Galaxy Wars

IMPERIAL BASTARDS

Dean and Tali sat side by side in the dimly lit cabin, a quiet moment shared between them after days of high tension. The soft hum of the Normandy's systems provided a calm backdrop as they leaned against each other, a rare instance where they could simply relax. Dean had removed his helmet, letting his face breathe the cool air of the ship. Tali, her helmet still on, was leaning slightly into him, her body language showing she felt safe in the moment.

"I never thought we'd get even a moment of peace in all this madness," Tali said, her voice soft but laced with a sense of lingering urgency.

Dean gave a small, tired chuckle. "Yeah, it's been a rollercoaster. Cerberus, the Empire, and now this Death Star nonsense. Would be nice to get five minutes where we're not on some galactic hit list."

Tali tilted her head, her visor glowing faintly in the darkness. "We might be fighting an impossible fight, but at least we're together in it."

Before Dean could reply, Joker's voice cut through the ship's intercom, his tone as tense as it was irritated.

"Uh, everyone? This is not a drill. I repeat, not a fucking drill. We've got an Imperial ship inbound—looks like a Star Destroyer. Brace yourselves."

The tranquil moment shattered. Dean's eyes hardened as he shot to his feet, quickly reattaching his helmet. Tali followed his lead, standing with urgency.

"Figures," Dean muttered, strapping on his gear. "Never lasts long, does it?"

The two of them made their way to the bridge in record time, the adrenaline already pumping. As they arrived, Shepard and the rest of the crew were already at their stations. The vast screen in front of them displayed the looming figure of an Imperial Star Destroyer, hovering ominously just beyond the Normandy's sensor range.

Joker's hands flew across the controls, his sharp eyes tracking the enemy ship. "It's patrolling the area, but we've drifted past it so far. They haven't seen us... yet."

Tali immediately began working at her station, running diagnostics on the Normandy's systems. "We can stay off their sensors, but the moment they pick up anything unusual, they'll come after us."

Shepard folded his arms, eyes glued to the screen. "Any way we can avoid this without a fight?"

Joker swiveled in his chair slightly, his usual sarcasm tinged with worry. "We're drifting past them now, but that thing's bristling with firepower. If they spot us, it's game over."

Dean leaned against a console, his helmet making his voice deeper than usual. "Then let's make sure they don't."

As the Normandy coasted silently through space, the Star Destroyer loomed like a predator. The tension on the bridge was palpable. Joker carefully maneuvered the ship, trying to keep them in the blind spot of the Imperial vessel.

"Shepard, if they scan us, there's no way they won't recognize the ship," Garrus said, stepping forward. "An N7 vessel in the middle of the Terminus Systems? They'll know something's up."

Tali's fingers danced over the controls as she worked to keep the Normandy's systems quiet. "I've rerouted power from the weapons and auxiliary engines to reduce our energy signature. It'll help, but it's not foolproof."

Shepard frowned, his mind racing. "Do what you can. Keep us under the radar."

The crew held their breath as the Normandy drifted dangerously close to the Imperial ship. The silence felt like it stretched on forever.

Then, just as they began to pass, the communications panel lit up.

An Imperial voice crackled over the comms, cold and precise. "This is the Star Destroyer Relentless. We have detected an unidentified ship in restricted space. Identify yourself immediately."