The moment the [Vanguard] was pulled out of the warp tunnel, several humans wearing mech armor were seen surrounding the spaceship from all sides.

​All of them were floating in the vacuum of space with perfect control, the stars shining brightly in the distance. Neo attributed their flying abilities to their mech armor, though the truth was quite different.

​Moon read his mind like an open book.

​"Every Beyonder has the power to travel across space once they reach Type 6, becoming Meta-humans," she explained. "It’s the most common trait for Beyonders, as if they were born for it. That’s why Beyonders are so sought after these days, when every barren planet could be a potential treasure trove. As for how long they can travel, that depends on the Cosmic Force they possess."

​"Oh, I understand now. Thanks," Neo said, looking at Moon curiously. "Can you travel like them, too?"

​Her lips curved... whether out of amusement or pride, he wasn’t certain.

​"If you’re trying to gauge my real strength you’ll find out soon enough," she said, turning her attention back to the front.

​Meawhile, Captain Ajaz tapped the console, opening a wide-band communication channel. The main viewscreen came to life, revealing a man sitting in a high-backed command chair. He wore a dark, jagged set of power armor, and a jagged scar ran from his temple to his jaw.

Behind him, the interior of a much larger vessel, possibly a marauder-class ship with cannons became visible.

Captain Ajaz took the initiative,

​"Identify yourselves, strangers! You’ve interfered with a registered Federal mission. This is an act of piracy."

​"Heh heh heh..." The man on the screen let out a arrogant laugh. "Piracy is such an ugly word, Captain. We prefer the term ’reclamation.’ I am Ka’al of the Ancalagon Hawks. As for who we are... we are the ones holding your life in our hands."

​Deus’ eyes narrowed as he scanned the data on his tablet. He found something surprising.

"Ancalagon Hawks? You’re the recent infamous pirate group who is wanted in three sectors for the hijacking of fuel tankers and cruise ships. What do you want from us?"

​Ka’al leaned forward, showing a greedy smile on his scarred face.

"It’s simple exactly. We know the Rothschilds hired you. We want the coordinates, the mission data, and every credit in your accounts. And because I like the look of your vessel, we’ll be taking the Vanguard as well. Ten billion dollars’ worth of tech shouldn’t be wasted on a pack of low-rent mercenaries you know that."

​Upon hearing that arrogant demand, everyone went deathly silent. To demand a crew’s ship was the same as demanding their lives. Even though beyonder can survive for a long time, they cannot survive forever. In the vacuum of space, your ship was your only sanctuary.

​"Amitabha! You’re asking for our ship?" Monk muttered, shocked by the sheer audacity of the demand.

​"Haha, Yes. Everything," Ka’al sneered. "Leave the airlock in your emergency suits and we might let you drift until a scavenger finds you. Refuse, and we’ll turn this ’ten-billion-dollar’ toy into a floating tomb."

​Ajaz and Deus exchanged a single knowing glance. The easy-going, professional demeanor Ajaz had shown Neo earlier vanished instantly. His face turned red as an inferno.

Beside him, Deus’s hands hovered over the ship’s weapon activation sequence.

​"You’ve made a great mistake today, Ka’al. You saw a shiny ship and thought we were easy prey. But you forgot that a Hydra has many heads, and all of them bite." Ajaz bellowed coldly.

Deus spat disdainfully, "Negotiations are over, runts! Time for some action!"

​As soon as he finished speaking, five plasma cannons emerged from the ship’s exterior.

Also, true to its name, a blue energy shield encased the entire ship in a protective dome.

​Bzz, zzzz, zzzzzzz!

​The plasma cannons charged, locking onto their targets with Deus’s mechanical precision.

​"Heh, you’re being foolish, Captain! You’re just one while we are fifteen. A single shot from our arsenal will turn your shield to ruins!" the enemy captain sneered from the screen.

​Ajax didn’t even flinch at the threat. "FIRE!" he shouted coldly.

​Deus pressed his finger on the activation sequence.

​Zz. Zzzz. Zzzzzzz!

​Terrifyingly concentrated plasma spheres shot toward the targets. Some were aimed at the floating pirates; however, the space pirates laughed arrogantly at the incoming attacks. A moment later, they vanished from their spots as if they had never been there at all.

​"Illusion drones!" Moon remarked from beside Neo.

​Buzz. Buzz. Buzzzz.

​The remaining volley from the Vanguard targeted three enemy ships, which was the limit of their current lock-on. This included the enemies’ flagship. Unfortunately, the moment the shots were about to strike, multiple layers of crimson, square-shaped forcefields erupted to life.

​The result:

​The plasma rounds splashed harmlessly against the crimson grids, barely causing a ripple.

"HAHAHAHA!"

Ka’al’s maniacal laughter filled the bridge again as his own ships began to glow with a lethal, cirmson energy.

​"Our turn, men!" he commanded, his eyes turning cold. "Show them the consequences of challenging us Ancalagons!"

​Buzz! Buzz! Buzzz!

​The enemy ships’ cannons, about three dozen in number, began to glow with a destructive red energy.

​<Warning! Multiple hostile particle cannons detected! Survival rate: 0%. Immediate external mobilization recommended,> the Vanguard AI warned in a serious tone.

​"External mobilization?" Neo repeated, his heart hammering against his ribs.

"They want us to fight out there?"

​Ajaz didn’t hesitate to give orders, "Mr. Deus, hold the shield! Monk, Agnes, Flameboy, and Moon... You all come with me. We can’t tank thirty-six cannons from inside this bird. We have to take those shooters out manually!"

​They nodded, immediately standing to head outside as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

​First, Captain Ajaz left through the airlock, a glowing blue spear appearing in his hand out of nowhere. Next was Monk, who muttered "Amitabha" as his body began emitting a berserk energy.

Moon followed them after casting a reassuring glance at Neo before stepping out. Then came Lady Agnes, summoning a radiant white shield from thin air.

​Lastly, Flameboy stepped forward, casting a disdainful glance at Neo as if silently mocking his cowardice.

​"Watch how real men fight, you fucking courier boy. They don’t hide behind women!"