Upon the gates of the Sea of Death, where countless ships, dreadnoughts, frigates, and destroyers alike float around in pieces, a shadow of what they once were, Rhox noticed a black cloud of some kind ahead, which they were currently heading into.
"Beware the beasts that prowl within the dark mists of Dark Thorn," Joize stated toward Rhox, who was staring at the ominous dark clouds.
Rhox, her curiosity piqued, inquired about the origins of the Dark Clouds.
Joize explained, "There are tales of a massive void beast that preyed on world ships, a monster so colossal that its blood became these black mists after it was slain. These mists stretch across three systems, offering almost no visibility and harboring a variety of predatory void beasts that attack on sight."
"Feeling the jitters already, lassie?" Joize laughed, attempting to lighten the mood despite the grave warnings.
With determined looks on their faces, the crew pressed forward into the Sea of Death, a place infamous for destroying ships and swallowing travelers whole. As the dreadnought ventured forth, the shadows of the black clouds looming over them grew larger, the crewmen watched the ship's radar with anxious eyes and expressions, desperate to detect any threats ahead of time.
"I welcome you to Dark Thorn," Joize muttered, her voice low and foreboding.
The dreadnought pierced the black clouds, plunging into an almost pitch-black abyss. Visibility was nearly nonexistent, and the eerie sounds of whirrs and creaks from the wrecked ships passing around them filled the air as they moved forward.
The crew could hear but not see beyond the ship's windows, relying solely on their radars. Suddenly, a massive, severed beast's head appeared on their radar, flying towards them. Rhox deduced from its injuries that it had been obliterated by cannon fire.
The head was enormous, nearly the size of their dreadnought, resembling a serpent with a gaping mouth. Rhox had never seen a beast of such proportions, and the sight sent a chill down her spine as she realized the true peril of their path.
"Leviathans," Joize stated, her tone somber and respectful.
Rhox, her voice steady but filled with awe, responded, "I've heard tales, but seeing this... it's something else entirely."
Joize nodded, her eyes scanning the radar, "Aye, these beasts are the stuff of nightmares. We need to stay sharp and move fast. No telling what else is lurking in these mists."
For a while, they had not encountered anything out of the ordinary, so they took this time to have a conference, gathering the crewmen together in the dimly lit strategy room of the dreadnought.
Joize laid out a detailed map for everyone to see, her fingers tracing the intricate pathways they would need to navigate. "If we manage to escape Dark Thorn unscathed," she began, her voice commanding the room's attention, "we'll find ourselves in a prime zone for pirates and outlaws." She looked around, meeting the eyes of her crew and guests. "These pirates will undoubtedly attack us on sight. The Vhulstrom pirates have a reputation for being the first to discover rare treasures due to the speed of our dreadnought, making us a prime target."
The room was silent, the gravity of the situation sinking in. Joize continued, "From there, we'll need to travel further until we reach the system of Orbitron and land on a planet called Gold Deep."
She paused, allowing the information to settle before adding, "According to books and rumors, there's an ancient city hidden deep within its dense jungle forests. It's said this city houses a relic that emits an aura capable of repelling void beasts."
Rhox, her skepticism evident, leaned forward and challenged Joize, "And you base this information solely on rumors and books?"
The crewmen burst out laughing at Rhox's remark, Joize included. Joize, with a grin, replied, "All the relics we've acquired have been based on rumors and books, lassie!"
Rhox chuckled, recognizing the truth in Joize's words, and offered a light-hearted apology, "Point taken. Sorry about that."
"What's our part in this then?" Rhox asked, leaning on the table, her eyes scanning the map.
Joize explained, "Rhox and Vincent, your skills will be crucial for getting us to the planet unscathed. There are many pirates patrolling near the planet, also searching for the same relic. Your mercenary experience, Rhox, and Vincent's war and battle expertise will be invaluable once we land."
"So you're saying I wipe out nearby hostile pirate ships?" Rhox asked, a smirk curling on her lips, her excitement barely contained.
"Aye," Joize replied with a nod, "but since we have space fighter pilots ourselves, we'll give ya backup," she added with a grin. "And if ya really need assistance, we can use Gold Lightning's cannons to help ya!"
Gold Lightning must be the dreadnought's name, Rhox mused to herself, impressed by the readiness of Joize's crew.
Their discussion was abruptly interrupted by a loud shout over the radio, "CAPTAIN! Serpents detected!"
Joize's expression shifted instantly to one of urgency. "All hands on deck!" she commanded, sprinting towards the main ship terminal, her crew members swiftly following to their respective stations. The radar had picked up serpents, with numbers amounting to hundreds. The Gold Lightning crew quickly prepared for attacks from all directions, relying on the radar's readouts to anticipate the movements of the serpents.
Rhox, feeling the ship shudder, noticed shadows flickering just beyond the windows. The sudden thuds against the hull were soon followed by the deafening booms of auto turrets firing. "Serpents on the hull!" a crew member shouted, his voice tinged with urgency.
Rhox grabbed a communicator and connected to the main terminal. "Joize, what's our plan of action?"
"We need to keep these serpents off the ship!" Joize barked back, her focus split between coordinating the crew and monitoring the radar. "Use the auto cannons and keep 'em at bay!"
The Gold Lightning's auto cannons roared to life, sending volley after volley of explosive rounds into the darkness. The crew relied entirely on radar readings, unable to see their attackers through the impenetrable black mist. Despite their efforts, some serpents managed to reach the hull, causing minor damage that sent shivers through the ship's structure.
Rhox ascended the stairs leading to the observation window, where she witnessed one of the serpents collide with the ship's bow. The creature, devoid of limbs, sported a massive circular mouth bristling with jagged teeth, resembling a monstrous, worm-like entity. The sight was both horrifying and fascinating.
As the barrage against the serpents continued, Joize issued firm commands to her crew. "Move forward! Focus on speed and maneuverability! If we stay put, we're dead meat," she ordered, her voice carrying the weight of urgency.
The Gold Lightning, now accelerating with enhanced speed and agility, weaved through the wreckage of countless ships. The auto cannons fired relentlessly at the serpents trailing them, guided solely by the radar. For an intense and grueling hour, the battle waged on, the serpents seeming endless. Then, as if by some unseen command, they abruptly ceased their pursuit and vanished from the radar.
"Serpents have vanished, Captain!" a crewman shouted over the radio, his voice tinged with relief and disbelief.
The crew erupted into joyous celebration, their laughter and cheers filling the ship. They had survived the serpent onslaught, a victory worth celebrating. Rhox allowed herself a moment of satisfaction, watching as the crew reveled in their hard-earned triumph.
However, the revelry was short-lived. A deep, ominous clicking sound resonated from outside the ship, sending a shiver down Rhox's spine. Joize's expression shifted from relief to concern. "What the hell is that?" she muttered, her eyes narrowing as she turned to her crew. "Check the radars. Now!"
The crewman quickly complied, scanning the radar for any signs of the source of the sound. "Nothing on the radar, Captain," he reported, his voice laced with confusion and apprehension.
Rhox, her instincts on high alert, turned to Joize. "Could it be another type of void beast?"
Joize, her brow furrowed in thought, replied, "Possible. We need to stay sharp. Everyone back to their stations. Prepare for anything.
Joize squinted into the near-impenetrable darkness outside the ship's windows. Despite the almost non-existent visibility, she could make out a massive shadow circling the Golden Lightning. The eerie silence was shattered by a blood-curdling scream resonating from the ship's side, causing everyone to freeze in terror.
All the crewmen, Joize, Rhox, and Vincent turned to look at the source of the sound through a large window and were met with a chilling sight: a massive reptilian eye, haunting and menacing, staring back at them.
"LEVIATHAN!!" Joize screamed, her face contorted in fear.
Chaos erupted as the crew scrambled to their stations. Joize, stumbling but determined, barked orders to escape the area at maximum speed. "Get us out of here! Full speed ahead! Charge the cannons for a massive flashbang!" she commanded, her voice steady despite the panic.
The Leviathan remained invisible on radar, its presence known only by its terrifying roars echoing from behind. The Golden Lightning sped through the wreckage, the thuds and crashes of debris signaling the Leviathan's relentless pursuit. Despite the ship's impressive speed, the Leviathan managed to strike the rear, causing the vessel to lose control and spin 180 degrees, now facing the monstrous creature. Everyone, including Rhox, Vincent, and Joize, was thrown off balance, struggling to regain their footing as the ship shook violently.
"Reverse! Reverse!" Joize shouted, her voice barely audible over the Leviathan's growing roars.
The crewman frantically maneuvered the ship backward. The sound of the Leviathan crashing through the wreckage grew louder, a harbinger of impending doom. But amidst the chaos, the flashbang cannon charged to full capacity, and with a resounding BANG, it fired. The resulting explosion produced a blinding light, disorienting the Leviathan and granting the Golden Lightning a precious window of opportunity.
"Now, full speed ahead!" Joize yelled, gripping the edge of a console for support.
The crew worked in unison, their movements swift and precise. The ship turned around, engines roaring to life as it blitzed forward. The Leviathan, momentarily blinded by the flashbang, thrashed in confusion, buying them just enough time to put distance between themselves and the monstrous threat.
Rhox, still catching her breath, looked at Joize with admiration. "Nice move, Captain. That flashbang saved us."
As the Golden Lightning continued its desperate escape through the dense black mist, the crew was gripped by a chilling combination of frustration and terror. The aftermath of the flashbang revealed the true horror of the Leviathan: a monstrous serpent-like entity, far larger than their ship, with a gaping maw and tendrils sprouting from its head. To their collective dread, a second, smaller Leviathan followed closely, its presence only heightening their fear.
"Two fucking Void lurkers," Joize muttered, her voice trembling with fear.
The Golden Lightning raced forward, but the sounds of the pursuing Leviathans grew louder, signaling their relentless approach. Rhox, feeling the weight of the dire situation, concocted a daring plan to lure the two beasts away from the ship. She quickly proposed her idea to Joize, who responded with a mix of disbelief and concern.
"Are you crazy or something, lassie!?" Joize exclaimed, her eyes wide with apprehension.
Vincent, his face set with determination, declared, "I'll be at your back no matter what, Rhox!" However, Rhox firmly denied his offer, explaining that her plan required only one pilot to draw the lurkers away.
With a frustrated yet resolute expression, Joize and Vincent reluctantly agreed to Rhox's plan. They opened the ship port door, allowing Rhox to rush inside and prepare for her daring maneuver. Time was of the essence, and the two lurking beasts were closing in.
Inside the ship, Rhox quickly made her way to the cockpit. As she settled into the pilot's seat, Celer, the AI, greeted her joyfully. "Good day to you as well, Celer!" Rhox responded, a hint of urgency in her voice. "Activate manual flight."
Celer eagerly complied, initiating the ACE's automatic piloting feature. Rhox then instructed Thron, the ACE's weapons AI, to ready the proton beam cannon, to which Thron responded with enthusiasm, cursing in excitement. Finally, Rhox directed Vann to prepare for the activation of "Nocturnal Mode."
When everything was set, Rhox launched the ACE from the Golden Lightning, maneuvering it behind the ship to face the encroaching monsters. With a determined look, she activated Nocturnal Mode with Vann's assistance, plunging the already dark surroundings into an even deeper blackness.
"Continue forward! I'll rendezvous after!" Rhox shouted over the radio.
"All righty, lass! Ya better make it out alive!" Joize replied, her voice filled with both hope and concern.
The sounds of the beasts grew piercingly loud as they charged toward Rhox's ship. Gripping ACE's handles tightly, Rhox muttered, "Beasts or ships, they fall the same in my domain."
With a steely resolve, she continued, "Let me introduce you to true darkness."