Camouflage—the hallmark ability of the Sandstormer, Ash's scorpion-shaped mech, relied on its unique, jagged surface to mimic the appearance of a rock. This trait enabled it to evade detection systems with ease. Yet, activating this function came with a price: every power system within the Sandstormer had to shut down. Restarting the system required intricate manoeuvres, leaving the mech vulnerable during this critical window. In essence, using this feature meant sacrificing speed and praying the enemy's sensors failed to detect you. It was no wonder this capability was seldom utilised, as it demanded both skill and courage from its pilot.

  In the vast expanse of space, Ash’s Sandstormer moved soundlessly between a convoy of merchant ships.

  If observed closely, this "rock" clung perilously close to the underbellies and sides of the vessels, skimming past with razor-thin precision. Every time Ash manoeuvred past a ship, he performed a sequence of rapid adjustments: powering up the engines, fine-tuning his trajectory, and shutting everything down again, all in the blink of an eye.

  As the last merchant ship slipped behind him, Ash finally exhaled, allowing himself a brief moment of relief.

  The Sandstormer, propelled solely by inertia, drifted toward a cluster of floating debris far in the distance. In the silence of the night-black void, its trajectory appeared unremarkable, blending seamlessly with the surrounding rock fragments.

  Only then did Ash realise he was drenched in sweat, his body trembling as if he’d just emerged from a storm. His hands throbbed, faint spasms coursing through his fingers—a clear reminder of the strain his earlier manoeuvres had placed on them. Worse still was his injured right hand. The earlier punch that breached the storage bay door had left it bloodied and bruised. Under normal circumstances, such an injury wouldn’t have fazed Ash, but now, he could only hope it wouldn’t fail him when he needed it most.

  The sting of sweat mixed with the salt in his wounds seemed to numb the pain, oddly comforting in its own way.

  Five minutes. That’s how long it would take to reach the asteroid ahead.

  With the cockpit's lights extinguished, the faint glow of the holographic interface cast an ethereal blue hue across Ash’s focused face. Though beautiful in its own right, he had no time to appreciate the scene. His eyes remained locked on the display, his breaths slow and deliberate as he worked to regulate his stamina. His hands, meanwhile, moved with practised care, alleviating the growing fatigue in his fingers.

  Ash dared not glance at the battlefield behind him.

  The asteroid loomed closer, growing larger with every passing moment. Ash’s heartbeat quickened, a relentless drum echoing in his ears. He had executed the first phase of his plan flawlessly, but could he succeed in the second?

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  Closer… Closer… Now!

  As the Sandstormer slipped into the shadow of the asteroid, its engines roared to life. Side thrusters activated in unison, adjusting the mech’s trajectory mid-flight. Like a magnet drawn toward its surface, the Sandstormer curved gracefully around the asteroid’s edge, performing a perfect 120-degree arc. In one fluid motion, it emerged from the far side and continued its path, seamless and natural, as if guided by cosmic choreography.

  The asteroid had been chosen deliberately for its location—far from the main battlefield and unlikely to draw attention.

  This manoeuvre wasn’t just about direction; it was a critical repositioning.

  Ash’s Sandstormer glided silently, its engines once again powered down. Its destination: the Crimson Eagles’ flagship.

  The mech’s disguise held firm, unnoticed amid the chaos.

  As the pirate fleet's flagship loomed closer, Ash felt his nerves tighten like a bowstring. One mistake, one miscalculation, and his cover would be blown.

  He was threading a needle. His Sandstormer narrowly avoided brushing against the outermost pirate vessel, sending a cold sweat trickling down his spine. There was no room for error. Activating even a fraction of his engine’s power would nullify the camouflage and paint him as an immediate target.

  Ash's precise calculations guided the Sandstormer deeper into the heart of the fleet, avoiding contact with every ship. Finally, he reached his target—a uniquely designed flagship that radiated authority amidst the surrounding vessels.

  This wasn’t an ordinary pirate ship. Ash was sure of it.

  The ship’s distinct architecture and heavily reinforced hull set it apart. Adrenaline coursed through his veins, his fatigue and injuries forgotten in the face of mounting excitement. A primal thrill surged through him, electric and intoxicating.

  But Ash’s movements remained meticulous. Despite the fire raging in his heart, his hands operated with surgical precision.

  As the Sandstormer glided beneath the flagship, its tail unfurled like a striking scorpion. A soft thud reverberated through the mech as the magnetic clamp at the tail’s tip latched onto the ship’s underside. The cable connecting the clamp to the mech coiled taut, bringing the Sandstormer to a halt.

  Ash released a deep breath, steadying himself as his mech hung securely beneath the flagship.

  The flagship’s underside was surprisingly smooth, save for a recessed circular hatch in its centre. Its design suggested it could only be opened from within—a challenge Ash was already prepared for.

  Every mech came equipped with an escape suit, providing oxygen and limited mobility for emergencies. Ash slipped into his suit, securing a dagger from Sarah's earlier gift at his waist. His other hand gripped a compact toolkit.

  Stepping out of the Sandstormer, Ash floated carefully to its underside. There, he opened the mech’s storage compartment and retrieved a three-metre-long laser blade, its size comically oversized for his small frame.

  Toolbox in hand, Ash climbed up the taut cable toward the flagship’s hatch. The hatch’s structure confirmed his earlier suspicion: no external access.

  With no time to waste, Ash discarded his toolkit and grasped the laser blade with both hands.

  This was it. Life or death rested on his next move.

  The blade ignited with a brilliant glow as Ash drove it into the hatch.