Reborn as a Space Mercenary: From Salaryman to Galactic Legend

The wind howled through the jagged cliffs of the canyon, carrying grains of Kynara's coarse desert sand that scraped against Ethan's helmet. His position atop the rocky ledge provided a clear view of the Syndicate convoy snaking its way through the canyon below. Hover trucks floated just inches above the ground, their engines humming softly against the roar of the wind. Each vehicle carried crates of cargo, crucial supplies for Vela Drasik's manufacturing hub.

Ethan crouched low, his upgraded gear secured and ready. The new D-Rank resources Kael had authorized for him felt lighter and more refined, a stark contrast to the basic equipment and gadgets he'd used when he first arrived in this universe. His HUD displayed vital intel on the convoy: six trucks, each flanked by Syndicate soldiers armed with laser rifles, and a single advanced combat drone hovering overhead.

"You're sure about this approach?" Iris's voice buzzed in his earpiece, calm and precise.

Ethan adjusted the settings on his cloaking device, a slim belt-mounted module that emitted a faint hum as it activated. "It's the best shot we've got. The canyon walls funnel them into one path. They won't have room to maneuver once I start the ambush."

He scanned the convoy again, his enhanced optics zooming in on the lead vehicle. Inside, two guards monitored a terminal that likely controlled the locking mechanisms for the crates. Those materials would have been vital for Vela Drasik's alloy production and equally dangerous if they reached her.

Ethan moved swiftly but carefully along the ridge, planting proximity explosives at key points on the canyon walls. The charges were designed to cause controlled landslides, blocking the convoy's path and isolating them from reinforcements. He checked each device twice before retreating to his vantage point.

With a final glance at his HUD, he activated his hacking device. The small, compact tool emitted a low pulse as it began jamming the convoy's communications. Syndicate frequencies filled his ears with static as the device worked to sever their connection to nearby outposts.

"Comms are jammed," Iris confirmed. "You'll have a short window before they realize what's happening."

"Short is all I need," Ethan replied, steadying his laser pistol.

Ethan pressed the detonator. A series of controlled explosions erupted along the canyon walls, sending massive chunks of rock cascading onto the path below. Dust and debris clouded the air, engulfing the lead truck and halting the convoy in its tracks.

Syndicate guards scrambled to assess the situation, their shouts muffled by the swirling dust. Ethan took advantage of the chaos, targeting the guards nearest to the lead truck. His laser pistol discharged with precision, each shot dropping a guard before they could react.

The guards around the second and third trucks regrouped quickly, forming a defensive line. One barked orders into his comms, oblivious to the fact that their signals were still jammed.

Ethan moved down the ridge, his cloaking device rendering him nearly invisible. He approached the lead truck, his plasma dagger humming softly as he activated it. A single, precise strike disabled the vehicle's locking mechanism, exposing the crates within.

A shout pierced the air. One of the guards had spotted Ethan's silhouette through the settling dust. "There! Open fire!"

Laser blasts seared past him, forcing Ethan into cover behind a boulder. He returned fire, his enhanced reflexes allowing him to aim and shoot with practiced efficiency. Three guards dropped in quick succession, but the remaining Syndicate forces began coordinating their assault, pinning him down.

"Hostiles advancing from the rear," Iris warned. "Reinforcements likely en route from a nearby outpost."

"Fantastic," Ethan muttered, throwing a smoke grenade into the fray. The dense cloud of smoke gave him just enough cover to reposition, scaling a nearby rock formation with the help of his grappling hook.

From his elevated position, Ethan spotted the combat drone moving to flank him. Its twin laser cannons glowed ominously as it locked onto his location. Ethan waited until the drone fired, narrowly dodging the blast before launching himself toward it. His plasma dagger sliced through the drone's central processor, sending it spiraling to the ground in a shower of sparks.

With the guards momentarily disoriented, Ethan planted explosives on the fuel tanks of two trucks. He activated the timers and sprinted toward the ridge, dodging incoming fire as the timers ticked down.

The ensuing explosions lit up the canyon, engulfing the trucks in flames and scattering the remaining guards. Ethan scaled the ridge, his grappling hook pulling him to safety as debris rained down.

As he reached the top, his HUD flashed with a warning: Syndicate reinforcements closing in fast. Ethan gritted his teeth, feeling the burn of minor injuries sustained during the skirmish.

"Time to go," he said, clutching a datapad he'd retrieved from one of the trucks.

"Agreed," Iris replied. "The intel you've gathered will be invaluable for our next steps."

Ethan activated his hover bike, which had been concealed nearby, and sped off toward Valeris City.

Back at the guild in a secure room, Ethan handed the datapad to Kael, who wasted no time decrypting its contents. The screen lit up with logistical data, supply schedules, and encrypted messages.

"This confirms it," Kael said, his voice grim. "Vela's ramping up production. Whatever she's building, she's doubling down."

Ethan crossed his arms, his expression dark. "She knows we're targeting her. The defenses on that convoy were no joke. If that's her supply line, I can only imagine what her manufacturing hub looks like."

Kael nodded, his eyes scanning the data. "She's clearly reinforcing her operations, but this also means she's vulnerable. We've disrupted her supply chain. Now we need to hit her where it hurts."

Ethan stared at the holographic map, his jaw tightening. "Let's make sure she doesn't get another chance to regroup."

As Ethan left the debriefing, his mind raced with thoughts of the battle ahead. The Syndicate was adapting, becoming more dangerous with every move. But so was he.