Chapter 11 : It Went Wrong.

Max's heart sank as he saw Vex's ship closing in on them. He knew that they had to act fast if they wanted to keep the artifact out of Vex's hands.

"We need to come up with a plan," Max said, his voice steady despite the rising panic in his chest. "Lyra, can you use your telepathic powers to try and find out what Vex wants with the artifact?"

Lyra nodded, closing her eyes and focusing her mind. After a few moments, she gasped and opened her eyes.

"He's planning to use it to take over the galaxy," she said, her voice filled with dread. "He wants to use the artifact's power to control entire planets, and he won't stop until he has complete domination."

Xander and Zara exchanged worried glances. "We can't let him get his hands on it," Xander said, his voice firm.

Max nodded in agreement. "But how do we stop him? He's too powerful for us to take on alone."

Lyra spoke up, her voice determined. "We have to find a way to use the artifact's power against him. It's the only way."

They all looked at each other, knowing that the fate of the galaxy rested on their shoulders. Max took a deep breath and focused his mind, trying to come up with a plan.

And then it hit him.

"I think I have an idea," he said, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "But we're going to need to work together if we want to make it happen."

Xander, Zara, and Lyra all nodded, ready to do whatever it took to stop Vex and save the galaxy.

Together, they worked to activate the artifact, using their combined skills and powers to harness its energy. They focused all their strength on Vex's ship, sending a powerful blast of energy hurtling towards it.

The blast hit Vex's ship, causing it to shake and shudder. Max could see the panic in Vex's eyes as he realized that he had been defeated.

But just as Max thought that they had won, something strange started to happen. The artifact began to pulse with energy, and Max could feel a strange sensation in his mind.

And then, everything went black.

When Max woke up, he was lying on the ground outside the ship, with Xander, Zara, and Lyra gathered around him. He looked around, confused.

"What happened?" he asked.

Lyra spoke up, her voice shaky. "I don't know. When we activated the artifact, it sent out a powerful blast of energy. It knocked us all unconscious, and when we woke up, Vex and his ship were gone."

Max's heart sank as he realized what had happened. They had lost the artifact, and Vex was still out there, plotting his next move.

As they stood there, the reality of their failure sank in. Max could see the disappointment and fear in his friends' eyes. They had come so close, but it seemed like their efforts were for nothing.

"We can't give up," Max said, determination in his voice. "We have to keep going."

"But how?" Zara asked, frustration clear in her voice. "We don't even know where Vex went or what his next move will be."

Max thought for a moment, trying to come up with a plan. And then he remembered something.

"Lyra, can you use your telepathic powers to try and find Vex's ship?" he asked.

Lyra nodded, closing her eyes and focusing her mind. After a few moments, she gasped and opened her eyes.

"I can sense his ship," she said, a hint of excitement in her voice. "It's not far from here, but it's cloaked. I'll need Xander's help to pinpoint its location."

Xander nodded, and the two of them worked together to locate Vex's ship. Once they had its coordinates, Max knew what they had to do.

"We have to get back in our ship and follow him," he said, his voice firm.

"But what if he's expecting us?" Zara asked, her eyes wide with fear.

"We'll have to be careful," Max said. "But we can't just sit around and wait for him to make his next move. We have to take the fight to him."

With that, they made their way back to their ship, ready to take on whatever lay ahead. As they flew towards Vex's ship, Max could feel the tension in the air. They all knew that this could be their last chance to stop him.

But just as they were about to make contact with Vex's ship, something strange happened. The ship started to glow with a bright light, and Max could feel a strange sensation in his mind.

And then, everything went black.

When Max woke up, he was no longer on the ship. He was in a strange room, surrounded by unfamiliar technology. He tried to stand up, but his legs felt weak and unsteady.

"Where am I?" he muttered to himself.

Suddenly, a voice echoed through the room. "You are on my ship, Max," the voice said, cold and menacing.

Max's heart sank as he realized who it was.

"Vex," he said, his voice shaking.

"Yes," Vex said, stepping out from the shadows. "You and your friends were quite a nuisance. But now, I have you right where I want you."

Max tried to reach for his weapon, but it was nowhere to be found. He was defenseless against Vex.

"What do you want from me?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Everything," Vex said, a wicked smile spreading across his face. "You and your friends have been a thorn in my side for too long. But now, I have the power to destroy you once and for all."

Max could feel the fear rising in his chest. He didn't know what Vex had planned for him, but he knew it couldn't be good.

As Vex advanced towards him, Max knew that he had to find a way to escape. But with no weapon and no allies to help him, it seemed like an impossible task.

And as Vex's hand closed around his throat, Max knew that he was running out of time.