Chapter 11: The Federation Fractures
The Vaikuntha flagship Amaravarti hung in the void like a gleaming monument to the Federation’s endurance. Its sleek, massive frame was surrounded by the faint flicker of shielding, and smaller ships drifted nearby in a loose formation. From the outside, it looked like an impenetrable stronghold. But within its halls, cracks in its foundation were beginning to show.
Aarav guided Vedara into the ship’s docking bay, his movements precise and steady. The astramech’s golden aura dimmed as it powered down, its massive frame settling into the docking clamps with a faint hum. Aarav exhaled as the cockpit hatch opened, the chill of the ship’s atmosphere rushing in.
As he descended from Vedara, Tara Ishani was already waiting for him, her arms crossed and her expression tense. Behind her, a cluster of Vaikuntha officers murmured to one another, their gazes flickering nervously between Aarav and Vedara.
“You took your time,” Tara said, her voice sharp but not unkind.
“Had to stop a few nodes from tearing the galaxy apart,” Aarav replied, his tone dry as he removed his helmet. “What’s going on?”
Tara hesitated, her gaze hardening. “Yuvaan’s making his move. He’s rallying support from the council, pushing to take direct control of Vedara. Says you’re too reckless and that Vedara needs a ‘more strategic hand.’”
Aarav’s jaw tightened. “Of course he is. Where is he now?”
“Council chambers,” Tara said. “They’ve convened an emergency session. Lavanya’s already inside, trying to talk them down, but Yuvaan’s got momentum. The fleet’s been taking heavy losses, and he’s using that to sow doubt in your leadership.”
Aarav exhaled sharply, his hands curling into fists. “I should’ve seen this coming.”
The corridors of the Amaravarti were alive with tension as Aarav and Tara made their way to the council chambers. Officers and crew members watched them pass, their whispers hushed but unmistakable. Aarav felt their eyes on him, the weight of their doubts and fears pressing down like a physical force.
“Don’t let them get to you,” Tara said, her voice low but firm. “Yuvaan’s good at stirring the pot, but most of the fleet still believes in you. Just give them a reason to hold the line.”
Aarav glanced at her, his expression softening. “You always know how to keep me grounded.”
“Someone has to,” Tara replied, a faint smirk tugging at her lips.
The council chambers were a stark contrast to the rest of the ship. The circular room was lined with towering displays, each showing a tactical map of the galaxy’s current state. Vaikuntha councilors sat in a semicircle, their faces grim and lined with fatigue. At the center of the room stood Commander Yuvaan, his posture rigid and commanding.
Yuvaan’s voice filled the chamber as Aarav and Tara entered. “The situation is clear,” he said, his tone sharp and authoritative. “The Federation is on the brink of collapse. Our colonies are being torn apart by these distortions, and the Dominion’s forces are overwhelming us on every front. We cannot afford to gamble our survival on the whims of a single pilot.”
Aarav stepped forward, his gaze locking onto Yuvaan. “Funny, I don’t remember the Federation surviving this long without Vedara.”
The room fell silent, all eyes turning to Aarav. Yuvaan’s expression darkened, but he quickly composed himself, his tone turning cold. “Jeevadhara,” he said, his voice laced with condescension. “You’ve returned just in time to hear what the council has been discussing.”
“Oh, I’ve heard enough,” Aarav said, his voice steady but sharp. “You want to take Vedara—turn it into another weapon for your war machine. But Vedara isn’t just a weapon, Yuvaan. It’s a guardian of balance. And balance isn’t something you can achieve by throwing lives away.”
Yuvaan’s eyes narrowed. “Balance?” he repeated, his tone mocking. “Do you think Ravana cares about balance? He’s tearing the galaxy apart while you waste time chasing visions and riddles. We need decisive action—now.”
Lavanya stepped forward, her voice calm but firm. “Decisive action doesn’t mean abandoning everything Vedara stands for,” she said. “Aarav’s been fighting to stop the distortions and protect the galaxy from Ravana’s madness. Without him, the Federation wouldn’t have made it this far.”
“And how many lives have we lost in the process?” Yuvaan shot back, his gaze sweeping across the room. “How many colonies have been sacrificed because Vedara wasn’t there to defend them? Aarav may mean well, but his recklessness is costing us everything.”
Aarav took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm. “I’m not perfect, Yuvaan. I’ve made mistakes. But Vedara isn’t about saving one colony or winning one battle—it’s about protecting the galaxy as a whole. Ravana’s distortions aren’t just a threat to Vaikuntha. They’re a threat to everything.”
Yuvaan scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain. “Idealism won’t save us, Rishi. The Federation needs results, not philosophy.”
The room fell into tense silence, the councilors exchanging uncertain glances. Aarav’s gaze swept across them, his voice steady but impassioned.
“I know you’re afraid,” he said, addressing the council directly. “I am, too. But fear can’t be the reason we give up what makes us different from the Dominion. Vedara’s power is tied to balance—to the Vishwaroopa energy that holds this galaxy together. If we treat it like just another weapon, we’ll lose everything we’re fighting for.”
Yuvaan opened his mouth to respond, but one of the councilors raised a hand, cutting him off. “Enough,” she said, her voice calm but firm. “The council will deliberate on this matter. Both Aarav and Yuvaan have made their positions clear. For now, Vedara remains under Aarav’s command.”
Aarav exhaled, relief washing over him, but he knew the reprieve was temporary. Yuvaan’s eyes burned with quiet fury as he stepped back, his expression promising that this wasn’t over.
As the council adjourned, Tara placed a hand on Aarav’s shoulder. “You handled that well,” she said. “But Yuvaan’s not going to stop. Be ready.”
Aarav nodded, his jaw tightening. “I will be.”
The hallways of the Amaravarti were quiet, but the tension was palpable. Officers and crew members moved in clusters, their conversations hushed but intense. It didn’t take long for Aarav to feel the shift in the air—a division that ran deeper than the cracks he’d seen before.
Tara walked beside him, her steps brisk and purposeful. “Yuvaan’s not waiting for the council’s verdict,” she said, her voice low but sharp. “He’s already rallying support from the fleet. Some of the captains are listening.”
Aarav frowned, his jaw tightening. “How bad is it?”
“Bad enough,” Tara replied. “Half the fleet’s on edge. They’ve lost ships, colonies, friends. Yuvaan’s offering them something simple: blame you, take Vedara, and hope it fixes everything.”
“And the other half?” Aarav asked.
Tara smirked faintly. “They know better. Lavanya’s been working behind the scenes, rallying captains who still believe in you. But it’s a knife’s edge, Aarav. One wrong move, and this fleet could tear itself apart.”
They rounded a corner and stepped into a secure briefing room where Lavanya was waiting. Her expression was unreadable, but her eyes carried the weight of someone who had spent the past few hours fighting an uphill battle.
“You’re late,” she said, her tone clipped.
“Had a meeting with the council,” Aarav replied, crossing his arms. “How’s it looking out here?”
Lavanya sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Yuvaan’s smart. He’s not outright calling for a mutiny—that would get him court-martialed. But he’s planting seeds, convincing the captains that this isn’t mutiny—it’s survival.”
Aarav’s gaze darkened. “And how many are listening?”
“Enough to make this a problem,” Lavanya said. “He’s got Captain Surana and her battlegroup, along with a few others. But we’ve got Captain Varsh and Admiral Ghosh on our side. They’re rallying the loyalists.”
Tara leaned against the wall, her arms crossed. “So, what’s the plan? Wait for the council to figure it out, or get ahead of this?”
Aarav’s eyes flicked between them, his mind racing. “We can’t wait. If Yuvaan gets enough momentum, it won’t matter what the council says. We need to stabilize the fleet now.”
The comms panel on the wall chirped suddenly, and Lavanya moved to answer it. A young officer’s voice came through, breathless and urgent.
“Lieutenant Shikha reporting, ma’am. We’ve got a situation near the hangar bay. Two groups of officers are in a standoff—one supporting Commander Yuvaan, the other loyal to Captain Varsh. It’s escalating fast.”
Aarav’s chest tightened. “We’re on our way. Don’t let it spiral.”
“Understood,” the lieutenant replied.
Lavanya turned to Aarav, her expression grim. “This is exactly what Yuvaan wants. He’s baiting us, Aarav. If we show up and pick a side, it’ll only fuel the division.”
“Then we don’t pick a side,” Aarav said firmly. “We remind them who the real enemy is.”
The hangar bay was a storm of voices by the time they arrived. Two groups of officers stood facing each other, their postures tense and their weapons holstered but within reach. The group on the left, led by Captain Surana’s second-in-command, glared at the group on the right, where Captain Varsh himself stood, his expression calm but resolute.
Aarav stepped into the middle of the standoff, his voice cutting through the chaos like a blade. “Enough!”
The room fell silent, all eyes turning to him. Aarav’s gaze swept across the officers, his voice steady and commanding. “I don’t care which side you’re on. Right now, the only thing that matters is stopping Ravana. Every second we waste fighting each other is another second he spends tearing the galaxy apart.”
Surana’s officer stepped forward, his jaw clenched. “With all due respect, Jeevadhara, we’ve been fighting Ravana for years, and it’s only gotten worse. Maybe it’s time to try something different.”
“And you think handing Vedara over to Yuvaan is the answer?” Aarav shot back. “You think turning this fleet against itself is going to stop him? Ravana doesn’t care about our divisions—he’s counting on them.”
Varsh stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. “Aarav’s right. We’ve seen what Ravana can do, and it’s going to take all of us working together to stop him. Splitting this fleet is suicide.”
The tension in the room didn’t ease, but it began to shift. Aarav took a deep breath, his tone softening as he addressed the group.
“I know you’re scared,” he said, his voice steady. “I’m scared too. But fear can’t be the reason we destroy ourselves. Ravana is the real enemy—not each other. Vedara isn’t just a weapon—it’s a guardian of balance. And it’s not something you can wield with anger or fear. Trust me, I’ve tried. It doesn’t work.”
The officers exchanged uncertain glances, their postures relaxing slightly. Aarav’s gaze locked onto Surana’s officer. “You don’t have to trust me. But if you care about the people we’re fighting to protect, you’ll give me the chance to prove that this fleet is stronger united than divided.”
The silence stretched for a long moment before Surana’s officer nodded reluctantly. “We’ll stand down. For now.”
Varsh gave Aarav a faint nod, his expression approving. “You handled that well, Jeevadhara. Let’s hope it sticks.”
As the officers dispersed, Lavanya stepped beside Aarav, her voice low. “That was a good speech. But Yuvaan’s not going to stop here.”
“I know,” Aarav said, his gaze hardening. “But neither am I.”
The council chamber was alive with tension as Aarav entered, his boots echoing on the polished floor. The gathered councilors sat rigidly in their seats, their faces lined with fatigue and uncertainty. Tactical displays around the room flickered with reports of Dominion movements and the growing instability among the Vaikuntha fleet. It was clear that the precarious balance of leadership was unraveling, and Commander Yuvaan’s shadow loomed over every conversation.
Aarav took a steadying breath and stepped forward. Tara and Lavanya followed close behind, their presence a reminder that he wasn’t alone in this fight. But even with their support, the weight of the moment pressed heavily on his shoulders.
“Jeevadhara,” one of the senior councilors said, her voice sharp and impatient. “You’ve returned just in time. The situation within the fleet is deteriorating rapidly. Commander Yuvaan’s actions are sowing chaos, and the Dominion is capitalizing on our disarray.”
Aarav’s gaze swept across the room, his tone steady but firm. “I’m aware of the situation. Yuvaan’s trying to fracture the fleet and take control of Vedara, but this isn’t just about internal politics. Ravana is still out there, and his distortions are spreading. If we don’t come together now, none of us are going to survive this.”
Another councilor leaned forward, his expression skeptical. “You’ve been chasing Ravana’s nodes while the fleet has bled. Colonies have fallen, and our forces are stretched thin. What makes you think your plan to stop these distortions will succeed when the cost has already been so high?”
Aarav met the man’s gaze, his voice calm but resolute. “Because the cost will be even higher if we let Ravana finish what he’s started. The distortions aren’t just a tactical weapon—they’re unraveling the balance of the galaxy itself. I’ve seen what happens if we don’t stop them, and it’s worse than any war we’ve ever fought.”
Yuvaan chose that moment to step forward from the shadows, his polished uniform gleaming under the chamber’s lights. His presence commanded immediate attention, and the council’s murmurs fell into silence.
“And yet, Jeevadhara,” Yuvaan said, his tone smooth but cutting, “your so-called ‘balance’ has left the Federation weaker than ever. You’ve thrown yourself into battles with no strategy, relying on luck and blind faith in Vedara’s power. And what has it gotten us? More death. More destruction.”
Aarav’s jaw tightened as Yuvaan turned to the council, his voice rising with authority.
“Ravana is a tyrant, yes, but he is not invincible. With proper leadership, this fleet can strike back—decisively. Vedara is a tool, and it must be wielded by someone who understands how to win a war, not someone chasing visions and riddles.”
“Vedara isn’t a tool,” Aarav said sharply, stepping forward. “It’s not just another weapon you can use to force your will on the galaxy. It’s tied to the Vishwaroopa energy—the very balance that holds everything together. If you treat it like a hammer, you’ll break everything it’s meant to protect.”
Yuvaan’s gaze hardened. “And if we do nothing, Ravana will tear the galaxy apart while we debate philosophy.”
The council erupted into heated debate, voices overlapping as the factions divided further. Some sided with Yuvaan, their frustration with Aarav’s unconventional methods boiling over into outright support for a change in leadership. Others defended Aarav, pointing to his victories against Ravana’s forces and the critical role Vedara had played in preventing further devastation.
Tara stepped forward, her voice cutting through the chaos. “Enough! This isn’t about politics or who gets to call the shots. Ravana is out there right now, destabilizing the galaxy while we waste time fighting each other. If we don’t pull this fleet together, there won’t be anything left to save.”
Lavanya chimed in, her tone calm but firm. “Tara’s right. Yuvaan’s plan is built on fear, not strategy. Dividing this fleet will only weaken us further. Aarav has proven that he understands Vedara’s purpose, and that’s the only reason we’re still standing.”
Yuvaan turned to Lavanya, his expression cold. “And you’re so sure of that, are you? What about the colonies that fell while Aarav was off chasing Ravana’s nodes? What about the soldiers who died because Vedara wasn’t there to defend them?”
Lavanya’s eyes narrowed. “And what about the distortions? If Aarav hadn’t stopped those nodes, the colonies you’re so worried about would’ve been torn apart anyway. Ravana’s strategy isn’t just about military dominance—it’s about breaking the fabric of existence itself. If you can’t see that, you’re not fit to lead this fleet.”
Yuvaan’s jaw tightened, but before he could respond, one of the senior councilors raised her hand. “Enough,” she said, her voice carrying the weight of authority. “This division is tearing the fleet apart, and we cannot afford it. Commander Yuvaan, Jeevadhara, the council will deliberate on this matter and deliver a decision within the hour.”
As the council adjourned, Aarav, Tara, and Lavanya made their way out of the chamber. The corridors outside were quiet, but the tension between them was palpable.
“Yuvaan’s not going to wait for the council’s decision,” Lavanya said quietly. “He’s already planted the seeds of mutiny. If the council sides with him, this fleet will splinter.”
Aarav exhaled, his fists clenching. “Then we don’t give him the chance. We rally the loyalists and show the fleet that we’re stronger united. If Yuvaan wants to play politics, let him—but we’re going to remind everyone who the real enemy is.”
Tara smirked faintly, her gaze steady. “That’s the Aarav I know. Let’s get to work.”
The three of them moved through the ship with renewed purpose, their resolve solidifying as the weight of the galaxy pressed down on them. The road ahead was fraught with uncertainty, but Aarav knew one thing for sure: Yuvaan’s ambition wouldn’t go unchecked.
The atmosphere on the Amaravarti had shifted into something volatile. The corridors buzzed with whispers of uncertainty, officers moving in clusters as the cracks in the fleet’s unity widened. Aarav and his allies worked tirelessly to solidify their position, but the shadow of Yuvaan’s growing faction loomed large over every conversation.
Aarav stood at the center of a war room deep within the flagship, a holographic display of the fleet’s current formation hovering before him. Tara and Lavanya flanked him, their expressions grim as they reviewed reports from the loyalist captains.
Captain Varsh’s face flickered into view on the display, his gruff voice cutting through the tension. “Yuvaan’s battlegroup is consolidating near the outer defense perimeter. If he moves now, he could cripple the fleet before we even see Ravana coming.”
Aarav’s jaw tightened as he studied the display. Yuvaan’s ships were strategically positioned to cut off key supply lines and divide the fleet. “We can’t let him take the initiative. If he launches an attack, we’ll lose more than ships—we’ll lose trust.”
Tara crossed her arms, her tone sharp. “Then we hit him first. Show the fleet that he doesn’t have the strength to challenge us.”
Lavanya frowned, her gaze flicking to Aarav. “That could backfire. If we’re too aggressive, it’ll only reinforce his narrative that you’re reckless and unfit to lead.”
Aarav exhaled, his mind racing. “We don’t need to destroy him. We just need to neutralize him long enough to stabilize the fleet.”
As the strategy took shape, the war room came alive with activity. Loyalist captains reported in, their voices filled with both determination and unease. Aarav issued commands with a calm confidence that belied the weight of the situation, his connection to Vedara grounding him in the chaos.
“Captain Varsh,” Aarav said, his tone firm, “position your battlegroup near the supply corridors. If Yuvaan tries to make a move, cut him off.”
“Understood,” Varsh replied. “We’ll hold the line.”
“Tara,” Aarav continued, turning to her, “I need you to take a strike team and secure the hangar bay. If Yuvaan’s people try to sabotage our operations, I want them neutralized without bloodshed.”
Tara smirked faintly. “You’ve got it. Just don’t blow the ship up while I’m gone.”
Lavanya raised an eyebrow. “And what about you?”
Aarav’s gaze hardened. “I’m going to confront Yuvaan directly. If he wants to play games with this fleet, he’s going to have to deal with me.”
The confrontation came sooner than expected. Yuvaan’s battlegroup had begun to reposition, their ships edging closer to the critical supply corridors. The loyalist ships moved to intercept, and the void between them became a tense standoff, each side waiting for the other to make the first move.
On the Amaravarti, Aarav marched into the tactical operations deck, where Yuvaan stood at the center of his faction’s officers. The room fell silent as Aarav entered, his presence commanding attention.
“Yuvaan,” Aarav said, his voice calm but edged with steel. “Stand down. This fleet doesn’t have time for your power plays.”
Yuvaan turned slowly, his expression unreadable. “Power plays?” he echoed, his tone measured but laced with disdain. “You’ve been running this fleet into the ground with your reckless crusade, and you call me the problem?”
Aarav stepped closer, his gaze unwavering. “We’re fighting a war for the survival of the galaxy. I’ve made mistakes, but I’m not the one tearing this fleet apart from the inside.”
Yuvaan’s voice rose, his frustration breaking through. “This fleet is falling apart because of you! Ravana’s distortions are spreading, and all you’ve done is chase visions and riddles instead of fighting where it matters!”
The tension in the room reached a breaking point as officers on both sides began shouting, their voices overlapping in a cacophony of accusations and defenses. Aarav raised a hand, his voice cutting through the noise with the force of command.
“Enough!”
The room fell silent, the weight of Aarav’s presence pressing down on everyone.
“I don’t care about your grievances,” Aarav said, his tone sharp but steady. “We have one enemy, and it’s not each other. Ravana is tearing the galaxy apart while we stand here arguing over who gets to sit in the captain’s chair. Do you want to be remembered as the fleet that let him win because you couldn’t put your egos aside?”
Yuvaan’s officers exchanged uneasy glances, their resolve wavering. Yuvaan, however, remained defiant.
“You think a speech is going to fix this?” he said, his voice low and venomous. “This fleet needs a leader who can make hard decisions, not someone chasing ideals of balance while the galaxy burns.”
Aarav stepped closer, his voice soft but filled with conviction. “Leadership isn’t about control, Yuvaan. It’s about trust. If you can’t see that, then you’re not fit to lead this fleet—or anything else.”
The confrontation ended without bloodshed, but the fallout was immediate. Yuvaan’s officers began to withdraw, their faith in him shaken by Aarav’s words. The fleet’s loyalist captains moved quickly to secure critical positions, ensuring that Yuvaan couldn’t consolidate power again.
Back on the Amaravarti, Aarav sat in the briefing room with Tara and Lavanya, exhaustion etched into his features.
“That could’ve gone a lot worse,” Lavanya said, leaning back in her chair.
“But it didn’t,” Tara added, her smirk faint but genuine. “You held your ground. That’s what the fleet needed to see.”
Aarav nodded, his gaze distant. “Yuvaan’s still out there, and his supporters haven’t disappeared. But for now, the fleet is holding together.”
“And that’s a victory,” Lavanya said firmly.
Aarav exhaled deeply, his resolve solidifying once more. “One step at a time. We’ll finish this—together.”
The Amaravarti drifted in the calm before the storm. With the fleet momentarily stabilized and Yuvaan’s immediate coup thwarted, the ship’s corridors had returned to a semblance of order. But the tension was still there, simmering beneath the surface. Everyone aboard knew what was coming: the final push against Ravana and the Chandrakala Core.
Aarav sat in the war room alongside Tara and Lavanya, the glow of the holographic displays casting their faces in cold blue light. The map of the galaxy showed the locations of the remaining nodes, each pulsing with ominous red energy. The distortions emanating from them had worsened, and the Dominion’s forces were converging around their positions like predators guarding their prey.
“The last three nodes,” Tara said, her tone grim. “Ravana’s dug in deep. Whatever he’s planning, he’s using these nodes to buy himself time.”
Lavanya leaned against the console, her arms crossed. “He knows we’re coming. The Dominion’s defenses around these nodes aren’t just tactical—they’re symbolic. Ravana wants us to bleed before we even get close to him.”
Aarav studied the map, his jaw tightening. “Then we make it count. We take out the nodes and hit Ravana before he has a chance to finish what he’s started. We don’t leave him any room to recover.”
The display flickered, and Captain Varsh’s face appeared on the main screen. The grizzled captain’s voice was steady, but there was an edge of urgency to it. “Jeevadhara, my battlegroup has repositioned near the outer defense perimeter. We’ve intercepted Dominion transmissions—Ravana’s forces are mobilizing to reinforce the nodes. If we don’t move soon, we’ll lose our window.”
Aarav nodded. “Understood. Hold your position for now, but be ready to move on my signal.”
Varsh’s expression softened slightly, a faint glimmer of respect in his eyes. “We’re with you, Aarav. Just give the word.”
As the transmission ended, Aarav turned to Tara and Lavanya, his gaze steady. “We can’t wait. The longer we sit here, the stronger Ravana’s position becomes. It’s time to rally the fleet.”
Hours later, the Vaikuntha fleet gathered in the void like a constellation of steel and light. Ships of every size and class moved into formation, their engines humming with anticipation. The loyalist captains had answered Aarav’s call, and the fleet’s strength had grown as other battlegroups abandoned Yuvaan’s faction, unwilling to follow a leader who had lost their trust.
Aarav stood on the bridge of the Amaravarti, his hands clasped behind his back as he stared out at the assembled fleet. Tara and Lavanya stood beside him, their presence a steadying force as the weight of leadership settled on his shoulders.
“The fleet is ready,” Tara said, her voice calm but resolute.
Lavanya glanced at the tactical display. “Yuvaan’s forces are holding position near the rear lines. They’re not openly opposing us, but they’re not moving to support us, either.”
Aarav exhaled sharply, his expression hardening. “Let them stay where they are. If they won’t fight with us, we’ll do this without them.”
The comms panel lit up, and Maitreyi’s voice filled the bridge. “Jeevadhara, the Vishwaroopa energy signatures around the nodes are growing more unstable. The distortions are spreading into adjacent sectors. Immediate action is required to prevent further collapse.”
Aarav turned to the crew, his voice steady and commanding. “All ships, prepare for deployment. This is it—the final push. Ravana thinks he can rewrite the galaxy, but we’re going to show him what balance really means.”
The bridge crew moved with purpose, their movements precise as the fleet’s thrusters came online. Aarav could feel the tension in the air, the mix of fear and determination that coursed through everyone aboard.
As the fleet began its advance, Tara stepped closer to Aarav, her voice low. “This is the point of no return, Aarav. Once we engage, there’s no going back.”
“I know,” Aarav said, his gaze fixed on the void ahead. “But this is what we’ve been fighting for. Balance isn’t easy—it’s messy, it’s painful, but it’s worth it.”
The fleet surged forward, the void around them alive with the hum of engines and the faint shimmer of shields. Aarav’s hands tightened on the console as Vedara powered up in the docking bay below, its golden aura flaring like a beacon of hope.
“Maitreyi,” Aarav said, his voice calm, “prep Vedara for launch. It’s time.”
“Understood, Jeevadhara,” Maitreyi replied. “Vedara’s systems are fully operational. The Vishwaroopa fragment is stabilizing the core, and the astramech is ready to deploy at your command.”
Aarav turned to Tara and Lavanya, his resolve unwavering. “This is it. Let’s finish this.”
Tara smirked faintly, her confidence shining through. “You lead, Aarav. We’ll follow.”
Lavanya nodded, her expression steady. “Ravana’s not going to know what hit him.”
As the fleet advanced toward the first of the remaining nodes, Aarav felt a calm settle over him. The weight of the galaxy was still there, pressing against him, but he was no longer carrying it alone.
For the first time in a long time, he felt ready.