The Argonaut drifted above the outer shadow of Elysium Colony, engines idling as the crew monitored sensors. Days of drills, simulations, and coordination exercises had sharpened the Trident units' skills, but nothing could replace the uncertainty of facing the ace pilot again.
Leon Hartmann tightened his grip on the Aegis' controls, eyes scanning the void for any hint of movement. "Stay sharp," he said over the comms. "He'll be testing us from the shadows, just like last time."
Mira Solenne's Valkyrie streaked beside him, thrusters humming. "We're ready. Let him come."
Rika Hartmann, piloting Bastion, adjusted her targeting systems. "I've got the rear covered. Nothing gets past me."
Rolf Brenner's calm voice came through the comms. "Good. Remember the drills. Coordination, trust, and adaptability. The moment we falter, the colony suffers."
For minutes, silence stretched, broken only by the faint hum of engines and the Argonaut's systems. Then sensors flared red. The Vagan units had returned, faster, smarter, more aggressive. And at their center, unmistakable, the black-suited ace pilot.
"Contacts confirmed!" Mira shouted. "Three units, heading straight for us!"
Leon's pulse quickened. "Engage. Formation delta, now!"
Bastion moved to cover their rear, Valkyrie flanked ahead, and the Aegis positioned to intercept the ace directly. The Vagan pilot fired first, a beam cutting through the void toward the colony. Leon raised his shield, deflecting the energy just in time. Sparks flew in a dazzling display against the darkness of space.
"Focus on the formation," Rolf instructed. "Don't let him isolate anyone."
Leon's mind raced. He analyzed every movement, predicting the ace's attack patterns. Valkyrie darted around him, slashing with energy daggers, forcing the Vagan pilot to split his focus. Bastion's heavy cannons fired, beams converging on the enemy units with precision.
The ace reacted instantly, spinning and twisting with uncanny speed, intercepting Leon's shots while evading Valkyrie's attacks. For the first time, Leon felt the edge of desperation. Every move required split-second timing, every decision carried the weight of the colony's survival.
"Leon, the left flank!" Mira called, voice tense.
He twisted the Aegis, adjusting his thrusters, raising the shield just in time to block a direct beam strike. Bastion fired a coordinated volley, striking one of the Vagan units and forcing it into a defensive retreat.
The ace, however, remained relentless, analyzing their maneuvers, adapting with terrifying speed. Leon realized this fight would not be won by reaction alone. Strategy and creativity were the only ways forward.
"Valkyrie, feint right!" Leon shouted. "Bastion, follow my lead and trap the ace between us!"
Mira executed the maneuver flawlessly, her daggers slicing through the void, drawing the ace toward the Aegis. Bastion's cannons converged, creating a crossfire. For a brief, heart-stopping moment, the Vagan pilot hesitated.
Leon seized the opening, firing the Aegis' beam rifle with precision. Sparks flew as the shot connected, striking the ace's suit. It twisted violently, forced to retreat temporarily.
"Now!" Rolf barked. "Regroup and press the advantage!"
The Trident units moved as one, coordinated, synchronized, a single entity in space. Valkyrie struck fast, Bastion unleashed a barrage, and the Aegis drove the ace back further. But the Vagan pilot wasn't defeated. He warped into the shadows, disappearing into the void.
Leon exhaled, sweat dripping from his brow. "He… he retreated."
Mira hovered nearby, engines glowing faintly. "We did it… for now."
Rolf's voice, steady as always, reminded them of the stakes. "Don't celebrate yet. He's alive, he's learning, and he'll be back. But today… today, you learned. That was your first true victory."
Leon looked at the Aegis, its white armor marked with scratches and scorch marks. It had survived, and so had he. The Trident had held together, not as individual units, but as a team.
Outside, the void remained silent, indifferent, endless. But for Leon, Mira, and Rika, the battle had changed everything. They had faced an enemy who mirrored their skill, and they had survived. They had adapted, coordinated, and learned.
And somewhere, far across the solar system, Flit Asuno continued his quiet work, unaware that the ripples of war were slowly spreading toward him.
Leon placed a hand on the Aegis, feeling the weight of its presence. "Next time," he whispered, "we won't just survive. We'll win."