ShipCore

Book 4: Chapter 172: Favorable Odds

Book 4: Chapter 172: Favorable Odds

USD: After Four days of aborted negotiations.

Location: Meltisar, MOR-1, Ambassadorial Station Segment, Meeting Room A

Alex pressed forward, pushing into Tias back more tightly. She suppressed a giggle as she noticed the other girl blushing furiously. The situation reminded her of when Tia had embarrassed her in front of Rachel months earlier. The amusing reversal almost distracted her from the envoys meeting.

As Talisa left, Alexs mind whirled with ideas. It seemed the Solarians and Imperium didnt get along as well as they needed each other in the political game.

Having studied the briefs available to her more thoroughly after Rachel pointed out her blind spots, she thought Talisa seemed far more of a bitch than initially indicated. Anyone who didnt like manga was obviously suspect.

Veliana stood and headed for the door, causing a surge of panic to rush through Alex. Were going to miss our chance!This chapter is updated by

What? Tia hissed, but her protest died as Alex pushed harder and suddenly their hidden compartment cycled open.

You idiot! Tia cursed at her, but they both stumbled out together.

Veliana turned toward them immediately, her brow furrowing and an angry expression appearing on her face. Violet-colored specs fell off her skin as a thin cloud of combat nanites appeared around her.

Alex quickly gathered her thoughts and decided to take a risk. Veliana, wait! she called out, her voice firm but cautious.

The Solarian Envoy halted and glared at them, her combat nanites still active. What do you want? she snapped.

Please listen, Alex said, stepping forward. We want to propose an allianceSolaria and Meltisar.

Veliana scoffed, her gaze hardening. You two were spying on our meeting, werent you?

Alex didnt flinch under her scrutiny. Yes, we were.

Thats a breach of diplomatic protocol. Illegal spying. Violating the neutrality of the forum you want me to take anything you say seriously? Veliana spat out, her words filled with accusation and anger.

Tia glared at Alex, but Alex remained unfazed, meeting Velianas gaze head-on. Who cares about legality when we are fighting for our survival? Alex interjected, her tone coldly practical. We are the underdogs here. But right now, we are in a good position.

Alex took a step closer to Veliana, her eyes burning with fierce determination. I dont think you enjoy playing Talisas toy?

Veliana bristled at her words, her face contorting in anger. She turned to leave, but Alex reached out and grabbed her wrist. The Solarians nanites crackled and burned Alexs hand; she didnt retaliate but simply let go of Velianas wrist.

I apologize, Alex said sincerely. That was too far.

Veliana looked at Alex with a flicker of surprise in her eyes at the apology.

Meltisar isnt willing to side with the corporates or Ertan, Alex continued quietly yet urgently. They wont accept anything but Tia submitting to Moneta. And from what we just heard, the Imperium will only accept Tia going under the Empress.

Her gaze met Velianas, an unspoken plea in her eyes. But if there is any way possible that we could form a pact without Tia becoming a sub-core to Solaria, then we would be more than willing to work together.

The silence hung in the room like a weight, pressing down and drawing out the seconds. The low hum of machinery was the only sound, a backdrop to their held breaths. All eyes were fixed on Veliana, anticipation electric in the air as they waited for her response.

Veliana retracted her combat nanites, and the electric buzz faded away. Alex internally sighed with relief. Velianas gaze shifted to Tia. Do you let this one do all the talking for you, Celestia?

Tia bristled before placing a hand on Alexs shoulder. I trust Alex. Shes not the smartest, but we are in full agreement on things.

Velianas eyes narrowed, I imagine so since shes your sub-core now.

Deploying AMMs and Sandcasters, Abbey informed her.

A volley of small anti-missile missiles streaked out from the stations forward dome as A31 rotated to position its forward-facing element toward the enemy flagship. Heavy autocannons blared out salvos of large shells containing thousands of sub-munitions that would release once they neared their targets. Those would then launch themselves and adjust for any evasive patterns before suiciding into a cloud of deadly shrapnel.

The stations maneuvering thrusters fired heavy pulses, initiating evasive maneuvers although the behemoth station wasnt as agile as it once was, avoiding long range railgun shots was still possible until point blank range.

As the massive multi-layered D-Field came online and plasma coursed through the membrane formed by it, Amy realized they didnt need agility. The AMMs were kinetic-only, while Sandcasters detonated their gigantic clouds of shrapnel at incoming missiles from afar. Huge batteries of PDC-Ls and PDC-Ks stood ready for any missiles that slipped through.

The tactical display completed its count of Inner-System and Outer-System hostile warships and their classes just as the first missiles began to die.

|IS-Battleship: 1| IS-Cruiser: 3| IS-Destroyer: 4|

|OS-Battlecruiser: 1| OS-Cruiser: 37| OS-Destroyer: 44|

Abbey glanced at her. Do you have an operational plan yet?

Amy swallowed, finished her orders, and nodded. Launching now. Plan sent to you. Throughout the station, the order list propagated from Amys computronics to the GAIs inside every drone vessel. Each one transmitted an accepting confirmation, and the entire system was primed for activation.

Abbeys eyes shifted to another screen within her line of sight, scanning the plan. Okay. This looks good.

Hundreds of drone warships hummed to life across the stations mooring arms. Detached from their gantries and couplings, they were held in place by magnetic locks that suddenly released. None of the warships matched the size of their Corpo counterparts, but they didnt need to be as massive; only a few required life support.

As the vessels streamed away from A31s flanks, Amy directed Captain Yalof and a squadron of destroyers and corvettes to chase down the Corpo group bearing down on Ackman Station. The remaining ships formed a protected wedge behind A31 itself. She checked their drone unit composition to ensure they had detached successfully. Everything looked good.

|SR Drone Destroyer: 88|

|SR Drone Corvette: 382|

|SR Drone Gunship: 1328|Composition|

|Flashlight / 1x Heavy Laser 328|

|Gunner / 8x PDC-K 32mm 250|

|Stabber / 2x 150mm Railguns 250|

|Light Show / 8x PDC-L Light Laser 250|

|Boarder / 8x20 Boarding Combat Drones 250|

Their point defense units hovered closer to the station, along its flanks for better positioning against incoming missiles. They werent necessarily needed; the initial missile volley from the Corpo Fleet had been harrowed by their new long-range missile defenses. The stations own arrays of PDC-Ls lit up space, obliterating the munitions.

Abbey smiled triumphantly. They didnt stand a chance! Now theyll regret staying here! The NAI girl stood up and gestured toward the CICs primary display. All units, full assault! Ahh

| A31 soars now |

|Straight for enemy flagships |

|Death dance in the stars. |

Amy bit her lip, torn between crying or laughing at Abbeys dramatization as A31 catapulted itself forward straight for the enemy flagships, its smaller units following close behind.