Cleave Wave

Overhead, the formation breathes. The Crystal Swarm curves into place — cores of light hidden inside angular mineral shells. Once the formation settles it expands and contracts like something alive, and a few break rank to come for you. Your ship holds the bottom row. Move, fire, cleave. Captured, recovered, doubled Now and then a captain drops a beam and pulls your ship up. Your gun stays live the whole way. The captured ship waits behind the formation, and when that captain comes down on its next dive, shooting it sets your ship free to fly at your side. Twice the firepower — and twice the hitbox. The run changes the moment you get it back. It isn't a prize, it's a choice. Every kill has a price Shell layers mark rank. Drop the escorts first and the captain is worth far less. When a trio transforms and dives as one, only a clean sweep of all three pays out. Flying enemies are worth…