Chapter 7: Lanka Prime Reborn
The Coreframe Carrier hung in the void like a dark monolith, its surface alive with the ominous pulse of the Chandrakala Core at its center. The glow of the Core’s energy cast long, shifting shadows across the hull, while swarms of Dominion mechs patrolled the perimeter, their movements sharp and unyielding. The air seemed heavier, thick with the unspoken tension of an impending storm.
Vedara and Vyala approached under the cover of a collapsing debris field, their thrusters at minimal output to avoid detection. Aarav’s hands were steady on the controls, his mind focused on the mission ahead. The revelations from Aranya Lokan weighed on him, but they also gave him clarity—this was the moment he had been moving toward ever since he first awakened Vedara.
Maitreyi’s voice cut through the silence, calm but urgent. “The Carrier’s outer defenses are heavily reinforced. I recommend avoiding direct engagement with the perimeter forces. A stealth approach through the auxiliary hangar is the most viable option.”
“Stealth it is,” Aarav said, his voice low.
Devya’s voice crackled over the comms, laced with his usual dry humor. “Stealth? With you flying Vedara? This I’ve got to see.”
“Stick with me, and you just might learn something,” Aarav shot back.
Vyala slipped ahead, its movements smooth and calculated as Devya guided the astramech through the shifting debris. Aarav followed closely, Vedara’s sensors scanning for any signs of detection. The Carrier loomed larger with every passing second, its sheer size a reminder of the Dominion’s relentless ambition.
“This place feels alive,” Aarav muttered, his gaze fixed on the glowing conduits that crisscrossed the Carrier’s surface.
“It is,” Maitreyi replied. “The Chandrakala Core is not merely a power source—it is the heart of the Carrier, driving its systems and synchronizing its defenses. The entire vessel is an extension of the Core’s will.”
“Perfect,” Aarav muttered. “So we’re fighting a living fortress.”
The auxiliary hangar came into view, its entry shield shimmering faintly in the void. A pair of Rakshasa II mechs stood guard at the entrance, their plasma cannons glowing faintly as they scanned the surrounding space. Aarav’s sensors pinged with a proximity alert, and he tightened his grip on the controls.
“Maitreyi, options?”
“The Rakshasa units are synchronized to the Carrier’s defensive grid,” she replied. “Disabling them will trigger an alert. However, a simultaneous strike may delay the response.”
Devya’s voice cut in, sharp and focused. “You take the one on the left. I’ll handle the right. On my mark.”
Aarav nodded, Vedara’s blade igniting in a burst of golden light. He guided the astramech into position, his focus narrowing as he locked onto the left Rakshasa mech.
“Mark,” Devya said.
Vedara surged forward, its thrusters flaring as the blade arced toward the Rakshasa. The Dominion mech turned, its cannons charging, but Aarav was faster. Vedara’s blade struck with precision, slicing through the Rakshasa’s core in a brilliant flash of energy.
Beside him, Vyala delivered a devastating volley of missiles, reducing the second Rakshasa to smoldering debris. The hangar’s defenses flickered as the mechs collapsed, but the shield remained intact.
“Clean work,” Devya said. “Now let’s get inside before they figure out we’re here.”
The two astramechs slipped into the hangar as the shield shimmered and closed behind them. The interior was dimly lit, the air thick with the hum of the Carrier’s systems. Rows of Dominion mechs stood dormant along the walls, their frames gleaming with the faint light of charging stations.
“Maitreyi, where to?” Aarav asked, his voice hushed.
“The Coreframe Carrier’s command center is located at the heart of the vessel,” she said. “We must bypass multiple security checkpoints to reach it.”
Aarav’s sensors picked up faint energy signatures ahead, and he guided Vedara into the shadows of the hangar. A squad of Dominion soldiers patrolled the area, their movements precise as they scanned the perimeter.
“Devya, we’ve got company,” Aarav whispered.
“I see them,” Devya replied. “Let’s keep it quiet. No need to wake the whole Carrier just yet.”
Aarav nodded, guiding Vedara toward a service corridor at the edge of the hangar. The astramech moved with uncharacteristic grace, its thrusters emitting only the faintest hum as it slipped past the patrol. Vyala followed close behind, its sleek frame blending into the shadows.
The corridor was narrow and dimly lit, its walls lined with conduits that pulsed faintly with energy. Aarav’s heart pounded as he guided Vedara through the tight space, his senses on high alert. Every sound, every flicker of light, felt like a potential threat.
“Maitreyi, how’s our cover?” Aarav asked.
“Undetected so far,” she replied. “However, the Carrier’s security grid is adaptive. Prolonged stealth will become increasingly difficult.”
“Then let’s move,” Aarav said, his voice firm.
The corridor opened into a maintenance bay filled with Dominion technicians. They worked in silence, their attention focused on a massive console that displayed streams of data from the Chandrakala Core. Aarav’s sensors pinged with warnings as the technicians began to turn, their movements slow and deliberate.
“They’re going to notice us,” Aarav muttered.
“Then don’t give them the chance,” Devya replied, Vyala’s blasters priming with a faint whine.
Before the technicians could react, Vyala’s weapons roared to life, cutting through the room with precise bursts of energy. Aarav followed suit, Vedara’s cannons firing in tandem as the bay was engulfed in a flurry of controlled chaos.
Within seconds, the room fell silent once more, the technicians and their defenses neutralized. Aarav exhaled, his hands steady on the controls as he scanned the bay for any lingering threats.
“Clean work,” Devya said, his tone approving.
“Don’t get comfortable,” Aarav replied. “We’re just getting started.”
As Vedara and Vyala moved deeper into the Carrier, the hum of the Chandrakala Core grew louder, its energy resonating through the walls. Aarav felt the weight of its presence pressing down on him, a constant reminder of what was at stake.
“We’re close,” Maitreyi said, her tone calm but urgent. “The Core’s energy signature is strongest ahead.”
Aarav nodded, his resolve hardening. “Then let’s finish this.”
The astramechs advanced toward the heart of the Carrier, the storm of battle waiting to greet them.
The corridor leading to the Core’s central chamber widened, revealing an expanse that defied Aarav’s expectations. The space opened into a massive hall, its vaulted ceilings stretching far above the astramechs. The walls were lined with intricate carvings that seemed to shimmer and shift, depicting Ravana’s rise to power and his vision for a new galaxy.
But it wasn’t the architecture that caught Aarav’s attention. It was the people.
Hundreds of figures knelt before a towering projection of Ravana, his visage larger than life as it loomed over the chamber. The Dominion leader’s image was serene yet commanding, his golden eyes glowing with an unnatural intensity. His voice echoed through the hall, deep and resonant, as if the space itself carried his words.
“My people,” Ravana’s projection intoned, his tone filled with conviction. “The galaxy as we know it is broken, trapped in a cycle of chaos and suffering. But we stand on the brink of a new era. The Chandrakala Core will not only end this chaos—it will reshape reality itself, bringing order, unity, and purpose to all.”
The crowd erupted in fervent cheers, their devotion palpable. They were dressed in simple robes, their heads bowed as if in prayer. Many clutched small, glowing relics that pulsed in rhythm with the Core’s energy, their faces alight with hope.
“Are those civilians?” Aarav whispered, his voice barely audible.
Maitreyi’s response was swift. “Affirmative. Scans indicate no combat equipment among the majority of individuals present. They appear to be unarmed.”
Devya’s voice crackled over the comms, sharp and uneasy. “They’re not soldiers. They’re worshippers. Ravana’s been cultivating this cult of personality for years, spinning his rhetoric about order and control. And now they think he’s their savior.”
Aarav’s chest tightened as he took in the scene. These weren’t soldiers or Dominion elites—they were ordinary people who had placed their faith in Ravana’s vision.
“This is what we’re up against,” Aarav said quietly. “He’s not just fighting with weapons. He’s fighting with belief.”
Devya’s tone turned bitter. “Belief he’s twisted into blind devotion. They don’t see the destruction he’s about to unleash—they only see the promises he’s made.”
Vedara and Vyala remained in the shadows of the massive chamber, their movements careful and deliberate. Aarav’s sensors picked up faint energy readings from the glowing relics the worshippers held, their pulses synchronized with the rhythm of the Chandrakala Core.
“Maitreyi, what are those relics?” Aarav asked.
“Analyzing,” she replied. After a moment, her hologram flickered into view. “The relics contain fragments of the Chandrakala Core’s energy matrix. They appear to serve as conduits, amplifying the Core’s influence over those who carry them.”
“Mind control?” Aarav’s voice was tinged with disgust.
“Not directly,” Maitreyi said. “The relics amplify the carrier’s emotional and mental connection to the Core’s energy, creating a sense of unity and purpose. It is a form of psychological conditioning.”
Devya let out a low whistle. “He’s got them wrapped around his finger. No wonder they’re so fanatical.”
Aarav’s gaze hardened as he watched the worshippers bow in unison, their voices rising in a hymn-like chant. Each word echoed Ravana’s promises of salvation, of a galaxy free from pain and disorder. It was hypnotic, chilling in its intensity.
“We can’t just leave them here,” Aarav said, his voice firm. “If the Core activates, they’ll die with the rest of the Carrier.”
Devya’s tone turned grim. “And if we engage now, we’re fighting a battle we can’t win. Those relics might not make them soldiers, but they’ll fight us to protect their ‘savior.’”
“We have to find another way,” Aarav said, his mind racing.
The projection of Ravana shifted, his gaze sweeping over the gathered crowd. His voice grew softer, almost intimate, as he continued his speech.
“You are the chosen few,” he said. “The ones who will bear witness to the rebirth of the galaxy. Together, we will rise above the chaos and become something greater. This is your purpose, your destiny.”
The crowd erupted in cheers once more, their devotion unwavering. Aarav felt a surge of anger rise within him. Ravana wasn’t just building a weapon—he was building a movement, one that would justify any atrocity in the name of his vision.
“Maitreyi, is there a way to disrupt the relics’ connection to the Core?” Aarav asked, his voice tight.
“Possibly,” she said. “If we can disable the Core’s energy lattice, the relics will lose their synchronization. However, doing so will require direct access to the Core’s power matrix.”
“Then that’s where we’re going,” Aarav said, his resolve hardening.
Devya’s voice cut in, sharp and skeptical. “You really think you can save these people? They’re too far gone, Rishi. They’ve chosen Ravana.”
“They didn’t choose this,” Aarav snapped. “They were manipulated. I’m not letting them die for his lies.”
Devya was silent for a moment before letting out a heavy sigh. “Fine. But if this goes sideways, we’re pulling out. I’m not dying for people who’d stab us in the back for their god-king.”
“Fair enough,” Aarav said, guiding Vedara toward the far end of the chamber.
As the astramechs moved deeper into the shadows, the chants of the worshippers faded into the background. The towering projection of Ravana remained, its golden eyes unblinking as it gazed over the crowd.
Aarav’s heart pounded as he thought of the Core ahead. The closer they got, the heavier the air felt, as if the Carrier itself was watching them.
Vedara’s blade glowed faintly, its golden light a stark contrast to the oppressive atmosphere. Aarav gritted his teeth, his focus unwavering.
“We’re almost there,” he said quietly. “Let’s end this.”
The corridors beyond the great hall pulsed with raw energy, the walls themselves alive with the rhythm of the Chandrakala Core. The deeper Vedara and Vyala ventured into the Coreframe Carrier, the more palpable the connection between Vedara and this place became. Aarav could feel it—an intangible pull, as though the Carrier was reaching out to him, to Vedara, in some shared recognition.
“Maitreyi,” Aarav said, his voice low. “This isn’t just a weapon. The Carrier feels… connected to Vedara. Like it’s speaking to it.”
Maitreyi’s hologram materialized beside him, her serene features illuminated by the flickering glow of Vedara’s cockpit. “You are correct, Jeevadhara. The Chandrakala Core’s energy lattice was designed using fragments of the Vishwaroopa Matrix—the same technology that powers Vedara. It is possible that the Carrier’s systems are attempting to synchronize with Vedara’s core.”
“Synchronize?” Aarav frowned. “What does that mean for us?”
“If synchronization occurs, the Carrier may attempt to harness Vedara’s energy to stabilize its own systems—or amplify its destructive potential,” Maitreyi explained.
Devya’s voice crackled over the comms, sharp with urgency. “So let me get this straight. If we’re not careful, this thing could use Vedara to supercharge itself and fry half the galaxy faster?”
“Correct,” Maitreyi said. “This is why caution is imperative.”
Aarav exhaled, his grip tightening on the controls. “No pressure, then.”
The passageway opened into a smaller chamber, its walls lined with crystalline nodes that pulsed in time with the Core’s energy. Floating in the center of the room were fragments of glowing material—jagged, crystalline shards that seemed to hum with a faint, melodic resonance.
Vedara’s systems flared as the astramech stepped into the chamber, and Aarav felt a sudden surge of heat in the cockpit.
“What are those?” Aarav asked, his eyes locked on the floating shards.
Maitreyi’s voice was calm, but there was a note of reverence in her tone. “Fragments of the Vishwaroopa Matrix. These are remnants of the original technology used to create Vedara and its kin. The Dominion must have scavenged them during their experiments with the Chandrakala Core.”
Devya let out a low whistle. “So Ravana’s been piecing together scraps of the past to build his future. Figures.”
Aarav guided Vedara closer to the fragments, his sensors lighting up with streams of data. The shards pulsed faintly, their energy resonating with Vedara’s core in a way that felt almost alive.
“Maitreyi, what happens if Vedara interacts with these fragments?” Aarav asked cautiously.
“The fragments are unstable,” she replied. “Direct contact could either enhance Vedara’s systems or destabilize its core entirely. I advise minimal interaction.”
Aarav hesitated, his mind racing. These fragments could hold the key to understanding the connection between Vedara and the Core—but the risk of destabilization was real.
“I don’t like this,” Devya said, his tone sharp. “Those things scream ‘trap.’”
“They’re not traps,” Aarav said, his gaze fixed on the shards. “They’re pieces of something bigger—something Ravana’s trying to control.”
“And if we mess with them, we might hand him exactly what he wants,” Devya countered.
Aarav ignored him, his instincts guiding him as he carefully maneuvered Vedara closer to the largest shard. The moment Vedara’s blade touched the fragment, a surge of energy coursed through the astramech, and Aarav’s vision blurred as a flood of images and sensations overwhelmed him.
The visions were chaotic, fragmented, yet achingly vivid. Aarav saw glimpses of towering figures cloaked in light, their hands weaving the Vishwaroopa Matrix into existence. He saw astramechs like Vedara, standing as guardians of a galaxy teetering on the brink of chaos.
And then he saw the Chandrakala Core—a dark, twisted reflection of the Matrix, its energy warped and destructive. He saw Ravana standing before it, his eyes burning with a mix of ambition and despair as he reached out to harness its power.
“Balance must be rewritten,” Ravana’s voice echoed in the vision, cold and unyielding. “Only destruction can bring true order.”
The vision shifted, and Aarav saw himself—standing in the heart of Aranya Lokan, Vedara’s blade glowing as it clashed with a shadowy figure wielding an astramech of equal power. The outcome of the battle was unclear, but the weight of its consequences was undeniable.
Aarav gasped as the visions faded, his hands trembling on the controls. The cockpit’s displays flickered, warning indicators flashing as Vedara’s systems stabilized.
“What the hell just happened?” Devya’s voice cut through the haze, sharp with alarm.
Aarav exhaled shakily. “I saw… everything. The Vishwaroopa Matrix. The Chandrakala Core. Ravana’s vision for the galaxy. He doesn’t just want power—he wants to rewrite the rules of existence itself.”
“And let me guess,” Devya said dryly. “You saw yourself standing in his way.”
Aarav’s grip on the controls tightened. “Yeah. And if we don’t stop him, there won’t be anything left to save.”
The shards pulsed faintly as Vedara stepped back, their energy dimming as if exhausted. Maitreyi’s voice was soft, almost reverent. “The fragments have imparted their knowledge to you, Jeevadhara. You now carry the wisdom of the Vishwaroopa’s creators—and the burden of its purpose.”
“What burden?” Aarav asked, his voice heavy.
“To preserve balance,” Maitreyi said. “Even if it means making the ultimate sacrifice.”
The words hung in the air like a blade poised to fall. Aarav’s chest tightened, but he forced himself to focus. There was no room for doubt—not now.
“Maitreyi, do we have what we need to stop the Core?” Aarav asked.
“Yes,” she replied. “The fragments have revealed a critical flaw in the Core’s energy lattice. A precise strike at the lattice’s central node will destabilize its power, but the surrounding defenses will make this difficult.”
“Then we’ll make it work,” Aarav said firmly. “Let’s move.”
Vedara and Vyala exited the chamber, the glow of the fragments fading behind them. The path ahead led deeper into the Coreframe Carrier, the hum of the Chandrakala Core growing louder with every step.
Aarav’s resolve burned brighter than ever as he guided Vedara forward. He carried the weight of the Vishwaroopa Matrix now—the weight of balance itself.
And he was ready to see it through to the end.
The hum of the Chandrakala Core grew deafening as Vedara and Vyala pressed deeper into the Coreframe Carrier. The walls pulsed with crimson light, casting ominous shadows that shifted and twisted like living things. Aarav could feel the weight of the Core’s presence pressing down on him, an oppressive force that seemed to sap the air from his lungs.
“Maitreyi, how far are we from the Core?” Aarav asked, his voice steady but strained.
“We are approaching the outer chamber,” she replied. “The Core’s primary energy lattice lies beyond a final series of defensive perimeters.”
Devya’s voice crackled over the comms, sharp and tense. “Defensive perimeters? That’s a fancy way of saying we’re about to walk into a deathtrap, isn’t it?”
“Most likely,” Maitreyi said matter-of-factly.
Aarav smirked faintly despite the tension. “Good thing we’re not exactly a conventional strike team.”
Vedara’s sensors flared as the corridor ahead widened into a massive chamber. The space was dominated by a sprawling, circular array of glowing conduits that pulsed in time with the Core’s energy. Suspended in the center of the room was the Chandrakala Core itself—a swirling vortex of energy encased in a lattice of blackened metal. The Core’s light pulsed erratically, as if it were alive and thrashing against its restraints.
“Impressive,” Devya said, his tone laced with unease. “Ravana really went all out.”
Aarav’s gaze hardened. “And he’ll burn the galaxy to the ground to make it work.”
As Vedara stepped into the chamber, the defensive systems roared to life. Automated turrets emerged from the walls, their plasma cannons swiveling to target the astramechs. A squadron of Rakshasa II mechs deployed from hidden compartments, their sleek frames gleaming in the Core’s light.
“Maitreyi, analysis!” Aarav shouted as warning indicators flooded his displays.
“The turrets and Rakshasa units are synchronized to the Core’s energy lattice,” she replied. “Disabling the lattice will deactivate them, but the lattice itself is heavily shielded.”
“Guess that means we’re doing this the hard way,” Aarav muttered, igniting Vedara’s blade.
Devya’s voice cut in, sharp and focused. “I’ll handle the turrets. You deal with the mechs. Keep them off my back while I clear a path to the lattice.”
“On it,” Aarav said, pushing Vedara into a sprint.
The first Rakshasa lunged at Vedara, its plasma sabers blazing as it closed the distance. Aarav’s reflexes took over, guiding Vedara into a tight roll to evade the strike. The astramech’s blade flashed in a golden arc, slicing through the Rakshasa’s left arm with surgical precision.
The Dominion mech staggered but quickly recovered, its remaining saber slashing toward Vedara’s cockpit. Aarav countered with a fluid strike, Vedara’s blade carving through the Rakshasa’s core in a burst of sparks.
“First one down,” Aarav muttered, his focus shifting to the remaining mechs.
The second and third Rakshasa units attacked in unison, their movements synchronized with ruthless efficiency. Aarav guided Vedara into a defensive stance, deflecting their strikes with rapid, calculated movements. The cockpit shuddered with each impact, but Aarav held firm, his focus unshaken.
“Maitreyi, I need an opening!” Aarav called out.
“The Rakshasa units are vulnerable at their rear joints,” she replied. “A precise strike will disable them.”
Aarav smirked faintly. “Got it.”
Vedara surged forward, its thrusters flaring as it closed the distance. The astramech’s blade struck with pinpoint accuracy, severing the rear joint of the second Rakshasa. The Dominion mech collapsed, its systems flickering as it crumpled to the ground.
The third Rakshasa hesitated, its movements faltering as Aarav turned Vedara’s gaze toward it. Aarav didn’t wait for it to recover—Vedara’s blade pierced its core in a single, decisive strike.
Meanwhile, Vyala darted between the automated turrets, its blasters firing in controlled bursts. Devya guided the astramech with precision, his movements fluid as he dismantled the Carrier’s defenses one by one.
“These turrets are a joke,” Devya said over the comms. “Ravana’s getting sloppy.”
“Don’t get cocky,” Aarav shot back, deflecting a stray plasma bolt from a damaged turret.
Devya chuckled, his tone light despite the chaos. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
The chamber began to tremble as the Core’s energy output surged, the light from the lattice growing brighter and more erratic. Aarav’s sensors flared with warnings, and Maitreyi’s voice grew urgent.
“The Core is destabilizing,” she said. “Its energy output is approaching critical levels.”
“Perfect timing,” Aarav muttered.
Vedara and Vyala converged near the base of the lattice, their frames glowing faintly in the Core’s light. The defenses had been neutralized, but the Core itself remained an imposing presence, its power radiating like a storm waiting to be unleashed.
Aarav exhaled, his gaze locked on the swirling vortex of energy. “Maitreyi, how do we take this thing down?”
“The lattice must be severed at its central node,” she said. “A direct strike will destabilize the Core’s containment field, forcing it to collapse.”
“And the catch?” Aarav asked.
“Proximity to the Core during destabilization will expose Vedara to extreme energy surges,” Maitreyi said. “The risk to your neural link is significant.”
Devya’s voice cut in, sharp with urgency. “You’re saying he has to get close enough to fry his brain?”
“It’s the only way to ensure the Core’s destruction,” Maitreyi replied.
Aarav’s grip tightened on the controls, his resolve hardening. “Then that’s what we’ll do. Devya, cover me.”
“You’re insane,” Devya muttered, but Vyala fell into position nonetheless.
Vedara ignited its blade, the golden light shining brighter than ever as it advanced toward the Core. Aarav’s heart pounded, but his focus remained unshaken.
This was the moment that mattered. The galaxy’s future hung in the balance, and he would see it through—no matter the cost.
The Chandrakala Core pulsed violently as Vedara stepped closer, its swirling vortex of crimson and gold casting harsh, flickering light across the chamber. The lattice around it shuddered with the strain of containing such raw power, and the energy surges rippling through the air felt like distant thunder shaking the ground. Aarav’s hands gripped the controls tightly, sweat beading on his forehead as Vedara’s sensors lit up with urgent warnings.
“Maitreyi,” Aarav said through gritted teeth, his eyes fixed on the chaotic vortex. “Give me the strike point. Where’s the node?”
Maitreyi’s holographic form flickered to life, her calm voice cutting through the rising tension. “The node is located at the base of the lattice structure. A direct strike with Vedara’s blade should destabilize the Core’s energy matrix.”
Aarav’s heart pounded as he adjusted Vedara’s trajectory, guiding the astramech toward the shimmering structure. Behind him, Vyala held its position, Devya’s voice crackling over the comms.
“You know this is insane, right?” Devya said, his tone laced with both frustration and reluctant admiration. “That thing goes critical, and we’re all fried.”
“Then we don’t let it go critical,” Aarav shot back, his voice steady despite the chaos.
“You better hope you’re as good as you think you are,” Devya muttered. “I’ll keep the rest of the Carrier’s defenses off your back. Just make it quick.”
Vyala darted toward a nearby wall of turrets that had come back online, its blasters roaring to life. Explosions lit up the chamber as Devya kept the automated defenses occupied, clearing the way for Vedara to advance.
The Core’s energy grew more unstable with every passing second, its erratic pulses sending shockwaves through the chamber. Vedara staggered under the force of one such blast, the cockpit shuddering as Aarav struggled to maintain control.
“Maitreyi, status?” Aarav called out, his voice strained.
“The Core’s energy output is approaching critical levels,” she replied. “You must strike the node now to prevent a catastrophic breach.”
“I’m working on it,” Aarav muttered, guiding Vedara closer to the lattice.
The node came into view—a glowing nexus of energy encased in a web of conduits. Aarav’s sensors pinged with warnings as the Core’s containment field flared, arcs of energy lashing out like wild, living things.
Vedara’s blade ignited in a burst of golden light, the hum of its power cutting through the rising chaos. Aarav adjusted the astramech’s position, aligning the blade for a precise strike.
“Steady,” he murmured, his breath coming in short bursts.
The Core unleashed another wave of energy, the shockwave slamming into Vedara and forcing Aarav to brace against the controls. The cockpit’s displays flared with red warnings, but Aarav’s focus remained unbroken.
“This is it,” he said through clenched teeth.
Vedara’s blade struck the node with a brilliant flash of light, the impact sending a shockwave rippling through the lattice. The Core’s pulsing energy faltered, its swirling vortex collapsing inward as the containment field began to unravel.
“Maitreyi, report!” Aarav shouted as Vedara staggered back from the collapsing lattice.
“The node has been destabilized,” she replied. “The Core is collapsing, but the resulting energy surge will destroy the Carrier. You must evacuate immediately.”
Aarav’s heart sank as the realization hit him. “How long do we have?”
“Approximately 90 seconds,” Maitreyi said.
Devya’s voice cut through the comms, sharp and urgent. “You heard her, Rishi! Time to move!”
Vedara’s thrusters roared to life as Aarav guided the astramech toward the chamber’s exit. Behind him, the Core’s light grew brighter and more erratic, its energy surging out of control. The walls of the chamber began to crack and splinter under the strain, debris raining down as the entire Carrier began to shake violently.
The corridors leading back to the hangar were a blur of chaos and destruction. Vedara and Vyala weaved through collapsing passageways and showers of debris, their thrusters flaring as they pushed to escape the doomed Carrier. Aarav’s hands moved with practiced precision, his mind racing as the countdown ticked away in his head.
“Come on, come on,” Aarav muttered, sweat streaming down his face.
The hangar came into view, its shield flickering as the Carrier’s systems failed. Aarav could see the distant glow of the Maha Shunya beyond, the void beckoning like a lifeline.
“Maitreyi, can we breach the shield?” Aarav asked, his voice tight.
“Affirmative,” she replied. “Vedara’s energy output is sufficient to disrupt the shield’s frequency.”
“Do it,” Aarav said.
Vedara’s blade ignited once more, its golden light cutting through the flickering shield in a single, decisive strike. The barrier collapsed, and Aarav guided Vedara into the void, the astramech’s thrusters flaring as it surged away from the Carrier.
Behind them, the Coreframe Carrier began to implode, its structure collapsing inward as the Chandrakala Core unleashed its final surge of energy. A brilliant explosion lit up the void, a blinding cascade of crimson and gold that consumed the Carrier and its surrounding debris.
Vedara and Vyala raced through the shockwave, their frames buffeted by the force of the blast. Aarav gritted his teeth, his hands steady on the controls as Vedara pushed to its limits.
Finally, the shaking subsided, and the light of the explosion faded into the distance. Aarav exhaled shakily, his hands trembling as he guided Vedara to a stop.
“We made it,” Devya said over the comms, his voice tinged with disbelief. “I can’t believe we actually made it.”
Aarav leaned back in his seat, his chest heaving as the weight of the moment settled over him. “The Carrier’s gone. The Core’s destroyed.”
“And Ravana?” Devya asked.
Aarav’s gaze hardened. “Still out there. But we just took away his greatest weapon.”
Vedara’s systems hummed softly as the astramech hovered in the void, its golden light a beacon against the darkness. Aarav’s resolve burned brighter than ever.
The fight was far from over, but for the first time, he felt the tide beginning to turn.