Chapter 132 Aftermath

Words : 1070 Updated : Sep 25th, 2025

The enemy ship detonated in a final, cataclysmic explosion, a fiery shockwave radiating outward like the wrath of a dying star. The explosion was so bright it momentarily outshone the surrounding stars. The remains of the ship were scattered into countless fragments, glowing like embers as they drifted into the void. The bridge of the Liberator shook violently from the shockwave, though the ship's shields managed to hold. Carlos gripped the edge of his console, blinking away the afterimage burned into his retinas. "Damn. When I said to shoot, I didn't mean obliterate the universe." Ys's voice chimed in through the comms, smug as ever. "Oh, Carlos, your little cannon is so cute. Did you see how my bioplasma cannons softened them up for you? You're welcome, by the way." Carlos rolled his eyes. " Sure, Ys. Your princessly greatness saved the day. Let's pretend it wasn't the giant hole I just blasted through their ship that did the trick." Ys laughed, clearly enjoying herself. "Oh, Carlos, I do love how you cling to these small victories. They suit you." In the background, the sound of her casually munching on another piece of fruit was almost infuriating. Ignoring her, Carlos turned to the tactical display. The remnants of the pirate fleet were in full retreat, scattering in every direction like cockroaches under a spotlight. His crew cheered, but Carlos raised a hand to silence them. "AI, status report," he said, his tone firm. The enemy capital ship has been destroyed. Remaining enemy forces are retreating. moderate damage sustained to the Liberator. Shields at 2 percent and recharging.] Carlos nodded, exhaling a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Good. And the merchant convoy?" All merchant vessels remain secure in the hangar bay. The 198th Legion Argos successfully defended them. [No casualties among the convoy.] "That's what I like to hear," Carlos said, slumping back in his chair. His battle suit groaned as he finally let himself relax. "Alright, folks. Start cleanup. Let's round up the retreating pirates and salvage what we can. No point letting their junk go to waste." Ys's voice crackled over the communications again. "Carlos, don't forget to thank me properly. Without me, you'd be space dust right about now." Carlos sighed, rubbing his temples. " Thank you, Your Royal Laziness. I'll be sure to send you a fruit basket as payment for your 'heroic deeds.'" He gasped dramatically. "A fruit basket? Is that all I'm worth to you? I'll be expecting much better when I visit next." Carlos shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips despite himself. "AI, cut the communications before I lose what's left of my sanity." [Understood, Admiral.] As the channel closed, Carlos stood and stretched, the weight of the battle finally lifting from his shoulders. "Good work, everyone," he said. "But don't get too comfortable. If we survived this, it just means something worse is probably on its way." Out in the void, the last remnants of the enemy ship's glowing debris faded into darkness, leaving nothing but silence and the faint hum of the Liberator's engines as it powered down from battle mode. Meanwhile, in the hangar bay of the Cleopatra, Rex sat casually atop a massive cargo container like it was nothing more than a bench. At three meters tall, the towering warrior looked almost comically oversized in the bustling hangar. She pulled out a glimmering blue crystal the size of his palm and tossed it toward her. Rex's eyes lit up as she caught it . "Ohhh, shiny! You actually thought of me? How sweet." He twirled the crystal in his hand, admiring the way it caught the light. "Don't get used to it," Nyra said, smirking. "But I can't just take it for free, so tell me what you want in exchange for it." Rex asked while raising an eyebrow Nyra hesitated, her usual confidence faltering for just a moment. She glanced at the crystal, then at Rex, before clearing her throat and grinning. "Well, I didn't give it to you expecting something in return, but if you insist... how about a hea?" "Hey, guys! I'm back!" Lyra's cheerful shout echoed across the hangar, and Nyra immediately froze, her face flushing as if she'd been caught doing something embarrassing. Lyra came bounding over, practically skipping as she led a maintenance drone into the area. "I found one! It's already got the freezing system loaded up, so you're good to go! " She hopped off the drone with a surprising amount of energy, patting its metallic side like she'd just tamed a wild beast. Rex raised an eyebrow at Nyra, who was glaring daggers at her sister for interrupting . "What were you saying, Nyra? Something about a head, " he teased, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Nothing! Absolutely nothing! Let's focus on getting you cooled down before you start cooking for the rest of us." The maintenance drone rolled forward, extending a nozzle toward Rex's suit. A blast of icy mist sprayed over him, causing steam to hiss and swirl around his massive frame. He sighed in relief, leaning back on the cargo container. "Ah, much better. Thanks, Lyra." Lyra beamed, practically glowing at the praise. "You're welcome! Anytime!" Nyra groaned, rubbing her temples. "Lyra, stop being so cute. You're making the rest of us look bad." The sisters bickered lightly as Rex watched, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. For all the chaos and destruction outside, moments like this reminded him why he fought so hard to protect this crew. As the drone finished its work and trundled off, Rex stood up, his towering frame casting a long shadow across the hangar . "Alright, enough sitting around. We've got a lot of cleanup to do. Let's get to it." Nyra hopped off the cargo drone with a stretch, grinning. "Race you to the next fight, big guy." Lyra followed closely, her shy smile growing a little braver. "I'll... I'll do my best too!" Rex chuckled, cracking his knuckles. "You two keep up. I don't slow down for anyone." "....." "Rex, what will you do with the twins?" Cleo's voice came through Rex comunicator's private line.

Chapter 132 Aftermath

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