From Titan Corporation to the Empire of Man

Chapter 724 "No Chance of Victory"

In the same space, millions of kilometers from the surface of Aegis 7, a destroyer belonging to the Earth Federation's Earth Defense Force (EDF) ended its faster-than-light travel, but...
The destroyer is no more than 200 meters long, and the crew, including the soldiers, number no more than 200.

And this is the EDF destroyer Courage, which was responsible for "rescuing" the Ishimura.

In fact, even though the Spirit did not arrive to "rescue" the crew of the Kellyon after receiving their distress call, as is the original timeline of the Dead Space universe, it still "arrived" on Planet Aegis 7 as promised.

It seems that their purpose is less to provide a rescue and more to "silence" the survivors, obtain more information about the divine seal from them, and then destroy all evidence.

Furthermore, based on the information available, this warship is equipped with multiple twin-mounted close-in weapon systems and multiple missile launch units, and also has the capability to carry tactical and strategic nuclear missiles; the HMS Courage, for example, carries nuclear missiles.

Who would deliberately carry out a rescue mission with nuclear weapons?
At this moment, the Courage slowly emerged from the superluminal flow, its hull still bearing faint traces of plasma light. In the dark space, the destroyer itself resembled a sharp spear, pointing directly at the "deadly" Aegis 7.

Inside the bridge, the initial data after the navigation and combat situation projection switched to another screen appeared on a cold white screen, showing the coordinates of Aegis 7, the relative position of the Ishimura, and...
Numerous “weak” cloud images were identified as “unknown trajectories (Imperial Warrior Legion ships)” or “magnetic interference.”

Lieutenant Colonel F. Kadigan stood at the center of the bridge, facing an integrated command console, an extended tactical hologram, and various status indicators.

His face appeared more resolute and solemn under the emergency lights than usual, with the air of a combat commander etched between his brows.

Beyond the porthole, the deep space stretched out like an endless ink painting, with the silhouette of the Aegis 7 faintly visible in the distance, reflecting the cool-colored light stripe on the bow of the HMS Courage.

"Ishimura, please respond. We are the Earth Defense Force's Courage, here on a rescue mission. Respond immediately."

Kadigan's voice emanated steadily through the ship's passageway, displaying both the rigor of a soldier and the decisiveness of a superior officer.

However, the response he received was not what he expected, but rather came from an "unidentified track" that had already appeared on their radar, its cold metallic sound echoing throughout the bridge:
"Courage, this is the Imperial Guard Legion of the Human Empire. Please cease all actions, disarm, and await recovery."

This order from the Imperial Guard Fleet was like an invisible shackle, tightening the nerves of the entire Courage ship.

? !
The air inside the bridge of the HMS Courage froze instantly.

That metallic, icy voice seemed to come straight from the depths of the void, causing the hearts of every crew member to sink suddenly.

Human Empire?

Imperial Warrior Legion?
These words were unheard of, yet they carried an undeniable air of authority.

The navigator's fingers began to tremble on the control panel, and he couldn't help but whisper, "The Empire? There has never been any other human power in the galaxy. Where did they come from?"

What's even more unsettling is that the "unidentified tracks" on the radar screen began to become clearer rapidly, and suddenly even denser tracks appeared—

The once empty Aegis 7 space was instantly illuminated by countless unfamiliar ship shadows, layer upon layer, like a steel-woven trap net, which was rapidly closing in.

Panic spread like wildfire. Some people almost screamed, while others stared intently at the screen, their faces pale and their breathing erratic.

"This should have been a clean and efficient cover-up."

The adjutant muttered to himself, his eyes filled with despair.

However, on the verge of chaos, Lieutenant Colonel Kadigan remained steadfast.

He was not defeated by fear, but instead coldly rebuked, "Calm down! We are soldiers of the defense force, not panicked miners. No amount of intimidation from any unknown force can make us lose our composure!"

His voice, like a sharp blade, pierced through the chaos.

He exerted a sense of pressure on the bridge, but also brought order. Then, he ordered in a deep voice, "Immediately activate the faster-than-light engines and prepare to forcibly escape! We must return to Earth and let the Federation know what happened."

In an instant, everyone grasped this lifeline that was still hanging by a thread. The mechanics and navigators quickly activated the faster-than-light program, and the low rumble of the engine idling echoed from inside the cabin.

However, just as everyone held their breath, waiting to escape, the entire ship suddenly shook, and then all the screens flickered.

A few seconds later, alarms went off in all of the Courage's systems—

Fire control calibration failed, navigation gyroscopes drifted, and ballistic calculations were disrupted by external signals.

The cabin lights switched from the main light source to emergency red, and the instrument panel emitted a low-frequency warning hum.

Furthermore, the communications officer's voice came through in a tense tone: "Sir, our fire control and propulsion systems are suspected of being subjected to strong electronic interference, and are unable to reliably lock onto the target."

Kadigan remained calm.

He knew that the "unfamiliar forces" appearing in this area were unusual, but he was also aware that the Ishimura and the Aegis 7 might be hiding secrets that could shake the interests of the Federation.

Rumors of the Divine Seal had already circulated among the higher-ups, and any fleet that received the signal and came to the scene might have different mission motives.

Moreover, the mission of the Spirit was not simply a rescue operation.

The presence of half a combat platoon and a missile launch unit capable of carrying nuclear weapons on board indicates that the command had long been prepared to place this operation under extreme options, and if necessary, use total destruction to cover up evidence and eliminate witnesses.

"Prioritize restoring communications and long-range broadcast frequencies. We must inform the Federation about everything that has happened here so they can be prepared."

Kadigan calmly gave the order, then turned and walked toward the ship's armory, as if using his actions to quell the anxiety spreading throughout the ship.

Because outside the bridge and the ship, the lieutenant colonel had already anticipated the "enemy" ship's vehicles starting to move.

On the still-operating radar, a boarding craft and several light escort fighters were seen being deployed from the hangar of an enemy destroyer, a Star Destroyer, which was also a kilometer-class vessel.

This small formation slashed through the darkness like a sharp blade, charging towards the Courage.

"Bridge report: A landing craft has been detected approaching my side and is expected to reach combat contact distance within five minutes!"

The bridge adjutant's voice trembled almost imperceptibly.

At this critical moment, Kadigan did not choose to surrender.

Before arriving at the armory, he issued a series of strict and clear orders—

Activate local electromagnetic protection, switch to manual close-range defense barrage, and close internal isolation valves to reduce the potential chain reaction of hull damage. At the same time, have the engineering team prepare to manually repair some of the damaged subsystems to buy time to report to the Federal Headquarters.

"In any case, we must preserve the evidence and send all of this back."

The lieutenant colonel spoke on the communications channel, but it was more of a warning to himself and to every EDF soldier on board.

In no time, he was wearing a military-grade RIG protective suit, holding a pulse rifle, and leading about half a platoon of soldiers to the Courage's internal warehouse.

boom.
boom.
Metal hatches closed behind them, the sound echoing through the steel corridor like a brief oath.

The soldiers' faces were covered by their helmets, but beneath them, their eyes revealed both fear and a professional composure that suppressed that fear.

Warehouses are multi-purpose "battlegrounds".

It contains supply boxes, maintenance equipment, folded explosion-proof walls, and a small number of light vehicles.

Everything was rearranged and reinforced after the incident. Sandbags were placed to form temporary shelters, and heavy-duty shelves were adjusted to form a defensive line of depth. Kadigan ordered two temporary high-frequency oscillators to be set up at the entrance of the warehouse as a last resort, while a set of long-range beacons was launched outside the ship in an attempt to break through the "enemy's" electronic blockade and send a distress signal to the distance.

Meanwhile, the technical officers and engineers on the Spirit were engaged in a race against time in the face of the damaged subsystems.

The circuit board flickered under the emergency lights, the welding torch danced like a shooting star in the narrow space, and the young engineering soldier's forehead was covered in a fine sweat, but his technique was skillful.

After several attempts, the critical short-range radar and local sensors gradually regained their basic functions, and a brief, low cheer rang out inside the ship, but this joy was extremely short-lived—

The alarms about the approaching "enemy" landing craft continued to intensify.

Deep inside the warehouse, Kadigan patted a young sergeant on the shoulder, his gaze shifting to the row of neatly arranged pulse rifles, and said:

"What you need to do is not wait to be pushed down, but make them pay the price, hold them back, even if it's just for one more minute for the engineers, that one minute could save countless people and get the information out of here."

"Yes, sir."

The soldiers responded in low voices, their voices resolute.

Externally, the "enemy" landing craft began to accelerate, and a white dot entered the Courage's sensor array.

On the other hand, that cold, metallic sound from the Imperial Army fleet still looped in the low frequencies of the shortwave band, as if telling them in a mechanical tone:
Surrender is the safest option.

Kadigan looked at all this, a complex mix of thoughts rising in his mind. Finally, he whispered to the soldiers accompanying him:
"Remember, we are soldiers, the elite of the Federation! If we must fight, leave everything to fate and time."

"Yes, sir!"

The soldiers of the Courage set up their defenses within the narrow metal cavity, awaiting the first wave of impact from the darkness—

Whether it's a landing craft that has vanished without a trace or a cold-blooded imperial soldier, when the ship is actually rammed, they will use everything they can to buy time.

Outside this cramped metal space, the starry sky is silent, and dark clouds are gathering.

The Imperial Army's fleet silhouetted against the distance, as still as a blade, while the atmosphere aboard the Courageous was inevitably brought to its absolute limit.

Every soldier knew that the real battle had not yet fully erupted, and when it did, no one could bear the weight of history alone.

Buzz. Buzz.
The manually calibrated close-in weapon system fired, and the shockwaves from the firing traveled along the metal bulkheads, penetrating the heavy structure of the warehouse and reaching the eardrums of everyone present.

It was a kind of jaw-grinding resonance, as if even the air itself was vibrating with the frequency.

Everyone knew that it was the last line of defense of the ship, a cry that it had done everything in its power to intercept the incoming target.

The atmosphere inside the warehouse grew increasingly heavy due to the dull rumble.

The soldiers held their breath, their eyes instinctively turning outwards, knowing that the enemy was close at hand.

boom--! ! !
There were no signs or any extra warnings.

A blazing beam of hot, molten light suddenly pierced through the side wall of the warehouse, as if a giant sword had been swung from the depths of the void, instantly cleaving through steel and alloy.

The intense light, mixed with the pungent smell of burning metal, was instantly swept away by a sudden imbalance in air pressure before it could spread.

call----! ! !
The air in the warehouse roared furiously, transforming into a raging torrent that surged toward the breach.

The powerful suction swept up all the unsecured equipment, supply crates, and even scattered weapon parts, dragging them into the dark and boundless expanse of space.

In an instant, the warehouse turned into a howling wind tunnel, and the weightlessness and pressure changes plunged everything into chaos.

However, the lieutenant colonel and his soldiers were not overwhelmed by this catastrophic force.

They had already firmly activated the magnetic adsorption system of their combat suits, locking the soles of their boots tightly to the deck. The vibrations of the magnetic locks were constantly transmitted through their combat boots to their calves, making them clearly feel the threat from the silent universe outside the warehouse.

In the brief moment before the air had completely dissipated and the environment was about to fall into a vacuum, their reactions were almost entirely driven by instinct.

“Fire—!”

Before the order was even given, gunfire had already begun.

Dozens of pulse beams transformed into blinding rays of light, all shooting toward the massive shadow that had burst into the breach.

It was a Thunder Raid Ship of the Imperial Guard, which pierced straight through the breach like fangs, and forcibly occupied the airspace of the warehouse with a ferocious momentum.

Buzz-buzz-!
An energy shield shimmered around the hull, rippling with a layer of light.

Every shot was deflected without exception, turning into scattered sparks and stray energy flows that created a series of dazzling ripples on the warehouse walls.

The firepower that should have torn the target apart is now nothing more than futile flames.

Immediately afterwards, the nose hatch of the raiding boat slowly opened, and the mechanical structure emitted a deep, grinding sound, like some kind of giant beast baring its fangs.

Inside the dark cabin, pairs of eerie red lights appeared.

That was the cold light from the helmet visors, the "eyes" of the Astartes' icy visors, shining brightly in the dim hatch.

In an instant, the nerves of all the EDF soldiers in the warehouse were almost snapped.

Clang—Clang—!
The roar of the explosive projectile suddenly rang out, heavy and oppressive, instantly drowning out the noise of the turbulence and the alarm.

Flames erupted from deep within the cabin, pounding against the warehouse's metal floor and armored bunkers like a torrential downpour.

Bang!Bang!
The two soldiers next to the lieutenant colonel were the first to be hit. Their figures swayed violently in the flames, but instead of being blown to pieces as expected, they were directly overturned by a violent impact.

The combat suit's resistance layer vibrated violently, the display screen flashed an overload warning, and they were thrown against the bulkhead, crashing heavily onto the alloy plates before losing consciousness.

Soon, the lieutenant colonel realized—

These Imperial Warriors did not choose lethal firepower.

In fact, the lieutenant colonel's conjecture was correct. The Imperial Warriors were using non-lethal payloads. The projectiles released a powerful shockwave upon contact, enough to completely incapacitate ordinary soldiers, but not to physically tear them apart.

The warehouse's defensive firepower was meaningless to the raiding boats, and the resistance of the EDF soldiers was futile against these Astartes.

The battle lasted only a few seconds.

With the last few muffled explosions of explosive shells, the warehouse's firepower gradually subsided.

As the internal and external pressures stabilized, the fallen soldiers lay sprawled on the deck, their breathing apparatus emitting chaotic hissing sounds from beneath their helmets. Most of them had lost the ability to move, leaving only the lieutenant colonel, who remained kneeling on the ground, weapon in hand.

The red light shone on his visor, an irresistible gaze, the cold, majestic look of the Astartes.

He understood that they had no chance of winning.
Or rather, the Federation had no room for resistance.
(End of this chapter)