Chapter 53
The launch deck was silent. No farewells. No final salutes.
Just the dull thrum of engines powering up and the towering gate to Moonbase Helix yawning open like a steel mouth. I stood beneath the shadow of the Dark Leviathan, my heart beating faster than its reactor core.
Kruger agents scanned my identity for the third time before waving me forward. My name didn't come up anymore—just a code tag: P-Elv.17.Temp. Temporary. Erased.
Before I stepped inside the dropship, I pulled out my holopad and recorded a message.
My thumb hovered over the encryption settings. I maxed it out. Only one person would be able to open it—someone whose blood system responded to chaos like a compass to magnetic death.
Kiro.
"If you're seeing this, I've already left orbit.The El'Vertigo fleet is gone.And soon... so is Velmora.The Empire authorized a World Eater. It's coming.You have to get out. Whatever you're planning—don't do it here. This place is already ashes.But if you live, find me. Kruger won't break me.—Pablo"
I hit send.
Then the door sealed shut behind me.