The fires of war had gone out. The *Unnamed* stood amidst the wreckage of the privateer military supply station, the crimson radiation clouds slowly dissipating to reveal the deep, endless light of the stars. The once-imposing privateer fleet — anchored by the *"Ark-class Light Carrier – Ravenflight"* and the *"CV3000 Multirole Aircraft Carrier – Black Tempest"* — was now nothing more than drifting debris, scattered like dying embers through the void.
The *Red Beast* lay crippled within the station, smoke pouring from its engine room, its battered hull a testament to the battle's ferocity. Yet the *Unnamed* remained standing — proud, unbroken, its bridge lights casting a solemn glow over the battlefield's silence.
Elara stood in the command tower, her gaze fixed on the holographic display littered with enemy wreckage.
"We won," she said quietly.
Kira leaned against the console beside her, still catching his breath. "Captain… the cost was great."
She nodded, eyes sweeping over the spoils of war within the station — fuel reserves, refined metals, and the remaining nano-spore drone systems. As she prepared to issue orders for resource recovery, the holographic display flickered. A new message arrived — encrypted, bearing the insignia of **Kabayashi Technologies**.
Her brow furrowed as she opened the transmission. A representative in gray-blue corporate uniform appeared, voice low and urgent:
"Commander Elara, congratulations on defeating the pirate fleet. Your strength has impressed us deeply. But the battle is not yet over. We've just intercepted critical intelligence: a privateer convoy is moving along the edge of the Ayram System, carrying the blueprints for the **XT-11 Missile Destroyer**. This is Kabayashi's most advanced design. If it falls into enemy hands, the consequences will be catastrophic. Intercept them. Eliminate the convoy. Retrieve the blueprints. The reward will include resources and technological support you cannot afford to refuse."
Elara's expression darkened. The XT-11 was a cutting-edge vessel known for its long-range missile arrays and high maneuverability. In enemy hands, it would pose a grave threat to her fleet. She asked evenly, "Enemy strength? Location?"
The rep responded promptly:
"The convoy consists of three ships. At the center is the *ST-8 Torpedo Destroyer – Riftbreaker*, carrying the blueprint data core. Flanking it are the *Calisto-class Missile Frigate – Flameheart* and the *CV-II Light Carrier – Nightowl*. Coordinates have been transmitted — approximately two light-seconds from your position."
The transmission ended. The projection faded.
Elara turned to Kira, her voice calm but firm. "Prepare for immediate departure. The *Red Beast* can't keep up — we move with the *Unnamed* alone."
Kira hesitated. "Captain, we've just survived a siege. Our ship isn't in ideal condition."
Elara met his gaze with sharp resolve. "We can't let those blueprints fall into enemy hands. This is our chance. Engage the warp drive — now."
The *Unnamed*'s thrusters hummed softly as the warp core charged. Space rippled around its hull, then in an instant, the ship vanished — crossing two light-seconds in the blink of an eye.
It emerged at the edge of the Ayram System, facing a jagged asteroid field. There, the enemy convoy awaited — the *Riftbreaker* at its heart, sleek and blade-like, torpedo bays gleaming ominously; the *Flameheart* guarding the left flank, missile launchers primed; the *Nightowl* bringing up the rear, its hangar deck stirring with motion.
Elara gave the order: "Scan targets. Prepare for combat."
Sensors locked on quickly — the *Riftbreaker*'s data core glowed clearly on the tactical display.
She exhaled sharply. "Go straight for the core."
The *Unnamed*'s **Judicator Beam** ion cannon began charging, a deep humming sound reverberating across the bridge. A brilliant arc of blue energy lanced through space, targeting the *Riftbreaker*'s command bridge.
The enemy ship barely managed to raise its shields — the beam struck its starboard side, detonating a fireball that sent debris spiraling into the asteroid belt. The destroyer listed, damaged but still intact.
The *Nightowl* reacted swiftly. Dozens of fighter craft launched from its decks like a swarm of shadows, streaking toward the *Unnamed*. Simultaneously, the *Flameheart* unleashed a barrage of missiles, their crimson trails slicing through the asteroid field.
Elara barked her command: "Missile interception — deploy drones!"
Only thirty nano-spore drones remained from the salvage operation. She pressed the **Release** key. The swarm burst forth, switching to **Scatter Disruption** mode.
Several drones targeted the incoming fighters — tearing through fuselages, igniting engines, sending burning wrecks tumbling into the void. Others intercepted the missiles mid-flight, detonating them in cascading fireballs that shattered nearby asteroids. The sky lit with chaos.
The *Riftbreaker* refused to surrender. It fired two *ST-8-610* torpedoes, trailing blood-red exhaust plumes straight toward the *Unnamed*.
"Shields full power — ion cannon again!" Elara commanded.
One torpedo struck the HSS composite armor, sending violent tremors through the ship. The other was intercepted by the remaining drones — the explosion triggered a storm of asteroid fragments and fiery shockwaves.
The **Judicator Beam** recharged. A second pulse of blue light cut through the void, this time striking the *Riftbreaker*'s engines. The propulsion chamber erupted in flame — the ship lost all mobility, its data core exposed, glowing faintly amid the wreckage.
Taking advantage of the moment, the *Flameheart* surged forward, launching another wave of missiles. Several struck the *Unnamed*'s aft section, causing sparks to fly and shields to flicker.
Elara's voice was ice: "Return fire."
The MK7-SG-4800 triple-barrel cannons roared. Shells rained down upon the *Flameheart*. Its weakened shields collapsed instantly. The frigate tore apart under the bombardment, exploding in a final blaze before vanishing into the void.
With only the *Nightowl* left, the carrier made a desperate last stand. Its remaining aircraft dove in suicide runs. The dwindling drone force struggled to intercept them all. Several bombs struck the *Unnamed*'s flanks, shaking the hull violently.
Elara stared at the holographic display. Only one enemy remained.
She growled, "End this."
The *Starfall* missile system launched, splitting into multiple warheads. Fire trails rained down upon the *Nightowl*. Explosions tore open its flight deck, and the carrier disintegrated in a chain reaction, scattering debris across the asteroid field like a fallen titan.
At the center of it all, the crippled *Riftbreaker* floated in silence, its data core flickering weakly.
Elara approached the control panel herself. The Judicator Beam charged once more, thunder rumbling through the ship. A brilliant arc of blue light coalesced in the cannon's barrel.
Kira stood beside her, whispering, "Target locked. Fire."
Her eyes narrowed. "Fall, and never rise again."
The beam fired — divine in its wrath. It struck the *Riftbreaker* dead-center, reducing it to a fireball that swallowed its remains. Shockwaves rolled through the asteroid field. Fragments of the XT-11 blueprints drifted through the void, reflecting the final glow of the battlefield.
Silence returned.
The *Unnamed* stood alone in the asteroid belt, scarred but unbowed.
Elara ordered, "Recover the blueprint fragments. Return to base."
Boarding teams moved swiftly, retrieving what remained of the XT-11 plans. Standing over the holographic display, she murmured, "Kabayashi owes us big time."
The warp drive hummed again. The ship's silhouette shimmered — then vanished into the depths of the stars, leaving behind only the fading echoes of victory.