The soft hum of the ship's engines filled my ears as I slowly stirred to consciousness. My eyelids feel heavy, and my vision was blurred, but as I blinked repeatedly, the controls and lights of the cockpit started to come into focus. The blinking lights and digital displays cast a soft glow, revealing the vastness of space beyond the glass.
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My fingers ached as I unclenched them from the armrests. How long had I been out? My memory was a haze of colors and sounds. The last thing I remembered was navigating through an asteroid field, but now everything was quiet. Just the vastness of space and the soft lull of the ship's systems.
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The leather of the pilot's seat clung to my back, damp from sweat. I shook my head, trying to clear away the cobwebs of unconsciousness. The stars outside twinkled, and a large gas planet dominated my view, its swirling colors mesmerizing and familiar.
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I reached for the ship's controls, my hands automatically adjusting dials and flipping switches.A holographic display sprung to life. Showing a panel of information
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Hmm.. the ships names is 'Elysia-44'
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A sudden beep caught my attention, and the comm system activated. "Unknown vessel, identify yourself," a voice crackled over the intercom.
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I cleared my throat, pushing myself upright in my seat. "This is Elysia-44, Currently I do not know where I am. Could you help me?"
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The voice paused, then replied, "You are under my territory trade lines, You have to pay a fine of 250,000 Credits to use, if not you will get boarded"
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I watch the scanner network showing up two Small sized corvette. Seems liek they are pirates fuck.
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"You have 1 minute to decide or else we shut you down"
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Trying to come up with a plan, I look at my armanets, Unsure if I have enough power to take fully manned corvettes, I decide to book it towards the armory, and grab things to use to make a fight.
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Upon entering I hear a crackle"30 Seconds"
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I approach a table where the armor piece lies. It looks unassuming, sleek, and lightweight. The design hints at functionality rather than aesthetics.
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Touching the piece, it's cool to the touch, with a subtle shimmer hinting at the complex technology within.
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places the chest piece against their torso, maybe there's a mechanism, like a clasp, or maybe it adheres on its own. Upon contact, there's a subtle hum, and activates
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As the nanobots come alive, they begin to expand and multiply. The armor starts to grow, crawling over the skin like liquid metal.Ā
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It seems to have a mind of its own, knowing exactly where to form plates and where to leave joints flexible.
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In a matter of seconds, the armor has spread from the chest to cover the torso fully, then down the arms and legs.
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It's like a fluid dance with the metallic particles being guided by some unseen force.
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Enveloping me in its particles, it covers my head making a mask like a helmet.Ā
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Suddenly a Holo display pops up in front of my eyes like a HUD
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"Greetings Master, My name is W.E.L.S.A, I am your Weaponized Enhanced Life Support System. All vitals are normal, Nervous system Intact, No Critical injuries. Currently experiencing elevated Heart rate."
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Still in Awe and shock from this. A Loud clang roars through the hallways. The Ships alarm starts to go off.
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"Hmm Master it seems like we are being boarded, We should greet them."
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"Huh oh yeah, we should"
On the way out of the armory I quickly take the rifle, On the way to the dock to get ready. W.E.L.S.A saysĀ
"Master, the weapon in your grasp is the esteemed Neu-Tak 28, often referred to as the NT-28. It's powered by advanced proton energy. Notably, it boasts an 'Overcharge' feature and can even morph into a revolver for adaptability. While it offers the allure of unlimited ammunition, there's a caveat: the rifle has a 20-round capacity, and when transformed, the revolver holds just 6 rounds."
"Copy that thank you WELSA"
"Please Master call me Elisa, W.E.L.S.A is just my manufacturer name"
"Sounds good Elisa"
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The ship's holographic interface displayed a 3D model of Elysia-44. Two red dots approached, signifying the incoming members of Chango's Fleet.
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"I've detected their comms frequencies, Master. They're from Chango's Fleet, the notorious Corsair Branch. They're skilled, ruthless," Elisa warned.
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I nodded, gripping the NT-28 tighter. "Where are they boarding from?"
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"Starboard airlock. But they're also attempting to hack into the main system."
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The HUD in my nano-armor displayed a layout of the ship with a route to the starboard airlock. On the way, potential cover spots were highlighted.
The Intercom crackles "Oooh lil survivor, Surrender and give us your goodies"
I found myself pinned behind a thick steel column, its surface growing hot from the relentless barrage. Rounds ricocheted with high-pitched whines, and the acrid smell of burnt metal and gunpowder filled the air.
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"Master, I count at least ten assailants," Elisa's voice sounded in my helmet, her tone remaining eerily calm amidst the chaos.Ā
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The HUD displayed a thermal image of the corridor, showing the silhouettes of 10 men, their body heat making them stand out against the cooler surroundings.
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I peered around the edge of my cover. They were spread out, taking strategic positions, and advancing slowly, intent on cornering me.
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Inhaling, I leaned out slightly, by using the NT-28's Overcharge feature.I blind-fired down the corridor. Bright red bolts of energy whizzed towards the assailants, forcing a couple of them to scramble for better cover.
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"Your ammunition count is depleting rapidly. Remember the capacity,"
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"To replenish its ammo, allow it a brief moment of respite. It's crucial not to overheat it, so wield it with care."Elisa cautioned.
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I sprinted for another point of cover. As I moved, a hail of gunfire intensified, echoing ominously through the corridor. Although the suit's shield was activated, I could feel the impact of every bullet. They didn't penetrate, but each hit was like a powerful flick, enough to make me involuntarily flinch.
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"Shield at 72%," Elisa informed me, her tone urgent but controlled.
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Reaching my next point of cover, I risked a quick peek and squeezed off two precise shots. Two of the outlaws crumpled to the ground, their weapons clattering beside them.
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"Two down, eight to go," I muttered, catching my breath and mentally preparing for the next phase of the onslaught.
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Continuing with the barrage of fire, I return by hitting one of them in the shoulder.Ā
"Master, be aware another ship will be assisting in boarding, pulling up holo map up, currently I read 26+ contacts incoming, ETA 30 Seconds, We need a second plan"
"Yes, we do. Do you think we couldā"
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"MASTER! GRENADE! DIVERTING ALL POWER TO SHIELDS!"
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My heart lurched as I spotted a plasma grenade, its timer ticking down menacingly, landing just 2 meters away.
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"FUCK!"
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The explosion launched me backward, throwing me a good 5 meters from my cover. Vision blurs as the shockwave left me disoriented.Ā
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While I was still trying to shake off the daze
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"Warning: Systems at critical levels. Left leg has sustained severe damage. Attempting to restore function..."
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"Elisa,"
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Ā I managed to croak out, trying to push myself up from the cold metal floor.
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"Shields are down, Master," she replied, her lovely synthetic voice tinged with what sounded like regret.Ā
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"I apologize. Current limitations prevent me from operating at full capacity."
"You're fine, Elisa. I need to fall back."
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"Master, if you retreat to the next room, I can activate a turret to assist you."
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"Sounds like a plan."
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As more enemies pour in, the ship's intercom crackles to life.
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"GET HIM! HE'S ALONE!"
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"Elisa, what happens if I overclock my rifle?"
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"It'll explode upon impact. The rifle will then be unusable temporarily. I can use the suit's nanobots to cool it down quickly, but it might halt shield regeneration. Currently, the shield is at 26%."
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I nod in understanding and quickly overclock the weapon, aiming it at the advancing group.
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"Take some energy, you bastards!"
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BOOM!
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The explosion rips through the corridor. I think one of them took a direct hit. Ouch, that's got to hurt.
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"Six contacts KIA. Sixteen more to go."
Seizing the momentary lull in combat, I sprinted for the adjacent room.
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"Master, insert your finger into the door's computer interface," Elisa instructed.
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Doing as told, I granted her access, which swiftly activated the room's turret. It unleashed a relentless volley of laser rounds down the corridor.Ā
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With every burs; lasers left a cacophony of noise in their wake, with fleet members falling one after the other.
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As I took a moment to catch my breath and glanced at my still-overclocked rifle, which Elisa was working diligently to cool down, she reported, "Current contacts down to 17ā¦"
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Suddenly, a deafening explosion rocked the room, sending me hurtling against a wall with an alarming force. The impact left me unconscious, if only momentarily.
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Jolting back to consciousness, Elisa rapidly updated me.Ā
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"Shields at 0%, vital systems critical. You have a left-side rib fracture; I'm attempting to remedy it. The turret was destroyed by the fleet members; it seems they had a plasma launcher."
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"Arghhh," I grunted, the pain nearly overwhelming.
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"You were briefly unconscious. I've sealed the emergency doors in the corridor, locking out the majority of the fleet members. Only two remain onboard."
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Breathing heavily, I asked, "Elisa, can you fly the ship?"
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"Yes, but piloting will leave your suit operating at half capacity."
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"And can you disengage the boarding?"
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"I can force a disconnection, but it'll cause damage to our hull."
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Determined, I questioned, "How proficiently can you pilot?"
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"I am equipped with the capabilities of an ace pilot."
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"Alright then. I'll handle the remaining two members. You take over the ship and direct all firepower at the corvettes."
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"Roger that, Master. Transferring control now."
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As I hear the ship's engines roar, it turns a full 180 degrees, laying a barrage of fire into the first corvette.
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Peering through the room's door window, I see them ready with their guns trained on the entrance.Ā
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They're on guard, anticipating my next move. My shield's still down, and my injuries are hindering me. But an idea forms.
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"Elisa, can you shut off the gravity?"
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"Yes, I can," she responds.
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"On my mark, disable it and open the room's door."
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I transform the NT-28 into its revolver form, which seems to have a faster cooldown.
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"NOW!"
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Gravity dissipates instantly. The two gang members are lifted from the ground, taken by surprise.
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"Whoa!"
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"What the hell?" they exclaim.
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Seizing the zero-gravity advantage, I fire twice, hitting one in the head and the other in the stomach.
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"Restore the gravity," I command.
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The moment it returns, I land gracefully and make a beeline for the bridge.
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"Give me a status update on the corvettes."
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"One corvette has been eliminated. Currently focusing power on evasive maneuvers," ElisaĀ
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reports with her signature calm.
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"Transfer controls to me. Let's take down the last one."
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"Master, more contacts emerging from Quantum Drive. I'm counting six ships: one frigate, an additional corvette, and five heavy fighters."
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A voice booms throughout the bridge.
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"HA! Heard you took down some of my men. I'm not thrilled about that. But know this: YOU WILL DIE."
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This isn't going well. A 7v1 situation. Barely half an hour since I woke up, and now I'm in the middle of a space battle. I don't even know how to-
Suddenly, a barrage of memories flood my mind. Stars. A pod? Adults? Another ship?
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"Master~"
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Why do these images feel...familiar?
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"MASTER!"
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I snap back, feeling disoriented.
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"You blacked out for a moment," Elisa informs, her voice filled with concern.Ā
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"Your brain vitals are normal. What just happened? My data can't interpret your experience."
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"I...I don't know," I murmur, shaken. "But these controls... they feel familiar, as ifĀ
I've piloted this before."
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What the hell did I just recall?