Enough. Song Chen stopped fighting and swept the area with his senses.
After confirming that no auras above the ninth rank were approaching, he activated Void Traverse.
A spacetime wormhole tore open before him. On the other side was the Shadowglide, hidden in the Asteroid Belt behind the moon Kielsa Nine.
Song Chen stepped out of the wormhole and landed in front of the Shadowglide's hatch.
The hatch immediately opened from inside, revealing Shelly standing in the doorway.
The worry on her face eased slightly the instant she saw him, then she quickly regained her usual composure.
She asked no questions, saying only, "I'll initiate the jump."
Song Chen nodded and entered through the hatch.
Within a few breaths, the Shadowglide finished charging its energy reserves, its engines giving off a low, steady hum.
The ship slipped silently out of the Asteroid Belt and made successive jumps toward the edge of the star system.
After three jumps, Kielsa Nine's glow had become a dim speck on the star chart.
News of Kielsa Nine's destruction spread in the second hour after Song Chen's departure.
When the news reached the Blood-Eclipse Civilization's Sixth District headquarters, Kazmu flew into a rage.
Gultu and Nax stood before him with their heads lowered, neither daring to speak first.
The luminous liquid overhead continued to swirl slowly, its flickering light illuminating their three faces.
Kazmu roared, "What did you say? Kielsa Nine?"
"Yes, Commander." The Blood-Eclipse Clan messenger knelt on the floor, his voice trembling.
"The Flesh Station was destroyed, and over seventy percent of the surface strongholds were razed."
"Lord Saren was severely wounded. Both his arms were severed, and seventy percent of his Star Origin Power was depleted. He is currently retreating to the Fifth District to recuperate."
"According to the surviving observation