Chapter 146: Retaliation
The flames of war had been ignited, and Raizen had no intention of letting them die down. The Syndicate's forces had suffered a humiliating defeat at Beltros Station, and now they would retaliate.
Back at the fortress, the command center buzzed with activity. Liana studied intercepted communications, her face grim. "They're mobilizing. Reports suggest three Syndicate warships are en route."
Raizen leaned against the holo-table, studying the tactical readouts. They had expected this.
"Let them come," he said, his voice calm. "We'll crush them here."
Preparing for the Assault
Raizen's forces wasted no time reinforcing their position. Automated turrets were rearmed, shield generators were strengthened, and every soldier was placed on high alert.
Selara inspected her weapons. "They'll expect us to panic. We should give them something else entirely."
Raizen smirked. "Exactly."
The Syndicate's Arrival
As predicted, three Syndicate warships dropped out of hyperspace, their cannons primed.
A transmission crackled through. "This is Commander Relos of the Syndicate. You have made a grave mistake. Surrender now, and we will be merciful."
Raizen merely smirked. "No."
With a flick of his wrist, he activated the defenses.
Turrets roared to life, missiles streaking toward the Syndicate ships. The battle had begun.
The Clash
Explosions lit up the void, fighters darted through space, and boarding pods collided against enemy hulls. Raizen led the charge, his energy blade cutting through Syndicate forces as he stormed the flagship.
Inside, he faced Commander Relos himself—a seasoned warrior with cybernetic augmentations.
"You should have stayed in the shadows," Relos snarled.
Raizen's golden eyes burned. "And you should have been smarter."
The duel was swift and brutal. Raizen dodged Relos's strikes before plunging his blade into the commander's chest.
As Relos collapsed, the Syndicate fleet broke apart, realizing their leader had fallen.
Victory was Raizen's once more.
The war was no longer a battle of survival. It was a conquest.