Marvel: The other side of the double-passing door is Devouring the Stars

Chapter 462 These pirates are insane!

"The enemy assault team has been completely annihilated," the AI ​​announced. "The Conqueror is back to normal operation."

Inside the hangar, the surviving soldiers cheered. Rowan and his two companions sat on the ground, panting heavily. The battle had been perilous, but they had ultimately defended their flagship.

“Well done, all three,” Morris’s holographic projection appeared, a pleased smile on his face. “You performed admirably. Thanks to your efforts, the Conqueror has not lost its combat capability.”

"Lord Morris, how is the battle going outside?" Rowan asked.

“We have won,” Morris said. “The Karax fleet has suffered heavy losses and has begun its retreat. The Annihilation was also damaged, and Karax himself was seriously wounded. This battle is our victory.”

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing the news.

“But the cost was not small,” Maurice’s expression turned grave. “We lost thirty warships and more than five thousand soldiers. These were heroes who sacrificed themselves to protect peace.”

A brief silence fell on the bridge as everyone mourned their fallen comrades.

“However,” Morris continued, “this victory has opened the way for us to reach the main planet of Kara. The enemy's main fleet has been defeated; next, we will strike at its heart and attack the main planet of Kara!”

"Attack Kara Prime!" The deafening shouts erupted once again from the fleet.

Two days later, the blue-green planet came into view of the fleet. Kara Main Planet, the homeworld of the Kara civilization, a prosperous world with billions of inhabitants.

From space, Kara's main planet is beautiful and spectacular. Blue oceans cover sixty percent of the planet's surface, interspersed with green continents. The continents are dotted with developed cities, their towering buildings shimmering like crystals. Dozens of giant space stations and a dense array of defense satellites orbit the planet.

But at this moment, this beautiful planet has entered a state of highest alert.

Inside the Conqueror's command center, Morris stood before the holographic star map, his expression grave.

“Kara’s defense system is indeed formidable,” Eric said, pointing to the red markers on the star map. “Twelve energy nodes are distributed around the capital, forming a complete planetary shield. This shield can withstand attacks from cosmic-level powerhouses; even if our entire fleet opened fire, it would be difficult to break through it in a short time.”

“Furthermore,” Leah added, “each energy node is heavily guarded. According to intelligence from reconnaissance aircraft, each node is garrisoned by at least a thousand elite Kara troops, along with three to five stellar-level powerhouses.”

“That’s not even the worst part,” the intelligence officer pulled up another set of data. “There are 360 ​​defensive satellites in orbit around the Kara superstar, each equipped with a powerful orbital cannon. A salvo from these cannons would be enough to severely damage our capital ships.”

“It’s certainly a tough nut to crack,” Morris mused, “but we must crack it. Eric, what’s our battle plan?”

“Three steps,” Eric recited the battle plan. “First, the main fleet will draw fire and destroy the orbital defense satellites. Second, special operations teams will infiltrate the planet's surface and sabotage the energy nodes. Third, once the planetary shield collapses, the entire force will advance and seize the capital.”

“It sounds perfect,” Morris nodded, “but it will be difficult to execute. The Kara civilization already knows we are coming and has certainly made ample preparations.”

“We must fight,” Eric said firmly. “We have no way out.”

“That’s right,” Morris turned to Rowan and the other two, “Your mission is to destroy the seventh energy node on the north side of the capital in the second phase of the operation.”

“Understood,” Rowan nodded. “We will complete the mission.”

“Very good,” Morris said, looking at the entire crew. “Then, prepare for battle. The entire fleet, enter Level One readiness!”

Alarms sounded throughout the fleet. All warships activated their energy shields, weapon systems preheated, and crew members took their positions.

"Forward!" Morris ordered.

The massive fleet began its advance towards the main planet, Kara. The defensive satellites reacted immediately upon the fleet entering the planet's orbit.

Three hundred and sixty satellites simultaneously rotated their cannons, aiming at the Virtual Universe Company's fleet.

"Warning! Warning! High energy reaction detected!" the Conqueror's AI issued an alarm.

"They're here," Morris's eyes sharpened. "Full fleet, evasive maneuver!"

The next second, 360 thick energy beams shot out from the satellite, weaving together into a terrifying net of fire. The power of those beams was astonishing; each one was enough to pierce the energy shield of a capital warship.

The Virtual Universe Company's fleet immediately dispersed to evade. However, the firepower was too dense, and several warships were still hit.

The energy shield of a frigate was instantly pierced, leaving a huge hole in its hull. Although it did not explode immediately, it was rendered combat ineffective.

"The 19th frigate is severely damaged and requests evacuation!"

"Evacuation approved," Morris calmly ordered. "Other warships, advance and counterattack!"

The fleet began to retaliate. Hundreds of warships opened fire simultaneously with their main guns, unleashing countless energy projectiles at the defensive satellites.

Explosions echoed throughout the sky. More than a dozen defense satellites were destroyed, reduced to debris in space. But the remaining satellites continued to fire, engaging in fierce combat with the Virtual Universe Corporation's fleet.

“These satellites have very strong shields,” Eric frowned. “It seems the Kara civilization has invested heavily in their defenses.”

"Concentrate firepower and take them down one by one," Morris ordered. "All capital ships, lock onto the ten nearest satellites and open fire at full speed!"

The ten main warships turned their guns around, concentrating their firepower on the ten satellites. Dense energy shells rained down like a storm, and the shields of the ten satellites finally collapsed under the continuous bombardment, the satellite bodies were blown to pieces.

“Excellent, keep going,” Morris encouraged, “Keep this pace and take down all these satellites!”

The battle lasted a full two hours. Virtual Universe's fleet, at the cost of fifteen frigates and two capital ships, destroyed most of the defense satellites.

"Thirty satellites remain," the intelligence officer reported. "If the attack continues, we expect to eliminate them all within ten minutes."

“Very good, victory is in sight,” Morris was about to give the order to continue the attack when suddenly, the AI ​​issued a piercing alarm.

"Warning! Warning! A large number of warp drive signals have been detected! The number exceeds five hundred!"

"What?!" Morris's expression changed drastically. "Five hundred warships? Where did the Kara civilization get so many reinforcements?"

Before the words were even finished, countless spatial rifts suddenly appeared behind the Virtual Universe Company's fleet. One warship after another burst forth from the rifts, densely packed, blotting out the sky.

But these warships were completely different from the Kara fleet. Their hulls were old and mottled, looking as if they had been salvaged from a junkyard. But each warship was painted with a blood-red skull and crossbones symbol—the symbol of space pirates.

"Space pirates?!" Eric exclaimed incredulously. "The Kara civilization is colluding with space pirates?"

“Impossible!” Leah exclaimed in shock. “The Kara civilization has always prided itself on being a legitimate civilization and despises pirates the most. How could they…” “We can’t worry about that now,” Morris interrupted her. “The enemy is here. Prepare for battle!”

The pirate fleet launched an attack as soon as it appeared. Their tactics were extremely brutal—they charged recklessly at the Virtual Universe Company's fleet while opening fire indiscriminately.

Although the quality of the pirate warships varied, their sheer number was overwhelming. The firepower network formed by over five hundred warships significantly increased the pressure on the Virtual Universe Company's fleet.

“Damn it,” Morris gritted his teeth, “these pirates are fighting like madmen, completely reckless.”

“And their commander is cunning,” Eric said, pointing to the star map. “You see, they’re specifically targeting our frigates and supply ships, avoiding our capital ships. They’re trying to wear us down.”

While the Virtual Universe Corporation's fleet was dealing with the pirates, there was also activity on the main planet of Kara.

Hundreds of Kara warships rose from the planet's surface, clearly waiting for this opportunity. Taking advantage of the Virtual Universe Corporation fleet being entangled with pirates, these Kara warships launched a surprise attack from the flank.

"Pirates in front, Kara fleet behind, we're surrounded!" the intelligence officer exclaimed.

“Calm down,” Morris forced himself to remain calm. “This is a trap set by the Kara civilization. They planned this all along, using the pirates to draw our attention and then launching a flanking attack.”

"So what should we do?"

"Break out," Morris decisively ordered. "The entire fleet, abandon attacks on the satellites and switch to defensive formation. Objective—disengage from the battlefield!"

The fleet began to turn, attempting to break free of the encirclement. But the pirate fleet pursued relentlessly, while the Kara fleet continued to exert pressure from the flanks.

The battlefield descended into utter chaos. Energy projectiles crisscrossed the cosmos, explosions erupting everywhere. Although the Virtual Universe Company's ships were of superior quality, they gradually fell behind due to their numerical disadvantage.

"The 23rd capital ship has been sunk!"

"The 45th frigate has lost power!"

"Supply ship severely damaged, requesting backup!"

One piece of bad news after another arrived, and Maurice's face grew increasingly grim.

Just then, a boastful laugh suddenly came from the pirate fleet.

"Hahaha, you scum from Virtual Universe Corporation, didn't expect this, did you?" A holographic projection appeared on the Conqueror's screen, showing a burly man with a full beard and one eye. "I am Jack the One-Eyed, leader of the Blood Skull Pirate Crew. Today is your end!"

“One-Eyed Jack?” Morris’s eyes narrowed. “It’s you, the infamous pirate captain. What price did the Kara civilization pay to make you risk becoming an enemy of the Virtual Universe Corporation?”

"Hehe, you don't need to worry about that," Jack grinned. "Anyway, His Majesty Carax offered a very high price, too high for me to refuse. Besides, raiding the Virtual Universe Corporation's fleet—just thinking about it is exciting!"

“You’ll regret this,” Morris said coldly. “Virtual Universe Corporation doesn’t let any enemy go unpunished.”

"We'll talk about that when you're all out alive," Jack laughed maniacally. "Brothers, charge! Loot their supply ship, take all the valuables!"

The pirate fleet's attacks became even more frenzied. Completely disregarding losses, they rammed one Virtual Universe Company warship after another. Some pirate warships even activated their self-destruct programs, sacrificing themselves to take the enemy ships with them.

“These lunatics!” Eric cursed.

“They’re insane,” Maurice said in a deep voice. “Space pirates are the scum of the universe; they’re capable of anything.”

The situation is becoming increasingly unfavorable. Although the Virtual Universe Company's fleet is putting up a fierce fight, its losses are mounting.

"Lord Morris, this can't go on," Eric said urgently. "We must retreat and preserve our strength."

Morris stared at the star map, gritting his teeth. "I know," he said, "but retreating won't be easy. The enemy has already formed an encirclement; breaking through will come at a great cost."

“That’s better than total annihilation,” Leah said.

“Alright,” Morris finally made up his mind, “order the entire fleet to break out towards the third quadrant. The enemy is least there; we have a chance to break through.”

"Yes!"

The fleet began moving towards the third quadrant. However, the pirates and the Kara alliance had clearly noticed this intention and immediately mobilized their forces to intercept it.

A fierce battle to break through the encirclement ensued.

The Conqueror charged ahead, clearing the way with its powerful firepower. Its main guns fired incessantly, each shot capable of destroying a pirate warship. But the pirates were simply too numerous; for every one destroyed, two more would immediately take its place.

"Energy shield strength has dropped to fifty percent!" reported the Conqueror's first mate.

"Keep going, don't stop!" Morris ordered.

A pirate warship suddenly accelerated and rammed straight into the side of the Conqueror. The Conqueror's secondary guns immediately opened fire, smashing the warship to pieces. However, the shockwave from the explosion still made the Conqueror shake.

“Damn it, they’re trying to deplete our shields with a suicide attack,” Eric frowned.

"Send out the fighter squadrons and intercept any enemy ships that attempt to ram them," Morris ordered.

Hundreds of fighter jets took off from the Conqueror's hangar, forming a defensive line around the ship. Those pirate warships attempting to ram the vessel were intercepted by the fighters and destroyed en route.

However, the fighter planes also suffered heavy losses. The pirate fleet's firepower was too dense, and the agile fighter planes struggled to maneuver through the barrage, with planes being hit and turning into fireballs from time to time.

Rowan and his two companions stood on the observation deck of the Conqueror, watching the fierce battle outside with grave expressions.

"The situation is dire," Hong said in a deep voice. "Our fleet has suffered heavy losses."

“Yes,” Thor clenched his fist, “these pirates are insane.”

“We have to do something,” Rowan said, a glint of insight in his eyes. “We can’t just sit here and take the beating.”

“What do you want to do?” Hong looked at him.

"The pirates are so reckless because Jack the One-Eyed is in command," Rowan analyzed. "If we can kill or capture Jack, the pirate fleet will be leaderless and its fighting power will be greatly reduced."

(End of this chapter)