*The Nameless*'s hull began to vibrate violently as it descended toward **Blackstone Planet**. Outside the viewport, rivers of molten lava snaked across the surface like veins of fire. Volcanic eruptions hurled ash high into the sky, forming thick clouds that darkened the horizon. **"Warning,"** Saint Dove Core's voice rang through the bridge. **"High-energy particle streams detected. Recommend activating energy shields immediately."** Ellara issued orders swiftly. "All ships, raise shields. X10 engineering vessel, prepare extraction equipment. FG3000, maintain combat readiness." Suddenly, the radar blared an alarm. The FG3000 captain's voice cut in urgently: "Unidentified ship signatures detected! Distance: 3000 kilometers — closing fast!" Ellara's cybernetic eye instantly focused on the holographic star map — three **Steelclaw**-class fast raiders were approaching, their hulls gleaming with a sinister red glow, like bloodthirsty hounds. **"Battle stations!"** Ellara's voice was calm but firm. A forced transmission burst onto the comms channel. A raspy, mocking voice echoed through the bridge: "Ellara, didn't expect to see you here. Hand over the blackstone cores, and maybe we'll let you live." Ellara smirked. "Come and take them if you can." The battle erupted in an instant. The Steelclaw raiders surged forward at incredible speed, their **Flameclaw H-B11 fusion engines** spewing ghostly blue flames. Their hulls, armored with **Zephyr-grade graphene-carbon nanotube composite**, shimmered coldly even under extreme heat. **"Fire!"** Ellara commanded. *The Nameless*'s main cannon unleashed a searing beam of energy, striking the lead raider. But the enemy's **Electro-Fall Deflection Field** activated instantly, deflecting the blast into space — leaving only a twisted scar in reality. The FG3000 frigates retaliated quickly, launching a barrage of missiles like a storm of stars. Yet the privateers responded just as swiftly — their **Electro-Storm EMP Launchers** fired simultaneously, releasing powerful pulses that detonated mid-air. Half the missiles lost power, turning into lifeless metal husks. **"Their electronic warfare is too strong!"** shouted the FG3000 captain through gritted teeth. Ellara's eyes narrowed. "Switch to close-range tactics. X10, deploy jamming drones!" The X10 engineering vessel opened its bay doors, releasing dozens of small drones. They emitted high-frequency interference waves, scrambling the privateers' radar systems. The raiders hesitated for a moment — but only a moment. The lead Steelclaw suddenly accelerated, its bow-mounted **Starblade Plasma Cutters** igniting with blinding white light. **"Watch out! They're coming in fast!"** Saint Dove Core warned urgently. Ellara yanked *The Nameless* into evasive maneuvers, but the raiders were faster. The plasma cutter grazed her flank — shields dropped by 30% in an instant. Alarms howled across the ship; several systems overloaded and went offline. **"Shields are about to collapse!"** the engineer shouted. At that critical moment, Ellara's gaze locked onto a river of molten lava below the planet's surface. She made a split-second decision. "All ships — follow me into the lava canyon!" *The Nameless* dove sharply, accelerating toward the surface. The privateers hadn't anticipated this move — the lead raider attempted pursuit, but was blocked by a sudden volcanic eruption. Scorching magma erupted like a natural wall of fire. Inside the lava canyon, *The Nameless*'s shields groaned under the intense heat. Saint Dove Core analyzed the terrain rapidly. "There's an underground tunnel ahead, 300 meters. We can temporarily evade pursuit inside." Without hesitation, Ellara ordered: "All ships, enter the tunnel!" One by one, the fleet slipped into the narrow passageway. The larger Steelclaws couldn't follow, forced to circle above the canyon in frustration. Inside the tunnel, *The Nameless*'s lights illuminated the rocky walls — glimmering blackstone cores embedded in the rock face reflected tantalizing flashes of light. "We're safe… for now," Saint Dove Core said cautiously. "But the privateers won't give up easily." Ellara took a deep breath, her gaze fixed deeper into the tunnel. "Let them wait. For now, we collect what we came for — then we find a way out." She turned toward the command console, her cybernetic eye flashing with determination. This fight was far from over. And she had no intention of losing.
