Through the translator the message was clear: they were not allowed to continue their mission. Valkaion clenched his fists, containing his frustration, but replied in a calm and measured tone:
"Very well, we understand your refusal. If you let us go, we will never return to your space. We do not seek to do business with your nation at this time."
He paused, warning his gaze to the mountains in the distance. The ground began to shake, and a dull sound echoed three times in a row. Then, another movement was felt closer. Valkaion frowned before continuing, this time with contained urgency:
"...They are coming. Prepare yourselves, in case a fight is unavoidable."
He finished his message, then stared at the scene through the armored glass.
The shaking grew louder, accompanied by dull, regular sounds. Suddenly, a massive figure emerged from the ground: an alpha Kahak, with skin striped in dark red and black. The creature was colossal, larger than an adult Kahak.
“Oh no…” Sanoin muttered, breathless.
“An alpha Kahak…” Ylia confirmed, visibly shocked.
“Is that Iroanos?” Alu asked, without even looking up from his post. Alu had hardly spoken during the entire trip, but his voice betrayed a palpable nervousness.
“No, it’s not him. He’s an adult… but I think I’ve seen him in a scroll before.” Qualionus replied, trying to remember what he’d read. “It’s… Nolastron. Or maybe Nalatran, something like that.”
“Nolastron?!” Olaon exclaimed, his face tense. “Isn’t he the one who nearly wiped out the Sconaphores with his small army centuries ago?”
“Exactly… but I hope we’re wrong.” Qualionus sounded oddly confidant, but his tone betrayed a certain apprehension.
Valkaion, remaining in control of the situation, immediately ordered:
“Qualionus, Olaon, take your positions. Activate the solar plasma battery. We can’t let him advance any further.”
He pressed the button to reactivate the external weapons. The Vautak’s turrets deployed, their cannons slowly adjusting their angle.
A few hundred meters away, the alpha Kahak emerged fully, revealing its titanic size. Another creature emerged from the ground at his side: a young Kahak, smaller, visibly injured. Valkaion understood immediately: the youngster had sought the alpha’s help.
"That little rascal..." Valkaion muttered to himself.
The alpha prepared to attack, uttering five more low sounds, probably signals intended to call other Kahaks. They had to act quickly.
Valkaion sent another message to the unknown plane, hoping that they were still online:
"Here is the danger that threatens us. Prepare to shoot the belly of the largest one, it is its weak point. Act quickly, it calls for others.
Two other unknown planes arrived in the distance. Reinforcements sent by the other plane surely. Valkaion did not pay attention to them for the moment. His entire crew focused on the immediate threat: the alpha Kahak.
The two gunners of the Vautak, Qualionus and Olaon, adjusted their aim, fixing the vulnerable point of the creature. “Prepare to open fire on my signal!” Valkaion ordered.
Young Kahak tried to get up, seeking cover behind the alpha, but his slow movements betrayed his weakness. The alpha, meanwhile, stood up straighter, dominating the horizon like a living mountain, ready to attack.
