Intergalactic conquest with an AI

Chapter 124 Shark tactics.

Cleo tilted her head slightly, with her expression softening.

"She's loyal to you, even if her methods are... unconventional. If she's pursuing something, it's likely for your benefit."

Rex snorted, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"Yeah, yeah. I know. It's just exhausting trying to keep up with her sometimes."

Cleo didn't respond, instead returning to her work as Rex stared at the glowing map of the sector still floating in the center of the bridge. Despite the banter and lightheartedness of the moment, a faint sense of unease lingered in the air.

While Rex and Cleo focused on uncovering the secrets behind the unknown energy signal, Carlos found himself in command of the convoy protection fleet. His post wasn't glamorous, but it was critical, especially given the increasing pirate activity in the sector.

Today, however, he wasn't just commanding any ordinary ship. He was seated in the command chair of the Eclipse-Class Dreadnought, the pride of the shipyard Cleo had built over the past two years in the asteroid belt.

The Eclipse-Class Dreadnought was a marvel of engineering; it was a massive, white-and-golden behemoth that radiated an almost divine presence. Its hull shimmered with layered armor, reinforced to withstand even the most punishing attacks.

From its sleek design extended glowing energy tendrils that pulsed faintly, like veins carrying lifeblood throughout the ship. At its core, mounted with surgical precision, was the mega-plasma cannon, a weapon capable of obliterating enemy capital ships with a single devastating shot.

The ship also boasted state-of-the-art defensive and offensive systems.

Energy shields are capable of enduring sustained bombardments. Drone launch bays that could deploy swarms of tactical strike drones. Tactical EMP disruptors are designed to disable enemy electronics. A dark energy reactor, which provided the ship with unparalleled long-range interstellar capabilities.

Despite its overwhelming power, the Liberator, as Carlos had nicknamed the ship, was not invincible. Its size and firepower made it formidable against large ships and installations, but its bulk and relatively slower speed made it vulnerable to fighter swarms and bombers.

That was where Carlos's command and strategy came into play.

In the past five years, Carlos had been rigorously trained by Cleo's holographic AI systems in ship command and fleet strategy. He had grown into a competent admiral, capable of managing the Eclipse-class ship's many systems and crews.

However, Cleo made sure he was aware of his limits, since he wasn't yet on par with veteran fleet commanders. If he were to face a fleet with firepower equal to the Liberator, he would lose 9 out of 10 times.

That was why Cleo had assigned him to convoy protection duty, a practical way to gain real combat experience while staying relatively safe.

Today, however, things wouldn't be so simple.

"This is Admiral Carlos of the Liberator,"

Carlos said, his voice calm and confident as he sat in the captain's chair, his hands resting on the armrests.

His sharp eyes scanned the holographic display in front of him, showing the convoy of trading ships traveling in formation under his protection

.

"My systems are detecting multiple wormhole openings around the convoy. All ships enter cruise speed mode and prepare to engage. This is likely another pirate incursion."

The voice of the convoy's captain crackled over the communications. "

This is the captain of the trading convoy. We've received your orders, Admiral. Moving into defensive formation under the Liberator's protection."

The trading ships, a mix of cargo haulers and freighters, began to cluster closer together beneath the Liberator.

The dreadnought's energy shields shimmered faintly as they activated, creating a protective bubble over the convoy. The advanced detection systems of the Eclipse-class ship gave them just enough time to prepare before the pirates arrived.

Moments later, multiple wormholes began tearing open across the black void of space. From them emerged swarms of pirate fighters, small, agile, and bristling with weapons.

They darted through the void like a swarm of angry hornets, their engines glowing faintly red as they made a beacon for the convoy. Almost immediately, they opened fire, their laser cannons pelting the Liberator's shields with rapid bursts of energy.

Carlos remained unfazed, his lips curling into a faint smirk. He was used to this by now.

"Attention all gunners,"

he said over the ship-wide communications, his voice steady.

"Switch to anti-fighter ammunition and proceed to take down these mosquitoes."

The Liberator's automated systems whirred to life as four Aegis Units took control of the ship's turret batteries.

Each Aegis Unit was responsible for four turrets positioned on different sides of the ship, ensuring that all angles were covered. The turbines rotated with mechanical precision, targeting the incoming fighters.

"Load cluster bomb ammunition,"

Carlos ordered.

The turrets' loading systems hissed and clicked as the new ammunition was prepared. Cluster bombs, a recent addition to their arsenal, were specifically designed to counter fighter swarms.

The sleek, golden shells were fired from the turrets, passing harmlessly through the liberator's shields before detonating just outside.

The first cluster bomb exploded in a brilliant flash of light, releasing a cloud of smaller explosives that spread out in every direction.

The resulting chain of explosions created a deadly sphere of destruction, tearing through the pirate fighters with ruthless efficiency. Ships caught in the blast were shredded instantly, while others veered off-course, damaged but still operational.

"Direct hits on multiple targets,"

one of the Aegis Units reported in its monotone voice.

Carlos grinned, leaning back in his chair. "

Good. Keep the pressure on. Make sure none of them get close to the convoy." Enjoy more content from empire

The Liberator's turrets continued firing, releasing wave after wave of cluster bombs. The explosions lit up the darkness of space like miniature supernovas, creating dazzling displays of destruction.

The pirate fighters, realizing they couldn't penetrate the dreadnought's defenses, began to retreat, zipping back toward the wormholes they had emerged from.

"Ah, running away already?"

Carlos muttered, watching the holoscreen with mild amusement.

"Smart decision."

"Admiral,"

one of the Aegis Units interrupted,

"detecting additional wormhole activity. Larger ships incoming."

Carlos's smirk faltered as new signatures began appearing on the holo-screen. These weren't fighters; they were heavier ships, likely frigates or corvettes, equipped with enough firepower to put up a real fight.

"Alright,"

Carlos said, his voice sharpening as he straightened in his seat.

"All fighter squadrons, deploy and intercept the incoming ships. Gunners, switch to anti-ship ammunition. Let's show these pirates why they don't mess with our convoys."

The Liberator's drone launch bays opened, releasing swarms of sleek, golden fighters into the void.

The fighters surged forward like a tidal wave, engaging the enemy ships with coordinated precision. Meanwhile, the Liberator's main turrets began firing high-energy plasma rounds, each shot streaking through space like a bolt of lightning.

"Confirm the damage to the target,"

Carlos commanded, his voice steady as he leaned forward in his seat, his eyes locked on the holo-screen displaying the aftermath of the Liberator's first round of high-energy plasma fire.

The glowing streaks of plasma had struck true, lighting up the void in brilliant flashes of energy but something was wrong.

"Sir, the impact is confirmed,

" one of the Aegis units replied in its monotone, robotic voice.

"However, damage to the target is null. The plasma rounds collided with an energy shield."

Carlos frowned, his brow furrowing as he processed the report.

"Impossible,"

he muttered, tapping a finger against the armrest of his chair.

"The shields on those pirate ships aren't nearly strong enough to stop plasma rounds from the Liberator's turrets. Something's wrong."

He straightened in his seat, his voice sharpening.

"Scan the area again. Focus on energy distortions. And keep firing, whatever's out there, we need to give it a reason to reveal itself."

The Aegis units responded in unison, "

Understood."

"Pilot, keep us moving. Fly in circles and don't stop for anything!

" Carlos ordered. He had learned the hard way that keeping a dreadnought stationary during combat was the fastest way to die.

An immobile ship became an easy target for bombers, capital ships, or worse. Now, he always ensured that the Liberator remained in motion, leveraging its powerful engines to maintain a defensive edge.

Sometimes, when the odds were desperate enough, Carlos had even resorted to using the Liberator's formidable energy shields as a battering ram, slamming into enemy ships with devastating force. Today wasn't quite that desperate yet but he wasn't about to take any chances.

"Sir,"

one of the Aegis units interrupted,

"our sensors are detecting a large ship in stealth mode. Displaying its coordinates now."

The holo-screen updated, marking the location of the hidden ship. Carlos leaned closer, narrowing his eyes at the faint signature. But before he could give the next command, the Liberator was rocked violently as something massive slammed into its side.

The collision sent sparks flying across the bridge, the force causing Carlos to grip the armrests of his chair tightly to keep from being thrown. The ship groaned under the strain, and the glowing shields of the Liberator flared brightly as they absorbed the brunt of the impact.

"Report!"

Carlos yelled, his voice cutting through the chaos.

"Sir,"

an Aegis unit replied calmly,

"30% of our energy shields have been depleted. The shields are continuing to weaken at an accelerated rate due to sustained contact with the enemy vessel."

Carlos cursed under his breath, his mind racing. Whoever or

whatever

had just rammed the Liberator was big, and they clearly weren't afraid to engage directly.

"Dammit! Pilot, turn us to the right! Bring the enemy ship fully into contact with our shields. Let's see how long they can stay cloaked while touching us!"

The Liberator's engines roared to life as the massive ship began to pivot. Its shields flared even brighter as the hull pressed harder against the unseen vessel.

The strain was immense, but the gamble paid off. Within moments, the cloaked enemy ship flickered into visibility, its stealth systems overwhelmed by the intense energy feedback.

Carlos didn't hesitate.

"Fire all weapons in that direction! I don't care what it is, take it out!"