After completing the rescue of the *ST59* battleship, the fleet returned to the space assembly yard with four survivors. *The Unnamed One of Egrum* docked at the general port, where technical teams worked frantically on repairs and data analysis. Ella stood in the command center, preparing to extract more intelligence from the survivors.
A survivor—the *ST59*'s executive officer, his face scarred by radiation burns—was brought before her. He gasped, "We were ambushed by pirates. They have a military supply station deep within the radiation zone, stockpiling weapons and resources. We tried to break through, but there were too many enemy ships." He handed her a damaged data drive. "The coordinates are here. The radiation is extreme—only cruisers can get through."
Ella took the drive and inserted it into the holographic display device. A crimson cloud of radiation appeared, located deep within the *Eram System*, within which a faint outline of a supply station hovered. She stared at the projection, whispering, "A supply station… this is our chance." Resource shortages had long plagued her fleet—this facility might hold the materials needed to shift the balance of power. She turned to Kira. "Prepare the fleet. We're taking it."
Kira warned, "Captain, only cruisers can survive in that radiation zone. Smaller ships won't make it."
"Then we take only cruisers," Ella said decisively. "*The Unnamed One of Egrum* leads, with the *Redbeast*-class following. The rest remain behind."
The fleet quickly assembled. *The Unnamed One of Egrum* activated its warp engine, followed closely by the *Redbeast*-class cruiser. The two massive warships set course for the radiation zone in the *Eram System*. The warp engines hummed lowly; space distorted as they covered vast distance in an instant, arriving at their destination.
A red haze of radiation filled the view, disrupting sensor readings. Drifting within the cloud was the supply station—a metallic fortress pieced together, with several pirate vessels docked along its edges.
Standing in the command tower of *The Unnamed One of Egrum*, Ella ordered, "Scan the target. Prepare for assault." Sensors revealed light defenses: one *Neptune Hunter Pulse Escort* and one *CV-II* light carrier. She smirked coldly. "Lightly defended. Take them down swiftly."
*The Unnamed One of Egrum*'s **Divine Light Judicator** ion cannon locked onto the *CV-II*, unleashing a blue beam that melted its flight deck, destroying all onboard aircraft. The *Redbeast* launched multi-warhead missiles next, shattering the *Neptune Hunter*'s shield and reducing it to burning debris. The station's turrets retaliated, but were quickly suppressed by the MK7-SG-4800 triple-barrel cannons aboard *The Unnamed One of Egrum*.
"Begin boarding operation. Clear any remaining hostiles," Ella ordered. Boarding teams deployed from *The Unnamed One of Egrum*, swiftly securing the station's key areas. Fuel tanks, crates of supplies, and several undamaged fighter craft were found inside. Over comms, she said, "Transfer the resources. Move fast."
As the first batch of fuel was loaded, the sensors erupted in chaotic alarms. On the holographic display, dense red contact points emerged from all directions around the radiation cloud—an entire pirate fleet was closing in. Names flashed across the screen like stars in the void:
- **AC721 Heavy Destroyer – Shadowstrider**
- **Ark-class Light Carrier – Umbravane**
- **Calisto-class Missile Frigate – Emberblade**
- **Neptune Hunter Pulse Escort – Devoursun**
- **CV-II Light Carrier – Windrend**
- **Noma 300 Landing Ship – Ironclaw**
- **Reliath-class Frigate – Bloodedge**
- **Calm Sea-class Frigate – Undertide**
- **ST-8 Torpedo Destroyer – Endfall**
- **CV3000 Carrier – Blackstorm**
Dozens of warships formed a net of death. Hundreds of enemy fighters swarmed forth like locusts, their weapons charging for destruction.
Ella's pupils constricted. "An ambush—we've been set up."
Enemy fire erupted in an instant. *Shadowstrider*'s **SG-2275** main cannon fired directly at *The Unnamed One of Egrum*. Its HSS composite armor held firm under the impact, but the shields flickered. *Umbravane* and *Windrend* launched waves of fighters toward the *Redbeast*, turning the sky into a storm of missiles and pulse beams. *Emberblade* and *Devoursun* unleashed missile volleys, explosions rocking the bridge. *Ironclaw* and *Bloodedge* flanked from the sides, tearing into the *Redbeast*'s armor with relentless fire.
"Situation critical!" Kira shouted. "There are too many of them!" Memories of the fallen skies during *Operation Blackhawk* flashed through Ella's mind—stranded forces, endless enemies, salvation turned to annihilation. She barked, "*The Unnamed One of Egrum*, full shield! *Redbeast*, cover the boarding team. Hold the station!"
*Undertide* and *Endfall* closed in, launching torpedoes and electromagnetic rounds that battered the *Redbeast*. An engine hit crippled its mobility. *Blackstorm*'s fighters encircled the station, cutting off escape routes.
"Weapon systems—ion cannon counterattack. Target *Shadowstrider*!" The **Divine Light Judicator** fired again, piercing *Shadowstrider*'s hull and buying the team a brief reprieve. The boarding units dragged the last of the fuel back into the station, but *Windrend*'s fighters dove in, bombing the *Redbeast*'s flanks. Explosions tore open the side of the cruiser, sucking several soldiers into the void.
"Initiate warp charge. Break through!" Ella commanded. However, *Blackstorm*'s missiles and *Emberblade*'s firepower blocked every exit, while radiation interference disrupted spatial stability—warp engines could not activate.
*The Unnamed One of Egrum* launched a volley of "Starfall" missiles, opening a temporary gap, but enemy ships quickly repositioned. *Ironclaw* and *Bloodedge* flanked once again, unloading barrages of fire.
The *Redbeast* trembled, close to collapse. The station's defensive turrets were destroyed, forcing the squad to retreat into the core. Ella studied the holographic battlefield—enemy ships surrounded them, no escape route remained. Jaw clenched, she said, "Hold position. Request base."
The distress signal was transmitted, but radiation scrambled the message, sending only fragmented signals. The lights of the space assembly yard were still light-seconds away, while *The Unnamed One of Egrum* and *Redbeast* were trapped inside the station, surrounded by the tightening net of pirate warships. *Umbravane*'s fighters circled above, *Undertide*'s cannons roared below. Standing in the command tower, Ella's gaze chilled.
She knew—the battle had only just begun. And now, they were cornered in this crimson wasteland.