Chapter 148: Orion Rift

?The Arachnids had intentionally orchestrated a massive planetary crisis to draw the Astral Dominion’s military gaze away from the Orion Rift.

?Whatever lay hidden beyond that rift was valuable enough for an entire civilization to risk provoking a full-scale galactic war.

?Cassian stroked his chin, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

’?What kind of plot is this?’

?He almost chuckled at the sheer absurdity of it.

?First, he returned from the Lord’s Domain. Before he could even catch his breath, a terrorist organization attempted to vaporize a planet.

He intervened, discovered the operation was managed by an alien civilization, and subsequently hijacked a stealth starship whose technological specs surpassed standard Tier V benchmarks.

?Now, that same civilization was destabilizing an entire border sector just to keep the Dominion away from a rift he had already planned to raid.

’?If I didn’t know better, I’d think the universe was deliberately manufacturing trouble just to hand me opportunities.’

?The alignment of events was almost comical.

?Still, Cassian didn’t dwell on the coincidence. What truly mattered was the actionable intelligence he had just secured.

?The Orion Rift was paramount.

?That much was clear from the command briefing. However, Cassian suspected its true value extended far beyond the standard resource yields associated with newly spawned rifts.

?His eyes drifted back to the [Nova Seeker]’s technical logs, recalling the absurd Tier VI cloaking matrix he had analyzed earlier.

’?Could the two be connected?’

?The Arachnids possessed technology inconsistent with their public civilization classification. They had acquired a planet-destroying Worldbreaker Core, and now they were executing covert distraction campaigns to secure the Orion Rift.

?Perhaps the rift contained the exact ancient legacy or rare energy source driving their sudden technological leap.

?Perhaps it housed a forgotten civilization’s ruins, a Cosmic Pillar fragment, or a high-tier technological inheritance.

?Cassian couldn’t confirm the answer from a single recorded transmission.

?But the potential was too massive to ignore.

?His blue eyes gleamed with cold anticipation.

’?Looks like I know where I’m heading next.’

?The Orion Rift was already on his checklist; now, with the Arachnid Empire’s massive stake in the region, visiting it had become a top strategic priority.

He wanted to see firsthand what made it worth such an insane gamble.

?And if the Arachnids were digging up something that could threaten his anchor civilization, he intended to claim it before they even knew he was there.

?However, he couldn’t simply dash off immediately.

?First, he had to deploy his new Arachnid infiltrators back into their home empire.

?The [Nova Seeker] was the perfect trojan horse, but launching a unit of undead into enemy space without precise operational guidelines would be foolish.

They needed firm objectives, protocols to maintain their cover, and a secure method to transmit intelligence back to him without exposing their true nature.

?Cassian turned toward the High Undead Arachnid. "Silas, step forward. Let’s map out your mission."

?Silas approached instantly, bowing his head. "At your command, my Lord."

?Cassian clearly laid out his directives. He instructed the unit to return, integrate seamlessly into the existing hierarchy, and quietly gather intelligence regarding the Orion Rift and the origin of their empire’s advanced technology.

?They were strictly forbidden from taking reckless risks or exposing their identities for quick gains.

Their greatest tactical advantage was the fact that their high command believed the Roca cell had been completely wiped out.

?Cassian emphasized stealth above all else. The [Nova Seeker] would deliver them back home, but once grounded, they were to operate as silent sleepers until he established a direct, long-range communication link.

?Silas listened intently, his eight dark eyes fixed on his master. "I understand, my Lord. We will execute your directives without flaw."

?Cassian gave a firm nod. "Good. Your absolute priority is establishing a secure foothold. Do not compromise your cover for a minor objective, information is useless if you get neutralized before transmitting it."

?"Understood."

?Satisfied with Silas’s response, Cassian finalized the remaining logistics.

?A short distance away, Nyxara stood silently, taking in the scene.

?Since stepping aboard the [Nova Seeker], she had been quietly fascinated by the vessel’s construction. She ran her eyes over the seamless bulkheads, the hovering holographic interfaces, and the complex control dais.

Every piece of advanced technology felt entirely alien compared to the magic-centric structures of her original world.

?She had witnessed the grand scale of Cassian’s abilities before, but this was a different realm of mastery altogether.

?The starship operated seamlessly without a single visible rune or magic circle, its systems responding to biological input with terrifying precision.

?Nyxara brushed her slender fingers along the edge of a control terminal, watching the glowing symbols shift beneath her touch.

?She glanced over at Cassian.

?Her Lord moved through this high-tech world with effortless grace; to him, such advanced machinery was second nature.

To her, however, it was an exhilarating glimpse into the vast, infinite cosmos expanding beyond her old life.

?And if this starship was merely a single asset from a civilization Cassian considered suspicious, she couldn’t help but wonder what extraordinary sights awaited them once they truly ventured into the stars.

?Her violet eyes returned to the shifting holographic displays, a quiet excitement kindling in her chest.

’?I wonder what else this universe has to offer.’

....

After giving Silas his final instructions, Cassian left the bridge with Nyxara following closely behind.

The other Arachnid undead remained aboard the Nova Seeker, preparing for their journey back to their home civilization.

?The moment Cassian and Nyxara stepped off the boarding ramp, the main hatch slid shut with a soft mechanical hiss.

?Cassian glanced at the sealed entrance before turning his attention back to the vessel’s exterior.

?Although Silas had lost most of his memories from his previous life, the physical muscle memory he had acquired while alive remained ingrained in his body.

Piloting the Nova Seeker was second nature, even without consciously recalling how he had learned, his hands instinctively knew what to do.

?The starship’s engines hummed to life.

?A low vibration reverberated through the metallic floor of the hangar as the thrusters flared with a faint blue glow.

The Nova Seeker gradually lifted from the docking platform, its streamlined hull hovering effortlessly near the ceiling.

?Above, the heavy vault doors concealing the complex’s exit began to slide open.

?The enormous ceiling plates parted with a deep mechanical rumble, revealing the dark, star-filled sky beyond.

The Nova Seeker accelerated without hesitation, shooting through the opening like a silent shadow.

?Within seconds, it had cleared the subterranean facility.

?Its rear engines flared briefly as it climbed into the upper atmosphere, and then something remarkable happened.

?The spacecraft began to dissolve.

?Its dark metallic hull shimmered before blending seamlessly into the empty night sky.

The remaining outline vanished entirely, leaving behind no visual footprint or thermal trace.

?By the time the Nova Seeker breached Planet Roca’s orbit, it had become completely invisible.

?Cassian watched the empty sky with a satisfied expression.

?’That cloaking system really is impressive.’