CAPTURING THE ENEMY

The tension aboard the Genesis was palpable. The children were prepared, but what was happening in the space around the ship surpassed even the darkest scenarios that Stood had imagined. The defense ships, which had been launched and were now adhered to the hull of the Genesis, were positioned with precision. Each one, in silence, blended into the structure of the Genesis, like a protective shield, as the threat continued to approach the ship. The moment of action was approaching, and he knew that the next few minutes could determine the fate of the entire ship.

Stood, standing before the command window, observed the darkness extending beyond the ship, a silent and deadly vastness. He felt the weight of the situation. The Genesis was not just a refuge; it was the entire development of the human race.

He took a deep breath, trying to shake off the sense of dread that threatened to dominate his mind. The future was at stake, and he trusted in the Genesis' defenses and the children.

They were more than just trained; they were a trap for any invader.

— **Are you ready?** — he asked the instructors standing beside him, their voices calm but firm.

— **Yes, sir. All positions are more than ready.** — replied the commander of the defense forces.

Stood made a gesture with his hand, signaling that the operation was about to begin. He could see the Genesis' defenses in readiness and the children in their positions, each one visibly anxious but with a determination that could not be ignored. The training had been tough, but the results were evident in each of them. They had all internalized the weight of what it meant to be part of this human experiment: they were not just gifted, but leaders in formation, humanity's last hope.

Mara, with her intense green eyes, was ready to activate her ability. She felt the energy pulsing through her arms, but she knew control would be everything. She couldn't let herself be overwhelmed by rage or fear. She looked around and met Iris' eyes, who floated gracefully but with a determined manner. She knew that levitation wasn't just a display. It was a powerful weapon, but only if used with precision. Beside her, Ethan was calm. His telekinetic powers were sharp, and he knew his abilities could turn the tide of the battle if necessary.

Then, Sienna appeared. Her scaly body glowed under the ship's lights, a natural defense preparing to reflect any enemy attack. She was no longer just a young girl learning about her power. She was a warrior, a protector, with a deep understanding of what was necessary to ensure the safety of her friends and the Genesis.

Stood observed it all with a gaze that mixed pride and anxiety. He knew this would be the decisive moment. The Genesis was in danger, but he also knew that the Genesis' defenses and the children were more than capable of handling the threat. They had trained for this. They had been made for this.

— **Launch the first wave, now!** — Stood ordered, his voice firm.

In a flash, 200 attack ships, like the one he had destroyed, were approaching in formation to surround the Genesis.

Stood, with a simple gesture, released all his massive attack ships, freeing them from the Genesis' hull and immediately activating the ship's protective shield.

With precise movement, the children began to act. They were all teleported to the bridges of the largest enemy ships.

Mara, using her ability to fire energy blasts, shot controlled bursts at the mother ship's bridge, rendering the ship completely useless as the approaching ships came in aggressively. Each explosion of energy caused the enemy ship to be totally damaged. Her eyes stayed focused, tearing apart the enemy ship and its occupants.

Iris, on the other hand, was flying above, using her levitation to help defend the higher points of the Genesis. She moved quickly, creating shockwaves in the air and hindering the enemy ships trying to advance strategically. She knew her role was to prevent any of these threats from approaching the interior of the ship, using her agility and air control abilities.

Ethan was at the center of the battlefield, his mind sharp and calm. He moved large objects integrated into the Genesis' defense structure, creating metal barriers to protect the ship's critical points. The ships attempting to invade the most vulnerable areas were repelled with precision, and Ethan's power seemed to grow with every movement, as if he were connecting with every piece of the Genesis.

Sienna was positioned behind everyone, protecting them. Her natural shields glowed like living armor, reflecting any energy attack directed at them. Her scaly skin reflected the light in a hypnotizing manner, becoming an impenetrable defense. She was the guardian, the last obstacle for any enemy trying to breach the defense lines.

The attack ships sent to defend the Genesis were destroying the enemy ships as if they were made of cardboard.

Stood watched the battlefield, his mind focused on a single objective: to keep the Genesis safe. He knew this was only the first wave of attack. The Genesis needed to resist all the external threats that were approaching. The ships adhered to the hull were now doing their job of counterattacking, providing the necessary defense, but he knew the real battle had just begun. The future of humanity depended on the success of this defense.

— **The battle isn't over, but now we know what we're capable of.** — Stood murmured to himself, as he watched the fight intensify.

He didn't know what the future would hold, but one thing was certain: the Genesis was in good hands. He trusted the young ones. They were more than just children with extraordinary abilities. They were the true heroes of humanity, and he trusted them more than anything else.

With the first wave of defense successful, the Genesis prepared to face any new threat. Stood observed the defense ships once again, feeling an increasing certainty in his heart: his creation was more than ready for whatever was necessary.

Now, with everyone in their positions, he knew that the key to survival wasn't just in physical strength or the children's powers. It was in their ability to act as a unit, as a single organism, where each played their role with mastery and precision.

The battle was far from over, but with the Genesis and its protectors ready, humanity's hope had never been stronger.

One of the ships was eventually captured, and its alien members were contained in a fully armored cell, even to prevent mental waves from affecting the captured ship itself. This ship was now being towed by one of the ships belonging to the Genesis.

Stood and Elisa met and devised a strategy to communicate with the aliens, without giving them a chance to dominate or attack... but caution might not be enough when you don't fully understand your enemy.