Chapter 460: Patroclus 2.0 (1/2)
Chapter 460: Patroclus 2.0
Translator: OneshotwonderEditor: Hitesh_
Running his finger along the heroic cigar, Kaost gathered himself and stood up. As the Captain of the ship, he should not show even a shred of doubt about his actions. Ever since the day he became a METAL fighter, he knew that the real challenge like this would come one day.
The Zergs didn't attack in the following days, which gave the Ark and its crew a short respite. Not only was the tension between the authority and the passengers eased, but the promise of seeing the light at the end of the tunnel also gave everyone a smile on their faces.
However, Kaost and Samantha were becoming increasingly nerve-wrecked as the quietness continued, and even the air felt still and stifled like that before a terrible storm.
The recent participation in the real war had invigorated many students. It had been a thrilling experience even for the ones who merely observed the battle, much less for those who actually took part in the fighting, such as Karl. Thanks to his near-perfect aim, he was drafted into the firing team. Each day during dinner, students would gather around him and listen to his bragging about the heroic deeds of the day. Ever since the first attack, Karl had become more popular than the heirs of the great houses and rightfully so, as his accuracy was the highest on the ship; he was a natural shooter.
The second best shooter was Zhou Sisi. Not only was she deadly accurate with her aim, but she was also an excellent team player. Flash and Bisu's performance was also outstanding, but they were not as praiseworthy as Zhou Sisi.
Students such as Flash and Bisu could do much better in the classroom than in a real war. Meanwhile, Zhou Sisi and Karl were the opposite, as the real world situation seemed to have invoked their innate abilities that were otherwise hidden.
Karl and Zhou Sisi's talent quickly caught Kaost's attention. As a veteran in the Confederation force, he had seen many talented soldiers—many were serving him right at this moment. However, no one could compare with the abilities of these two. Karl was a deadly shooter while Zhou Sisi, with some training and guidance, would be the best fleet commander the world had ever seen. Kaost made a mental note to remember recruiting Zhou Sisi as soon as he was done this mission. What impressed Kaost even more was their rise to the top from their ordinary family background, much like the path he had taken. Every time he saw the silly but enthusiastic smile on Karl's face, memories of his teenage years came back and flooded his mind.
Suddenly the alarm went off. Kaost heaved a sight: it had finally come.
Everyone in the commander's office was shocked by what they saw on the radar screen. Swarms of Zerg Fleets appeared out of nowhere and had already formed an encirclement around the Ark. This was the largest attack the Zergs had waged yet.
Although Ark was well within their shooting range, none of the Zerg ships fired. Instead, the Zergs kept on shrinking their encirclement.
When Kaost walked into the commander's office, he could feel everyone's anticipating gazes on his face. They were afraid; the promise of death loomed in the air.
In last hundred years, Human had always fought the Zerg with an upper hand either in terms of manpower or firepower. But it was not the case today. The sudden loss of advantage had taken a huge toll on the morale. Hopelessness was evident on everyone's face.
”Captain, there are ten Zerg fleets out there... What should we do?”
Kaost remained calm and glanced at the radar screen, then walked to the captain's seat and sat down. He was ordered to attract the attention of the Zergs' main fleet force, and he had succeeded.
”We will fight! This is our only choice.”
”Aye, Captain!”
”Samantha, gather all the students in the meeting room eight… Now.”
”Yes, sir! I request to go to the front line after our meeting.”
”Your place is on the ship, inside the commander's room,” Kaost said with a taut face and an uncompromising voice.
”Yes...Captain.” Samantha murmured.
”This is the Captain's order. The following students, please go to meeting room number eight: Wang Tong, Li Shiming, Lie Jian, Zhang Jin... ”
The list includes most of the top students of different academies. They paused for a moment after hearing the announcement, and then walked to the meeting place, all the while wondering what the old captain's plan was.
”Go now, Wang Tong.” Tee knew that she would be on the list as well. The vast number of enemies had formed a terrifying force even for the formidable Ark. Although the spaceship was the strongest the world had ever seen, it, after all, would have a limit to its capabilities, like everything in this universe.
Soon, Tee heard the radio call out her name.
The Zergs had poured all of their forces at the Ark. It was evident that all of the previous skirmishes were carefully planned by the Zergs to lure the Ark deeper into the trap. It was unheard of the Zergs pulling off a cohesive strategy; the development had caught Kaost by surprise.
”Main cannon energy level at thirty percent.”
”Port cannon energy level at sixty percent.”
”Starboard cannon energy level at seventy percent.”
”Auxiliary gun energy level at twenty percent.”