The battleship trembled as energy surged through its systems. Ethan's hands rested firmly on the glowing console, his pulse racing as the Void Core's power fed into the ship's dormant systems. The hum of activation was like a heartbeat returning to life, growing stronger and steadier with each passing moment.
The system chimed, its tone calm but urgent.
Secondary weapons fully operational. Power reserves at 15%. Shield generator offline.
Ethan grimaced. "No shields, huh? Guess I'll have to make these weapons count."
He pulled up the ship's targeting interface, a glowing holographic display that overlaid his vision with a clear view of the clearing outside. The massive predator stalked through the crystalline forest, its glowing eyes locked on the battleship. It was smart—circling cautiously, testing the ship's defenses after breaching the shield.
The system highlighted the beast in red, identifying weak points on its heavily armored body.
Target analysis: Vulnerable at neck joints and underbelly. Suggested strategy: Focus precision strikes.
Ethan tightened his grip on the console, his glowing fingers syncing with the interface. The Void System knowledge flooding his mind made the controls feel almost intuitive. The battleship's external cannons swiveled to life, their sleek, angular barrels glowing with faint Void energy.
"Let's see how tough you really are," Ethan muttered, his lips curling into a determined grin.
The First Strike
The predator snarled and lunged forward, its massive claws gouging into the earth. Ethan's heart pounded as he tracked its movements through the interface. The cannons locked onto the beast, and with a thought, he fired.
Twin bolts of condensed Void energy screamed through the air, slamming into the predator's side. The impact sent the beast skidding, its armored hide smoking where the bolts had struck. It let out an ear-splitting roar, the sound reverberating through the jungle.
"Yes!" Ethan shouted, a surge of adrenaline coursing through him. But the celebration was short-lived. The predator shook itself, its glowing eyes narrowing as it charged again, faster this time.
Ethan fired another volley, aiming for the weak points the system had identified. The Void bolts struck true, piercing the thinner armor at the creature's underbelly. Dark, viscous blood sprayed from the wounds, but the beast didn't stop. If anything, the pain only seemed to enrage it.
"Come on, you stubborn bastard," Ethan growled, adjusting the targeting reticle. He needed more firepower.
Secondary weapons power: 50%. Primary weapons remain offline.
The system's update made him clench his teeth. He wasn't sure if 15% power would be enough to finish the fight. The Void Core was stabilizing, but it would take time for the ship to recharge fully. Time he didn't have.
The predator leaped, claws extended, and slammed into the ship's hull. The impact rattled the entire structure, and warning lights flared across the console.
Hull integrity: 97%.
Ethan gripped the console tighter. "That's still an A in my book, but let's not push our luck."
The beast clawed at the hull, its powerful limbs leaving deep gouges in the metal. Ethan redirected the cannons, positioning them at point-blank range. He unleashed another salvo of Void bolts, the blasts slamming into the predator's neck and chest. The force of the impact sent it sprawling, blood dripping from its wounds.
Adapt or Die
The predator lay still for a moment, its chest heaving. Ethan thought it might finally be down for the count, but then it twitched and began to rise. The glowing lines on its body flared brighter, as though it was drawing on some kind of latent Void energy to fuel its recovery.
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me," Ethan muttered. "Is everything on this planet built to kill me twice?"
The system chimed again.
Analysis update: Target exhibits Void energy adaptation. Prolonged engagement increases risk.
"Well, that's just great," Ethan said. He quickly scanned the ship's systems, searching for anything that might tip the scales. His gaze landed on a new notification.
Auxiliary system unlocked: Void Energy Overcharge.
Ethan's eyebrows shot up. "Overcharge? Sounds dangerous."
Function: Temporarily diverts excess Void energy to a single system for maximum output. Warning: Depletes core reserves rapidly.
He hesitated. Using the overcharge would leave the battleship dangerously low on power, but it might be the only way to finish the fight before the predator adapted completely.
The creature roared, charging again, and Ethan made his decision.
"Overcharge the secondary weapons!" he shouted.
The Void Core flared, its glow intensifying as energy surged through the ship. The secondary cannons glowed brighter, their barrels crackling with raw power. Ethan locked onto the predator, focusing on its exposed underbelly.
"Let's end this," he said, firing.
The overcharged bolts tore through the air, their sheer force shattering nearby crystalline spires as they streaked toward the predator. The blasts struck with a deafening explosion, ripping into the beast's vulnerable points. Its roar turned into a gurgling cry as the bolts pierced through its body, leaving massive, smoking holes in its flesh.
The predator collapsed, its massive form hitting the ground with a resounding thud. It twitched once, then lay still, the glow in its eyes fading.
Ethan slumped against the console, his chest heaving. The system chimed in its usual monotone.
Target eliminated. Threat neutralized. Quest complete: Defend the Void Elf Battleship. Reward: Basic Void Weapons Knowledge.
Aftermath
The reward hit Ethan's mind like a wave, filling his thoughts with schematics and techniques for optimizing Void-based weaponry. He staggered back from the console, clutching his head as the knowledge settled into place.
"Okay," he said, taking a deep breath. "That was…a lot."
The battleship's systems hummed softly, the Void Core stabilizing further as the power levels began to creep upward. The system chimed again.
Power reserves: 20%. Additional functions available.
Ethan wiped the sweat from his brow and leaned against the console, his gaze drifting to the smoking carcass of the predator outside. The fight had been brutal, but it had also proven something important: this ship wasn't just a tool—it was a lifeline. And if he could get it fully operational, it would be the key to surviving this world and whatever else was out there.
For the first time since waking up in this alien jungle, Ethan felt a flicker of hope. He straightened, his expression hardening.
"All right, ship," he said. "Let's get to work. We've got a lot to fix."