Kai sat cross-legged on the rough ground of the mine, surrounded by scattered ship parts and half-built frameworks. The faint hum of the ship’s construction buzzed in the background, the sound of welding and the clatter of tools constant in the air. Aria stood nearby, arms crossed, her gaze fixed on the skeletal hull they had pieced together. Progress was evident, but the ship still lacked its key components—armor, propulsion systems, and the fusion generator that Samir had specified in his latest plans.
Zaya’s voice crackled through the comms, sharp and business-like. “We’re reaching the point of no return, Captain. The materials you’re asking for? This isn’t like sneaking industrial parts out of some factory. You’re talking military-grade armor plating and propulsion systems—heavily guarded, highly controlled. We pull this off wrong, and it’s more than just Navy patrols sniffing around. They’ll come down on us hard.”
Kai glanced at Aria. “We’re going to have to go in disguised. You’ve been in Ironport long enough for people to recognize you. If anyone from the Navy spots you at the yards, we’re done.”
Aria’s expression hardened, the weight of their situation clear in her eyes. “I know the risks, Kai, but we can’t afford to wait any longer. The ship’s coming together, but without the armor, it’s just a hunk of metal. We’ve already stretched Zaya’s network thin with the last few runs. And we still need that fusion generator and propulsion systems.”
Zaya’s voice cut in with a dry laugh. “Generators and engines’ going to be another nightmare to get. You’re asking for top-tier Navy tech—these aren’t spare parts lying around. You know they track everything that moves in and out of the yards.”
Kai ran a hand through his tousled hair, frustration flickering in his eyes. “We’re hitting them hard this time. Bigger haul, bigger risks. The crew’s on edge. We push them like this, they’re going to need more than promises to stay in line. They need to see that we’re making real progress, or we’ll start losing people.”
Aria softened for a moment, her tough exterior cracking slightly as she considered his words. “I know. We’re asking a lot of them. But this isn’t just a gamble—it’s our only shot. Once we have that armor and the propulsion systems, we’ll be halfway to getting the ship spaceworthy. We’ll show them real progress.”
Zaya’s voice came through, this time more serious. “I’ll have my people ready, but be smart about this. You get caught, there’s no one coming for you. You’re deep in Navy territory—one wrong move, and it’s over.”
“We’ll go in at night,” Aria said, her voice firm with resolve. “Minimal crew, hit the Navy Yards before they even know we’re there. We get the armor, we get the parts for propulsion, and we’re out. No noise, no mess.”
Kai locked eyes with Aria, searching for any hesitation. There was none. She was committed, just like him. But the stakes were higher than ever, and they both knew there was no turning back now.
“I just hope we’re ready for this,” Kai murmured, his voice quieter now.
“We’ll make it,” Aria replied, her tone unwavering. “We have to. There’s no other way.”
Thom lingered at the mouth of the alley, his nerves on edge. The dim glow from the nearby streetlamps barely reached this corner of The Slag, where deals were made in whispers and shadows. His hands twitched in his coat pockets, fingers brushing against the cold metal of the data drive. The one thing that might save his skin—or damn him for good.
A figure appeared from the darkness—a wiry man with sharp features, his eyes narrow and distrustful. He moved like he owned the night, but Thom could tell from the way he glanced over his shoulder that he didn’t trust the streets either.
“You’re late,” the informant said, his voice low but filled with impatience.
Thom swallowed, trying to steady his breath. “I’m here, aren’t I? You’re lucky I’m doing this at all.” His voice sounded braver than he felt, but he pushed the fear aside. This was survival.
The man’s eyes flicked toward the data drive in Thom’s hand. “You said you’ve got something big. I don’t take risks on street rats without proof.”
Thom clenched his jaw, his grip tightening on the drive. He’d been stewing in doubt ever since he decided to make the exchange, but he couldn’t back out now. Not when Aria’s recklessness was dragging them all toward disaster. “It’s real. Plans for a heist on the Navy Yards. They’re after military-grade materials. I’ve seen it with my own eyes.”
The informant’s smirk was sharp and cold. “Military-grade? And I’m supposed to believe you just stumbled onto this? Someone from the Navy is going to take a Slag rat seriously?”
“I’m not an idiot,” Thom snapped, the fear rising in his throat. He took a step closer, trying to look like he had more control than he felt. “I’ve been in on the planning. I know the timing, the entry points. Aria and that pilot of hers are going to hit the Yards in a few days. This isn’t guesswork.”
The informant's eyes narrowed further. “Aria Benowitz. Fleet Captain. You’re telling me she’s running a smuggling crew now? And you just happen to know all this?” His voice dripped with skepticism.
Thom felt a chill run down his spine. He hadn’t mentioned Aria’s rank. How much did this guy already know? “Look,” he said, his voice dropping lower, “I don’t care what you believe. I’ve given you what you want. Just make sure you hold up your end. I need protection—once this goes down, I’m done. The Navy needs to know I’m not part of their rebellion.”
The informant studied Thom for a long moment, his gaze cutting through the dim light. “And why would the Navy care about you? A nobody from The Slag?”
“Because I know things,” Thom retorted, but his voice wavered. His confidence cracked. “I know enough to be useful.”
The man didn’t blink, didn’t move. “And what makes you think I won’t just turn this over, tell them you’re trying to feed them lies?”
Thom felt a rush of panic. He hadn’t thought that far ahead. His chest tightened. “I’m not lying. Just verify it yourself—send your people to the Yards. You’ll see. I’ve done my part. I want out.”
The informant stepped closer, his breath cold on Thom’s face. “I’ll verify it. But if this is a waste of time, you won’t just be getting out—you’ll be buried under this city.”
Thom's throat went dry. He forced himself to nod, though his hands were shaking now. “It’s all there. I’m telling you the truth.”
The man finally took the data drive from Thom’s trembling hand, his expression never softening. “We’ll see.”
As the informant slipped back into the shadows, Thom stood there, paralyzed by what he had just done. He told himself it was the right move—Aria was going to get them all killed. This was survival. But the cold knot in his stomach didn’t ease. His mind raced with doubt, fear, and a hint of regret that wouldn’t go away. There was no turning back now.
The convoy of industrial vehicles hummed steadily through the dark, the low rumble of engines doing little to ease the tension inside. Aria sat in the passenger seat, her eyes flicking to the rearview mirror, watching the line of trucks behind them. They were a ragtag mix—some old haulers from Zaya’s smuggling operations, others scrounged up from Bakari’s workshop, pieced together with more hope than precision.
“This isn’t exactly top-of-the-line equipment,” Kai muttered, his hands gripping the wheel a little too tightly. “Bakari was lucky to get these running at all.”
Aria nodded. “It’ll get the job done. We don’t need perfection, just enough to get in and out.”
Zaya’s voice crackled over the comms. “You’re not wrong, Captain. Let’s just hope the Navy doesn’t look too close at what we’re rolling up in.”
“They won’t,” Aria said, more to reassure herself than anyone else. “If we stick to the plan.”
Kai’s gaze didn’t leave the road. “Yeah, and if that plan goes south?”
Aria’s mouth tightened. “Then we improvise.”
Aria glanced out at the Navy Yards ahead. The scale was overwhelming. Miles of open airfields stretched before them, perfectly lined with rows upon rows of military vehicles, all meticulously arranged. Everything was in its place, orderly, cold, and efficient. Maintenance yards sprawled out to one side, filled with service vehicles, refueling stations, and hangars the size of entire housing blocks. Drones, fighter planes, and troop carriers lined the runways, their sleek, deadly forms casting long shadows under the floodlights. It was a fortress built for war.
“The place is massive,” Kai muttered, his voice tense. “Even with all this, it feels like we’re bringing toothpicks to a gunfight.”
Far in the distance, the base headquarters stood vigilant, but it was the corvettes that truly dominated the landscape. Ten massive warships, like towering metal behemoths, stretched endlessly across the yard, each casting deep shadows over the ground. Their sleek hulls, rising high into the sky, bristled with antennas and weaponry, exuding an aura of unshakable power. The ships were colossal, their sheer size staggering as they loomed like mountains of steel. The Resolute stood among them, a towering reminder of the life Aria was leaving behind.
“You weren’t kidding,” Zaya’s voice crackled over the comms. “Place looks like it could hold an entire fleet.”
“It can,” Aria muttered. “Twenty corvettes when at full capacity. Ten are out patrolling, the others are here on standby.”
The sight of it all was daunting, but they couldn’t afford to hesitate. Their objective lay somewhere among the massive storage depots, and time wasn’t on their side.
Kai’s voice cut through the silence, tense but steady. “We’ll need to be fast. No lingering. Get the materials and get out.”
Aria nodded. “We’re not sticking around to admire the view.”
The convoy approached the checkpoint, the only way into the tightly secured facility. Aria’s heart quickened as they slowed to a stop. A guard stepped out, clipboard in hand, his eyes scanning the convoy. The trucks weren’t military grade—they were rugged, practical, the kind you’d expect from private contractors. That was their story.
“Papers,” the guard barked, his voice gruff.
Kai handed them over, and Aria, her face tactfully obscured by a woollen scarf, exchanged a glance with him. Their fake documents were flimsy at best, and the guard seemed to notice. His brow furrowed as he scanned the papers, lingering a little too long on certain details.
“Any of you supposed to be on the schedule?” the guard asked, suspicion creeping into his tone.
Before Aria could respond, Zaya slid out of the passenger seat of the second truck and strolled over to the guard. With a practiced nonchalance, she handed him a small envelope, her smile thin but confident. “Just some last-minute work. You know how it is.”
The guard hesitated, eyeing the envelope for a moment before slipping it into his pocket. “Last minute, huh? Don’t make a habit of showing up unannounced.”
He handed the papers back, signaling them through with a wave. The convoy began rolling into the base.
Aria frowned as they passed the checkpoint, her eyes scanning the massive expanse of the Navy Yards. “That was too easy.”
Kai glanced at her. “You’re not thinking it’s a setup, are you?”
“Maybe,” she said, her tone dark. “The guard didn’t even flinch. No questions, nothing.
They continued forward, the storage depots finally coming into view—massive hangars filled with the military-grade armor plating they needed. There was no turning back now.
Zaya’s voice came through the comms again. “Alright, let’s move. You know the drill. We don’t have much time.”
“Be quick,” Aria added, her voice tense. “This place feels wrong.”
The storage depot was cavernous, rows upon rows of crates stacked high, each containing the military-grade materials they so desperately needed. The team worked quickly but quietly, their breaths shallow as they hoisted the heavy materials into the backs of their vehicles. The machinery clanked softly in the otherwise eerie silence of the depot, every sound a reminder of how exposed they were.
Kai wiped the sweat from his brow, barking quick directions. “Keep the pace up. We need this fully loaded before anyone outside notices.”
Aria couldn’t help glancing toward the door every few minutes, anticipating the sound of footsteps or worse—the siren that would end everything.
Zaya was in a separate hangar, running a parallel operation with her smugglers. Through the comms, her voice crackled with tension. “We’ve got two trucks loaded over here. Another one almost ready. How are you looking?”
“We’re nearly done,” Aria responded, though her tone held a hint of urgency.
Kai’s eyes flicked to a large pile of remaining crates, frustration creasing his brow. “We’ll never get all of it. We’re out of time.”
“We’ll take what we can,” Aria said. She felt the air change, the growing tension tightening around her chest. “Load the last of what’s on the floor and prepare to roll out.”
Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, Aria spotted the blinking red light on a security console overhead. Her stomach dropped.
“Time’s up,” she muttered, her voice low but urgent. “We need to move, now.”
Kai shot her a look, his face pale but composed. “Everyone, wrap it up! We’re rolling out.”
Engines roared to life, and the last few crates were hurriedly secured. Zaya’s voice echoed over the comms. “I’m seeing that light too. Let’s not overstay our welcome, Captain.”
The trucks began pulling out of the depot one by one, their engines low but throaty, a chorus of power that belied the fear gripping every person in the convoy. The clock had run out, and they all knew it. Now it was a race against the inevitable.
Engines roared as the convoy of scrounged industrial vehicles sped toward the exit of the Navy Yards. The looming gates of the base stood just ahead, a final obstacle between them and freedom. Every second felt like a heartbeat lost. Aria sat beside Kai, her eyes darting between the road and the rearview mirror, the tension palpable.
Kai’s knuckles whitened around the steering wheel, his senses on high alert. “This feels too easy,” he muttered under his breath. The echoing hum of the yard behind them set his nerves on edge. They had loaded the armor, but every instinct told him something was off.
And then, all hell broke loose.
Floodlights exploded to life around the perimeter, bathing the convoy in blinding white light. Alarms screamed through the still night, and a burst of movement erupted from the shadows—armed guards rushing out of their posts to cut them off.
“Floor it!” Aria shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos.
Kai didn’t hesitate. He jammed his foot down on the accelerator, the vehicle lurching forward, tires screeching as they sped toward the gate. There was no time for precision—only brute force. The truck barreled forward, smashing through the gate in a cacophony of metal and shattering barriers. The convoy behind them followed, scattering in different directions as Zaya’s voice crackled over the comms.
“Everyone, split off! Meet back at the fallback points.”
Kai's heart pounded as he fought to regain control of the vehicle, his hands gripping the wheel tighter than ever. “We’re splitting up,” he barked over the radio, “find your routes and stick to them.”
Aria was already scanning the mirror again, her expression grim. “We’ve got company,” she growled. The unmistakable lights of pursuit vehicles flickered in the distance, closing in fast.
“They’re not letting us go without a fight,” Kai muttered, swerving the truck hard around a corner as they left the immediate perimeter of the Navy Yards.
And that’s when it clicked. Aria’s face hardened as she recognized the pattern in the pursuit. They weren’t scattering after the different trucks—they were locked in, focused on one target. Their target.
“They know it’s us,” she said coldly, meeting Kai’s eyes. “Stanton. He’s leading this.”
Of course he was. Kai imagined Stanton’s voice in his head, barking orders, eyes narrowed, focused solely on them. It made perfect sense. Stanton wasn’t wasting time on the rest of the convoy—he had his sights locked on Aria, and he wasn’t going to let her slip away.
“Alright,” Kai said, his voice low, steady. “We’ll make him work for it.”
They swerved through the outskirts of the industrial sector, a labyrinth of forgotten warehouses and darkened loading docks. The streets were narrow, and Kai used every inch of his knowledge of Ironport’s winding zones to keep them one step ahead. But the vehicles in pursuit were relentless, and they could hear the distant hum of aircraft hovering overhead.
“He’s tightening the noose,” Aria muttered. “We won’t last much longer like this.”
Kai glanced at her, the gears in his mind turning fast. “We need to stash the truck and disappear.”
Aria nodded. “We won’t outrun them forever in this thing.”
Up ahead, an old, dilapidated factory caught Kai’s eye, it offered the perfect cover. Without a second thought, Kai jerked the wheel hard, veering the truck off the main road and through a broken section of fence, the metal screeching in protest as the vehicle tore through.
They screeched to a halt in the factory’s shadowy lot, the towering structure offering some semblance of cover. Kai and Aria jumped out, their movements quick, practiced. They didn’t have much time.
“We hide it here,” Kai said, already pulling at the nearby debris and scrap metal. Aria joined him, throwing what they could over the truck to conceal it. It wasn’t perfect, but it would buy them a little time. They just needed to disappear before Stanton’s forces arrived.
Aria straightened up, wiping sweat from her brow, her breath heavy. “Let’s move,” she urged, glancing around the lot.
Kai nodded, and they slipped into the shadows of the factory.
They moved swiftly through the maze of rusting machinery and crumbling walls. Their breathing was measured but tense, the adrenaline still coursing from the chase outside. Every shadow seemed alive with threat, every creak of metal under their feet a reminder of how close Stanton’s men were.
Kai crouched low behind a massive piece of machinery, motioning for Aria to do the same. They couldn’t afford to be seen. Every nerve in Kai’s body was on high alert, his senses tuned to every distant noise, every echo of boots on the factory floor. The heavy thud of footsteps approached, closer now, the voices more distinct. One, in particular, stood out—cold and commanding. Even though Kai had never met the man he instantly new it was Stanton.
“Keep searching! They couldn’t have gotten far!”
Kai felt his pulse quicken. Stanton was close, closer than he had expected. The sound of his voice sent a chill through Kai, and he glanced over at Aria. Her face was set, her breathing steady, but he could see the tension in her eyes. They were trapped, and the only way out was to wait.
The footsteps of Stanton’s men grew nearer, the scrape of boots against concrete loud in the oppressive silence. Kai held his breath, his muscles taut, ready to spring into action if needed. They stayed low, hidden among the shadows of the decaying factory, waiting for any sign of movement toward them.
For a long, agonizing moment, the footsteps paused just feet away, and Kai could hear the faint crackle of Stanton’s comms unit as he barked another order. “We’re pulling back. They’ve slipped away. Move out.”
Kai exchanged a glance with Aria, both of them frozen as they listened to Stanton’s men retreating. The heavy footfalls gradually faded, and Stanton’s commanding voice grew more distant until, finally, there was silence. They had made it. Or so they thought.
Kai let out a slow, measured breath, his body relaxing slightly. He turned to Aria, nodding in relief. “We wait another minute, then we—”
Suddenly, out of the shadows, a figure lunged. Before either of them could react, one of Stanton’s soldiers sprang from his hiding spot, tackling Aria with brutal force. The two of them hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the wind from Aria’s lungs as the soldier pinned her down.
Aria struggled, but the soldier was relentless, his hands grabbing at the scarf covering her face, fingers clawing at the edges, desperate to rip it away. Kai’s heart pounded in his ears as he froze for a split second, the shock of the ambush catching him off guard. But then his instincts kicked in.
Without hesitation, Kai launched himself at the soldier, grabbing him by the collar and yanking him back with all his strength. The man grunted as Kai slammed him against a nearby wall, the dull thud reverberating through the factory. Aria, recovering quickly, sprang to her feet, her eyes narrowing as she joined the fray.
Together, they threw their weight into the soldier, driving him into the cold metal wall with enough force to crack bone. The soldier gasped, spitting up blood. His body went limp as the air rushed from his lungs, the fight leaving him in an instant.
For a heartbeat, everything went still. The soldier slid to the floor, lifeless, his body crumpling in a heap. A thin red line began to flow from the corner of his lip, running down his neck and soaking into the fabric of his uniform. Kai’s stomach tightened at the sight—the vivid red against dark fabric tugging at something deep, the smell of blood and burnt circuits on the freighter, the helplessness—he forced it down.
Aria wiped the sweat from her brow, her chest still heaving from the struggle. She exchanged a quick, grim look with Kai—there was no time to process the gravity of their actions now.
“They’ll be back,” Aria muttered, her voice hoarse.
Kai nodded, his chest tight, his adrenaline still surging. “We need to go.”
Together, they slipped away from the body and into the shadows, moving quickly through the factory’s dark, rusted corridors. Their footsteps were quiet, deliberate. They didn’t dare look back as they disappeared into the night.
End of Episode 5
