“The Nest never retreats. The path backward has long been sealed. Our goal is singular: forward, forward, and FORWARD!” Lyna declared, pointing ahead, toward a direction only she seemed to understand.
Kilua furrowed his brows, trying to discern what Lyna meant. All he could see was the dense swarm of the Arachnoax, so tightly packed that it seemed impossible for even an ant to slip through. Nevertheless, he didn’t question further. He knew that doubt had no place on the battlefield.
“PREPARE THE ARCNOVA CASCADE! MAXIMUM ENERGY! DISABLE ALL SAFETY PARAMETERS, ALLOW ENERGY TO ESCALATE FREELY! SET COURSE FOR COORDINATES XB-3435, YC-3452, ZD-9877 AT FULL SPEED!”
The faces of the crew paled at the command. They understood fully what Lyna was about to do. Yet, no hesitation arose among them. Instead, their hands moved even faster, executing their captain’s orders without a single complaint.
“ARCNOVA CASCADE PREPARED! ENERGY AT 40%!”
“COORDINATES XB-3435, YC-3452, ZD-9877 REACHED! THRUSTERS AT MAXIMUM POWER!”
Lyna stared calmly at the screen before asking, “How much longer can our shields hold?”
“MAIN SHIELD IS DOWN! BACKUP SHIELD AT 80%, BUT IT WILL BE BREACHED IN MINUTES!” reported one of the crew members.
“Divert all energy to the thrusters and the Arcnova Cascade!” Lyna ordered without hesitation, as if she had predicted the answer beforehand. “All Suicide Bees, focus on clearing the obstacles in The Nest’s path! Sacrifice everything if needed, make them our shield!”
“Captain, relying solely on the Suicide Bees, we won’t survive long enough to reach the destination,” Kilua said seriously.
Lyna paused for a moment, her brow furrowing as she considered other possibilities. Before she could issue another order, Kilua already knew what needed to be done. “Let me and the others fight on the front lines!” he declared, without a hint of hesitation.
For a moment, Lyna’s blue eyes reflected deep sorrow. Finally, with a long, steady breath, she nodded. Kilua gave a small, resolute smile and saluted sharply. “It has been an honor to fight alongside you, Captain!”
Lyna returned the salute with equal respect, her voice slightly trembling but firm. “No, the honor is mine.”
Kilua merely smiled before stepping out of the main control cabin, followed by several other crew members. There was no doubt or fear in their steps. It was as if the death awaiting them outside was something they welcomed with pride.
Lyna could only watch their backs, her gaze momentarily betraying sorrow before hardening with resolve. She still had a monumental task to complete.
"ARCNOVA CASCADE ENERGY AT 90%!" one of the crew shouted, reporting the progress of the plan.
Lyna heard the report but didn’t respond. Her gaze remained fixed ahead, piercing through the large window in The Nest’s control room, staring into what seemed like the void of space. Yet, behind her calm eyes lay a sharp focus and unshakable determination.
"Kilua and his team have engaged the enemy!" another report followed.
Slowly, The Nest began moving toward the coordinates previously mentioned by Lyna. Not a single crew member questioned why they were heading there. There was no doubt—only unwavering trust in their captain.
"ARCNOVA CASCADE ENERGY AT 95%!"
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"Backup shields have been breached! The Nest is now unprotected! I repeat, The Nest is unprotected!"
With the shields gone, the sounds of battle felt closer, even in the vacuum of space. Through the window, the poisonous green glow of the Arachnoax’s acid, potent enough to melt steel, shone brightly. The flash of their sharp claws, far stronger than iron, was a grim reminder of the danger surrounding them.
"Divert all remaining energy to the Arcnova Cascade and the thrusters! Leave The Nest’s defense to Kilua and the Suicide Bees!" Lyna commanded firmly.
"ARCNOVA CASCADE ENERGY AT 98%!"
As ordered, Kilua and his team showcased their prowess. As The Nest’s vice-captain, Kilua was no ordinary fighter. His reputation as an ace pilot was well-known throughout the West Human Federation. However, the illustrious name of the Queen Bee overshadowed him, making his light seem dimmer. Even so, Kilua chose to remain under the command of the woman he idolized, though he could have captained a more famous ship. To him, his respect and admiration for Lyna far outweighed personal ambition—perhaps even until his final breath.
"The last Suicide Bee has been destroyed! I repeat, the last Suicide Bee has been destroyed!"
"ARCNOVA CASCADE ENERGY AT 100%! Ready to fire! Awaiting firing orders!"
"Hold fire. Seal the energy valve and let the power continue to build! Maintain it as long as possible! We're almost there!" Lyna replied decisively, refocusing the crew on their tasks.
At that moment, signs of a breakthrough began to appear in the enemy formation. Kilua and his team, with stunningly precise and deadly maneuvers, managed to disrupt the Swarm Fleets. A gap opened in the enemy’s defenses, creating an opportunity for The Nest to escape.
Lyna wasted no time. "Break through the blockade! Full speed ahead!" she commanded.
Seizing the opportunity, The Nest surged through the opening, leaving destruction and chaos in its wake. At the same time, the main screen in the control room displayed a transmission from one of the fighter ships outside. Kilua’s face appeared on the screen, visibly exhausted but with a confident smile still gracing his lips.
"Captain, I'll hold these insects off. Don't worry and keep moving forward. Not a single one of them will be able to catch you!" Kilua said firmly, his tone warm and resolute.
"Kilua…" Lyna's voice trembled, laden with the emotions she was struggling to contain.
"Captain," Kilua gently interrupted, "perhaps you've realized this for a long time, but you were too kind to force me to say it, because you didn’t want to hurt me. Yet, you truly are someone I’ve always admired... Ah, I really envy your husband. He must be an extraordinary man..."
Lyna smiled faintly, attempting to mask the deep emotions within her. "He’s someone so remarkable that his brilliance sometimes makes me want to close my eyes," she said softly.
Kilua let out a bitter laugh at her response. "Hahaha, is that so?" He straightened his posture as if summoning his last reserves of strength. "Well then, I’ll be going ahead, Captain. Perhaps someday, in another realm, we’ll meet again. And if we do, please introduce me to your extraordinary husband."
Lyna stared at the screen, her eyes filled with respect. "Of course, my Vice Captain…" she replied.
The communication link was cut shortly after. Kilua had gone to meet his fate, leaving Lyna and the rest of the crew to carry on with the mission. Yet Lyna knew—they would meet again, though not in this lifetime.
"Captain, the Arcnova Cascade has reached energy overload! If left unchecked, then—"
"Captain, we’ve arrived at coordinates XB-3435, YC-3452, ZD-9877!" one of the crew members shouted, interrupting the other report.
At that moment, all activity in the control room ceased. Every eye turned forward, gazing through the main window. They didn’t need monitors or magnification cameras to see the figure now standing before them.
Its body was clad in an exoskeleton that shimmered with hues of emerald green and gold, resembling a high-grade jewel radiating lethal allure. In the void of space, this figure shone with an imposing majesty that made human knees tremble, compelling them to bow.
Its legs were long, sleek, and razor-sharp, adorned with spines that seemed capable of piercing a planet through its core. Its large wings bore intricate patterns resembling glowing ancient runes, exuding a mystical aura that pierced the soul. For anyone with psychic abilities, gazing upon this figure unshielded would shatter their minds, as if blended into an unrecognizable state.
Its eyes were massive, multifaceted, and emitted a dim yet commanding glow that intimidated all who looked into them. Long, gracefully curved antennae crowned its head, resembling a living diadem radiating unmatched regality. Even the mightiest human kings would feel humiliated in the presence of such absolute grandeur.
No introductions were necessary. Every crew member witnessing this scene knew exactly who this being was.
Magnificent, mesmerizing, and utterly terrifying, the figure stood before them.
It was Vamrah, the Locust Queen!