A few days later, Rebecca found herself on this abandoned mining planet by chance. She pulled her coat tighter, walking aimlessly across the desolate land. Her thoughts drifted to Evan. Evan, you’d want me to keep living, to find a place where I can get justice for you, right?

  Suddenly, a loud explosion mixed with the sound of metal clashing came from her left. Rebecca instinctively crouched down, hiding behind a damaged metal plate. Holding her breath, she cautiously peeked out—two soldiers in colonial army uniforms were chasing a bloodied woman. Despite her staggering movements, the woman moved with astonishing speed, gripping a bent steel blade in her hand.

  “Kill her! Don’t let her get back to those rebels!” one soldier shouted, raising his pulse gun.

  Rebecca made a split-second decision. She quickly drew the pulse gun from her waist, aimed at the soldier with the raised weapon, and pulled the trigger. A blue energy beam struck its target, and the soldier screamed as he fell. The other soldier froze for a second, turning toward Rebecca, but before he could react, the bloodied woman had already rushed behind him. Her steel blade slashed across his throat, a spray of blood bursting forth.

  Silence enveloped everything after the brief fight. The woman—Tara—dropped to one knee, gasping for air, blood from her blade dripping onto the dusty ground. She looked up, her bloodshot eyes sharp like a beast’s, sizing up Rebecca.

  “You’re dressed real pretty,” Tara said, her voice hoarse, a flicker of surprise in her eyes. “Why’d you help me?”

  Rebecca kept her pulse gun firmly in hand, her expression calm and composed. She had heard rumors of resistance against the colonial army—someone had mentioned a man named Ethan Cross, gathering those unwilling to be oppressed. Evan had spoken of him before.

  “The military seems awfully eager to see you dead,” Rebecca replied calmly. “I’ve got my own reasons to dislike them.”

  Tara let out a cold laugh, trying to stand but swaying from the pain of her wounds. She narrowed her eyes, assessing the woman before her—seemingly delicate but with a gaze as sharp as a blade. “Interesting. You look damn striking—skin pale like you’ve never seen the sun, but eyes like knives. Way tougher than the cowards I’ve met. Not many women who look like you dare come to a hellhole like this. You’re something else.”

  Rebecca didn’t respond to the sudden, rough compliment. Instead, she asked calmly, “Do you know Ethan Cross? I need to find him.”

  “Why?” Tara asked, curiosity in her tone.

  “I need allies,” Rebecca answered simply, not wanting to reveal too much. After everything she’d been through, caution was second nature to her.

  Just then, the ground trembled. A few seconds later, an old shuttle descended through the swirling dust, landing nearby. The hatch opened, and a tall, imposing man jumped out, striding toward them, his pulse gun at the ready but not aimed.

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  “Tara, you okay?” His gaze never left Rebecca. “Who’s she?”

  “She saved me, Ethan,” Tara said curtly. “Took out one of the bastards chasing me with a single shot. Looks like a doll, but her aim’s deadly. She says she’s looking for you.”

  Ethan Cross studied Rebecca sharply. This delicate, refined woman, dressed in a stylish coat, seemed out of place in the desolate wasteland, yet the steady grip on her pulse gun and the determination in her eyes made her fit in somehow.

  Rebecca took a deep breath, holding up a blue stone for both to see. “My name’s Rebecca Shaw, former technical analyst at Federation Corp. My boyfriend, Evan Carter, died on a mission at the resource planet. The company said he defected, but that’s a lie.” Her voice trembled slightly but steadied quickly. “He had someone bring this to me before he died. I’ve checked every record I could. His death is tied to people at Federation Corp.”

  She looked directly into Ethan’s eyes. “Evan mentioned you. He said you were one of the few who still remembered Federation Corp’s original ideals. He said if the company ever became irredeemable, you’d be the only one brave enough to fight back.”

  Ethan’s expression froze for a moment, a flicker of unreadable emotion in his eyes. “Evan Carter… we met a few times. He deserved a different fate.”

  “He died unjustly. I want the truth,” Rebecca said, gripping the stone tightly.

  Tara swayed more heavily from blood loss, forced to lean on a piece of metal scrap to steady herself. Ethan noticed her condition and made a quick decision. “Let’s get on the ship. There are patrols nearby.”

  To Rebecca, he said, “Welcome to the Rebirth Squad, Shaw. If you’ve got even half of Evan’s skill, we’ll make a good team.” They helped Tara toward the nearby cruiser.

  As they boarded the shuttle, a dark-skinned man with a faint scar on his face greeted them, holding a polished wrench. Seeing Tara covered in blood, he immediately dropped the wrench and rushed over. “Out challenging the colonial army on your own again? One day you’re gonna get yourself completely lost!”

  “Shut up, Jake,” Tara muttered weakly, though she didn’t resist his support. “We’ve got a new member. She saved me.”

  Jake finally noticed Rebecca, looking her up and down in surprise. “Well, damn, a newbie! You look so clean, like you just crawled out of Federation Corp’s doghouse.” His gaze landed on the blue stone in her hand. “That thing’s pretty. Tied to your boyfriend? Shame. Victor’s pack of mutts are the best at eating people alive.” He patted his wrench and turned to Ethan. “I’m just saying, she looks like she’s got some skills—hope she’s not here just to freeload?”

  Ethan shot him a glance, his tone calm but carrying a warning. “Jake, don’t scare her. She’s from the tech department—we need the help.” He looked at Rebecca. “This is Jake Riley, my brother and the mechanic for this pile of scrap. He runs his mouth, but he’s got a good heart.”

  Jake shrugged, his grin widening. “Alright, if Ethan says so, I’ll shut up. Welcome, little techie! This dump doesn’t have much, but stick with us, and at least you’ll get a decent night’s sleep.”

  Rebecca looked at Jake, the corner of her mouth twitching slightly. This guy talks like a megaphone, but he’s not too bad. She turned to Tara, nodding. “You’re impressive too—surviving and still fighting back.” Then she looked at Ethan, her voice low. “I want the truth, and I want Federation Corp to pay. I can help you.”

  Ethan nodded, his gaze resolute. “We’ll find your truth together. Jake’s right, though—survive first, then we can do big things.” He turned to Tara and Jake. “She stays. Any objections?”

  Tara snorted, steadying herself with her blade. “She can kill colonial soldiers—I’ve got no problem. Pretty and capable, I like her.” She grinned, showing blood-stained teeth, a sign of approval.

  Jake let out a whistle. “I’m all for someone to share the workload; fixing this junk ship has my hands aching. Alright, little techie, welcome aboard!” He patted Ethan’s shoulder, lowering his voice. “She’s got a fierce look in her eyes, kinda like you back in the day. Our ragtag team’s finally starting to look like something.”