The vast universe—cold and ruthless.
Forrester System, third planetary orbit.
The burning wreckage of battleships drifted in the darkness, their ruptured hulls still bearing the charred scars of laser fire. The brutal battle had just ended, but the stench of scorched metal lingered in the air. Even in the vacuum of space, the presence of death seeped through the walls.
"All hands, combat alert! Don't let the Swarm breach our defenses!"
The commander's sharp order echoed through the tactical earpieces, reverberating across the battleship. Lieutenant Ryan clung tightly to a safety rail, sweat trickling down his temple as he fixed his gaze on the tactical screen. Red warning lights pulsed frantically in the command center. The Swarm fleet was emerging from an interstellar rift, surging toward the human defenses like a tidal wave.
"Damn it… That's a 'Devourer'-class mothership!" The deputy's voice trembled slightly.
The Devourer—the Swarm's most terrifying mothership. Not only could it unleash countless warrior drones, but it also emitted a special energy wave capable of draining power, rendering ship systems useless.
"Lock onto the target! Fire all weapons!" Ryan gritted his teeth and gave the order.
The battleship's side cannons adjusted their angles, unleashing searing plasma beams that streaked through the darkness, hurtling toward the enemy mothership. Yet, just before impact, a sinister black energy barrier flared to life, swallowing the attacks entirely.
"Direct hit ineffective! The shield is absorbing the energy!"
Panic spread across the comms as reports of breached defenses flooded in. Countless Swarm warriors were now inside the ship, engaging human soldiers in brutal close-quarters combat.
"We can't hold out here—we need to find a way to break through!"
Ryan panted, fingers flying over the tactical console as he pulled up the ship's remaining power distribution. He knew there was no retreat—if their battleship fell, the colony behind them would be doomed.
"How long can the power core last?"
"Ten minutes at most," the engineer's grim voice replied.
Ten minutes…
A deafening explosion rocked the ship. Ryan was flung against the bulkhead, pain erupting in his chest. The metallic taste of blood filled his mouth as he forced himself back up. The screen before him displayed a massive breach in the ship's hull.
"Lieutenant, get out of there!"
A familiar voice crackled through his earpiece—it was his sister, Alya.
"Alya?" Ryan's pupils contracted sharply.
On the comms screen, Alya stood in tactical armor, gripping an ion rifle. She led a small squad through the corridors, desperately holding back the advancing Swarm. Sweat and blood stained her face, but her eyes burned with determination.
"You're alive…" Ryan's voice wavered.
"Of course. I'm not that easy to kill." Alya managed a faint smile before her expression hardened. "Listen, the bridge won't hold much longer. We've prepped a light assault ship in the rear hangar. You need to get there now!"
"What about you?"
"My squad and I will cover the retreat."
"No way!" Ryan growled.
"Ryan, that's an order," Alya snapped, her tone leaving no room for argument. "If you die, then all of this was for nothing."
Silence hung between them for a brief moment before Ryan took a deep breath and turned sharply. His voice rang through the comms with unwavering resolve.
"All personnel, evacuate to the rear hangar immediately! I repeat—retreat now!"
The crimson warning lights continued to flash, and the battleship trembled on the verge of collapse. But Ryan's gaze was steady.
He would survive.
He would fight his way through this bloodstained sky—carrying the hopes of everyone who had fallen.