1. Jax

1

Jax

My boots thump against the metal floor as I approach the large glass pane separating my crew and the vast length of the universe. Stars scatter as far as the eye can see.

Pahaliah is in the distance, its orange rings wrapped multiple times around the planet. Giving off a low glow, it’s as breathtaking as the rest of the view.

Staring out in a daze, I lose count of the seconds. Time feels endless when it comes to drifting around in such a void. Sometimes, if possible, I like to shut off my brain for a few minutes. Moments where I can stand around without getting interrupted feel rarer as the fight for humanity’s survival continues.

“Commander!” A hidden layer of fear is lingering behind Stevens’ voice as he calls for me.

Like that, the peace is broken, disturbed by whatever new event has occurred. With a role to fill, I have no option but to head in his direction. Seeing the horror on his face as his fingers hover over the keyboard below, I prepare myself for the worst.

Lately, that’s all this is. I never get told good news, not for the last few months. Someone is always dying, settlements are getting attacked and raided. The only question I have to ask is who .

“What’s the problem?” Face calm, I move my eyes to his screen. The promise of the word URGENT across the display is all I need to see. There’s been another attack, no doubt.

The Inferno , my prized vessel, is famous for coming to the rescue on more occasions than I can count on both hands and toes. With my command, anyone who steps in our path is set to only have one path left in life. One that simply leads to death.

“It’s from sector five.” His voice trembles, and for good reason too. “We received a distress transmission.”

A few glances shoot in my direction, some concerned, some scared. The sound of my teeth grinding is never a good sign.

“Play the transmission, Stevens’. That’s an order.”

Stay calm and collected. That’s what that bastard Hendrick advised during our last meeting. Dared to point out my ill temper. People don’t want to follow a leader who is irrational and trigger-happy. A bunch of bullshit, if you ask me.

He taps a button on his hologram and, just like that, the enlarged word is replaced by shaky footage.

Someone is running, the one recording. There’s heavy breathing, and a string of curses as blood-curdling screams fill the inside of our ship. Sounds all too familiar. There’s a flash of the attacker, their midnight-colored skin reflecting in the footage as they slaughter those who are less fortunate than our current runner.

The Medarians. Always coated in crimson, blood from us humans rather than their own, they attack those who are defenseless.

I’m hardly phased as other crew members turn to see what is happening.

“Fast forward, I can see the distress. Is there a message I’m meant to be hearing here?”

Stevens fumbles with the video, hunting and searching for any forms of communication.

“Commander!” From the other end of the ship, a head of fiery red hair pops through sliding doors. Dasha, the fearless woman, grimaces. That’s no good. “Direct communications from Captain Hendrick.”

Guessing this has something to do with the video we’ve received, I’m coasting across the floor with long steps. My lungs burn with each breath. My knuckles ache with how tight my fists are formed.

I can try to hold my anger to the best of my ability, but there is no hiding how much fear slips out. In the pit of my gut, I know what is going to be said. I don’t need it spelled out to me. Yet, I still race to reach the empty and quiet room. Excusing Dasha, she closes the door to leave me in solitude.

A long path of blackened carpet leads me to a set of controls. Inhaling deeply, I calm my nerves and promise myself everything is fine. Sector five is not the biggest, but there are multiple settlements. Any of them could’ve been targeted.

Flora is going to be fine. She’s most likely tucked away in her medical hut, hiding away from anyone who isn’t uninjured. Hell, she’s probably experimenting on whatever lifeforms she can get her hands on.

She’s not lifeless in some ditch, lost to the universe.

Straightening my posture, I accept the call and watch as the room is lit up by the hologram version of a man I detest. Aged with wisdom and experience , he’s the man who tells me what to do. The one to spit out orders left and right from his cushy chair in his camp. Clearing my face of any emotion, I salute as I’m meant to.

“Sir. I’ve received your transmission.” Holding my tongue to avoid looking desperate by asking any questions, I wait for him to fill me in.

He waves his hand, dismissing my form. Something has his attention and I’m sure this attack has him busy contacting whatever forces are near.

With the speed of my ship, and with my determination to murder all the bastards who have harmed humans for the last couple of months, he made the right decision by contacting me first.

I’m already itching to head to the settlement and fight back.

Hendrick gives me a rundown of what happened. An ambush with very few survivors. There’s no real purpose behind the attack besides to spill blood on the soil of a planet our kind has only discovered a short period ago.

We are ordered to rescue those who have avoided slaughter and to kill whatever Medarians are still on site.

“Ah, yes, and one more problem that needs to be addressed.” Hendrick makes sure to point his attention in my direction. His eyes crinkle as he squints. “That sister of yours, the doctor, she’s been taken. We don’t know why as these creatures have never taken an interest in…”

His words become a fizzle as I blink. Watching his mouth move, I don’t register a single thing he says as his previous words run on repeat in my head.

Flora has been kidnapped. Instead of being murdered alongside those at the settlement, our enemy has taken her against her will. What are they doing to her at this very moment? Running tests while attempting to learn humanity’s greatest weaknesses?

She’s frail and weak, defenseless. My sister is my opposite, choosing to save a life over taking one. She’s the sort who wouldn’t even crush a bothersome mosquito without tearing up. And now, she’s been taken.

Heat crawls up my throat and the burn can only be compared to a white-hot rod being jammed into my body. I want to scream and insult this man for not protecting such an important settlement. Her entire team was there, hunting for answers to save us all.

She wasn’t safe from the moment she left my side.

“You will go directly to sector five.” Hendrick’s voice grows louder as he must notice the daze behind my stare. “You will help collect what survivors remain and take them to a new settlement until we can properly diagnose the damage. Do you understand?”

He’s firm and direct. Repeating his earlier demand, he waits for me to acknowledge the order. Without directly saying the words, his message is clear.

I’m not to go after the fuckers who kidnapped my baby sister. I’m not to return whatever they’re doing to her tenfold. Message loud and clear.

“Yes, sir.” The words fall out flat, sounding automatic. I stand a little taller, salute this man again, and end the call before he can go throwing out more nonsense.

Swarmed by silence once more, my knees give out and I’m left leaning against flashing lights and buttons. Breathing in through my nose, I hold it in for seven long seconds before exhaling hard enough to make my chest deflate into nothing. I inhale once more. Seven seconds. One. Two. Three.

I don’t make it to four. My next exhale is nothing but a raw scream escaping my throat. One of burning fury. One that seeks revenge. No, one that demands it.

I’m not a crier, not after being raised to believe tears were a sign of weakness. However, right now, I want tears to fall in hopes of releasing this intense force growing bigger and bigger in my chest. I want to be able to breathe without this scorch.

Taking a minute to collect myself, thankful to have no eyes watching this moment of vulnerability, I move back to my feet.

Every minute is precious. There’s no time to panic.

My crew are all stiff as I leave the room. Not having time to apologize or even try to address them, my surroundings become nothing but a blur as I move toward the top half of the ship. Seeking the navigator, I flatten my hands against the display of our neighboring solar system. The one we’re trying our damndest to occupy.

“Set a course to Nedatere.”

The man sputters at my demand. “W-We received an order–”

“Nedatere,” I repeat, my voice lowering in pitch. “ Please .”

“But that’s where–”

“–those Medarian bastards reside. Yes, I know.” Giving up on trying to be calm, I grunt when he fumbles to put in the new coordinates. “We need to be there by the hour, understand?”

A nervous swallow becomes a quick nod. “Yes, ma’am.”

“ Thank you .” Turning around, I stalk toward the cockpit next. Reaching for the device hanging above the pilot’s head.

Clearing my throat, I hear the sound echo through the ship.

“This is a message from your commander. We will be going a bit off course with our next mission. I want to thank every one of you for your hard work and ability to serve. This next mission, a rescue one, will not be easy. Be on your highest guard.” My frown grows as the thought of Flora’s fate crosses my mind once more. “It’s about time we show the Medarians what the Inferno can accomplish when push comes to shove. The war may continue to grow, but we will win this battle. I guarantee it.”

There’s the roar of fighting spirit flooding from both floors of the ship. It’s like music to my ears, the song of liberation.

My crew might be scared of me at times, hell, might not agree with me, but none of that matters right now. Not when the shared hatred of this species boils deep in our blood. Our murdered families, those who we lost through this process of finding somewhere to call home, are the ones we fight for.

They fight for them and I fight for Flora. She’s all I have in this life. If I lose her, what else will give me the strength to continue breathing?

Returning the device, I offer up a rare smile to the pilot.

“Get us there in one piece, will you? If anything gets in our way, shoot them down. We’re headed straight to the heart of their operation.”

Settling next to Gunner, I announce our departure and prepare for the ride. After a few button pushing and a jolt of travel, we take the fastest route before we come to a stop.

Nedatere isn’t what catches our attention, but the huge vessel that hovers next to it. Large enough to harbor a species, even I’m left a bit at a loss of words.

Not everyone knows of this location. I’m abusing my power by using my knowledge to my advantage. Despite knowing their location, no human has dared to come out here to see such a vessel up close.

If I weren’t thinking about my sister being tortured, I’d be impressed.

“Commander.” Dasha appears breathless. “We’ve received a request for communication. They’re asking for you.”

Growing agitated, my frown grows.

“Tell Hendrick I will deal-”

Her red curls bounce as she shakes her head. “It’s not the captain. Well, not our captain.” Her eyes flick over toward the large vessel.

“Understood.” I’m moving without asking another question. Heading back toward the room I spoke with Hendrick not long ago, I accept the call with a held breath.

When the room fills with one of the creatures I detest, my blood immediately scorches hot. All through my veins, I feel the heat running its course. Teeth gritting, nothing can douse the fire behind my stare.

Through the bluish hue, the Medarian meets my frown with one of his own. Instead of throwing threats for invading the area, his expression says it all.

This man could squash any creature who gets in his way. Right now, I’m the only thing in his path.

“Are you the captain of the vessel?” Surprised by how calm my voice is, I beat around any form of greeting.

If it weren’t for the bluish hue, those golden eyes would be gleaming. I’ve been up close enough times to know the glow behind them.

“You are not welcome here, Human.” His voice is deep, matching his aura. I hate the chill that crawls up my spine. This man is the one in charge here. “I suggest you leave if you want to live.”

Like natural selection is affecting my thoughts, I feel the urge to end the call and escape. For Flora, I shove all those thoughts down.

“I’m not going anywhere.” Squinting when I hear what sounds like a scoff, my frown grows. “You have recently gotten your hands on one of our doctors. I am demanding their return, unharmed.”

He lifts a brow, almost like a challenge. When he steps closer to the display, I feel like I’m being looked down upon. As his mouth curves into a smirk, I see those fangs. Everything about this man is dangerous.

“You do have her, don’t you?” If this is the home of their kind, then Flora would have to be brought here.

“Only someone foolish would enter enemy territory without knowing who we have in our possession or not. While I placed your kind as ignorant, I didn’t consider you to be suicidal.”

The captain tests my patience more and more until I’m ready to gain the ability to blow fire past my lips.

“Yes or no, do you have her?” My voice cracks much to my dismay. “Is she alive?”

His eyes burn bright, a matching hardened expression unmoved by the promise of violence behind my voice. He cocks a brow, his mouth remaining closed.

I’m not going to know if Flora is with them unless I bust my way inside and look for her myself.

“Fine. Have it your way.” Seething, I turn around.

“If you attack, you will die, Human.” The rumble of his voice makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand tall. “Do not fight a battle you will not win.”

I pause, my brows pinching together. Seven seconds. Inhale, exhale. Straightening my composure, I take one look over my shoulder and force a grin that doesn’t match my glare.

“I’ve never lost a battle in my life. I look forward to being the one who will spill your blood. Goodbye.” I don’t end the call, I simply stroll out.

I want him to hear the order come out of my lips. I want him to know that I’m the one who is about to wreck his shit and make him regret taking something precious.

Making my way back to the main area, I stop to look at the view. Between the sparkle of stars scattered around our surroundings to the ugly gray gas planet hiding behind the large vessel belonging to the other species, it’s a view many will never see.

Even fewer will get to see the destruction.

“Fire the cannon!” My voice carries across the length of our ship. Unlike others who reach to grab onto something for support, I stand as strong as my resolution.

There’s a few seconds of silence. Enough to hear the collection of nervous breathing. With thirty crew members on this ship, there’s plenty of nerves to share. My heart thuds heavily.

Between feeling worried about the fate of my sister and the ache to seek revenge, my heart doesn’t slow.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

The ship suddenly rocks to the side as a beam shoots from our ship directly toward the vessel. I don’t blink, refusing to miss the moment of contact.

Space swallows up the sound, but there’s no denying the flash of yellow and orange as an explosion appears. A direct hit.

“Again!” The demand rips past my lips, burning hot.

In the corner of my eye, I see a pod escaping. Too quick to do anything about it, I scoff under my breath. Cowards . If I have to guess, the man who was on the call resides inside. Seems he was all talk.

Another beam of light shoots from our ship, resulting in the same fashion. Imagining those murderers scattering and panic fills me with indescribable pleasure.

Ready to call out a third shot, I’m surprised when everything shuts off without any sort of warning.

Shrouded in darkness, I look at the emergency lights glowing. Scowling, I’m left feeling my way around.

“What is happening? I need answers!” We have no power. Everything is shut down. No power means no light cannon. Every second we don’t hit them is another second they breathe. A flashing red light glows the brightest. A warning to let everyone know that we’re running on backup oxygen here.

Throw together thirty panicked crew members, I’m giving us an hour at most. That’s to say we aren’t hit first.

“Shields are down!” Someone helpful calls from across the room. “Incoming–”

I’m suddenly thrown to the side when something hits the ship. Unprepared, I grunt as I tumble to the ground. I’m not the only one caught off guard.

“Someone get this power back on and running!” I can bark as many orders as I want, but with the rush of panic going on, hardly half of these people are listening. Grunting, I push to my feet and stumble when there’s another hit. Neither are from missiles. Without explosions, I don’t have the faintest clue what is happening.

Making my way through tangled limbs and panicked crew members, I head toward the cockpit.

“Give me something, Gunner.”

My pilot is as frustrated as I am. He’s flipping switches, grunting when nothing happens. “EMP, I believe. Had to be a powerful one too to take us out.”

Fuck. Now what? Our system is useless. The Inferno was always meant to burn. Now look at us, floating in space. An EMP. What a stupid way to lose.

If you had used your head, you would’ve prepared for this.

“Can we get any form of communication out?” Not like sending out our own distress call will do anything. Only someone stupid would come out here.

What was I thinking?

I grunt and take in our surroundings. “Wait, we’re moving. Why are we moving?”

He gives up his attempts and runs a hand down his face. “Looks like they’ve harpooned us. Destroyed our left cannon.”

We’re being dragged in. Great. Wonderful.

These creatures enjoy killing so much to the extent that they’d rather get their hands dirty instead of making death easy and instant.

Hitting the loading dock, the ship rocks back and forth before settling in a calm quiet. For a moment, there’s nothing but the sound of our breathing. Can Gunner tell how hard my heart is racing? I hate the unknown and the uncertainty that comes with it.

Leaving the cockpit, I take a closer look at this vessel. Proud to see the damage, I’m surprised to see they already have round bots wielding and fixing the destroyed metal. My smile is wiped right off my face.

This ship is just like the species. No matter what damage is made, healing takes place directly after. Add insult to injury.

“Prepare your weapons,” I instruct with a steady breath. “If we’re meant to die, then we will meet our fate by taking everything that is owed. Eye for an eye.”

Reaching the door attached to the loading dock, I draw my pistol. I don’t know what I plan on doing from this point forward. Hell, this entire mission was done without much thinking.

Before I can think of opening the door to throw myself at the enemy, a loud voice fills the ship. Somehow gaining access to our speakers, a foreign language floods from above. My translator makes it quick to decipher the words.

“Send your leader and admit defeat or suffer the consequences.”

Simple as that, huh? Give myself up or die as a group. What a lovely set of options to pick from.

Chuckling under my breath, I holster my pistol. Through the darkness, I allow my shoulders to sag in defeat.

“And here I thought you bastards were completely heartless.” Sighing softly, I turn around to face my poor crew.

“Commander?”

Many of my crew hold their breath, expecting the worst. If they were smart, they’d toss me out and beg for their lives. However, no one rushes at me. Instead, they wait for my next move. Even with my tight grip on my ship, they all follow what I say.

Taking them all in, a sigh manifests deep in my chest. Accepting that this may be my last time seeing them all, there’s a longing forming. One I typically try to avoid feeling as it’s nothing but a form of weakness.

Right now, weaknesses don’t matter. This is a matter of life and death. I want all of these people to survive.

“This is your final order so listen close. While I hardly believe these monsters will release us, I can’t accept knowing I’ve led you all to your early graves. So please, get in contact with Captain Hendrick, tell him what has happened, and keep this solar system safe.” Voice unwavering, I feel at ease about my fate.

For all I know, this is the best way of making my way to Flora. I can still save her if I survive.

No, I will survive. Whatever it takes, I’ll save my sister.

No one will stand in my way. While I’m still breathing, I will continue to fight.