Chapter 22: The chase in space
A dim red glow pulsed along the ships walls, casting harsh shadows across twisted metal and shattered panels. Sparks rained from broken wires, spinning through the air before fading into the dark. The hum running through the ship's frame came in uneven waves, like the whole place was holding its breath.
Ash dropped first, boots hitting the deck with a sharp clang. His blade was already in hand. He scanned the wreckage, eyes catching every flicker, every movement. The air reeked of burnt metal and melted circuits.
"Alright, we're in. Now we find the controls and get out of here."
Kael landed behind him. Smoke curled from the seams of his suit as he brushed glowing embers off his sleeve.
"Yeah, yeah. Let's just hope Max doesn't give another lecture on ship integrity."
Max came last, landing with a low breath. His gaze swept over the corridor—burned walls, loose wires swaying overhead, consoles still sparking. He didn't speak right away.
"You really did a number on this place."
Kael shrugged. "It worked, didn't it?"
Max stepped past them, eyes locking onto a damaged terminal. He reached out, fingers moving fast over the panel. Broken data feeds blinked to life, screens glitching with static and error codes.
Then he stopped.
Ash caught it. The stillness.