Battle for Kyma

Jack’s breath was ragged as the cryo-sleep fog lifted from his mind. His body felt heavy, his muscles weak from years of suspended animation. Seventeen years had passed in an instant, but now, as the glass of his pod slid open, the world that greeted him was nothing like the Earth he had left behind.

The ship’s AI voice was calm but urgent.

"Hostile presence detected. Initiating planetary entry maneuvers. Defensive systems engaged."

Jack, Charlie, and Sam stumbled from their pods, blinking against the flashing red emergency lights. Through the curved window of Orion’s Wake, the world of Kyma lay before them—but it was not the peaceful world they had imagined.

The planet’s upper atmosphere was burning, massive warlord fleets battling Kyma’s last defenders. Huge blackened warships hovered over the planet, launching devastating plasma bombardments against the golden cities below.

Jack’s stomach twisted.

"We’re in the middle of a war."

Charlie was already moving, his hands flying over the navigation controls, scanning the data flooding the ship’s systems.

"They weren’t lying," 

he said, voice tight.

"Kyma is under siege."

Sam, still groggy from cryo-sleep, gripped the side of his chair.

"We should turn back."

But Jack knew there was no turning back now.

They had made a promise. And Kyma needed them.

The ship’s communication system blinked, the screen flashing with a transmission request.

A holographic figure appeared a battle-worn woman with piercing silver eyes, dressed in the armored uniform of Kyma System Command.

Her voice was strained, desperate.

"Whoever is piloting Orion’s Wake, respond immediately! We are under attack! The Warlords of Kharak have breached the orbital defenses our fleet is failing!"

Jack swallowed hard, then leaned forward.

"This is Jack Whitaker. We’re… from Earth. We found Orion’s Wake and answered your message. We’re here to help."

The woman’s eyes widened in shock.

"Earth? That ship was lost decades ago! How....." 

She stopped herself, shaking her head.

"It doesn’t matter. If you are on that ship, then you are our last chance. Orion’s Wake carries a power source the only one capable of activating Kyma’s planetary shield! You must reach the capital and deploy it before it’s too late!"

Charlie scanned the ship’s database, his eyes widening.

"She’s right. There’s an energy core inside this ship something designed to connect with Kyma’s planetary defense grid. Without it, their last shield can’t activate."

Jack’s hands tightened into fists. They had awakened into a war.

And now, the fate of an entire planet rested in their hands.

The atmosphere burned around them as Orion’s Wake plummeted toward Kyma’s surface, weaving between warlord fighter ships and the wreckage of destroyed capital cruisers.

The ship’s automated defenses flared to life, plasma cannons firing at incoming threats.

"Incoming fighters! Evasive maneuvers engaged!" 

the AI warned.

Jack grabbed the flight controls, his heart pounding. He had never flown a ship before, but something inside Orion’s Wake responded to him, guiding his hands as if the ship knew what to do. The golden city of Kyros Prime loomed ahead, its massive central tower the Core Spire serving as the last stronghold of Kyma’s defenders.

Explosions rippled through the city, warlord ground forces overwhelming

the last remnants of the Kyma military.

Charlie’s voice was sharp.

"We’re coming in too fast!"

"Initiating landing protocols," 

the AI announced.

"Brace for impact."

The ship slammed onto the landing platform, skidding across the metal surface as defensive turrets turned toward them only to be overridden by a Kyma officer barking orders into a control panel.

A squad of Kyma soldiers rushed toward the ship,

weapons drawn, armor scorched from battle.

The same woman from the transmission appeared,

her face hardened but filled with relief.

"You actually made it."

Jack unstrapped himself, locking eyes with her.

"Now what?"

She gestured toward the Core Spire.

"Now you save our planet."

Inside the Core Spire, the boys followed Commander Vayren through the massive corridors, soldiers rushing past them to barricade doors and set up last stands against incoming Kharak invaders. The energy core of Orion’s Wake was unlike anything Jack had ever seen a swirling orb of blue and gold, pulsing with raw power.

Vayren pointed to a massive structure at the center of the chamber a colossal conduit,

half-destroyed from war.

"The shield generator is down, but with Orion’s Wake’s power core, we can bypass the damage. We need to get it online before the Kharak forces break through."

Jack turned to Charlie.

"Can we do it?"

Charlie was already studying the system, his fingers flying over the control panel.

"I think so. But we have to hurry."

Sam hesitated.

"And if it doesn’t work?"

Vayren’s expression darkened.

"Then Kyma falls and all of us die, so no pressure.''

As Charlie worked to install the power core, alarms blared through the spire the Kharak forces had breached the last line of defense. Gunfire echoed through the halls, and explosions shook the tower.

Vayren turned to her soldiers.

"Hold the line! Protect the Earthlings at all costs!"

Jack grabbed a discarded Kyma plasma rifle, the weight unfamiliar in his hands.

But he knew one thing he wouldn’t run.

Charlie yelled over the noise.

"Almost there!"

Then the doors exploded inward. The Kharak warlords stormed inside,

monstrous beings clad in dark armor, their eyes glowing with predatory hunger.

The battle turned brutal, chaotic. Jack fired wildly, hitting one, two, three enemies before a blast of Kharak energy knocked him off his feet.

Then—

"It’s online!" 

Charlie shouted.

The Core Spire ignited, golden energy surging through the room.

Outside, a massive energy barrier erupted across the sky, sealing Kyma in an impenetrable shield. The warlords froze, their expressions twisting in shock.

Their advantage was gone. The Kyma had won.

For the first time in decades, their planet was safe.

In the aftermath, Jack, Charlie, and Sam stood with Vayren on the balcony of the Core Spire, looking over the recovering city.

"You saved us," 

Vayren said.

"Earthlings or not, you are now part of Kyma’s history."

Jack exhaled.

"So… what now?"

Vayren smiled, her eyes filled with something new hope.

"Now? We rebuild. And you… you must decide if you wish to stay."

Sam looked up at the stars.

"Or go home."

Jack wasn’t sure what their future held. All he knew was Earth was no longer the only home they had. And somewhere among the stars, their story was just beginning.