c1 (1/2)
Series Details
Chapter 1: Ambush (1)
A s.p.a.cious and clean crystal porthole, beautiful stars could be seen through the blue energy s.h.i.+eld projected, everything was covered in thick motes of light, making it look like a dreamy fairy tale scene.
Looking out through the porthole, the vast expanse of the star sea occupies the entire field of vision, like an unmoving gorgeous painting, the star sea was a magnificent place, mysterious, with profound truths to be shown to every soul.
This is a new kilometer-long deep s.p.a.ce probe research vessel, belonging to the ministry of the Imperial Army. Around it, there are sixteen similar probes. Hundreds of large wars.h.i.+p vessels were guarding the area surrounding the probes in the center, all types of detection equipment on the s.h.i.+ps have been activated, warily scanning the surrounding void for trouble.
This modest fleet was at the moment hidden at the edge of a ma.s.sive neutron star’s gravitational field, where pieces of wreckage have gathered to form a planet hundreds of thousands of kilometers in diameter within a meteorite cloud belt.
The s.h.i.+p’s...o...b..ard detection equipment could glimpse into the distance, there was a neutron star. There were also a number of stars of different sizes, group of old stars in the red giant phase, and the s.h.i.+ps...o...b..ard optical brain, after a lengthy probe a.n.a.lysis, found that within a modest cl.u.s.ter was a hidden small black hole.
So many “fierce objects” existed together here, all kinds of gravitational fields tangled, interfering with each others influence, coupled with violent bursts of radiation, gravity tides, occasional episodes of high-energy particle storms, etc., so that this dangerous place has existed millions of years without any intelligent life setting foot here.
For two years, the imperial fleet expedition paid an unimaginable price, only by going through numerous disasters were they barely able to detect a relatively secure path, that they could successfully enter the depths of the star’s gravity field.
In a conference room, sitting at the head of the table was a young major general, looked at on both sides by the attending leaders. About half among them were soldiers, and the rest were researchers wearing silver overalls, both men and women, were elite military scientists from the Imperial Academy.
After a gentle cough, he began:
“Gentlemen, we have stayed in this place for almost two years, and now can count the required tasks to have been completed. So I have decided, the fleet will depart in three hours, and return along the same route, do you have any advice?”
Everyone else exposed a look of relief on their faces. After staying in this h.e.l.l-like place for so long, how many comrades and colleagues have been buried here, the sadness in their hearts, could not be expressed in a few words!
Twenty thousand newly made special wars.h.i.+ps, plus hundreds of specially modified deep s.p.a.ce probe research s.h.i.+ps, and a large number of highly skilled soldiers, of which less than a tenth survived.
Of course, although it was a heavy price to pay, but compared to the things they gathered and the adventure the experienced some may say the loss was too great. On the contrary though, everyone here believed that their gains were great, though it was at the expense of their colleagues lives they will be given generous rewards! Before looking to Major General Yu, everyone secretly thought this to themselves.
At this time, a thin, middle-aged scholar looked up and asked: “General, right now our power is limited, and we don’t know if the route we took last time is still safe. Do you have any better way?”
Several officers showed a questioning look in their eyes, as they looked to the man with the highest rank.
In fact, though the route they followed is dangerous, they would only be leaving a single area, yet after they would have to go through thousands of wormholes and stargates. After longer than a three year voyage would they arrive within the scope of imperial power, the smallest of the star sea dominions! Only when they are can they truly be considered safe.
During this long voyage, in addition to a variety of unpredictable traps, there are many many powerful and strange creatures roaming, as well as some unusual horrors, that even someone as strong as the Ares Empire are unwilling to provoke.
Even worse, if the empire fights with hostile alien civilizations, leading to their siege, they may really be in trouble!
Major General Yu nodded: “Professor, you don’t need to worry I have already taken that into account. Please be a.s.sured that, as early as ten days ago, I was contacted by use of the secret Imperial Army communication unit, and was informed that the empire’s, Lonely Star and Northwest Theater will jointly send a large number of their elites to come a.s.sist us, they are even going to guard us until we get to the northwest border of the empire by changing the cruise route of ‘Frost’ to provide temporary support! So that isn’t something we need to worry about!”
Everyone was relieved after hearing the news, it wasn’t as though they were stupid imperial executives, they were aware of the extraordinary significance this mission’s harvesting strategy had for increasing the empire’s future strength! As long as they reached the safe zone within the empire, everyone would receive unimaginable rewards whatever their rank is, not to mention promotions and the aspects of getting rich!
After Major General Yu saw everyone understood, they began to arrange the final preparations before leaving, as he thought of the mysterious bird box, decided to hand it over to the defense minister himself.
After three hours, the fleet began in accordance with the predetermined plan, an orderly retreat.
Every wars.h.i.+p gathered together to for a sphere, with energy s.h.i.+elds at maximum, the remaining research s.h.i.+ps closely guarded in the center, and then along the predetermined course, carefully moved forward.
……….
“…… His Excellency the Minister, are you aware what the consequences of this command means?”
Northwest Theater command center, located somewhere in the top-secret planetary contact room, a middle-aged man dressed in uniform was staring at a three-dimensional image in front of him with an angry look on his face:
“You d.a.m.n people don’t know how crazy it is over here, we’ve recently seen more and more fierce offensives, our defenses throughout the Northwest have received hara.s.sment in addition to countless enemy fleets, Yue Chi said that even with a strong level of command, the troops available are simply not enough!”
“Yet at this critical juncture, you want ‘Frost’ including a large number of elite defenders to perform a top-secret mission, I just want to ask how are we going to maintain our defenses here? How do we keep the empire’s northwest border secure?”
In the image was a grey-haired old man, who revealed a hint of majestic rage, wore a spotless golden form fitting marshal uniform, on his chest he wore a few huge medals, which were sparkling with a brilliant s.h.i.+ning light.
Hearing the implicit anger in the questioning, he intentionally smiled, slowly with authority:
“Admiral Fenglin Bo, regarding the unreasonable command, I have no need to explain to you that this matter involves a top-secret of the empire! So as an imperial soldier, your duty is to fully implement this military command, understand?”
“Of course I won’t forget my duty!” Fenglin Bo gritting his teeth said,
“But at the moment if such important combatants are taken, the northwestern border will be fragile enough to make defense against the next attack impossible, you should not forget, that behind the back line of our defenses lies the dominion of the empire, if we let those beasts that treat humans as food rush in, then the consequences …… not even mentioning me, even someone with your ident.i.ty, would inevitably go to military court! Are you sure this must be done?”
The Minister said with authority: “I know better than anyone the consequences and the things we gain will make this loss seem insignificant, so long as you execute these commands!!!”
“You must be insane, this is related to the fate of tens of billions of imperial citizens safety! You actually say that these are insignificant losses!?” Fenglin Bo finally unable to repress his anger, roared with a livid face:
“This unreasonable command, I will never execute it, even if I have to quit my job, I will not do it!”
“Admiral!” the minister looked coldly, stressing each syllable with authority: