After a round of intense bombardment, all the defensive structures surrounding the pyramid were completely destroyed. Deep craters and heavy traces of artillery fire left behind were enough to demonstrate the immense firepower of the Hyperion.
Rodgraim navigated the Aether Dominion closer to the pyramid.
This time, however, the pyramid would not activate any countermeasures.
Seeing this, Rodgraim ordered both the Predator and Pilot units to land simultaneously.
Five hundred Iron Warriors and five hundred Iron Pilots started penetrating the inner parts of the pyramid.
Rodgraim, however, remained on the Aether Dominion.
He watched everything that happened inside the pyramid from a safe distance, using the sophisticated equipment mounted on the Predator and Pilot units.
He was also cautious because of the possibility of an ambush.
If the enemy lay in wait inside the pyramid, Rodgraim would never risk being captured or killed, as that would risk the entire operation.
With the images being sent back to Earth by the Predators and Pilots, Rodgraim obtained a clear picture of the inside of the pyramid. Beyond its steel walls, the inner chambers were filled with traces of advanced technological design.
This proved his conviction that the pyramid was most probably being used by another race for secret and unethical experiments.
The giant sandworms outside also indicated that the occupants of the pyramid were in control of these creatures.
Rodgraim also thought that the missing crew members of the Seven Sea Fleet might have been taken captive and brought here.
None of the fleet's bodies had been found near their abandoned ships, which made this scenario all the more plausible.
This was why Rodgraim had chosen infiltration over direct orbital bombardment using fusion warheads.
He could not risk harming the potential captives inside the structure.
As the Iron Warriors and Pilots ventured deeper into the pyramid, Rodgraim noticed a disturbing symbol emblazoned on some of the machinery.
"Signs of the Dark Elves," Rodgraim muttered, his eyes now darkening.
"So this is their laboratory? Erecting such a research establishment on a desolate planet like this? What kind of hellish experiments are they running on people here?"
After just over an hour, a Pilots report arrived.
Pilot: "Sir, we have located the dungeon with thousands of people being held. Do you continue with the rescue attempt?
The number of thousands of captives immediately caught Rodgraim's attention.
He turned back to the live feed through the Pilot's helmet and saw hundreds of rows of human crew members attired in uniform.
Behind him, Seraphina also caught sight of the captives on the monitor.
She immediately noticed that one of them, situated in the corner, looked familiar- Theo.
Upon seeing him alive, a weight instantly fell off Seraphina heart, and her tense nerves relaxed.
Rodgraim smiled faintly with relief and bellowed, "Inform all divisions—these crew members have to be evacuated safely!"
"That's understood!" responded a voice.
The Iron Pilots did not wait long.
One Pilot had turned on a pulse knife and stuck it into the floor to detect the existence of concealed enemies.
By the time the scan was finished, several Dark Elf guards popped out on the Pilot's monitor.
The guards stood watch near the prisoners, each carrying their weapons at ready.
"I wonder how things are outside," one of the Dark Elves whispered to himself.
"Doesn't matter," another sneered. "We need to stay on guard here."
"What's the point in keeping these humans alive?" a third sneered at the captured crew members, looking at them as though they were nothing better than dirt.
Another guard yawned languidly. "Valuable experimental subjects for the doctor. Not our decision, my friend."
That was all he could say before a laser bullet tore into the back of his head and ended his life.
The remaining Dark Elves instantly sprang to their feet, raising their arms, weapons at the ready.
But before they could move, the Pilot who had fired the shot appeared on the ceiling above them, his laser pistol trained on another guard.
Boom! Another shot echoed as the second guard fell.
The rest of the guards fired at him but the Pilot was ready.
He released an energy barrier, blocking the shower of bullets coming his way. He quickly reached for a stimulant injection pack in his own pack.
The effect sent his speed rocketing into the next dimension.
Piloting at blurring velocities, Iron leaped across the walls and ceiling, ducking bullets effortlessly.
"What is this? I can't hit him!"
"Watch out! He's coming!"
"Help! Somebody help!"
Within seconds, half of the guards were dealt with by the Pilot.
His unparalleled combat skill left the remaining guards paralyzed with fear.
In the cell, meanwhile, Theo and all the prisoners watched in awe:
"Whose subordinate is this? He's so terrifyingly powerful!" Theo Ur whispered to himself.
Soon, the rest of the Predators and Pilots came to help their mate.
A Predator unwound his wrist blade from his arm and sliced through the steel door of the cell in a split second.
The members of the captured crew just gazed in shock when the door swung open. Could they really be rescued? Many had given up on survival.
Rescues were not really possible in a desolate planet like this.
Theo stepped forward and spoke to the soldiers. "Thanks for rescuing us. In the name of Seven Star, I express my heartfelt gratitude. May I know what fleet you belong to?"
The Iron Pilot answered dully, "We're under Lord Rodgraim's command. This rescue mission is his order."
The name was a mystery to Theo.
Over the past few years of sailing along the Space, he had never heard anyone by that name.