Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high!-Chapter 948 - 665: Destruction (Part 2)

He elaborated on the battle plan in detail, the core of which was to use the fleet's firepower advantage for long-range suppression while dispatching elite Mecha units to disrupt the command nodes at opportune moments—

This tactic clearly bore the mark of the successful experience from Bai E's last operation.

However, before he could finish speaking, a squadron commander from a certain military power interrupted him.

"Commander Xing Zhuo," the middle-aged officer, whose epaulets were adorned with stars, had a tone of courtesy, but the disdain in his eyes was evident, "Is your plan perhaps too cautious? According to the last engagement data, although the opposing biological capital ships have strong defenses, they are not invincible against the main guns of our Thunderhammer-class battleships.

We suggest adopting a direct, classical firepower coverage tactic, carrying out a saturation strike from beyond their range, and annihilating them in one fell swoop! Why risk sending valuable Mecha units to perform high-risk boarding tasks?"

Another commander echoed, "Exactly. Commander Xing Zhuo, the fleet you led last time was not a professional warship, so some losses are understandable. But this time, it is different. We have brought the entire armed forces of the Peak Alliance, a true war machine. Crushing them is what we should do."

"As for that Bai E Mech Pilot." Someone else interjected, with a faint mocking tone, "Personal bravery holds limited meaning on an interstellar battlefield. Last time might have been a coincidence, or the Bug Race didn't fully target you. This time, let them witness the true power of a human fleet."

Xing Zhuo looked at these self-assured, even somewhat arrogant officers, and the unease in his heart grew stronger.

He recalled Bai E's figure moving freely within the Bug Race's mothership, remembered the destructive Spiritual Energy screech and the Mother Worm's frenzied counterattack before its death.

He wanted to emphasize the Bug Race's learning abilities and tactical variability, and how Bai E's eerie restraint and understanding of the Bug Race could play a crucial role at critical moments.

But his words got swallowed back.

He knew that in front of these officers, who were used to thinking in terms of massive capital ships and steadfastly believed in the truth of firepower, emphasizing personal roles and unknown threats too much would only be seen as cowardice and as an aftermath of last time's defeat.

His authority had already been undermined by last time's strategic error and the rumors of his need to resign in disgrace. Insisting at this moment could instead affect command efficiency.

Ultimately, Xing Zhuo only responded in a deep voice, "The Bug Race are not mindless Cosmic Monsters; they have unified will and tactics. My plan takes multiple possibilities into consideration. Of course, you can flexibly adjust the tactics within the overall framework based on the actual battlefield situation. But be sure not to underestimate the enemy."

This was, after all, his responsibility; the Peak Alliance had given him the role of commander to grasp the grand strategic direction and make the final decisions, while the specific tactical command had always belonged to these more "professional" officers.

'This Xing Zhuo is indeed scared.'

The officers exchanged glances, and they all saw the confirmed expression in each other's eyes.

Since returning this time, there have been rumors that Xing Zhuo was frightened, losing his edge.

But this might be for the best; leaving the real battle to these professionals would lead more easily to victory.

"Rest assured, Commander!" The first general who spoke out straightened his back and promised, "In two days, you will see the Bug Race fleet turned to cosmic dust under the fire of the human joint fleet!"

...

Two days swiftly passed.

On the Mine Star's orbit, Bai E and Catherine boarded a slightly larger, hastily repaired pirate transport ship.

Victor and a dozen veteran soldiers stayed behind to maintain Order and basic defense for both mining sectors.

The miner volunteer soldiers on the ship, after short-term training led by a few veterans, could barely maintain the ship's normal operation.

"Set out, target Reef Star Domain." Bai E ordered.

Almost simultaneously, the vast joint fleet of the Peak Alliance, amidst the roar of countless engines and energy lights, grandly warped away from the assembly port, heading towards the starry sky that once gave Xing Zhuo countless nightmares.

During the fleet's journey, the officers remained confident and even began discussing awards and victory celebrations on internal channels.

Xing Zhuo stood alone by the bridge window, looking at the starlight swiftly outside, a cold sweat in his palms.

Finally, the fleet reached the edge of the target Star Domain.

On the tactical screen, five hideous Bug Race biological capital ship signals appeared again.

They floated silently in the void, seemingly unchanged compared to last time?

"Bug Race fleet detected! Three minutes before entering our optimal range!" the radar operator reported loudly.

"All ships deploy according to the predetermined formation! Charge the main guns! Prepare the missile bays!" The proponent of the firepower coverage strategy excitedly issued orders, as if already seeing the fireworks of victory.

Xing Zhuo opened his mouth, trying to remind something, but in the end, just gripped the railing tightly.

The human fleet, like an iron giant bird spreading its wings, turned countless gun barrels and missile launchers toward the Bug Race fleet, the hum of charging echoing in the fleet channel, solemn and grand.

However, just as the human fleet was entering attack position, about to strike first—

Suddenly, an anomaly occurred!

The five previously seemingly stationary biological capital ships had their bioluminescent blue turrets light up instantly, far brighter than last time!

Not only that, countless orifices suddenly opened on their sides and underbelly, like beehives!

The next second, a swarm of Bone-Eroding Flying Locusts, ten to a hundred times denser than last time, erupted like a black storm!

No longer disorganized, they formed organized, layered shockwave formations.

Among them were numerous new, larger flying insect units, with exoskeletons glinting metallically, never seen before!

Simultaneously, the main guns of the biological capital ships—

Those gargantuan tumor-like organs no longer fired a singular plasma beam, but split into dozens of finer, faster, highly-tracking blue rays, charging precisely like living creatures towards the human fleet's vanguard escort ships and gunboats!

What chilled all human officers was the sudden emergence of hundreds of small, fast biological ships from the shadows of the biological capital ships in the previously empty constellation!

Shaped like barracudas, they moved swiftly, weaving through the locust swarms, heading straight for the human fleet formation's flanks and engine areas!

"Enemy attack! The scale far exceeds expectations!"

"New units! Defend quickly!"

"Flanks breached! Small, fast targets, too many!"

"Our missiles are intercepted by the locust swarm! They… they actively intercept!"

"Main guns fire! Fire quickly!"

The previously orderly human fleet channel was instantly drowned in terrified shouts and explosions.

The Bug Race's counterattack from the start displayed an intensity and tactical focus completely different from last time!

They seemed to have anticipated the human's firepower coverage tactic, using seemingly endless locusts and new units as consumption and interception layers, shielding those fast biological ships for lethal penetration!

Xing Zhuo looked pale at the tactical screen, where friendly symbols quickly turned red and disappeared.

This time, the Bug Race fleet's aggression, coordination, and troop variety were far superior to last time!

Last time, their focus seemed more on capturing or testing, but this time… it was a complete, destructive war stance!

"They… are stronger than last time…" Xing Zhuo murmured, a chill rushing from his feet to his head.

Is it due to Bai E's existence? Or have they evolved anew from the last engagement with human warships?

But whatever the case, facing a purely human fleet now, they began to show their true fangs!

"Commander! The vanguard fleet has suffered heavy losses! The formation is disrupted!"

"Request to adjust tactics! We need dispersal, we need mobility!"

"Boarding! We must execute the boarding plan to disrupt them internally!"

Xing Zhuo almost screamed it out, remembering Bai E's success last time, that being the only verified potentially effective tactic.

"Boarding? Under this kind of firepower? Our Mecha units will be torn apart by those new flying insects and biological ships before getting close!" a squadron commander retorted, half crazy, his ships under heavy attack.

Chaos, collapse began spreading in just over ten minutes after engagement.

Xing Zhuo painfully closed his eyes, seeming to hear Bai E's calm refusal sound once again.

If he were here… if he were here…