The *Unnamed* and the *Red Beast* retreated into the core of the privateer military supply station. Beyond the crimson radiation clouds, the pirates' ironclad fleet still held firm — five warships like fallen leviathans in the starfield, their names glowing with unyielding defiance: - *"Ark-class Light Carrier – Ravenflight"* - *"Relietya-class Frigate – Bloodedge"* - *"Calmsea-class Frigate – Dark Tide"* - *"ST-8 Torpedo Destroyer – Worldfall"* - *"CV3000 Multirole Aircraft Carrier – Black Tempest"* The first wave of nano-spore drones had torn through enemy lines but failed to break the siege. Enemy fire roared again like thunder from the void — missiles and fighter squadrons wove a storm of annihilation, scattering the wreckage of the supply station like dying embers. At the command tower of the *Unnamed*, Elara stood unmoving, her eyes burning with battle-lust as she stared at the holographic projection of the enemy fleet. She turned sharply to Kira and growled, "Prepare the second wave. Hold the station!" Kira led his team to haul the remaining launch systems onto the bridge. Explosions shook the structure as the *Dark Tide*'s electromagnetic cannon tore through the *Red Beast*'s aft section. Fire erupted across its hull. Elara connected the control terminal to the ship's system and pressed the red activation button. The ancient AI awakened once more; the screen flickered with the message: *"Initialization Complete."* She quickly set the target parameters to **"Engines and Weapon Systems,"** rotated the dial to **Scatter Disruption**, and slammed the green **Release** key. With a thunderous roar, the deployment bay doors opened. A swarm of 300 nano-spore drones burst forth like a black cloud descending from the heavens. Their synchronized hum was like a chorus of countless storms, shaking the entire radiation zone — even space itself trembled. The drone swarm surged toward the pirate fleet. The *Black Tempest* reacted first, launching dozens of fighter craft from its hangars in a desperate attempt to intercept the death cloud. The drones moved like phantoms, dispersing and locking onto individual targets. Even before the *Black Tempest*'s fighters could fully ascend, they were swarmed by dozens of drones. Wings shredded, engines ignited, and within seconds the sky was raining debris. The *Black Tempest* fired its main gun — a high-energy beam that swept across the swarm, obliterating dozens of drones in a flash of fire and light. But the drones replicated instantly, replenishing their numbers. They returned with renewed fury, an undying legion of mechanical ghosts. The *Ravenflight* followed suit. Despite its damaged flight deck, it struggled to deploy its remaining aircraft, attempting to form a last line of defense. The swarm engulfed them like a hurricane. Dozens of drones tore into the fighter formations, slicing fuselages apart mid-air. Explosions lit up the radiation clouds in bursts of crimson. The *Ravenflight*'s point-defense guns roared, firing volley after volley into the swarm. Several drones dropped in plumes of smoke, but others broke through and dove into the carrier's engine room. Sparks erupted inside; flames spewed from the thrusters. The ship trembled violently, and a massive gash split open its flight deck. The *Bloodedge* and *Dark Tide* charged forward side-by-side. The *Bloodedge*'s twin-linked CM-2x135-A rapid-fire cannons barked relentlessly, turning the void into a hailstorm of shells. Dozens of drones exploded midair, fragments scattering like meteors. The *Dark Tide* unleashed volleys from its SG-760 electromagnetic cannons, sending high-energy rounds slicing through the swarm. Explosions bloomed across the battlefield. But the drones kept coming — relentless as the tide. Some slipped into the *Bloodedge*'s turrets, detonating from within. Gun barrels warped, firepower diminished. The *Dark Tide*'s engine compartment became the next target. Drones swarmed like hornets, gnawing at its propulsion system. Smoke billowed, speed plummeted. The *Worldfall* seized its chance. Three ST-8-610 torpedoes slashed through the void, heading straight for the heart of the supply station, leaving trails of crimson flame in their wake. Kira shouted, "Intercept!" With no hesitation, Elara switched the drones to **Swarm Assault** mode. Hundreds of units converged in an instant, flying like arrows toward the incoming warheads. The first torpedo was torn apart by dozens of drones — its explosion rattled the station. The second detonated in a fireball, consuming a dozen drones in the process. The third breached the defense net — aimed directly at the *Red Beast*'s bow. The *Red Beast* barely managed to turn. Its missile batteries launched in desperation. The torpedo detonated mere meters from the hull, shockwaves ripping through the portside. Debris scattered, the engine room burst into flames. Gritting her teeth, Elara barked, "*Unnamed*, counterattack!" The *Judicator Beam* ion cannon charged. A blinding arc of blue light tore through the void, striking the *Worldfall*'s torpedo bay dead-on. Chain explosions consumed the vessel, fire swallowing half its frame. The *Worldfall* listed heavily, engines extinguished, drifting lifelessly into the abyss. The *Red Beast* fought back valiantly, launching multi-warhead missiles toward the crippled *Dark Tide*. Shields shattered, the bridge exploded, smoke poured from the hull — the frigate lost all maneuverability. The *Black Tempest* and *Ravenflight* repositioned. The *Black Tempest* unleashed another missile salvo, dozens of warheads streaking toward the *Unnamed*. Elara coldly ordered, "Shields full power — missile retaliation!" The *Unnamed*'s HSS composite armor absorbed the impact, shields flaring against the barrage. Then came the return fire — *Starfall* missiles launched, splitting into multiple warheads. Dozens of fire trails rained down upon the *Black Tempest*. Shards of hull plating exploded outward, and the carrier's flank was torn open, debris scattering like a meteor shower. Taking advantage of the chaos, the *Ravenflight* closed in. Its remaining fighters dove in a suicide strafing run. The *Red Beast*'s deck exploded under the assault, fire consuming the engine room — the cruiser nearly crippled. The lone *Bloodedge* fought on. Its rapid-fire cannons roared, tearing through the air. The drone swarm thinned rapidly — now less than a hundred remained. Elara fixed her gaze on the tactical display. Her voice was steel. "Hold the station. Fight until the end." She pressed the **Recall** button. Surviving drones disengaged and retreated toward the supply station, preparing for a third wave. The *Unnamed*'s MK7-SG-4800 triple-barreled cannons thundered. Rounds screamed toward the *Bloodedge*, piercing shield defenses. The frigate cracked under the onslaught — then erupted into a blazing inferno, vanishing into the void. Only two ships remained: the *Black Tempest* and *Ravenflight*. Yet enemy bombardment continued, a relentless storm of fire. The *Unnamed* and *Red Beast* fell back to the station's core. Flames danced in the vacuum of space. The second offensive raged like divine wrath. Drones clashed with artillery amid the blood-red radiation clouds. Though the siege was not yet broken, the cry of resistance echoed across the stars.
