Legacy of the Void Fleet-Chapter 289: ch

Suddenly, through the vast corridor leading toward the command bridge, all one hundred and five marines appeared at once. They did not arrive so much as materialize, emerging directly from stealth in front of the Minotaur patrols that had been moving lazily only moments before, unaware of the danger closing in on them.

The marines did not hesitate even for a second.

Suddenly, through the vast corridor leading toward the command bridge, all one hundred and five marines appeared at once. They did not arrive so much as materialize, emerging directly from stealth in front of the Minotaur patrols that had been moving lazily only moments before, unaware of the danger closing in on them.

The marines did not hesitate even for a second.

As if following a prearranged script, they acted in unison without a single outward command , they opened fire simultaneously. One-handed energy weapons flared to life, dark red bolts racing forward in a unified volley. The Minotaurs did not even have time to react. The energy rounds tore through their armor, melting metal as if it were wax before burning straight through flesh and bone.

Several Minotaurs dropped instantly, their massive bodies crashing to the floor with heavy, lifeless thuds. Two hundred, then followed by another hundred of them fell in what felt like a single breath. They never realized they were under attack. By the time their minds could have processed danger, they were already dead.

Only when the bodies struck the floor did the surviving Minotaurs register that something was wrong.

Confusion rippled through their ranks. The corridor, once filled with the sound of marching and idle movement, was now echoing with death. Some turned their heads just in time to see more of their comrades collapse as another volley tore through the formation. Shock froze them in place for a heartbeat too long.

As a warrior race, their instincts took over even as their minds struggled to process the carnage. The Minotaurs responded before reason could fully catch up. They roared in fury and began to charge, mana surging through their bodies to strengthen muscle and sharpen perception.

Their heavy legs slammed against the metal floor, causing it to creak under the sudden force as thousands of Minotaurs surged forward at once. Weapons were raised. War cries thundered down the corridor as they attempted to alert anyone who might hear them.

They did not know they were already inside a sound-insulated domain the enemy had prepared in advance.

Before they could take more than a few steps, the second blow fell.

Marines hidden behind them emerged from stealth and struck without mercy. Blades flashed as swords came down on exposed backs and unguarded necks. Each marine cut down one Minotaur, many killing two in a single motion.

Those who finished their first strike shifted weapons in fluid succession, sword to spear, spear to dagger, stabbing left and right, never stopping. In less than two seconds, fewer than a hundred marines slaughtered over three hundred Minotaurs from the rear.

And just like that, another wave fell.

The already abnormal situation shattered completely. Shock rippled through the remaining Minotaurs, still numbering in the thousands and now facing enemies from both directions. Some froze in terror, suddenly afraid that death might appear behind them, beside them, or beneath their feet without warning. Others were consumed by rage.

Elite Minotaurs entered a berserk state, fury overwhelming reason. Seeing their comrades fall like cattle ignited something primal within them. Though their sanity frayed, they retained just enough control to avoid attacking their own. They skidded to a halt, spinning around with axes, halberds, and massive weapons raised high, swinging wildly as they bellowed in anger and hatred.

"Die, you bastards!" they screamed.

They never landed a blow. Zena and her unit collided with them head-on.

Plasma swords carved through the air, flashing left and right. With each strike, one or more Minotaurs fell, cut apart as easily as soft flesh. Spears thrust forward in rapid succession, piercing through armor and bodies like a storm of gunfire. Heavy blades rose and fell in brutal rhythm, their sheer momentum crushing and tearing Minotaurs apart, bodies bursting under the force.

Though outnumbered, the marines pushed forward relentlessly. Others held their flanks, countering every desperate strike with ease. The Minotaurs were trapped and were being attacked from the front and the rear at the same time were now crushed in a merciless pincer.

And soon enough desperation settles in the surving minotuars.

And they begun to making some werid moves some Minotaurs completely gave in to their rage. While others one step ahead chose activated there hidden techniques, forbidden martial skills, and powerful spells, hoping to take their enemies down with them in burst of power and deadly attacks. Though None succeeded, not a single one. As They were cut down mid-motion, obliterated before there chants could be completed or power could fully manifest.

Another few even attempted to detonate themselves. But they were never able finishe the act itself.

Befor Their bodies were hacked apart before they could even form, limbs and flesh scattering across the corridor like chopped vegetables on a butcher’s floor.

Soon Seconds turned into minutes as the slaughter continues without stopping.

And as the time passed the Minotaur numbers collapsed rapidly. From over three thousand to two thousand. Then to one thousand. Then to a few hundred. And still they fell.

After ten minutes, the battle ended.

The long, vast corridor was completely flooded with blood and corpses. Minotaur bodies lay piled atop one another, broken and lifeless. Standing among them were two hundred marines, their dark armor soaked and stained deep red.

They looked less like soldiers now and more like walking embodiments of death.

Anyone who had witnessed them in that moment would have known only fear.

"Ohh, that was nice," one marine said as his combat suit’s auto-clean function activated. The Minotaur blood coating his armor hissed softly and evaporated into faint red vapor, just like it did on the others.

"Finally got to stretch our muscles after being held back like that," another added, rolling his shoulders. "All that built-up frustration, the disappointment from the change in plans... feels like it’s all been washed away."

"Hey," a marine with a distinctly feminine voice snapped, "can you try speaking like civilized people for once? If anyone heard you, they’d think we’re a bunch of savages who enjoy bathing in blood."

"What’s wrong with that?" a male marine shot back immediately. "Being drenched in the blood of our enemies is an honor. Our ancestors wore it like medals in the Middle Ages. So why’s it a problem now?"

The argument was just about to escalate when Zena cut in sharply.

"Alright, that’s enough. All of you."

She glanced around the corridor, littered with bodies and blood, then waved a hand dismissively. "Forget cleanup for now. We’ll deal with this place later. Our real targets are inside the command section."

She paused, her lips curling into a grin. "From what I hear, their commander’s already gone mad."

Her eyes gleamed with excitement. "Move it. If we’re slow, we’ll miss the fun. And I don’t plan on letting Gamma Squad take all the glory."

With that, Zena started toward the command bridge entrance, only a short distance ahead.

But not before she casually pulled out a grenade.

She tossed it toward the sealed doors without breaking stride. As it arced through the air, she imagined the explosion, the smoke, the shock on the Minotaurs’ faces. The perfect entrance. Dramatic. Stylish.

Cool. She smiled to herself. This is going to look awesome.

With that expectation in mind, Zena walked forward calmly, step by step. The blood on her combat suit finished evaporating, leaving the armor once again spotless, as if it had never been stained at all.

Behind her, the arguing marines exchanged brief looks before falling silent and moving after her. The two still caught in their dispute glanced at each other, huffed in irritation, then followed as well, quickly catching up with the rest of the unit.

Zena was only five meters from the door when it happened.

The command bridge entrance blasted outward with a thunderous boom. The reinforced doors tore free from their frame, fragments of twisted metal rocketing toward her and the marines behind her. The impacts rang out sharply as the debris slammed into their combat shields, scattering harmlessly aside.

None of them slowed.

Zena and the marines walked straight through the explosion, completely unaffected.

That was how they made their entrance.

Inside, the Minotaurs were in chaos. They were too busy watching the catastrophic destruction unfolding across their fleet. Ships were being torn apart one after another, falling every minute, their numbers thinning rapidly. Communications with central battle command had been completely disrupted.

Panic spread through the survivors.

Orders contradicted each other. Some Minotaurs shouted. Others attacked anyone nearby in desperation. In the confusion, allies turned on allies as discipline collapsed entirely.

By the time Zena and her marines stepped onto the bridge, the enemy had already begun tearing itself apart.