"Yes, Commander!" came the unified reply—loud, firm, and filled with a surge of newly renewed resolve and confidence.
The deck rumbled as massive power conduits roared to life, sending vast currents of energy coursing through the Fortress. The colossal reactor deep within its core thrummed like a living heart, feeding power into the upgraded weapon systems—primary, secondary, and every auxiliary gun array.
Yet even as the operators obeyed with apparent confidence, their eyes betrayed the truth. On the radar, the red signatures of enemy ships multiplied without end, swelling until the display looked less like dots and more like a tidal wave of blood blotting out the stars.
Toro's earlier outburst lingered in their minds like a shadow. Even though he was long gone, dragged away to be treated for his injuries, his terror had planted seeds in their hearts. Nerves frayed with every passing second as the enemy numbers climbed higher and higher.
