No one spoke. The only sound was the low hum of the display table, and the occasional shift of boots on metal flooring. Bruises from Delkar-7 had faded over three standard weeks, but the shadow of betrayal lingered. A holographic map of Kaevus-4 shimmered into view, casting harsh light and jagged shadows across the faces of the gathered team. Kael stood at the head of the room, hands clasped behind his back. Veyra stood with arms crossed, Sarin lounged sideways in his chair, and Ravik sat up straight.

“This mission comes straight from Commander Zarion,” Kael began, his voice sharp and clear. “Operation Keyhole. We’re being sent to Kaevus-4, a hostile Outer Rim world with a high-value mining colony that’s been overrun by insurgents. The stakes are as high as they get.”

He pressed a control on the table, and the hologram shifted, zooming in to show the surface of Kaevus-4. Blackened dunes stretched out under a dim, dying sun, broken only by the sprawl of an industrial mining complex now teeming with enemy forces. Red markers indicated insurgent strongholds, while blue ones highlighted Imperial assets at risk.

Veyra stepped forward, arms still crossed. “What’s the strategic priority—taking out their comms, or supply routes?”

Kael didn’t look up from the map. “Neither. We’re going for the head first.”

He tapped a red marker on the hologram, an elevated control station at the colony’s center. “Intel confirms their command post is run by one of ours—the same scum who sold us out on Delkar. Former Corporal Tyrex defected months ago and dragged a full Yawr** arsenal with him. Now we have his position.”

Kael tapped the holo. A file photo of Tyrex flickered beside a swirling pressure-map icon.

“Tyrex is Aero-Aligned. Atmospheric Affinity. Outdoors he can shear gunships out of the sky; indoors he’s limited, but not harmless. He sent a sub-zero blade of air through Imperial vault seals, floated the data cores right past the guards, and walked out before the alarms caught up.”

The hologram zoomed on the station’s ring-corridors.

“Inside Kaevus-4 we have the advantage. Narrow bulkheads choke his airflow, and every gust costs him stamina. We’ll take that cost and double it.”

Veyra exhaled. “Stars above, I hate going up against Affinates. They twist the rules and call it talent.”

Kael nodded once. “Which is why we’ll twist the environment back. Null-mesh dampers on the perimeter, plus pressure-lock baffles cycling the air every thirty seconds. Tyrex will have to burn power just to breathe, let alone sling a gale.”

He pointed to the holo. A red timer blinked to life:

EXPECTED MAGIC FATIGUE WINDOW: 4–6 MINUTES

“During that window, Sarin—you run over-pressure rounds to keep ricochets tame. Ravik—you breach the instant his readings dip. He’ll try to blow us back the second the baffles stall, so don’t give him that second.”

Kael’s gaze swept the room. “Every burst weakens him. We press until he drops. Questions?”

A few heads turned. Sarin cocked his head, lips flattening. “Any more surprises?”

Kael nodded. “He fortified their position and armed them with tech we weren’t supposed to lose. That’s why we’re not leveling the colony—we need it intact. We neutralize Tyrex, cripple their lines, and shut them down from the inside out. The Emperor is counting on us.”

At the mention of the Emperor, a ripple of unease passed through the room. Ravik caught the subtle shift in the air as nervous glances passed in silence.

Veyra spoke again. “The Emperor’s watching. That’s comforting.”

“Has anyone even seen the Emperor?” Sarin asked, leaning forward in his chair with his usual grin. “I’ve heard rumors. Towering presence, glowing eyes, voice that could cut through steel.” He turned his silver gaze to Ravik, his grin widening. “You’ve been in the same room with him on Xerion, haven’t you? What’s he like? And be honest—is he as hot the rumors suggest?”

A ripple of laughter, faint but genuine, broke through the tension. Veyra rolled her eyes, and Kael’s scowl deepened. “Sarin, shut up.”

“What?” Sarin protested, holding up his hands. “I’m just trying to lighten the mood. It’s not every day you get to ask someone what it’s like to stand in the Emperor’s shadow.”

All eyes turned to Ravik, who stood with his arms crossed, leaning casually against the far wall. His violet eyes were steady as he met Sarin’s playful gaze. For a moment, the room seemed to hold its breath.

“He’s…” Ravik hesitated, choosing his words carefully. “Imposing. You feel him before you see him. Like a storm bearing down on you. Every word he speaks feels like it’s aimed straight at your soul.”

Sarin’s grin faltered slightly. “So, terrifying, then.”

“And brilliant,” Ravik added, his voice quieter now. “Like he knows exactly what you’re going to say before you say it. You don’t meet the Emperor. You endure him.”

The room went quiet again, the gravity of Ravik’s words settling over them all. Then Kael clapped once. The team’s focus snapped back to him.

“All right, enough. The Emperor doesn’t care how you feel about him. What he cares about is results. Focus on that.” His tone was commanding, cutting through the lingering tension. “Now, let’s break down the mission.”

The hologram shifted again, displaying a schematic of the insurgents’ fortified base. Kael began outlining their objectives, his voice steady as he detailed each phase of the operation. The team leaned in, their attention sharpening as the weight of the mission settled on them.

Ravik’s gaze locked on the glowing map, but in his mind: a hall of obsidian, a voice like thunder. Prove yourselves. Not to your instructors. Not to your peers. But to me.

He exhaled sharply, forcing the thought aside. This mission wasn’t about the Emperor, or the Vanguard’s reputation. It was about survival. About proving himself again and again until there was no one left to doubt him.

Sarin leaned slightly toward him, whispering under his breath, “Imposing, huh? Too bad I wasn’t there. I probably would’ve swooned.”

Ravik shot him a withering look, his voice low enough that only Sarin could hear. “If you don’t focus, you’ll be swooning for other reasons. Like bleeding out.”

Sarin grinned but straightened, taking the hint.

Kael’s voice cut through the moment. “Gear up. We deploy in two hours. Dismissed.”

The team began to disperse, the room’s earlier levity replaced by the heavy anticipation of what lay ahead. Ravik lingered for a moment, his violet eyes fixed on the hologram of Kaevus-4, his thoughts a swirl of preparation and determination. This was his chance; not just to prove himself, but to show everyone, even the Emperor, what he was truly capable of.