Chapter 13: Nordia Quadrant
*On Ashera’s Side*
"Who are you working for?"
Ashera stood amidst the wreckage of the pirate ship, still smoking and ravaged. The fire slowly faded on the charred walls, cables hung from the torn ceiling, and sparks still flew here and there. At the center, she held the leader by the throat, suspended a few inches off the ground.
It was almost absurd to see such a massive man, bristling with muscles and armor plates, being held like a worthless puppet by a slender woman without a drop of sweat.
"I’m still waiting for an answer."
She tightened her grip slightly, and the man let out a strangled cough.
"Tsk... as if I’d tell you. Kill me, that’s all you can do."
Ashera sighed. From the start, she’d suspected something was off. First, there was the attack, which meant her location had been leaked. Then, her team never arrived—perhaps the signal never reached them.
And then there was the equipment. These pirates were using weapons far too advanced for scum like them. Doubt turned to certainty when she saw the leader activate a neon suppression artifact—a piece of technology used only by elites or special forces. They’d tried to trap her.
Of course, she was strong enough to reduce all these pirates to ashes and their leader to a pile of flesh. So she had nothing to fear from their petty schemes.
"Who gave you my location? Answer, and maybe your death will be quick."