Chapter 114 Greed.

Words : 1141 Updated : Sep 25th, 2025

With the immediate threat neutralized, the 201st seamlessly transitioned to cleanup operations. Some units deployed their built-in medical drones, releasing swarms of small, white machines that tended to the injured defenders. The drones scanned wounds, administered first aid, and stabilized those in critical condition. Other units began patrolling the station, their glowing optics scanning for any remaining pirates or signs of sabotage. Their heavy footsteps echoed through the hallways as they methodically secured the trading station, ensuring no threat was left behind. At the command center, Cleo stood beside Rex, her eyes fixed on the holographic display projected from her wrist console. The map showed the surrounding sector in vivid detail, highlighting dozens of red markers rapidly converging on the station. "Rex," Cleo said, her calm voice cutting through the room's tense atmosphere. "It's as you predicted." Rex leaned over the console, his golden eyes narrowing as he studied the approaching forces. "They're regrouping faster than I thought," he muttered, crossing his arms. "Looks like the pirates weren't the only ones in on this." The hologram displayed a variety of ships, pirate raiders, mercenary frigates, and even what appeared to be a repurposed military cruiser. The hostile fleet wasn't massive, but it was enough to pose a serious threat, especially given the station's current state. Cleo tapped her console, zooming in on the approaching ships. "The pirate leaders must have called for reinforcements the moment they realized they couldn't hold the station. Judging by the speed of their approach, they've been on standby nearby." She glanced at Rex, her expression unreadable. "What's the plan?" Rex smirked, his confidence unshaken despite the odds . "We've already taken the station. That means we dictate the battlefield now." He straightened, gesturing toward the hologram. "We have the high ground, literally. If they want to take this station back, they're going to have to fight through us to do it." "Your usual approach then," Cleo said with a faint hint of amusement as she pulled up the station's internal schematics. "The defenders are too injured to provide much assistance, but we still have the Legion. We can hold." Enjoy exclusive adventures from empire Rex nodded, his grin widening. "The Legion was built for situations like this. Let's see how long those bastards last against the full force of the 201st." Meanwhile, inside the station, the administrator and his grandson stood among the wreckage of the cargo bay. The younger man was still processing what he had just witnessed, the sheer efficiency and power of the 201st units that had turned the tide of the battle. The administrator leaned heavily on his rifle, his old body trembling slightly from exhaustion. But his eyes remained sharp as he watched the Aegis units patrol the area. "I've never seen anything like it," he muttered. "Whoever these people are, they just saved the station, and us along with it." His grandson nodded silently, his gaze fixed on one of the heavily armored units as it passed by. The machine briefly turned its glowing optics toward them, scanning them for injuries before moving on without a word. "Gramps," the younger man said hesitantly, " He straightened, his tone sharpening. "Cleo, send the Wraith squadrons to intercept their fighters. We'll give them a show they won't forget." " Understood," Cleo replied, her fingers moving swiftly across the console. " Launching Wraith squadrons one to five now." Moments later, the hangar bays of the main ship roared to life. The sleek, deadly Wraith fighters, began launching in waves. Each squadron consisted of five fighters, their engines glowing faintly as they soared into formation. The pirate fleet surged forward, disorganized and undisciplined, their fighters flying haphazardly in clumps with no clear strategy. In contrast, the Wraith squadrons formed precise, deliberate formations, slicing through the void with calculated grace. The lead squadron flew in an X-formation, their movements tight and synchronized. As they approached the disorganized pirate fighters, the five Wraiths split into three groups. Two squads climbed upward in an arc, disappearing into the dark expanse of space, while two others dove low beneath the pirates. The lead squadron, however, remained on a direct course, tightening into a circular formation as they closed the distance. The pirates hesitated, confused by the sudden, multi-directional maneuver. Their lack of coordination left them vulnerable, and the Wraith fighters wasted no time capitalizing on it. The lead squadron was the first to strike. As soon as the pirates entered missile range, the five fighters fired their payloads in unison. A swarm of missiles streaked through the blackness, their trails glowing bright as they spiraled toward their targets. Before the pirates could react, the Wraith fighters broke formation and peeled away, retreating at high speeds back toward the flagship. The missiles hit their marks with devastating precision. Explosions lit up the void as entire clusters of pirate fighters were obliterated in the blink of an eye, their debris scattering like sparks in the wind. The pirates barely had time to regroup before the second wave struck. The Wraith squadrons that had climbed above the pirate fleet swooped down from the darkness like predatory birds, firing streams of plasma rounds that tore through the disorganized ships. At the same time, the squadrons below launched their counterattack, firing upward into the pirate ranks with ruthless efficiency. Caught in a pincer maneuver, the pirate fighters disintegrated into chaos. One by one, their ships were torn apart, their uncoordinated movements no match for the Wraiths' precision. Rex watched the holographic display with a satisfied grin, his hands clasped behind his back. "Beautiful," he muttered. "Absolutely beautiful." Cleo stood beside him, her expression calm as always, though a faint glimmer of approval crossed her golden eyes. " The Wraith squadrons are performing as expected. The pirates won't recover from this." Rex nodded, leaning slightly closer to the display as the battle continued to unfold. "Good. Let them feel the weight of their greed. We'll cripple their forces here and make sure the survivors remember one thing: white and gold means untouchable." As the last of the pirate fighters exploded in a brilliant flash, the remaining pirate transport ships began retreating toward their battle cruiser in desperation. The Wraith squadrons regrouped, returning to the flagship in perfect formation, their job done. Rex turned toward Cleo with a confident smirk . "Call it a gamble if you want. But I'd say we just hit the jackpot." Cleo's holographic displays shifted, showing the pirate battle cruiser hesitating in its position. "Their cruiser is holding back. It seems they're weighing their options." "They'll think twice before trying something like this again," "Now my dear wife, prepare the warp jump, were going to say hello to that ugly looking ship."

Chapter 114 Greed.

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