Chapter 2 The Strynx Attack

Finn Murphy's eyes scanned the med bay's dim lighting as Bella Kern leaned against the cot, her breathing steadier now. She hadn't said much since he'd patched her up, and her eyes held a mix of wariness and determination.

Finn, however, wasn't the kind to let things slide. Especially not when someone had dragged him into trouble he hadn't asked for.

"All right, Kern," Finn said, crossing his arms. "You're bleeding all over my ship, and that beast back there didn't exactly look friendly. Start talking. What in the void was that thing doing on an abandoned station?"

Bella met his gaze, her lips pressing into a tight line. "That wasn't just any Strynx," she said finally. "It was hunting me."

Finn frowned. "Strynx don't hunt people. They hunt anything. What makes you special?"

She hesitated, glancing at the closed door behind him as if expecting someone-or something-to barge in. "Because I have what they want," she said. "And if you don't help me get it to safety, they'll keep coming."

Finn's instincts screamed at him to drop her at the nearest station and be done with it. He'd spent his life avoiding entanglements, especially ones that involved the Strynx. But something in her tone-sharp and desperate-gave him pause.

Before he could respond, Varro's voice crackled over the intercom. "Finn, we've got a problem."

Finn hit the comm switch. "Define 'problem.'"

"Strynx problem. Multiple signatures inbound. Fast."

Finn felt his stomach drop. "How many?"

"Four. No, wait-five," Varro corrected. "And they're big."

Bella cursed under her breath and tried to stand, but Finn pushed her back down. "Stay put," he snapped before sprinting to the cockpit.

The Grey Star's viewscreen displayed a chilling sight. Five glowing figures streaked through the darkness, their bioluminescent bodies cutting through the void like predators on the hunt.

Finn slid into the co-pilot's seat. "Tell me you've got a plan," he said to Varro, who was frantically inputting evasive maneuvers.

"Yeah," Varro grunted. "Run."

The ship lurched as Varro pushed the engines to their limit. The Strynx gave chase, their claws glinting in the faint light of the nearby star. Finn's hands flew over the controls, rerouting power to the aft shields.

"Any chance we can outpace them?" Finn asked.

"Not unless this bucket grows a warp drive," Varro shot back.

The first Strynx struck, its claws raking across the aft shields. The ship shuddered violently, alarms blaring.

"Shields at sixty percent!" Finn called out.

Varro cursed. "Those things don't let up, do they?"

Bella stumbled into the cockpit, gripping the doorway for support. "You can't outrun them," she said, her voice firm despite her injuries. "We have to fight."

Finn turned to her, incredulous. "Fight? With what? This is a cargo ship, not a war cruiser!"

"Your ship has plasma cannons," Bella pointed out, nodding to the secondary control panel.

"Cannons designed to scare off pirates, not take down Strynx," Finn said.

Bella stepped closer, her gray eyes locking onto his. "You don't have a choice. If they catch us, they'll tear this ship apart."

Finn swore under his breath but knew she was right. With a reluctant nod, he activated the plasma cannons and took the controls.

"Varro, keep us steady," he ordered.

"Steady? With five void beasts trying to gut us? Sure thing," Varro muttered.

The first Strynx closed the distance, its glowing maw opening wide as it prepared to lunge. Finn fired, the plasma bolt streaking through the void and striking the creature in the side. It howled-a sound that reverberated through the ship's hull-but didn't stop.

"Direct hit, and it's still coming!" Finn growled.

Bella leaned over his shoulder, her finger pointing at a cluster of glowing veins along the Strynx's body. "Aim there. It's their weak point."

Finn adjusted his aim and fired again. This time, the plasma bolt struck true, and the Strynx erupted in a burst of bioluminescent energy.

"One down!" Finn shouted, but the celebration was short-lived. The remaining four Strynx converged, their movements unnervingly coordinated.

"They're learning," Bella said grimly.

"No kidding," Finn muttered.

The second Strynx darted beneath the ship, slamming into its underbelly. The impact sent Finn and Bella sprawling. Sparks flew from the console as the ship's power fluctuated.

"Shields at thirty percent!" Varro yelled.

Finn scrambled back to the controls. "Kern, if you've got any bright ideas, now's the time!"

Bella hesitated for a fraction of a second before making her decision. "I need to use your comms."

"What?" Finn snapped.

"Just trust me!" she insisted.

With no time to argue, Finn gestured to the comm station. Bella keyed in a frequency, her hands moving with practiced precision.

"This is Agent Bella Kern of the Galactic Coalition," she said into the comm. "Authorization code Delta-Seven-Nine-Zero. Requesting immediate assistance!"

Finn stared at her, stunned. "Coalition? You're with the Coalition?"

Before she could answer, the comm crackled with a response. "Agent Kern, this is Coalition frigate Eclipse's Wrath. Hold position. Reinforcements en route."

"Reinforcements?" Finn echoed, still trying to process what was happening.

Bella ignored him, focusing on the viewscreen. The Strynx were closing in, and it was clear the Grey Star wouldn't hold out much longer.

"Time to arrival?" she asked over the comm.

"Three minutes," came the reply.

"We don't have three minutes," Finn muttered.

The lead Strynx lunged, its claws slicing through the weakened shields and gouging the hull. The ship shuddered violently, sparks raining down from the overhead panels.

"Shields are gone!" Varro shouted.

Finn gritted his teeth and fired the cannons again, taking out a second Strynx. But the remaining three showed no signs of slowing.

Bella grabbed a plasma rifle from the emergency locker and turned to Finn. "Open the airlock."

"What?" Finn said, incredulous.

"Just do it!" she snapped.

With no better options, Finn hit the control panel, and the outer airlock door slid open. Bella stepped inside, bracing herself against the frame. As the Strynx approached, she aimed the rifle and fired.

The plasma bolts struck the nearest Strynx, driving it back, but it wasn't enough to kill it. The beast roared, its glowing eyes locking onto Bella.

"Close it!" she yelled.

Finn slammed the control, and the airlock door sealed shut just as the Strynx lunged. Its claws raked across the outer hull but failed to breach it.

Moments later, the Eclipse's Wrath arrived, its sleek, angular form cutting through the void. The frigate's weaponry unleashed a barrage of energy blasts, obliterating the remaining Strynx in a matter of seconds.

The comm crackled again. "Agent Kern, the threat has been neutralized. Prepare for docking."

Finn slumped back in his seat, his heart still pounding. "You want to explain what the void just happened?" he asked Bella.

She met his gaze, her expression unreadable. "I told you. I have what the Strynx want. And now, so do you."