Ch-8 : Out of the red,pt.2

The Martian fleet loomed closer, an ominous presence in the depths of space. Massive battle cruisers formed an impenetrable wall, their weapon systems primed and glowing an eerie crimson against the void. Smaller fighter ships buzzed around them like angry wasps, forming intricate patrols. The Hyperdrive starship surged forward, its engines burning bright, but the net was tightening. The Martian forces weren't giving them an inch of space.

Brady's knuckles whitened as his grip tightened on the controls. His eyes stayed fixed on the tactical display, where the fleet's formation shifted to box them in. The pressure was palpable, every movement of the enemy ships screaming hostility.

"We're not making it out of here without a fight," Brady said, his voice steely and steady. Determination replaced doubt as he glanced over his crew.

"We don't need to make it out without a fight," Viktor said darkly, his tone carrying a faint, almost eager edge. "We just need to make it out."

Jason leaned over his control console, his fingers brushing over the activation key for his Sonic Steel Hive. The turret system purred beneath the deck, awaiting its next command. "Let's hope this old girl has enough firepower to keep us breathing."

Angie's voice cut through the tension, calm yet resolute. "Engines operating at maximum output. All primary and auxiliary weapons systems are armed. Hostiles are closing in."

Tactical displays flickered to life in front of the crew, revealing the Martian fleet in grim detail. The larger battle cruisers flanked by their escorts formed a deadly barricade, every ship a cog in a larger, ruthless machine. The blockade was airtight.

Brady's lips pressed into a thin line. "We'll have to take down a few of those cruisers to make any kind of dent. Ideas?"

Caleb leaned back in his seat, his mind already racing. His fingers tapped against his leg as he calculated. "We don't need finesse; we need brute force. We push through with everything this ship's got."

Brady nodded. "Alright then. Viktor, Caleb, Jason—lock and load. Let's give them hell."

Before anyone could reply, the Martian fleet opened fire.

---

The Hyperdrive starship shot forward, dodging streams of high-energy plasma. Martian drones swarmed toward them, their crimson-lit forms darting in erratic patterns. Jason's Steel Hive reacted instantly. A hatch hissed open, releasing a swarm of drones armed with energy blasters. They moved like a living tide, meeting the Martian units in mid-flight.

Jason's fingers danced across his console, activating the Hive's Steel Queen turret. The massive gun swiveled and released a barrage of rapid-fire energy bolts. The battlefield lit up with fiery explosions as Martian drones were shredded, their remains drifting into the void.

"Steel Queen's holding them back for now!" Jason yelled over the blaring alarms. "But we need to deal with those cruisers. They're closing in!"

"Keep moving!" Brady barked, jerking the controls as the Hyperdrive narrowly dodged a blast from a Martian cruiser's main cannon. The shockwave rocked the ship, causing the lights to flicker. "Viktor, time for some fireworks."

Viktor grinned, already on the move. His Force Lightning Blades crackled to life, arcs of electricity dancing along the edges. He moved to the secondary weapon bay, where the ship's heavy artillery awaited.

"Tell me where to aim, and I'll make sure they regret it," Viktor said, his voice dripping with anticipation.

Brady's hands flew over the control panel, launching a volley of energy bolts at a squadron of fighters closing in. The bolts found their marks, sending several ships spiraling into chaos, but more came to replace them. The Martian cruisers pressed forward relentlessly, their main guns locking onto the Hyperdrive.

"We can't keep this up forever!" Caleb shouted, slamming his Impact Dense Energy Hammer into the deck beneath him. The shockwave rippled through the ship, boosting its energy output momentarily and forcing enemy fighters to recalibrate their targeting systems. "Where's our exit?"

"There isn't one yet," Angie replied calmly. "We must create an opening by neutralizing a key target."

Brady's gaze fixed on the largest Martian battle cruiser. Its hovering mechanism glowed with a steady, pulsating light, a stark contrast against its dark, angular frame. It was the command ship, the backbone of the fleet's formation. Its engines emitted a low hum, audible even through the Hyperdrive's reinforced hull.

"That's our target!" Brady shouted, pointing at the cruiser's tactical display. "If we take out its hovering mechanism, it'll cause a chain reaction. The fleet will be too busy scrambling to stop us."

---

Angie's calm voice echoed through the chaos. "Calculations complete. Trajectory and impact force optimized. Energy cannonball prepped for firing."

Jason's Steel Hive intercepted another wave of fighters, its drones tearing through the enemy ranks. "Make it count, Brady. We don't get a second shot at this."

Brady gritted his teeth. "All hands, prepare for impact. Angie, fire the cannonball on my mark."

The Hyperdrive accelerated, pushing through enemy fire as the energy cannonball charged. The ship rattled under the strain, alarms blaring from every console. Caleb stabilized the ship's energy output with a well-timed strike from his hammer, buying them precious seconds.

"Target locked," Angie said.

"Fire!" Brady roared.

The ship's primary cannon roared to life, releasing a massive, glowing energy cannonball. It streaked through the void, leaving a trail of light in its wake. The Martian cruiser's defenses fired back, but the cannonball was too fast. It slammed into the hovering mechanism with a deafening explosion.

The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the fleet. The cruiser shuddered violently, its engines sputtering. Smoke and debris erupted from the breach, and the glowing mechanism dimmed before failing entirely. The massive ship began to list, its systems in disarray.

The Martian fleet faltered, their formation breaking as the command ship's collapse threw them into chaos.

---

"This is it!" Brady shouted, gripping the controls tightly. "All engines, full throttle! Let's move!"

The Hyperdrive starship surged forward, its engines flaring bright. Jason's Steel Hive covered their retreat, drones swarming to intercept any pursuing fighters. Viktor's Lightning Blades flared, releasing bursts of electrical energy to disable nearby ships.

The Martian fleet scrambled to regroup, but the momentary confusion was enough. The Hyperdrive punched through the blockade, leaving the chaos behind.

"We're out!" Caleb shouted, his voice filled with relief.

Brady didn't relax. His eyes remained fixed on the displays as the Hyperdrive sped into open space. "This isn't over. We've bought time, but they'll be back."

The crew exchanged weary but determined looks. They were battered, but not broken. They had survived the impossible once again.

For now, that was enough.

To be continued…