Chapter 3042: Rescue Force (1/2)
The ships of the Golden Skull Alliance suddenly took a slight detour from its original route.
While the expeditionary fleet was still heading in the direction of the Antilla Star Cluster, its course change caused it to swing past several densely-populated star systems.
The Larkinsons, Glory Seekers and Crossers were straying deeper into the core regions of the Grand Loxic Republic.
If Ves wasn't in such a hurry, he would have wanted to slow down and visit a portion of the many famous planets and tourist destinations of the powerful second-rate state.
The Grand Loxic Republic possessed a different culture and set of customs from the states that Ves had visited in the past. It was a proud and cosmopolitan state that attracted many foreign people and organizations.
As one of the central nodes of the Yeina Star Cluster, its military forces were extremely developed by the standards of the surrounding star sectors. A robust and long-established mech industry played host to intense competition at every single level of the mech market.
Since the Living Mech Corporation didn't compete in any second-class mech markets, the Larkinsons knew far too little about the exact conditions of the Grand Loxic Republic. While Calabast and many other clansmen were doing their best to do their research and shore up their understanding of the Loxians, the Larkinsons were ultimately strangers to this grand but divided state.
Fortunately, the established factions and powers of the Grand Loxic Republic had no attention to spare for the travelers that passed through its space every day. As an open state that depended heavily on trade, commerce and influence to thrive, the locals did not have a habit of accosting foreign visitors.
Not even the Crown Uprising was able to turn this policy around. At best, the Loxians just imposed more restrictions on its visitors and prevented them from bringing too many dangerous assets to settled planets and space stations.
The distance to the Trieden System was not that long. General Verle and all of the forces under his command had to make hasty preparations in order to prepare for their upcoming operations.
According to the preliminary battle plan, the bulk of the mech forces would remain in space in order to guard against threats directed towards the fleet.
Only a smaller rescue force consisting of several thousand mechs would descend from orbit and reach the Violet Estates, the ancestral home of the Purnesse Family.
During one of the planning sessions of the upcoming operation, a very important matter emerged.
Who would be the ones to dive from the heavens aboard combat carriers that might or might not encounter hostile fire?
Who would be the ones to fly over the Violet Estates and carefully escort the evacuating Purnessers back to orbit?
Who would be the ones to fight directly against the hidden hand on Trieden II, whose strength was still unknown?
The Glory Seekers and Crossers wouldn't be taking part in this private action.
This was purely the business of the Larkinson Clan. It wasn't shameless enough to drag its allies into a conflict that did not involve them directly.
The Larkinson Clan had to earn all of the gratitude of the Purnesse Family in order to earn the respect of its members.
As for the Infinity Guards, they were solely paid to protect the Larkinson Clan and its fleet. Engaging in offensive operations was not under their purview. Besides, their contract would soon run out at the end of the month and the clan did not intend to renew it any further.
”Who do we send down to the surface?” Ves asked.
A wave of silence followed among the gathered commanders.
”I am favoring two different options.” General Verle's projection stated. ”First, we can take the safe route and send in a mix of our established mech forces. With the Avatars, Vandals, Penitent Sisters, Swordmaidens and so on leading the way, they can show off the might of our clan in a splendid fashion as long as the opposition is within our expectations. With their current level of strength and completely armed with the latest Bright Warriors, our elite mech forces will be able to make a profound impact on not just the Purnesse Family, but also the tens of thousands of new clansmen who have yet to witness our might in battle.”
That was a good idea. Too many clansmen who originated from the Life Research Association or the Heavensword Association did not have a solid idea of the strength of the Larkinson Clan.
They heard stories and watched lots of archival footage of past battles. Yet witnessing these battles after the fact simply didn't convey all of the fears, hopes, desperation and exaltation of victory of seeing a fight unfold up close!
It was only when the observers had an actual stake in the battle that they would truly appreciate the outcome of victory or defeat!