The burgundy fleet gradually approached the Dark Aster.
Quill stared at Ronan's flagship as its details came into view, his face filled with fighting spirit.
"Open fire!"
With that command, the battle began.
The flagship fired two large-caliber energy blasts straight at the Dark Aster's hull.
They slammed forcefully into the Dark Aster's energy shield, sending flames bursting outward.
Inside the ship, Nebula suddenly saw a massive high-energy barrier appear before her, blocking all visibility.
"Deploy cover! Move!"
At Quill's command, Yondu piloted the flagship and unleashed the first round of bombardment.
Quill led a group of fighters into a powerful dive, bypassing the barrier and swiftly reaching the underside of the Dark Aster.
"Rocket! Go!"
He turned and gave Rocket the order.
Rocket led his squad straight toward the Dark Aster's port side.
Just as the barrage of explosions before Nebula faded, she saw several fighters closing in on the ship.
She turned on the communicator and shouted a warning.
"All pilots, descend! They're underneath us!"
Rocket's fighter squad nimbly passed through a gap in the barrier, reached their target, and concentrated fire on one section.
Large-caliber rounds hammered the Dark Aster's port side as if they cost nothing.
"Clang, clang—"
"Quill, I seem to remember the Commander telling us to keep the Dark Aster as intact as possible..."
Rocket suddenly remembered something, though his claws remained firmly clenched around the trigger.
"Shit! Why didn't you remind me sooner?"
Quill's body jolted.
He had forgotten about that!
What now?
The battle had already begun. If they changed strategies now, they would become a bunch of headless chickens.
The plan to assassinate Ronan would be ruined.
Quill gritted his teeth.
"Forget it! Keep firing! The plan stays the same—break through as fast as possible!"
At that moment, every Necrocraft inside