Episode 80: Assault Descent

Chasing the enemy rear guard, Sparrow Hawk and the allied fleet continued firing intermittently.

At first, the enemy rear guard had retaliated with rear-mounted turrets, but that ceased immediately.

The reason was that the enemy fleet had accelerated to prioritize securing attachment to the surface of Chicken Ball. Rather than waste energy on ineffective counterattacks, they concentrated all generator power into maximizing propulsion.

"Since we're the ones driving them forward, it's best if they move quickly."

Dawson calmly continued the pursuit, instructing the allied fleet to maintain fire. Fortunately, a random hit from the allied ships caused critical damage to one of the enemy rear vessels.

The damaged vessel, as if performing its final duty, attempted to reverse course and launch an attack.

Yet a ship turning in place was nothing but a perfect target.

Dawson seized control of one turret on the Sparrow Hawk, quickly aimed the Charged Particle Beam at the enemy damaged vessel, and fired. Having practiced long-range bombardment extensively since becoming a pirate, he achieved the hit with ease.

The damaged vessel exploded into fragments after taking a battleship-grade barrage.

"Continue the barrage. Drive the enemy back. If possible, sink them."

The allied fleet's fire intensified, influenced by Dawson's destruction of the enemy vessel.

After sinking three more enemy vessels, the enemy fleet exhibited new movement.

The Chicken Ball began its descent toward the planet's surface.

The enemy fleet descended, battleships and heavy cruisers leading, bow pointed toward the Chicken Ball, moving as if charging with a ram.

"Still attacking despite the high concentration of Chicken Ball's defensive weapons."

As Dawson muttered, the Chicken Ball opened fire. Dense barrages surged toward the enemy fleet.

The enemy fleet returned fire. They were trying to reduce the Chicken Ball's defensive systems slightly, aiming for a safe descent.

The spectacle of nearly three hundred enemy ships descending in a coordinated assault was impressive. Dawson and the others could not afford to stare.

"Continue firing at the enemy fleet. Do not enter the Chicken Ball's attack zone."

Dawson issued instructions while directing the allied fleet’s formation. The fleet moved as ordered, and the coordinated assault on the enemy fleet began.

The SU space fleet sustained damage as it came under fire from both the surface of the Chicken Ball and Dawson’s fleet.

Yet the enemy fleet did not halt its descent. It advanced, moving from the medium-range artillery range of the Chicken Ball into the close-range artillery range.

At that moment, numerous gun emplacements installed across the Chicken Ball activated. Thick, luminous barrages were deployed toward the approaching enemy fleet.

The enemy fleet vanished within the light.

But the leading ships cut through the light. Battleships and heavy cruisers formed the core, deflecting attacks with their armor.

Chicken Ball fired two, then three rounds, but the enemy fleet’s descent speed did not decrease.

As I expected, Chicken Ball’s close-range weapons cannot penetrate battleship-class armor.”

Dawson gritted his teeth. Yet the enemy fleet was not unscathed.

Enemy battleships and heavy cruisers remained structurally intact, but all equipment surrounding the vessels was damaged. Turrets and gun mounts were red-hot or partially melted, rendering them unsafe for use.

Orbit Patrol Cruisers and smaller vessels, unable to stay within the shadow of the battleships and heavy cruisers, had suffered worse. Most had their armor stripped away and were destroyed.

Still, the majority of enemy ships descended unharmed.

Dawson smirked at the sight.

“Chicken Ball still has equipment you haven’t seen.”

The moment Dawson spoke, changes occurred on the surface of Chicken Ball. These were imperceptible from space—small holes scattered across the surface of Chicken Ball.

These were not ordinary holes.

Launch ports for space torpedoes—weapons designed for short-range defense.

From these ports, torpedoes launched, heading toward the enemy fleet just moments from reaching Chicken Ball’s surface.

The sudden appearance of the torpedoes caused the enemy fleet to react. Turrets and gun emplacements fired chaotically, attempting to intercept the incoming torpedoes.

But torpedoes were unmatched in effectiveness at close range.

In moments, the enemy fleet was overwhelmed. The lead battleship and heavy cruiser were engulfed in a detonation that melted them into molten debris. The following ships became targets for the torpedoes.

The enemy fleet had been reduced by half after the series of attacks initiated by the dive assault. Approximately 150 ships remained.

Damage was severe, but retreat was no longer possible.

Despite further losses, the enemy fleet forcibly docked with the surface of Chicken Ball.

As the fleet dwindled to around one hundred ships, soldiers in space suits launched from the vessels and moved onto Chicken Ball, transitioning into close combat.