the Retribution, and a moment later came back with an answer. "Only eight, Highness."

"Save them for that ship. Suggest to Havoreat that he go after the larger vessel and let the rest of the fleet take care of the other two. It would be better to get them all while we can."

Yorn relayed the message, and I was pleased he worded in a way that made it seem like it was Havoreat's choice instead of a demand being made. I was also glad to see the Retribution break away a few moments later from the rest of the fleet to make its way to the Shixx ship that was fleeing.

I let that thought settle in my mind. For the first time since they entered the Empire, we had the Shixxaminti on the run. We might even end this thing right here once and for all, though a part of me didn't think we'd be that lucky.

I turned my attention back to the Wraith's journey through the asteroids. It was nearly through and back to the Vigilant, Valiant, and Vehement.

The three destroyers had moved into position to provide covering fire for the final approach, their weapons trained on the pursuit craft that had survived our fighter screen. Only four of the original dozen Shixxaminti fighters remained, but they were persistent, weaving through the asteroid field with deadly determination.

The three corvettes had formed a defensive perimeter around the extraction point, their weapons systems trained on the asteroid field's edge. As the Wraith approached, it slowed its speed to come in for a landing. A handful of breaths later, it disappeared into the Vigilant's docking bay.

"Wraith is inside. Docking bay secured," Lieutenant Yorn announced, the relief in his voice palpable.

I watched as the remaining pursuing Shixx fighters broke off and began the return trip back to their mother ship, but they didn't make it far. Our fighter squadrons made quick work of them.

"What is King Rainus's condition?" I asked, unable to wait any longer to find out the damage that the Shixxaminti had caused.

Yorn made the request. It took several long moments to get an answer. "Critical. They had to use a cryo-field to get him off the Shixx ship."

I looked to Captain Pylor, not sure what that meant. He seemed to see my question and answered. "It means he's near death and needs a Remaker immediately."

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I swallowed hard. Had we been too late? Would they still lose him? I decided not to put too much attention to it. Better to let him get some time in the Remaker before starting to worry. The machines were miracle workers. Maybe there was nothing to worry about.

I watched as the fleet circled the two large Shixxaminti ships and used their conventional weapons to obliterate what was left. The two ships gave a last explosion, and all that was left was floating debris. An exclamation went through the bridge of the Quortous. It was good to see that the previously undefeated aliens could be destroyed after all.

The Retribution was quickly catching up to the last ship. The one that had held Rainus as a captive. The eight remaining missiles streaked through space like deadly meteors. The Shixxaminti vessel tried to twist away, but it was too late. The first salvo struck its rear section, sending cascades of sparks and debris spinning into the void.

"Direct hit on the fleeing vessel," Lieutenant Yorn called out.

The alien ship shuddered under the impact, its sleek form now marred by gaping wounds that vented atmosphere and internal components into space. But it wasn't finished yet. The Shixxaminti ship fired back, its weapons lancing out toward the Retribution in desperate fury.

"Retribution reports minor damage to forward shields," Yorn continued. "They're moving in for the kill."

I held my breath as the final exchange played out. The Retribution's heavy guns spoke in unison, their combined firepower racing for their target, but before the golden beams of plasma could finish the Shixx vessel, it winked out of existence.

The bridge was silent for a long moment as every eye stared at the view screen. After a moment, the officer at the console directly in front of me asked, "What just happened?"

"Did it jump?" I asked, though I wasn't even sure they used jump drives like we did.

"Unknown, Highness," Lieutenant Yorn replied, as he tried to make sense of the readings. "The Retribution is reporting... unusual energy signatures at the target's last known position."

Captain Pylor moved closer to the tactical display, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Could it have been destroyed? Sometimes when a ship's power core goes critical, there's nothing left but—"

"No," another officer spoke up from his control panel, studying the readouts. "There would be debris, energy dispersal patterns. This is something else entirely."

The uncomfortable silence that followed was broken by another report from Yorn. "The Retribution confirms no debris field. The vessel appears to have simply... vanished."

I felt a chill run down my spine. We had been so close to a complete victory, to finally wiping them out. Now one of their ships had escaped using some method we didn't understand, carrying with it whatever intelligence they had gathered from Rainus.

"We should regroup and set up a defensive perimeter," I said, pushing down my frustration. "We should put all ships on high alert. That vessel could reappear anywhere."

Captain Pylor nodded in agreement. "Including here. We should meet up with the rest of the fleet immediately and dispatch scout ships to the outer reaches of the system. If that was some form of short-range jump, they could be nearby."

Yorn relayed the message as Pylor ordered the Quortous to make the short jump toward the rest of the fleet. In moments, our battle cruiser was surrounded by friendly ships. I watched on the screen as the few remaining of the Shixx smaller vessels were hunted down and destroyed.

"The Vigilant is requesting permission to dock with the Quortous." Yorn said.

"Give it," Pylor replied.

I had waited long enough. I whirled around and made my way to the landing bay. Two of Nathias's men who had been left on board to watch over me stepped in behind and followed me down the corridor. It was actually a good thing they had. I got turned around and had to ask the way to the landing bay. Eventually, I found my way there and met Markus being led out on a medi-board. I fell into step as two Caretakers steered the hovering device back into the corridor I had just left.

"How bad is it?" I asked with worry.

"Not bad," Markus coughed. It sounded as if he was hacking up a lung. It took a long moment for him to settle back down on the board.

"Sounds bad to me," I said.

"He inhaled unknown particles while on the ship and his left thigh has suffered a deep gash that's inhibiting his ability to walk. He also has several other minor wounds from flying debris. The recovery time for the wounds shouldn't be long, but the removal of particles might take longer. We will know more when we get him in a Remaker," the man in white that was at the head of the medi-board reported.

"And King Rainus?" I asked.

"Caretaker Thaddeus is seeing to him. The King's Remaker was loaded on the Vigilant in case he needed emergency treatment. It has yet to be moved."

I looked down at Markus, not sure I wanted to leave him. He waved me off, picking up on what I was thinking.

"Go. I'll be fine. Let me know how he is," Markus said before devolving into another coughing fit.

I turned and reentered the landing bay. The Vigilant took up a large chunk of the available space. A ramp was lowered with several other medi-boards being offloaded as I approached. Gayle stood at the bottom of the ramp supervising the activity. She was still in her MX4 suite and held her helmet at her side.

"How many did you lose?" I asked quietly as I stepped in beside her.

"Too many, and we couldn't even retrieve their bodies," she said.

I could feel the heaviness inside her front the losses. We stood there for a moment in the burdensome silence. Once the other two wounded men were off the ship, I started up the ramp.

"Are you going to see the King?" Gayle asked suddenly, coming out of her reverie.

"Yes."

"I'll show you where they set up his Remaker."

I waited for her to go up the ramp, and then I followed her. It wasn't a long walk. We took two turns in the wide corridor and came to a door. She palmed it open, and we stepped through.

It was a tiny space. As small as the room I had on Vang's ship when being brought back to Ethia. The silver cylinder of the Remaker was humming as a Caretaker stood at the controls, frowning.

"Will he make it?" I asked quietly.

The answer was a long time in coming. Finally, the Caretaker turned from the screen of glyphs and addressed me. "Highness. It is good to meet you, though I wish it were under better circumstances. I am Caretaker Thaddeus, and as for the condition of the King… well, I'm not sure. He isn't dead yet, if that's what you are wondering, but I cannot say for sure if he will survive whatever it is those monsters did to him."

"What exactly did they do?"

Thaddeus shook his head. "I'm not sure. These readings aren't like anything I've seen before. The Remakers are remarkable in their ability to heal just about any disease and injury, within reason of course, but even the Remaker is having trouble trying to understand how to heal the King. I can only let it run its course and hope for the best."

"I see," I said, not sure what else to say.

I stood there staring at the silver cylinder, listening to the familiar hum. I had used a machine just like this one a lot in my time since returning to Ethia. It felt weird being on this side of the door with some else tucked inside.

"How long will we know?" I asked.

"The initial assessment should be complete within the hour," Thaddeus replied, his fingers dancing across the control panel. "But full treatment... that could take days or even weeks, assuming the Remaker can determine a course of action."

I looked around the room. There was nowhere to sit. There was nothing but the Remaker and the three people standing in the room. I looked at Gayle.

"Do you think there's a chair anywhere near here?"

"Of course. Give me a minute," she said and ducked out of the room.

"You don't have to stay, Highness. I can send you an update to your unity ring when it comes in."

I shook my head as I watched Gayle reenter the room with a chair and sit it near the door. The only place it would fit and be out of the way. I sat down, giving her a grateful nod and thanks. Then I addressed the Caretaker. "I think I will stay. Markus wants an update on his father, and so do I."

Gayle excused herself to get out of her suit and to check up on the other members of the team. The chair quickly contorted as it molded to my body, and then I settled in for the wait.

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