Night fell over Pegasi 51 b like a thick cloak, enveloping the barren landscape in shadows. The two moons hung low, casting a silvery light over the rebels as they prepared for their raid. Jax stood at the edge of their encampment, his heart racing with anticipation and fear. The air was tense, charged with the electricity of imminent conflict.

“Are we ready?” Jax asked, turning to Chela, who was checking the last of the gear.

“As ready as we’ll ever be,” she replied, her eyes gleaming with determination. “The scouts reported minimal activity along the supply route. It’s now or never.”

Jax took a deep breath, steeling himself. “Then let’s move out. Remember, we hit hard and fast. In and out before they even know what happened.”

The rebels formed up, a ragtag yet determined battalion, armed with their newly acquired weapons and a fierce resolve. Zephyr led the way, gliding through the shadows with an otherworldly grace. Jax followed closely, flanked by Chela and a handful of the most skilled fighters.

As they approached the designated ambush point, the distant hum of engines grew louder. Jax signaled for silence, and the group melted into the terrain, blending with the rocky outcroppings and sparse vegetation. The convoy, a string of heavily armoured transports, rolled into view, their lights cutting through the darkness like searchlights.

Jax’s pulse quickened. “On my mark,” he whispered, adrenaline coursing through his veins. He could see the silhouettes of soldiers unaware of the storm brewing just beyond their sight.

“Now!” Jax shouted, and the rebels sprang into action.

Laser fire erupted from the rebels’ positions, beams of light slicing through the air as they targeted the convoy’s guards. The element of surprise was on their side; the Dominion soldiers were caught off guard, their shouts of alarm swallowed by the chaos.

Jax moved like a shadow, darting between the armoured transports taking down dominion soldiers with precise strikes. The rebels, emboldened by their training, fought with a ferocity that shocked even Jax. They moved as one, a fluid unit driven by a singular purpose.

“Cover the left flank!” Chela shouted, firing her plasma rifle with deadly accuracy. One of the transports caught fire, the explosion illuminating the night like a beacon.

Jax took the lead, charging toward the convoy’s lead vehicle. He could see the driver scrambling, panic in their eyes. With a well-aimed shot, Jax disabled the transport’s engine, causing it to sputter and stall.

“Make sure they can’t call for reinforcements!” he yelled, pushing forward with his comrades. The stakes were rising, and the adrenaline was intoxicating.

As they fought, Jax caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of his eye—a flash of movement. He turned just in time to see a figure emerging from the shadows, a soldier clad in black armour, their visor reflecting the chaos around them.

“Watch out!” Jax shouted, but it was too late. The soldier lunged, grabbing one of the rebels and throwing them against the ground. The impact was brutal, and Jax felt a surge of anger. 

The fight intensified around him, but Jax focused on the assailant. He drew his weapon and fired, but the soldier was quick, dodging the shot and retaliating with a swift punch that sent Jax staggering back.

“Jax!” Chela cried, her voice slicing through his haze of anger. She rushed forward, firing at the armoured figure with a precision that made Jax’s heart swell with pride.

The soldier reeled from the impact, but then quickly recovered, his movements fluid and dangerous. It became evident this was no ordinary opponent; the black armour glinted with advanced tech, a testament to the Dominion’s resources.

“Fall back!” Jax shouted, his voice rising above the din of battle. “Regroup!”

As they retreated behind the disabled transporter, Jax’s mind raced. “What the hell was that?” he panted, glancing at Chela, who was catching her breath.

“An elite soldier,” Zephyr interjected, stepping into view. “They’re trained for situations like this. You need to be more careful .”

“Then let’s take him out,” Jax replied, refusing to back down. “This fight is more complex than you realise. You cannot underestimate the elite soldier’s capabilities.” Zephyr said.

“Then let’s use his arrogance against them,” Jax said, a plan forming in his mind. “We’ll lure him into the open. Chela, gather the others.”

“What about you?” she asked, her brow furrowed with worry.

“I’ll be fine. Just trust me.”

With a determined nod, Chela rallied the remaining rebels, and Jax slipped away, moving stealthily toward the fray. He needed to draw the elite soldier out, to expose the weaknesses hidden beneath the armour.

As he moved through the shadows, he could hear the shouts of the Dominion soldiers. “Regroup! Find them!” Panic was seeping into their voices, and Jax felt a surge of confidence.

He reached a vantage point overlooking the chaos and took a deep breath. “Hey!” he shouted, projecting his voice. “Over here, you coward!s”

The response was immediate. The elite soldier turned, his visor locking onto Jax. He advanced, flanked by several regular soldiers, his eyes filled with fury.

Jax grinned, adrenaline pumping. “Let’s see what you’ve got!”

As he turned to sprint back toward the rebels, he felt the ground shake beneath him. An explosion rocked the area, sending debris flying. The elite soldier and his group stumbled, disoriented.

“Now!” Jax yelled, and the rebels surged forward, a wave of defiance crashing against the Dominion soldiers.

The battle raged on, but Jax felt a shift in the air. The tide was turning, and they were pushing back against the darkness. With every shot fired, every soldier taken down, they reclaimed a piece of their home.

But in the back of his mind, a nagging thought remained. They had won a battle, but the war was far from over, the Dominion would retaliate likely with a vengeance. As for the elite soldier his body was not amongst the dead, had he escaped?

As the flames flickered and the sounds of victory echoed through the night, Jax knew this was just the beginning. They had struck a blow for freedom, but the gathering storm was far from dissipating. The fight for Pegasi 51 b had ignited, and the rebels were ready to face whatever came next.