Thanks to the superior speed of the Storm, it easily closed in on the Peregrine. Within seconds, the Storm executed an emergency stop, coming to a halt just a hundred kilometers from the enemy ship—a dangerously close range for starships.
At that moment, the 2600mm Turbine Laser Main Cannon unleashed its fury!
Thanks to the Storm's structural integrity field, the sudden deceleration and massive energy release from the cannon caused no disruption to the ship. The scene appeared calm and controlled, without the chaotic recoil one might expect from such a powerful shot.
Meanwhile, aboard the Peregrine, the bridge was filled with the blaring sound of alarms.
"Deploy all close-in defense turrets! Fire interceptive barrages!" Captain Zhang commanded, trying to mitigate the damage. But he knew full well that no defense could completely neutralize the blast from a weapon of this magnitude.
A brilliant beam of light shot forth from the Storm, striking the Peregrine's green energy shield.
"Warning! Starshield energy remaining: 28%," reported the Peregrine's system.
The impact rocked the Peregrine, and though the shield held, the immense force was more than its structural integrity field could handle.
"Commander, Vice-Captain, all three Laser Cannon Secondaries are charged and ready for orders!" a crew member reported.
Elplan gave a cold command: "Activate the starboard engine. The Storm will circle the enemy at 200 knots and engage in high-speed hunting mode."
"Target the enemy bridge with the Laser Cannons. Fire each one in ten-second intervals!" Her gaze turned predatory as she issued the orders. Elplan's aggressive grin made her intentions clear: her starship was out for blood.
Feng Mo couldn't help but admire Elplan's commanding presence. She was clearly enjoying herself, first showcasing the Storm's emergency stop, followed by this high-speed hunting maneuver.
The Storm's strategy was to circle the Peregrine and maintain a constant barrage, exploiting their superior speed. It was a classic "kiting" tactic, where the faster ship harasses a slower, crippled opponent from a safe distance.
On the Peregrine's bridge, everyone looked grim. Captain Zhang knew they were being toyed with, as the Storm displayed its superior capabilities.
"Full speed ahead! Prepare to fire the Laser Cannon!" Captain Zhang ordered.
"But, sir, the cannon needs more time to cool down! Firing it again could damage the barrel!" a crew member protested.
"It's a matter of life and death! We have no choice!" Captain Zhang barked.
The Peregrine accelerated and the Laser Cannon began to glow, ready to fire again. The live broadcast showed the desperate struggle between the two massive starships.
The Storm fired first. The first Laser Cannon beam slammed into the Peregrine's shield, which barely managed to hold.
The second shot followed ten seconds later, and this time, the shield shattered, leaving the Peregrine vulnerable. The beam scorched the bridge, dealing significant damage but not enough to destroy it.
Then, the third Laser Cannon beam struck—right at the moment when the Peregrine's own main gun was charging. The beam hit the cannon directly, causing a massive secondary explosion that rocked the entire ship.
Feng Mo was stunned at the perfect timing. The second shot had already depleted the enemy's shield, but the third shot hitting the charging cannon was pure luck. The resulting explosion left a gaping, thirty-meter-wide hole in the Peregrine's bow, with fires raging within.
Elplan, ever the opportunist, immediately issued another order: "All close-in defense turrets, fire at will! Finish them off!"
The Peregrine was now on the brink of total destruction. The secondary explosion had critically damaged its systems, and any more hits would spell doom for the crew.
On the Peregrine's bridge, alarms blared continuously.
"Warning! Hull integrity down 30%!"
"Warning!"
"Warning!"
Captain Zhang sighed, releasing his clenched fists. Turning to the ashen-faced Jiang Wei, he said, "Young Master Jiang, we can't fight back anymore. If this continues, the ship will be destroyed, and you might get seriously hurt. It's time to surrender."
Jiang Wei, feeling the cold sweat soaking through his clothes, swallowed hard and shouted, "I surrender! I surrender!"
The referee team swiftly announced, "The winner is Cadet Feng Mo and the Storm! Cease all attacks immediately!"
"Hell yeah! That's my brother!" Wang Chongsheng, who was watching the live broadcast from the classroom, jumped to his feet and cheered, fists pumping in the air.
In the corner of the same classroom, a sweet-looking girl with twin ponytails also sprang up in excitement. Her adorable face would make anyone call her cute, but her figure would make any admirer gasp in amazement. She was nearly 1.8 meters tall, with an hourglass shape that contrasted with her innocent, youthful face.
"Did you see that? Big guns and big ships are the best! That's exactly the kind of starship I dream of having!" she gushed, her eyes sparkling with admiration for the Storm. Tears of joy even formed at the corners of her eyes.
Meanwhile, the teachers and students watching were left in disbelief.
"Wait… is it over already?" someone muttered.
The entire engagement had lasted less than ten minutes—a time frame typical of one-sided curb-stomps in starship duels.
While Elplan's brilliant maneuvers had left everyone speechless, Feng Mo sat back in his captain's chair, pumping his fist in triumph. "Nicely done, Elplan! One volley, and we nearly obliterated them!"
Elplan analyzed the battle calmly, saying, "Luck played a role. All four shots hit their mark, and the final one striking their charging cannon was pure chance. It triggered a chain reaction, damaging multiple systems."
"Luck?" Feng Mo echoed, suddenly remembering his talent. If the starship had more female crew members than male, it would trigger a luck bonus. Did that mean his shots were always going to hit?
Could it be that his talent was a hidden gem, one that made every shot count? The thought thrilled him, but he knew it needed further testing. If it worked as he hoped, it would be a game-changer.
"Cadet Feng Mo, the Storm has won the duel. Cease all hostilities and return to the interstellar port," came the referee's voice over the intercom.
"Understood," Feng Mo replied, grinning.
With the duel over, it was time to return. The academy would handle the towing of the crippled Peregrine, leaving Feng Mo and his victorious crew
to sail back triumphantly.
Translators note: Sometime Elpan name will be Ai Er
Knots is Star Speed