NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 191
“Admiral, we will be arriving at our destination shortly.”
“First, launch the scout discs for reconnaissance, and have the fleet prepare for bombardment. Open the arsenal so that ground forces can be deployed at any time.”
“Understood, Admiral. Launch scout discs! All ships prepare for bombardment!! Open the arsenal and have the ground forces on standby in full combat readiness aboard the shuttles!”
Yohton’s order was transmitted throughout the fleet, and a disc-shaped object mounted on the rear of the heavy cruiser soared up into the sky.
The arsenal doors opened with a hiss.
Beyond the faint bluish barrier, weapons and Imperial troops could be seen filling the vast space.
The fleet moved forward in formation.
Thus, the 8th Main Fleet arrived at its destination, but no sign of the enemy could be seen there.
“Admiral, according to the survivors, the enemy disappeared toward the south just moments ago.”
“Is there anything of interest in that direction?”
“There are several colonies and forward bases guarded by frigates.”
“Hmm…”
Yohton fell into deep thought.
‘There was an attack on the forward bases, but it seems suspicious that they have only targeted them. Perhaps…’
“Turn the fleet’s vanguard and head toward the southern colonies.”
“Yes, Admiral. We are moving south!”
The 8th Main Fleet immediately turned its prow.
While advancing at high speed, a communication soldier turned to Yohton as they received a transmission.
“Admiral! There’s a report that the enemy has appeared near the southern colony!”
It was alarming news.
“Accelerate! We are in pursuit!”
“Understood, Admiral. Full speed ahead!! Activate the reserve engines!!”
As the engine’s glow intensified, the 8th Main Fleet surged forward at high speed.
Yohton clenched his fist as the situation unfolded according to plan.
Then, a communication soldier who had been listening to the radio suddenly turned his head and shouted.
“Eh…? Admiral, the enemy is retreating!”
“What?”
There was still a considerable distance to the city, and if the enemy had already begun their retreat, it could mean a missed opportunity.
After a brief moment of contemplation and a twitch of his antennae, Yohton made a careful decision.
“…Divert all power to the engines, we will chase the enemy at maximum output!”
“Maximum output… Admiral, with all due respect, isn’t that too dangerous?”
The commander hesitated but carefully protested.
This was because the order would mean diverting all power meant for the fleet’s barriers and weapons to the engines to maintain the safety of the ships.
“But if we continue like this, we may lose the enemy again. However, to secure the safety of the fleet, I will deploy scout discs to maintain strict alert.”
“…Understood. Launch scout discs! The entire fleet will divert all power to the engines and advance at maximum speed!!”
The barriers surrounding the ships dissipated, and the weapons systems that were active slowly ceased their movements.
In contrast, the engines emitted a stronger glow.
Another disc-shaped flight object rose from the heavy cruiser, and the 8th Main Fleet surged forward rapidly toward the southern colony.
“What about enemy movements?”
“They have ceased their attacks and are retreating westward.”
“West… Confirm detailed prediction paths and change the fleet’s course. Prepare for further reports -”
“Admiral!!”
Before the order was complete, an urgent cry rang out across the command bridge.
“Enemy sighted ahead! In a massive quantity!!”
“Wh-?!”
The Imperial army also noticed the changes occurring on the ground and raised their voices, but before they could take any action, another command was issued.
“Fire!”
[Commencing attack.]
BOOM, KWAANG!!
Simultaneously with the firing of the guns, white tails trailed across the sky as missiles were launched from the anti-aircraft weapons stationed farther back, aimed at the fleet.
Waves of destruction surged towards the advancing fleet.
Realizing the situation, Yohton raised his voice.
“Barriers! Raise the barriers!!”
“All power is diverted to the engines; we cannot raise the barriers!”
“Gr… Then lower the prow! We shall bear the impact head-on!”
The fleet was in its most vulnerable state, exposing the underbelly.
If they could not avoid the damage, they had to minimize the impact area as much as possible.
“Lower the prow!”
“Reduce speed!!”
The fleet began to slow down and lower its bow.
As the angle of the ships adjusted, the exposed underside was gradually concealed.
Just as they avoided the worst-case scenario…
“Enemy attack incoming! Prepare for impact!!”
With the cries of the first mate, a wave of destruction engulfed the fleet.
PEROONG! KWA-AAANG!
Erupting explosions and billowing smoke.
Before the dense smoke cleared, a second wave of missiles and rockets hammered the fleet.
KWAAANG! PEROOONG!!
KOOOONG…
The violently shaking hulls and the surrounding impacts.
“AAAAAHHH!?”
“OOF!”
Even though they were strapped in by belts, soldiers and officers lost their balance due to the relentless shockwaves, colliding with or striking their faces against the equipment.
The 8th Main Fleet pushed through the thick smoke.
As the battlefield revealed itself, another barrage of shells and missiles rained down on the fleet.
KOOOONG! PEROONG! KWA-AAAANG!!
“The ships are taking damage! Gun emplacements No. 2 and No. 5 on the front are hit and inoperable!”
“Divert power back to normal and prepare for bombardment!”
“Power reconfiguration complete in 3 minutes!”
“…”
3 minutes, an insignificant time in normal circumstances.
But amid the ongoing enemy attack, it felt like an eternity.
The situation demanded action.
“…First, send down the ground troops and attack the enemy with carrier-based craft. Relay the orders to the light carriers!”
“Understood, Admiral! Shuttle deployment! Sending down ground troops! Light carriers, launch all carrier-based craft immediately!!”
The shuttle squadron lifted off from the arsenal, and the armor covering the flight deck of the light carriers gradually opened.
“Ugh, not bad for response time?”
Even in the elite forces.
Unlike AOE where responses were simply expressed by specs and level, the actual response here felt quite experienced.
“Edu, what should we do?”
“Move immediately. You focus on attacking the shuttle squadron!”
[Order confirmed; Intercepting enemy airborne craft.]
The armored divisions re-aimed and fired salvos at the shuttle squadron.
The tall giant amidst the formation unfolded its encompassing wings and smoothly ascended into the sky.
KEEE-ING KEEE-ING KEEE-ING
Warning sounds echoed across the flight deck.
[Urgent Launch! Urgent Launch! Launch all carrier-based craft immediately!!]
Bright sunlight and strong winds flowed in from the beyond the open flight deck.
Towards the battlefield with ceaseless sounds of gunfire, disc-shaped crafts rose slowly.
[1st unit launched.]
A “thud” sounded as the Strike Disc shot forward like an arrow.
But just before escaping the ship, a shadow fell across the flight deck.
[!!!]
Reactively twisting the control stick to avoid collision, the alien pilot.
“Collection release.”
With a deep rumble, a massive shadow appeared over the flight deck, colliding with the evading Strike Disc.
PEROOONG!!
Spreading smoke across the flight deck.
Amid the dark smoke, a blue sensor blinked, and the heavy tread of the super-heavy tank resounded.
[SHT-03 Durrandal mobilizing. Please issue commands, Commander.]
“You can do whatever you like, wipe them all out!”
[Order confirmed, initiating attack.]
The main gun emitted a flash and fired.
The fired shell hit the center of the discs preparing for launch, causing a large explosion.
“W-What? What’s going on?!”
“I don’t know! A large enemy weapon has appeared on the flight deck…”
“It’s impossible… Can the enemy summon weapons at will like that?!”
A super-heavy tank began rampaging on the flight deck of the light carrier.
While crushing the damaged carrier-based aircraft, the steel monstrosity turned its main gun to aim at the command bridge.
“AAAHHH!?”
“Admiral, urgent report from the allied light carrier! An unknown enemy weapon has called forth a giant weapon to attack our allies!”
“Summoned weapon?!”
Could the enemies’ unbelievable agility have been due to the summoning power of weapons?
Though this thought briefly crossed Yohton’s mind, there was no time for deep contemplation.
“Fire all anti-aircraft guns and secondary guns!”
Secondary guns and anti-aircraft weapons simultaneously shot fire.
Without adequate power supply, and lacking coordinated operation, the anti-aircraft fire network was just a flash in the pan.
Calmly weaving through the crossfire while moving between ships, the giant.
“Damn, they’re too fast!”
“Try to concentrate fire, knock them down!”
Soldiers desperately tried to create a killing zone.
“Hmm, Gollatin! Use the shadow!”
The giant’s form suddenly began to distort and quickly blended into the surroundings.
“What…?!”
“Has it disappeared? Optical camouflage!”
The startled enemies.
Meanwhile, the giant moved swiftly through the fleet.
“Nisia, head to that ship’s command bridge!”
“Got it!”
The giant landed in front of the command bridge of the heavy cruiser firing rounds, as the alarmed alien crew on the command bridge looked towards it.
Raising his voice while witnessing this,
“Collection release!”
A white light manifested inside the clear space inside the command bridge.
A black tank appeared amid the aliens, its blue sensors blinking.
“AAHHHH!?”
[Commencing attack.]
The main gun spewed fire, and machine guns swept across the command bridge, instantly neutralizing the heavy cruiser.
The body headless stopped functioning, and a rain of shells descended.
The swift neutralization of the 8th Main Fleet.
Ships that sustained damage to their engine sections one by one lost altitude and crashed to the ground.
“Damn, the numbers….”
Yohton’s bewildered voice.
Routing all power to the engines was a necessary action to chase the enemy, but that decision has led to the worst possible outcome.
The enemy’s surprise attack was almost like they had seen through our intentions.
When that thought struck him, an idea came to Yohton’s mind.
‘Could all of this have been a trap…?’
Then his thoughts cleared.
Yeah, they were targeting something else.
The attacks on the ground units stationed in the 4th Interstellar Fleet were all diversions, and what they truly targeted was us.
Realizing this fact, a chill ran down his spine, his body trembled, and his heart began to race.
KUUNG
A heavy impact along with shadows falling on the command bridge.
Lifting his head to look forward, the space where there was nothing before distorted, revealing a black giant.
“AAAHHH?!”
The communications soldier cried out in terror.
“The black devil…”
That spontaneous sound.
“Admirals, come with us! Quickly!!”
At the cry of the first mate, a white light appeared within the command bridge.
In ironic contrast, the pure light unveiled a monstrous black steel creature, far from anything resembling white.
[Attack Initiated.]
A mechanical voice devoid of emotion.
The turret rapidly rotated, aiming at Yohton, and with a flash, his consciousness was consumed by darkness.
PEROOONG!!
The explosion from the flagship’s command bridge.
“Edu, it’s time.”
“Yeah, then let’s withdraw. Collection Release!”
The Invader army was enveloped by light and disappeared, and the winged giant soared high into the sky before its form faded away.
The remnants of the 8th Main Fleet were left alone.
[Power reduction! We’re falling!!]
[Requesting support! Requesting support!!]
With the command bridge neutralized in the flagship, there was no command to be given despite the voices calling out for help echoing across communication channels.
A bitter defeat.
Once again, the pride of the Empire lay in ruins.