Chapter 259

The automatic door opens.

A group of beings that cannot be directly observed steps silently into the corridor.

If they were ordinary humans, they would only think the automatic door's sensor malfunctioned, then be silently slashed by this group.

Even if they sensed something wrong, ordinary humans could not keep up with their speed and would meet the same death.

Unfortunately, their target is the Astate, who transcends mortals and has ceramic‑steel armor visual assistance.

Gabriel and his brothers, at the moment the automatic door opened, used pulse scans displayed on their helmet screens to see a group of elite equipped with special armor, attempting to launch a surprise attack by relying on "invisibility".

Thus…

Clang! Clang!

Gabriel and the others locked onto the elites first and pulled the triggers without hesitation.

Boom! Boom!

The explosive arrow hits the elite's energy shield, forcing them to reveal their forms.

When the alternative Optical Camouflage effect is removed, it is discovered that the elites' armor is dark silver, finer than the foes they previously encountered.

The energy shield's strength is similar; at least five to seven standard explosive arrows are needed to break it.

And in reaction speed, they far surpass their counterparts wearing blue or red helmets.

After Gabriel's group initiates an attack and completes a round of precise volleys, they attempt a surprise on the dozens of silver‑armored elites, and six of them surprisingly survive.

This gives the newly adult Gabriel and his comrades a slight surprise.

Aoo!!

The six elites, caught off guard by the ceramic‑steel armor's pulse scan, let out a roar and swing their right hands, which grip a certain sword hilt.

Buzz——!

The hilt extends a twin‑bladed energy sword that flickers with pale blue light.

Then, the six silver‑armored elites fix their gaze on their respective targets and sprint at high speed toward Gabriel and his group.

Clang! Clang!

Operating heavy explosive arrow guns, along with several Tutmos who do not need to reload, they continuously fire at the six silver‑armored elites.

In an instant.

An elite struck by a 1.0 cal explosive arrow has its shield absorb only two hits before the remaining arrows pulverize it into fragments.

Four more elites also die from Tutmos' precise fire, and one of them, at the moment its shield shatters, throws its energy sword with full force.

Even this desperate strike, unleashing its ultimate potential, fails to wound any Tutmo.

However, the last surviving elite, taking advantage of the fire‑drawing comrades' gap, closes in on Gabriel, brandishing its energy sword to thrust at Gabriel's neck.

Prepared, Gabriel steps back slightly to dodge the thrust and then executes a left kick toward the elite.

Bang—!

The energy shield lets the elite absorb the kick, but Gabriel's powerful force launches it, slamming its body against the corridor bulkhead before it crashes heavily onto the deck.

Just as it tries to scramble up, a brother of Gabriel fires several explosive arrows, completely destroying its shield and ending its life.

Looking at the corpse sprawled on the ground, the Tutmos beneath their helmets wear an even more solemn expression.

Through direct combat, they discern the "Alliance"'s battle formation and clearly notice that elites wearing different armor seem to represent varying levels of elite.

A standard squad consists of five to seven Gulu, two hyena‑werewolves, and one blue‑armored elite.

The blue‑armored elite corresponds to human ranks such as corporal or sergeant, responsible for command and discipline.

The other type of regular squad Gabriel's group has dealt with consists of five to seven ghost‑faced beasts.

From this, it can be inferred that the number of ghost‑faced beasts far exceeds that of the elite.

However, in battle they discover that elites have absolute control over all races; even the basic blue‑armored elite can command a squad composed solely of ghost‑faced beasts.

Finally, the elites wearing different armor.

Red‑armored elites correspond to human officer ranks, leading multiple regular squads, with a steady combat style unlike the impulsive blue‑armored elites.

The silver‑armored elite just eliminated may be special forces or a "veteran" squad of the Astate legion.

Moreover, compared with the fierce but sluggish ghost‑faced beasts, the well‑balanced elite poses a greater threat to these still‑novice Astate.

More difficult foes may still appear.

Too lazy to keep worrying, Gabriel reloads, walks to the elite corpse he kicked, bends, extends his left hand, and picks up the still‑extended energy sword.

The hilt size fits.

He then modulates the force, so as not to snap the hilt, and presses the central sensor with his palm, successfully retracting the glowing blade.

No need for explicit reminder.

The brothers also pick up their energy swords, fold the blades, and attach the hilts to the magnetic straps at their waists.

After all, they are reservists; their melee weapons are only the standard Chain Sword and a 60‑centimeter titanium alloy dagger.

All set.

Gabriel says in a low voice, "Let's go."

"Yes."

The brothers then stride toward the ship's bow, efficiently clearing obstructing enemies while searching for the bridge and the gold‑armored commander.

Outside the flagship.

In the void beneath deep space, various artillery batteries and trajectories streak across, the flickering fire of explosions indicating the ship‑to‑ship battle remains undecided.

It also shows that the pressure on all aboard the Punishment is far greater than that faced by Gabriel's team on the jump‑mission.

Close‑up.

Relying on mobility for guerrilla tactics, the Punishment is currently positioned beneath a cockroach‑type enemy ship, its bow aimed at the ship's belly.

Ri——!

Whoosh——!

The charged electromagnetic cannon fires immediately, hurling projectiles that cannot be intercepted conventionally onto the purple‑lit shield.

Clack——!

With just one shot, the projectile successfully fulfills its mission of breaking the shield.

Although the remaining force is insufficient to cause fatal damage to the "cockroach", the two secondary cannons, also fully charged, melt through the outer hull, allowing the projectiles to penetrate inside.

Boom——!

Two plasma cannon clusters successfully cause the "cockroach" to explode violently from the inside out.

Meanwhile, the Punishment's speed does not decrease at all; as if treating itself as a ram, it charges straight toward the exploding section, using humanity's proud α‑titanium alloy armor to split the "cockroach" in two.

At the same time.

Accompanying the Punishment on both sides, three squadrons, also using the wreckage of the sunk enemy ship, coordinate and lure, successfully destroying a large number of less agile enemy aircraft.

The sharp reduction in enemy aircraft finally frees the pilots, who hurriedly return to the hangar one by by, allowing the swearing ground crew to replenish their ammunition.

The most threatening flagship, currently occupied by the damage caused inside by the Tutmos, continues to attract the enemy commander's attention, leaving the flagship temporarily unable to attend to the Punishment.

Despite being at an absolute disadvantage, it still manages to destroy an enemy ship of comparable technological level, each side having different vessels, which is enough to record the entire crew of the Punishment in the annals.

However…

Another intact cockroach‑type enemy ship has already turned around, accelerated toward the Punishment, and unleashed a dense barrage.

This forces the unable‑to‑dodge Punishment to endure numerous high‑temperature cannon clusters, causing a fierce explosion on the ship's starboard side.

At the same time, that cockroach‑type enemy ship releases a large number of carrier aircraft again, including some cylindrical ones that appear to be transport planes carrying combat troops.

Seeing this situation, the opponent also intends to force a jump.

On the bridge.

"Boom——!" The explosion makes the hull shake violently.

"Starboard is severely damaged; the recent explosion has pushed the main engine near its overload limit! Captain, we can no longer maintain our current speed!"

"The main cannon is also affected and will need five minutes to become ready; secondary cannon No. 2 and five close‑in weapons are offline, and the starboard missile bay cannot open. Maintenance Team 1 is currently attempting repairs!"

Fortunately, the airborne preparation compartment on the inner side of starboard is undamaged.

"All internal compartments have completed sealing procedures; Maintenance Teams 2 and 3 are conducting emergency repairs to ensure hull integrity!"

Accompanying the explosion and shockwaves, the crew reports the Punishment's damage level.

At this moment, the crew cannot stop sweating, and an atmosphere of tension and death envelops the entire bridge.

But as captain, Miranda has no time for fear; after hearing the report, she responds:

"Turn direction, approach the enemy ship's starboard side, and notify all squadrons to first assist this ship in dealing with enemy carrier aircraft."

"Yes!"

The crew immediately carries out Miranda's order.

Soon, the Punishment completes the turn, its viewport centered on the last cockroach‑type enemy ship and the enemy's carrier aircraft confronting it head‑on.

Moreover, the enemy ship's firepower has noticeably weakened, allowing Miranda to be certain that the enemy intends to jump to the Punishment and capture them all.

From this, it appears that the flagship's side

simply cannot restrain Gabriel and Tutmos, which is why they need to capture them as bargaining chips.

Having seen through the enemy's plan, Miranda now stares at the holographic screen on her right side.

The image displayed on the screen is a close‑range shot taken by the Punishment during the previous battle of the cockroach‑type enemy ship's starboard side.

It shows several clearly visible small‑caliber cannons on the enemy ship's starboard side, some inexplicable railings, and a massive transparent "membrane" emitting a diffuse pale violet light.

Through the membrane, Miranda can directly view the interior of the enemy ship.

It is a hangar housing enemy carrier aircraft, with numerous circular tanks or purple crates, and the membrane appears to be a valve similar to those in human technology.

"Want to jump? Do you look down on us ordinary humans?" Miranda shifts her gaze from the screen, looks out the viewport again, and continues ordering:

"Launch the ship's sole Cataclysmic nuclear bomb, along with all remaining missiles as cover, to destroy the enemy ship's shield."

Notify the captains and lieutenants on standby, have them prepare for close‑quarters combat with the enemy…

"Notify the captains and lieutenants on standby to prepare for close‑range engagement with the enemy…"

Speaking, Miranda pauses, looks around at everyone present, and says passionately:

"It's not defense, it's offense! Since this ship can no longer conduct guerrilla tactics and the fire‑control system is severely damaged, we will seize the enemy ship for our use!"

Inspired by Miranda, the crew's morale returned to its peak.

Inspired by Miranda, the crew's morale returns to its peak.

Even before the words finish, dozens of missiles burst from the Punishment's left missile bay, adjust their angles, and speed toward the enemy ship at extreme velocity.

Through the viewport, everyone can see the enemy ship's close‑in weapon system activate, firing relatively dense tiny blue cannon clusters attempting to intercept the missiles.

Human and Alliance technology each have strengths and weaknesses, which become especially evident at this moment.

The blue‑light cannon clusters intercept only one‑third, allowing the remaining missiles to strike the shield, including the one carrying the Cataclysmic warhead.

The "Sun" suddenly rose, illuminating this cosmic realm.

"Sun" suddenly rises, illuminating this sector of space.

The light lasts only a few seconds.

When the "Sun" fades, the shield shatters and collapses, leaving the enemy ship temporarily exposed.

Although a nuclear bomb cannot achieve its full power in space warfare, and its point‑destruction effect is inferior to 10‑ton or 15‑ton electromagnetic cannons, it is enough to tear the cockroach's shield.

The Alliance's technology that defends against electromagnetic pulses is fundamental, as it must operate in the vacuum of space.

【121】 However, they rely too heavily on plasma‑like energy weapons and have no projectile weapons installed; at least the Punishment did not detect any projectile weapons on the enemy ship during the engagement.

Even the cooling system isn't great; its rate of fire is worse than a 300 mm plasma side gun.

If an enemy ship had a rate of fire of 18,000 rounds per minute and could fire 35 mm caseless shells that detonate on contact, it could intercept the just‑launched missile strike.

But they didn't.

———————

…

Port side of the Punishment.

Air‑drop preparation compartment.

On the fifteen slide rails are derivative models of the single‑person rail assault pod, medium‑size assault or air‑drop pods that can hold four people.

Inside the air‑drop pod on slide rail No. 1 are the Second Lieutenant and three fully armed paratroopers.

"You bastards!" the Second Lieutenant shouted over the squad's comms:

"We heard the captain wants a bigger ship, so we'll link up with two Marine Corps companies, force‑land inside the enemy vessel, clean out the trash, and capture the ship!

Our primary mission is to create a green environment for the Marines so the transport formation can land smoothly—did everyone hear that?!"

"We'll be the first to jump into hell! Sir!" the paratroopers answered in unison.

At that moment the green light lit inside the air‑drop pod.

Seeing this,

the Second Lieutenant immediately yanked the lever in front of him and shouted, "Heh! The show's about to start!"

The air‑drop pod, following his action, accelerated along the slide rail and ejected.

At the instant it burst out of the ship, the pod's nozzle sprayed flame, further speeding it up.

The Punishment skimmed the enemy ship at close range, suppressed the small‑caliber artillery, then aligned its hull with the enemy's starboard side and ejected thirty air‑drop pods.

The pods, moving at missile‑like speed, broke through the fire net, carrying a group of "Combat Maniacs" straight toward the enemy's hangar.

Trailing them was a transport formation escorted by a combat squadron.

The two ships passed each other in a criss‑cross.

But having lost its original speed and most of its guns, the Punishment could no longer withstand the enemy's next volley.

Nevertheless, the Combat Maniacs seized the opening created by the Punishment and successfully breached the enemy's interior.

Just as the Second Lieutenant said, "The show's about to start."

(End of chapter)