Use the following trick when you encounter a Pirate Berserker (which happens often). This large creature has two red lights on its shoulders. While dodging its shots and "waves of pain", destroy these lights using your beam and missiles. When they are both destroyed, wait for it to shoot purple orbs. Dodge the red ones, as they will hurt you. Shoot the purple orbs, and they will fly back at him. After doing this approximately three times, a red light should pop up on his head. Go into Hyper mode, and start shooting at it. This should not take too long. Then, collect the health and continue on your journey.