Inside the space assembly plant, the low hum of mechanical arms and the sparks from welding danced in a symphony of industry. Five newly completed "Starblade" class ships lined up neatly at the dock, their deep blue and silver hulls gleaming under the artificial lights. Standing atop the bridge of *The Nameless of Aegleum*, Ellaara felt the faint vibration of metal beneath her boots. Through the observation window, she gazed at the fledgling fleet, a quiet sense of fulfillment rising in her chest—this was the fruit of her blood-soaked struggle, the dawn of hope for the fleet's rise. Kirah's voice came from behind: "Captain, *Red Beast*'s engines are at 70%. She'll be ready to sortie in three days." Ellaara nodded, murmuring, "Good. Prepare to test the Starblades' firepower." But before she could catch her breath, a shrill alarm tore through the silence of the bridge. Her heart lurched. The holographic display flickered violently, flashing crimson warning signs. Beyond the asteroid belt, a privateer fleet emerged like a shadowed tide — eight *Wolf Lizard*-class cruisers fanned out like a pack of wolves, their hulls reflecting a cold, metallic sheen; two *Tundra*-class support ships hovered behind them, their drone bays shimmering with readiness; and at the rear loomed the monstrous *Endless Thunder*, over 2700 meters long, its massive frame blotting out the stars, its cannons already glowing with deadly intent. Ellaara's pupils constricted. They were here too soon — the fleet wasn't fully prepared yet. She took a sharp breath, suppressing the sudden surge of tension, and said coolly, "They've come for revenge. All hands, battle stations!" The battlefield erupted. *Bitefang* and *Clawrend* surged forward, unleashing the deafening roar of their SG-2275 heavy cannons. Shells tore through the void, slamming into the outer defense towers of the base. Explosions lit the darkness, shockwaves rattling the bridge. Ellaara staggered slightly, the sound of twisting metal ringing in her ears. Gritting her teeth, she cursed inwardly — they couldn't let them get close to the base! "Shields full power! Starblades, intercept!" she ordered. Five Starblades ignited their thrusters, leaving trails of blue flame as they sliced through the dark. Their bow-mounted cluster missile launchers hummed lowly. Four primary warheads screamed into the sky, breaking apart mid-flight into dozens of submunitions. An EMP wave rippled invisibly outward, instantly dimming *Ironscale*'s shields. High-explosive payloads shredded the ship's armor, sending fireballs into the void. Fragments rained down on *Nameless*, striking the hull with piercing impacts. A flicker of satisfaction crossed Ellaara's mind — these new ships had lived up to expectations. A deep growl echoed from the *Endless Thunder*. 144 enemy fighters launched like a black cloud descending upon them, their engines howling as six of the ship's 67-type arc hypervelocity cannons began charging. Beams of energy curved around asteroids, lancing toward the port. One Starblade took a hit to its engine section — flames roared across the viewport as the crippled vessel limped back. Ellaara clenched her fists, heart pounding — that firepower was too overwhelming to face head-on. She shouted, "Deploy drones! *Nameless*, return fire!" Twenty nano-spore drones burst from the hangar bay, ghosting through the void like shadows. In the ensuing chaos, bursts of light signaled destruction — several enemy fighters torn apart mid-air, wreckage raining down like falling stars. The *Nameless*'s MK7-SG-4800 triple-barrel cannon roared in response, rounds screaming toward *Darkclaw*. Its shields collapsed under the barrage, the ship splitting in two as it exploded, the shockwave causing the bridge lights to flicker. Ellaara exhaled slightly, but the sheer number of enemy ships still looming ahead pressed heavily on her mind. The privateers retaliated swiftly. *Icewind* and *Frosthaven* opened their decks, releasing repair drones to patch *Venomfang*'s damaged hull. Anti-missile drones intercepted the Starblades' strikes, detonating several submunitions mid-air. *Bitefang* and *Steelwing* closed in, launching missiles like a storm. A fuel depot took a direct hit — a fireball engulfed the area, debris slicing through the air. The shockwave slammed into *Nameless*, her shields screeching under the strain. Ellaara's pulse quickened, sweat beading on her forehead — without taking out the support ships, the tide would turn against them. Jaw tight, she ordered, "Focus fire on the support vessels!" Three Starblades repositioned, launching volleys of missiles. Dozens of streaks of fire rained down on *Icewind*. The EMP blast crippled its systems, and the follow-up high explosives tore the ship open. Fragments flew like blades through space. *Frosthaven* turned to retreat, but Ellaara's voice cut cold and clear: "Ion cannons." The *Divine Arbiter* charged, a beam of blue light cutting through the void. The enemy ship vanished in a fireball, smoke billowing into the vacuum. Relief eased some of the weight in her chest — now they'd lost their backup. The *Endless Thunder* roared in fury. Eighteen 77-type Storm Arc Launchers fired in unison, arcs of lightning weaving a net of death across the battlefield. Two Starblades overloaded their shields and fell back, burning wrecks drifting in the chaos. *Shadowscale* and *Bloodwing* seized the moment, opening fire on *Red Beast*. Its engine room exploded again, fire consuming half the hull, debris scattering across the bridge exterior. Pain flared in Ellaara's chest as memories of *Red Beast*'s former glory flashed through her mind. Anger surged — "It won't die in vain!" "Break formation! Draw off the carrier!" she shouted. Two Starblades and *Nameless* scattered, laying down suppressive fire. *Bloodwing* exploded amidst a chain of detonations, firelight painting Ellaara's profile. She bit her lip — not enough. Not yet. The battle shifted again. The *Endless Thunder* deployed its thirty 59-type Barrier Point Defense Units, forming a near-impenetrable shield against incoming missiles. Enemy fighters dove in waves, one Starblade losing control after a bridge hit, adrift among the asteroids, burning weakly. *Venomfang* and *Steelwing* launched coordinated salvos. *Nameless*'s stern exploded, leaving a gaping wound in her hull. Alarms shrieked inside the bridge. "Captain, shields are failing!" Kirah cried, staggering. Ellaara's heartbeat thundered in her ears. For a moment, failure flashed before her eyes — but she crushed the fear instantly. "We don't retreat. Launch all drones!" Ten more nanodrones surged into the fray, tearing through the remaining enemy fighters. The aerial assault weakened just enough to give them breathing room. Ellaara inhaled sharply — there was still a chance. With victory hanging by a thread, she commanded: "Final strike from *Red Beast* — target *Steelwing*!" Despite incomplete repairs, *Red Beast* rose one last time. Its missile bay opened, launching a volley of multi-warhead missiles. They pierced *Steelwing*'s defenses, turning the ship into a fireball. The explosion triggered an asteroid storm. A brief glimmer of relief crossed Ellaara's face, quickly replaced by resolve. "Regroup! *Nameless* and remaining Starblades, push forward!" Missiles and artillery fire converged — *Bitefang* and *Shadowfin* both succumbed, their explosions lighting the bridge. Sweat dripped from her brow. This was the final gamble. The *Endless Thunder* fought alone now, its shields faltering, only a few dozen fighters left. Ellaara stared at the hologram, the sounds of distant gunfire and trembling metal merging with her own heartbeat. She growled, "All ships — final assault!" Two Starblades bombarded the remaining fighter squadrons. *Nameless* led the charge, her hull shuddering under fire. Ellaara gripped the controls, personally aiming the *Divine Arbiter*. The charging hum sounded like thunder in her ears. Blue light gathered before the viewport, illuminating her eyes with fierce determination — we cannot lose. She gritted her teeth. Kirah clutched the railing, shouting, "Core locked. Fire!" Ellaara whispered, "Fall to ruin." The beam shot forth like divine judgment, piercing straight into the *Endless Thunder*'s core. The behemoth shuddered violently, then shattered in a chain of cataclysmic explosions. Shockwaves rattled the bridge, glass trembling, fragments of metal scattering like stardust. Silence returned. Only the soft groans of the ship and the crew's ragged breathing remained. Ellaara leaned against the console, sweat dripping down her neck, her heartbeat slowly steadying. It was finally over. The assembly plant stood intact. *Nameless* was battered beyond recognition. *Red Beast* lay crippled. Of the five Starblades, only two remained. She stared into the void, whispering, "They almost succeeded." Kirah, leaning against the wall, gasped, "Captain… the Starblades saved us." Ellaara nodded, her gaze shifting to the ruined production line. Resolve hardened in her heart. "Accelerate repairs and production. This was only the beginning." In the depths of space, the smoke cleared. Her fleet, forged in fire and blood, stood ready for the next trial.
