Ch-7, Out of the red,pt1

The Hyperdrive starship stood like a titan beside the now-retired Quickdrive. Its sleek, angular design shimmered with a polished sheen, every edge radiating advanced engineering and raw power. Rank-6 and at the Hyper Stage, it was leagues beyond its predecessor, optimized for speed, durability, and firepower. The Quickdrive had been reliable, but this was the evolution they needed.

Angie's holographic form flickered inside the hangar. "Initiating extraction process. Estimated completion: 8.3 minutes."

Her voice, though typically emotionless, carried an air of resolve. Slowly, her robotic physical form emerged from the Quickdrive, an intricate mechanical exoskeleton gleaming with adaptive circuits. Components of the old ship were absorbed into her frame, parts shifting and realigning as she moved toward the Hyperdrive starship. Her limbs extended into intricate tools, attaching seamlessly to the new vessel's hull.

"Assimilation in progress," Angie reported, her voice reverberating through the hangar as her enhancements integrated into the Hyperdrive. Panels shifted and folded, her modifications creating a streamlined structure for peak efficiency. The ship's energy signature flared momentarily, glowing with newfound power.

Brady watched briefly before turning back to his tasks. "She's making it better than we ever could," he muttered to Viktor, who was loading crates into the cargo bay.

"Good," Viktor replied, securing a heavy container marked "Cryogenic Steel Suits – Rank-3". "We'll need every edge we can get."

---

The hangar buzzed with activity. Brady and Viktor worked methodically, transferring crucial supplies and artifacts to the Hyperdrive. The Impulse Water-Air Extractor was the first to be secured, a vital piece for air regulation and water generation in deep space. Its humming mechanisms promised survival in the most barren environments.

"This thing's heavy," Viktor grumbled, his muscles straining as he maneuvered it into position.

"It's also essential," Brady countered, helping him slide it into place. "We can't risk running out of water."

The Chlorophyrite Food-Energy Generator followed, its sleek frame gleaming under the hangar lights. Designed to produce vast amounts of energy and sustenance, it was an artifact they couldn't leave behind. Viktor secured it next to a rack of defensive Cryogenic Steel Suits meant for planetary excursions.

"Anything else?" Viktor asked.

Brady glanced at a checklist. "Just the personal gear. We're almost done."

Meanwhile, Caleb and Jason had dismantled large sections of the Quickdrive, reducing its once-majestic form to piles of components. Jason leaned on his modified Sonic Steel Hive, wiping sweat from his brow. "This ship served us well," he said, a tinge of nostalgia in his voice.

Caleb nodded, holding a bundle of salvaged circuit boards. "Better to repurpose it than let it rot."

Their teamwork was fluid, the old ship being stripped and sorted for usable parts that could augment the Hyperdrive.

---

As Brady and Viktor finished the final transfers, a subtle tremor ran through the ground. Caleb froze, his head snapping toward the hangar entrance. "Did anyone feel that?"

Angie's voice cut through the tense silence. "Martian defense units detected. Approaching rapidly."

"Of course they're coming now," Jason muttered, his tone dark. He activated his Hive, its systems roaring to life.

The team barely had time to process Angie's warning when a high-pitched mechanical hum filled the air. Brady turned, eyes widening as the Cryogenic Steel Suits from the supply racks powered up.

"Angie?" Brady called out.

"I took the liberty of optimizing deployment protocols," Angie replied. "Engaging suit synchronization."

The suits detached from their racks and soared through the air, propelled by magnetic thrusters. Each one aligned itself to its respective wearer, unfolding and locking into place with precision.

Brady's suit sealed around him with a hiss, its cryogenic alloy adjusting to his frame. Viktor's suit, already customized for his combat style, snapped into place with enhanced speed enhancers activating instantly. Jason's suit integrated seamlessly with his Sonic Steel Hive, while Caleb's suit fortified his already formidable stature.

"Now we're ready," Viktor said, testing the mobility of his armor.

"Let's show them what we can do," Brady replied, his voice hardening as the sound of marching boots and mechanized units grew louder.

---

The hangar doors burst open, revealing a flood of Martian guards and defense units. At their head stood a towering commander clad in a Rank-6 armored exosuit, his energy blade gleaming ominously.

"By order of the Martian Society, surrender!" the commander bellowed.

Brady's response was a thunderous punch that shattered the closest guard's armor and sent him flying. "Not today."

The guards surged forward, and chaos erupted.

Brady fought like a whirlwind, his gauntlets smashing through enemy ranks with raw power. Each strike sent shockwaves rippling through the air, scattering foes like ragdolls. Between punches, he swung his Rank-3 Impact Zap Shooter, releasing streams of crackling energy bullets that carved through multiple guards at once. Sparks and smoke filled the battlefield as his relentless assault left a trail of destruction.

Viktor was a blur of motion, his Force Lightning Blades slicing through armor and flesh alike. His attacks were precise and brutal, alternating between slashes and volleys from shoulder-mounted cannons. A guard charged him with a shock baton, only to be met with a blade to the chest.

"Amateurs," Viktor growled, moving to his next target.

Jason stood at the rear, his Sonic Steel Hive commanding swarms of drones that rained energy blasts from above. He activated the Steel Queen, an autonomous turret system that decimated advancing units. Between commands, he fired dense energy cannonballs, each shot tearing through ranks of mechanized troops.

"Keep them off me!" Jason yelled, his drones targeting a hulking mech approaching from the side.

Caleb stood as Jason's shield, his Rank-4 Impact Dense Energy Hammer spinning in wide arcs. Each swing unleashed powerful shockwaves, sending guards and drones flying. Energy pulses rippled outward, disrupting the Martian units' formations.

"Stay behind me!" Caleb barked, holding the line with sheer strength.

Even Angie joined the fray, her voice calm and measured. "Engaging defensive protocols."

The Hyperdrive starship's weapons roared to life, unleashing massive energy blasts that obliterated entire groups of enemies. A single shot tore through the advancing mechs, leaving smoking craters in their wake.

The commander charged toward Brady, his energy blade crackling with lethal intent. Brady met him head-on, dodging a swing and landing a devastating uppercut. Mid-combat, he fired a burst from the Zap Shooter, forcing the commander back several steps.

"You're strong," the commander admitted, his voice strained, "but you're outnumbered."

Brady smirked, firing another volley and closing the gap. "Numbers don't matter if you can't keep up."

---

The battlefield fell silent as the last Martian unit collapsed. The commander lay defeated, his armor shattered, and his blade extinguished. Brady stood over him, breathing heavily, his gauntlets sparking from overuse.

"We need to move," Viktor said, Retracting his blades.

"Agreed," Jason added, recalling his drones. "This isn't even 10% of their forces. Reinforcements will be here any second."

The team rushed aboard the Hyperdrive starship, Angie's voice greeting them. "All systems operational. Preparing for immediate departure."

---

The ship's engines roared as they ascended into the Martian sky, leaving the chaos of the battlefield behind. For a brief moment, the team allowed themselves a moment of relief.

"We did it," Brady muttered, his voice still heavy from the adrenaline. He relaxed his grip on the control panel for a moment, glancing back toward his team. "We're out. We're free."

But that relief didn't last long. A low hum filled the cabin, vibrating through the Hyperdrive starship. Angie's voice cut through the air, sharp and unyielding.

"Warning: Multiple hostile craft detected in the Martian exosphere. Martian fleet has deployed. They are blocking all exit vectors."

Jason's hand clenched around his modified Sonic Steel Hive. "I knew it.. there were no starships down there..."

"We're not out of the woods yet," Viktor added, his voice tinged with frustration. "Looks like they were waiting for us."

Brady's jaw tightened as he glanced at the displays showing the fleet's positions. A dozen massive Martian battle cruisers loomed, their dark hulls silhouetted against the red sky. Smaller fighter ships darted around the cruisers, forming an impenetrable blockade.

"They knew exactly where we'd be," Caleb said, his voice calm but with an edge of determination. "And they weren't going to let us leave without a fight."

"Looks like they don't intend to let us go without a bang," Viktor muttered, staring at the screen showing the Martian fleet closing in.

Brady's grip tightened once more on the controls. "Then we give them one. Angie, can we outrun them?"

"Calculating," Angie responded. A moment later, the ship's engines flared brightly, and the Hyperdrive's power systems hummed with renewed energy. "It's possible, but the fleet is too large. We'll need to engage or break through to avoid detection."

"Great," Jason muttered. "I'm not a fan of going down without a fight, but this is a little much."

Caleb's eyes narrowed as he stood behind Brady, hands clasped in front of him. "We've taken on bigger odds before. Let's focus on getting through this and figuring out our next move."

"We don't have time for a plan B," Brady said, locking eyes with each of his teammates. "We fight our way out. We take down as many as we can and make it out alive."

Viktor smirked, already prepping his weapons. "My kind of plan."

The tension in the air thickened as the Martian fleet drew closer. The Hyperdrive starship's engines roared to life, its advanced technology now pulsing with power. The crew knew they were outnumbered, but their resolve had never been stronger.

"Here we go," Brady said, bracing for the inevitable.

---

To be continued...