Star Ship Girl Era: My Shipgirls Are Too Overpowered-Chapter 26: First Battle With The Omnics

The moment the red contacts stabilized on the radar, Astra moved without hesitation, her fingers gliding across the command interface as layers of tactical data unfolded in front of her.

"Give me a moment," she said, eyes narrowing slightly. "I’m compiling a full star map and threat profile."

Aurelian remained still, watching the display rather than the numbers behind it, because experience had taught him that the shape of a situation mattered more than raw data.

A second later, Astra drew in a quiet breath as she revealed who the other party was.

"...It’s the Omnics," she said.

That caused Aurelian, who expected the mission to be an easy one, to sigh as he knew that things were going to get out of hand soon.

Unlike pirates or rogue fleets, Omnics were not born, nor recruited, nor trained. They were constructed, self-replicating machine entities that followed core directives so deeply embedded in their logic that negotiation was meaningless.

Their ships were not grown like organic swarms, but assembled from adaptive alloys and living code, capable of reshaping themselves mid-battle.

"Composition?" Aurelian asked calmly.

"A large number of Omnic combat units," Astra replied, bringing the projection closer. "And two Tier III Omnic Foundry Cores. The nearest core is approximately less than one light-year from our current position."

Hearing this, he knew that he would have to fight this unit.

This was a real threat as it would be his first real battle. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Aurelian exhaled slowly as he grounded himself. The Omnics were not supposed to be this deep inside alliance-controlled space, especially not along an academy patrol corridor.

"First," he said evenly, "issue an alert to nearby alliance outposts and forward the data to the local sector fleet. Flag this for a possible Omnic incursion and not just a skirmish."

"Yes," Astra said immediately. "Warnings sent. Priority marked."

"Second," he continued, "run trajectory analysis. I want to know where they’re headed."

Astra’s systems worked at full speed, predictive models branching and collapsing in rapid succession.

"Estimated completion in two minutes," she said. "We are currently within their projected movement corridor."

Aurelian’s gaze hardened slightly.

Two minutes passed quickly.

When the simulation finished, Astra expanded the map, highlighting several points deeper along the route.

"They’re moving toward inhabited systems," she reported. "Three planets are within their likely operational range if they continue unchallenged."

That settled it.

"In fifteen minutes," Astra added, "the Omnic vanguard will enter Black Crown’s effective strike range."

She turned to him then, her expression composed but intent, waiting.

Aurelian didn’t hesitate.

"We engage the vanguard," he said. "If we can thin them out here, we buy time for the sector fleet and reduce pressure on the systems behind us."

A faint shift ran through the ship, not mechanical, but responsive, as if Black Crown itself acknowledged the decision.

"Yes, Commander," Astra said, and there was something unmistakably alive in her voice now.

Black Crown altered course and slipped back into warp, relocating to a wide, empty stretch of space well clear of asteroid belts or civilian traffic.

Seconds later, warp disengaged.

The stars snapped back into focus.

On the forward display, the Omnic force became visible, countless angular silhouettes moving with unsettling coordination, their hulls cold and sharp, devoid of any organic curve, like a tide of knives drifting through the void.

"They haven’t detected us yet," Astra said. "Do you wish to wait or advance?"

Aurelian studied the field, then gave a small nod.

"Advance," he said. "Bring us to optimal firing range."

Black Crown surged forward, engines controlled and precise, power flowing smoothly through systems built for far greater wars than this.

"Omnic Vanguard will enter primary weapon range in thirty seconds," Astra reported.

Aurelian rested his elbow on the command chair’s arm, fingers loosely interlaced, eyes fixed forward.

"Once they’re in range," he said, "you’re clear to fire."

Astra’s lips curved almost imperceptibly.

"Understood. Main batteries are charged."

The massive Sovereign-class electromagnetic cannons adjusted, their targeting systems locking onto dense clusters rather than individual units, because with Omnics, volume mattered more than precision at this stage.

Thirty seconds passed.

Then space erupted.

The first salvo tore forward in blinding arcs of energy, each impact collapsing entire sections of the Omnic formation in violent flashes of light and debris.

Where the shots struck, coordinated motion broke apart, machine hulls tearing free and spinning uselessly into the dark.

A temporary gap opened in the enemy mass.

It lasted less than ten seconds.

The Omnics flowed forward again, units shifting position seamlessly, filling the empty space as if loss was nothing more than a calculation.

"Secondary batteries ready," Astra said calmly.

"Proceed," Aurelian replied.

Vanguard rail batteries and point-defense interceptors joined the assault, layers of fire overlapping as Black Crown held position, not retreating, not overcommitting, letting the enemy come.

The Omnic swarm advanced relentlessly, but they did not rush blindly. Units began spreading, adapting, and altering approach vectors in response to the fire.

Aurelian noticed it immediately.

"They’re adjusting," he said.

"Yes," Astra replied. "They’re attempting to bring the Foundry Cores forward."

On the display, heavier silhouettes emerged from behind the smaller units, massive structures bristling with modular components, the heart of the Omnic force.

Aurelian’s eyes narrowed.

"Hold main cannon fire," he ordered. "Focus on containment. I want those cores in range before we commit."

Astra understood instantly.

Firepower shifted, her ship luring the Omnic force forward, maintaining pressure without tipping the balance too early.

Smaller units slammed against Black Crown’s defensive perimeter, only to be shredded by point-defense fire long before they could threaten the hull.

Then, finally, one of the Tier II Foundry Cores crossed the threshold.

"In range," Astra said.

"Take it," Aurelian replied.

The Sovereign cannons roared again.

This time, the shots were precise.

The Foundry Core took the full impact head-on, its adaptive armor failing under the sheer force, internal systems collapsing as the structure fractured and detonated in a cascade of energy that rippled outward, wiping out dozens of nearby units in the blast.

For the first time, the Omnic formation faltered.

Aurelian leaned forward slightly.

"Good," he said. "Now we keep the pressure on."

The first real battle had begun.