Space erased time.
Two months passed in jumps, repairs, checks, and long quiet days. By the time Helios Bastion appeared outside the window, Eli knew every hallway on the ship. He also knew his own body too well. Every change. Every moment his strength almost slipped out of control.
He stood in the observation room and watched the station grow larger.
It looked damaged.
Rough.
Still working only because people refused to let it die.
Behind him, Lieutenant Carrow spoke softly. "Docking clearance granted. Reception team waiting."
Reception team.
Not an honor guard.
Eli nodded. "Understood."
Helios Bastion
The airlock opened with a harsh hiss.
Seven people stood waiting, surrounded by security. None wore formal clothing. Only practical uniforms marked by rank and heavy use.
Not politicians.
Survivors.
At the center stood Administrator Voss. Large, solid,. To his right stood a tall woman with metal implants along her temples. Intelligence Director Lysa Ren. On the left stood an older man with a mechanical arm. Commodore Hale.
Behind them stood two others, slightly apart.
A dark haired doctor in white, hands clasped tightly, worry clear on her face.
And a thin young officer who looked nervous.
Carrow leaned toward Eli. "Seven leaders since your father died. Power split between them."
Split power meant trouble.
Voss stepped forward. He did not bow.
"Lord Zenith," he said. "You survived."
Not a greeting.
Just a fact.
Before Eli could speak, the doctor stepped forward quickly. "My lord, you should be resting," she said. "Your injuries were severe. We prepared medical quarters."
Voss shot her a sharp look. "Doctor Selene. Protocol."
"With respect," she said, voice tight, "protocol does not replace medical care."
She turned back to Eli. "Your father trusted me. Please allow an examination."
Her voice sounded real. Not political. Not fake.
Loyal.
Eli nodded slightly. "Thank you, Doctor. I will consider it."
Relief showed on her face.
Voss looked annoyed. "If we are finished, this region needs leadership, not recovery."
Another voice spoke. The young officer. Nervous but steady. "Sir, the Warden just arrived from a combat situation. Recovery would be reasonable."
Everyone looked at him.
Voss's expression darkened. "Your opinion was not requested, Commander Ilya."
Ilya swallowed. "Yes, sir."
Loyal, Eli thought.
Interesting.
"Enough," Voss said. "Council chamber."
The room looked hastily reorganized. Screens covered the walls. A long table filled the center, surrounded by mismatched chairs.
Seven seats.
Seven leaders.
Eli remained standing at the head. No chair had been placed for him.
On purpose.
Doctor Selene stayed near the wall, clearly uncomfortable. Commander Ilya stood straight behind his chair, watching everyone carefully.
Voss sat first. "We will be direct. This region survives through action. We cannot afford symbolic leadership."
Meaning: you are useless.
Commodore Hale spoke next. "Your father earned respect through ability. We will see if you can do the same."
Lysa Ren studied him. "You have no mutation. That is a problem."
Another leader leaned back. "No combat record. No frontier experience."
Soft laughter followed.
Selene did not laugh.
Ilya looked tense.
Eli waited until the room went quiet.
"I did not come here to impress you," he said.
"Then why are you here?" Voss asked. "Inheritance is not authority."
Selene spoke again, urgent. "Administrator, this can wait. The Warden is injured."
"It cannot," Voss said. "Pirates will not wait."
Selene fell silent, jaw tight.
Eli watched everything.
Who spoke.
Who stayed quiet.
Who looked at him like prey.
Voss stood and walked closer. He towered over the table.
"Authority is not given by distant rulers," he said. "It belongs to whoever is strong enough to hold it."
He stopped directly in front of Eli.
"What will you do if we refuse to accept you?"
Carrow's hand moved toward his weapon.
Ilya shifted forward slightly, ready to act.
Selene looked afraid.
Eli moved.
Too fast to follow.
His hand closed around Voss's throat and lifted him off the floor.
Gasps filled the room.
Voss grabbed Eli's arm. His strength surged, muscles swelling.
Eli's arm did not move at all.
Shock replaced anger in Voss's eyes.
Eli turned toward the large window.
Cold stars shone outside.
"Authority," Eli said quietly, "is not a debate."
He threw him.
Voss slammed into the reinforced glass. It shattered outward with a thunderous crash. Air roared out as Voss vanished into space.
Emergency barriers dropped instantly, sealing the hole.
Silence.
Doctor Selene's hands shook.
Commander Ilya stared at Eli with fear and something like awe.
The remaining leaders looked stunned.
Eli turned back to them.
Calm.
Controlled.
Dangerous.
"Any more questions?" he asked.
No one answered.
After a long moment, Commodore Hale lowered his eyes. "No, my lord."
Lysa Ren nodded slightly. "None."
One by one, the others did the same.
Submission.
Not loyalty. Not yet.
But they understood power.
Behind them, Selene let out a shaky breath. Fear and relief mixed together.
Commander Ilya straightened, studying Eli as if seeing him for the first time.
Because the truth was clear now.
The weak heir had not arrived.
Something far more dangerous had.