Legacy of the Void Fleet

”It really does!” another marine shouted as he swiftly avoided attacks from both left and right. He leapt high, twisting midair. Small thrusters on his combat suit ignited, helping him complete a full three-hundred-and-sixty-degree spin. His plasma sword flashed in a wide arc behind the two Minotaurs.

He landed smoothly and immediately lunged forward, striking down the Minotaur in front of him.

Scenes like this were unfolding all across the small perimeter.

The Minotaurs were being cut down one after another. As their numbers dropped, those still standing entered their rage states more and more frequently. Many of them were already on the brink of death, and that sensation alone was enough to force the transformation.

It made no difference to the Void Marines.

They continued to sweep the Minotaurs aside with ease. At most, they were slowed by a second or two. The increase in strength granted by the Minotaurs’ rage state was indeed significant, pushing them to Paragon Rank three to six while enraged.

But most of the marines were already at peak Paragon Rank themselves.

On top of that, their combat classes granted them further enhancements, and their highly advanced combat suits amplified their power even more, even with the restrictions currently placed upon them.

For the Minotaurs, however, there was a reason for such a drastic boost. In their rage state, they lost nearly all control. It was a severe drawback. Yet the source of that power was simple. Many of them were already close to Grand Master rank, and some had reached it already.

”Power without control is the same as having nothing,” one marine said calmly as he made short work of another Minotaur. He dodged its wild swings and countered with precise strikes. Stabbing, slashing, and occasionally smashing a fist into exposed joints.

Within minutes, it was over.

All the Minotaurs lay dead across the cold, hard floor. Blood pooled beneath them. Some stared upward with eyes wide open in terror. Others had madness frozen on their faces, as if they had been thirsty for blood until their final breath.

”That was... umm... one hell of a salute we gave them, huh?” Jaxson said.

”That we did, Lieutenant,” a marine replied with a faint grin. The same marine hesitated before continuing. ”What about the remaining Minotaurs?” she asked, turning toward a corner of the corridor.

About a dozen lean, smaller Minotaurs were huddled together there, shaking violently. Fear and despair were etched into every movement. The moment they heard her words, they trembled even harder.

”P-p-please!” one of them cried out desperately. ”D-don’t k-kill us! W-we can help! We can be useful to you!”

”Oh?” the female marine replied, her voice cold and dominant. ”And what help could a race of brutes possibly offer us?”She stepped a bit closer, releasing a wave of killing intent so intense that the Minotaurs collapsed into sobs.

”Just because you’re slightly different from the rest of your kind,” she continued, ”and lucky enough to possess a bit of intelligence, you think that makes you valuable to us?”

”No! You misunderstand!” one Minotaur cried.

”Shut up,” she snapped. ”Speak again and I’ll kill you right here.”

”Enough, Mariya,” Jaxson said sharply. ”Stop playing with them.”

She froze hering that.

”We do have a use for them,” he continued. ”Not now, but in the future. Orders from above are clear. We capture this type of Minotaur. We don’t kill them.”

Mariya clicked her tongue in irritation, stomped once, then turned away. She walked back toward the other marines and began helping clean up the battlefield.

Jaxson shook his head, then turned to the marine beside him. ”Bilovosky. Cuff them. Seal their mouths. Move them to the rear of the formation. Assign two marines to monitor them.”

He paused. ”If they try anything, kill them.”

”Yes, Lieutenant,” Bilovosky replied.

He signaled to two nearby marines, pulled out energy cuffs, and began restraining the Minotaurs. Rigid masks were placed over their faces, sealing their mouths completely.

Jaxson looked over the rest of the squad. ”Everyone, finish clearing the area,” he ordered. ”Our target is ahead and within reach.”

He glanced toward the power chamber. ”Tech team, begin preparations. Assemble the teleportation device. I want everyone ready.”

The mission was entering its final phase. well atlest for his team though about other he had no idead but they sould be close as well!!

Alpha Squad was about to enter the final phase of their mission.

Only a single reinforced door and a handful of remaining Minotaurs stood between them and their objective. Under normal circumstances, this would be trivial for them.

As Jaxson advanced with the squad, he couldn’t help but feel relieved. The mission had gone almost perfectly. No unexpected complications. No mistakes. No casualties. Everything had unfolded exactly according to plan.

Just as it was supposed to.

I wonder how the other squads are doing, he thought. Have any of them finished already? Or are we about to be the first?

The thought sparked a competitive fire within him. A sharp, burning desire to finish first, to prove Alpha Squad’s superiority. That alone pushed him to hurry. Even if the others hadn’t completed their objectives yet, they couldn’t be far behind.

Those thoughts forced him to take a quick look around.

The battlefield was nearly cleared. Most of the Minotaur bodies were already gone, dissolved into spreading white clouds. The few that remained would soon vanish as well.

Not far from him, around twenty marines were huddled together, working in focused silence. They were the technicians of his squad, responsible for establishing the teleportation channel inside the power chamber.

Nearby, the rest of the squad stood calmly, exchanging brief words through their internal comms. No panic. No wasted movement. Everyone was ready.

”Form up,” Jaxson ordered. ”Prepare to enter the power room and take control.”

He paused, scanning the sealed door ahead. ”Our objective is within reach,” he continued. ”The threat inside should be minimal, but that does not mean we lower our guard. Stay sharp.”