After eliminating the broodship fleet of over three thousand ships in a grueling four-hour, thirty-two-minute battle, the Firestorm Fleet spent an additional three hours sweeping the battlefield.
As the battle concluded, Feng Mo promptly sent a detailed report to Xuanwu Star Fortress and the Northern Sky Gate Station. Almost immediately after sending it, a video call came through. Feng Mo accepted, and the screen displayed a female officer in uniform. Her military attire obscured her figure, but her short hair and resolute features conveyed a sense of authority.
"Lord Feng Mo, the youngest starship design master in the Federation," she began with a hint of admiration, though her flattery felt slightly forced. "Your Firestorm Fleet was the first among all thirteen T4 fleets on the second line of defense to completely annihilate a broodship swarm. Might I ask about your fleet's casualties?"
Feng Mo picked up on her veiled motive—there was a clear implication that some sectors were under severe strain and could use his support. This wasn't an issue for him, but he wasn't about to offer aid without extracting some benefits first.
"The Firestorm Fleet took no casualties, but we've depleted a considerable amount of ammunition. Our resupply stores are nearly exhausted, so we'll need to return to the Northern Sky Gate Station to replenish before we can engage in another battle."
The Northern War Zone's protocol specified that fleets stationed on the defensive line would be reimbursed for expended ammunition, provided they submitted detailed reports of enemy encounters, resources used, and destroyed enemy units. Like any experienced officer, Feng Mo inflated his fleet's reported expenditure—he still had ample supplies, but it was standard practice to ask for a little extra.
The female officer seemed to realize what he was after. Trying to gauge his expectations, she said, "With my current clearance, I can authorize a compensation of one million points. Would that be acceptable?"
Feng Mo's expression barely changed, though he found the offer amusing. One million points—equivalent to ten million star coins—seemed rather stingy for calling in a Duke of the Empire and his mixed quasi-T5 and T4 fleet. However, he refrained from showing irritation. Leaning back in his captain's chair, he calmly met her gaze, awaiting a more reasonable offer.
Noticing his unyielding demeanor, a look of resignation flashed in her eyes. Most of the fleets stationed at the Northern Sky Gate were already dispatched for other reinforcements, leaving her little choice. After a brief pause, she tried again.
"How about three million points, my Lord?"
Feng Mo considered this before nodding slightly. "Three million points, plus the rights to recover the insectoid carcasses post-battle. If those terms are agreeable, the Firestorm Fleet will provide assistance."
"The terms are acceptable. The military command authorizes your immediate deployment to Planet Z012."
After ending the call, Feng Mo reviewed the mission file. The broodship fleet near Z012 numbered slightly over two thousand vessels—a smaller force than what he had just engaged, but higher in quality. It was a mixed swarm of T4 and T3 ships, with over four hundred T4 broodships and fifteen hundred T3 ships.
No wonder the defenders at Z012 had called for reinforcements.
Turning to Ai Er and Han Peipei, Feng Mo issued his orders: "Ai Er, you'll assume command of the Firestorm Fleet. I'll take the Hurricane, four T4 Scorpions, and two T4 interceptor bioships to reinforce Z012."
Feng Mo saw that Z012's defensive fleet and the broodships were evenly matched in strength, but the broodships' suicidal tactics wore down the defenders. If he brought his elite ships and struck decisively, he could turn the tide without committing his entire fleet.
The Hurricane's quasi-T5 star destroyer cannon would be crucial in targeting the enemy flagship, while the four T4 Scorpions could conduct precision strikes. The two interceptor bioships, adept at neutralizing bio-plasma attacks, would be instrumental in shielding his ships.
The situation at Z012 was dire. Having received word that reinforcements were on the way, the defending fleet's morale surged. With renewed energy, they pressed the attack, attempting to rout the broodships entirely.
Upon reaching Z012, Feng Mo saw that the defenders had managed to push the broodships back, but their losses were mounting. He decided to step in without delay.
"Mello, deploy the four Scorpions to infiltrate the rear of the broodship fleet and execute a saturation strike. Hurricane's radar will locate the enemy flagship, and the quasi-T5 star destroyer cannon will charge for a precision strike!"
While the preparations were underway, Feng Mo opened a communication line with the Z012 defense fleet. When the image of Feng Mo appeared on their screens, the opposing commander immediately recognized him, excitement apparent in his voice.
"Duke Feng Mo! Commander Wang Xuefeng of the Insect Howl Fleet, at your service. We're honored to receive your aid, my Lord. Admiral Gu often shares your accomplishments with us, and it leaves us humbled."
Feng Mo could tell that this commander was aligned with Gu Jun's faction—essentially an ally. He replied warmly, "Commander Wang, please keep the broodships occupied. Leave their flagship to the Hurricane. When the rear of their formation erupts in chaos, take advantage of it to rout them entirely."
Commander Wang straightened and saluted. "Understood, my Lord!"
Feng Mo felt a sense of camaraderie toward this fellow officer from Gu's faction, and the man's enthusiastic response left him satisfied.
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"Commander, our radar system has detected and locked onto the brood fleet's flagship. Your orders?" Han Peipei reported.
"Release the engine restrictions on the Hurricane. Enter maximum speed mode, infiltrate the broodship fleet, and charge all primary and secondary cannons. Engage auto-targeting for the point-defense guns, and lock the quasi-T5 star destroyer cannon onto the enemy flagship. Set it to beam mode, and direct the primary and secondary cannons to target the T4 broodships," Feng Mo commanded.
With the engine restrictions lifted, the Hurricane surged into maximum velocity, rocketing from 300 knots to a stable 490 knots in an instant. It shot forward like an arrow, penetrating deep into the enemy formation, with point-defense guns blazing. The defenses of numerous T3 broodships shattered under the relentless fire, their bio-armor splintering.
As the distance to the enemy flagship closed, Feng Mo continued, calm and decisive, "Fire the quasi-T5 star destroyer cannon! Target the flagship. Primary and secondary cannons, fire as soon as they're charged. No need for further instructions."
A vibrant orange sphere pulsed at the Hurricane's bow, transforming into a massive orange beam that shot toward the enemy flagship. To prevent a repeat of their prior tactic—using lower-tier T4 broodships as shields—Feng Mo had specifically switched to a concentrated beam mode.
The orange beam tore through the fleet, disintegrating any broodship in its path, until it reached the flagship. Despite a desperate bio-plasma blast from the enemy's flagship in a futile attempt at defense, the beam punched through, piercing its bio-armor and rending it apart.
"Flagship eliminated, Commander. Awaiting further orders."
"Excellent work. Set the primary and secondary cannons to free fire mode. Target all T4 broodships!"
Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the battlefield, four T4 Scorpions had slipped into the rear of the brood fleet. Revealing their positions, they unleashed volleys of missiles and torpedoes upon the densest concentrations of broodships.
Commander Wang Xuefeng of the Insect Howl Fleet seized the opportunity, ordering, "All ships, advance! Lock all T4 broodships with auto-targeting systems. Charge primary and secondary cannons, and fire!"
The Insect Howl Fleet, now down to just over three hundred ships, surged forward to engage the brood fleet head-on. It was a battle of sheer willpower; fearlessly charging into the fray, with each side daring the other to flinch first.
With the enemy flagship destroyed, chaos ensued within the brood fleet. Various T4 broodships attempted to assume control, but lacking a cohesive command, they each fought independently.
Wang Xuefeng's fleet capitalized on the disarray, unleashing coordinated volleys of laser fire that wove into a deadly web, cutting through many T4 broodships and generating shockwaves that rocked even T3 broodships nearby.
As the Hurricane's primary and secondary cannons completed their cooldown cycle, they resumed firing. The radar locked onto targets, the laser cannons fired, and the broodships were torn apart one after another. The battlefield had decisively turned in their favor.
Against massive broodship fleets, the only viable tactics were saturation bombing or surgical strikes against key flagships to create disarray. But for truly massive formations of tens of thousands, conventional methods would still be required, as those typically included T5 broodships in command—something the Hurricane alone couldn't handle.
"Your Grace, I can't thank you enough for coming to our aid," said Wang Xuefeng, as the battle wound down to a mop-up operation, his subordinates taking over so he could address Feng Mo directly.
Feng Mo smiled, waving a hand. "There's no need for formalities between us. We're on the same side. No need to call me 'Your Grace'—just 'Lord Feng' will do."
Wang Xuefeng was overjoyed; Feng Mo's words signaled a measure of closeness and respect. After Gu Jun had cemented Feng Mo's reputation, officers across the Yunshan Empire's military treated Feng Mo with respect, often uncertain how to address someone so much younger yet so accomplished. Calling him 'Lord Feng' brought the connection one step closer.
With the Hurricane and the four T4 Scorpions in support, the Insect Howl Fleet spent another six hours routing the remaining broodships, ensuring the security of Planet Z012. Afterward, Wang Xuefeng personally assisted Feng Mo in loading up the insectoid corpses, even lending him three T3 transport ships to help with the haul—a favor that Feng Mo noted.
During the return trip, Feng Mo opened a video call with Gu Jun. Upon seeing Gu Jun's weary face, Feng Mo couldn't help but express concern, "Uncle Gu, you need to take care of yourself. Yan Yan is waiting for you back home."
Gu Jun offered a faint smile. "You're only reaching out because you want to know about the Xuanwu Star Fortress situation, right?"
As Feng Mo nodded, Gu Jun sighed, "This insectoid invasion is on an unprecedented scale. It's as if they're possessed—they've deployed over seven hundred T5 broodships, outnumbering our three T5 fleets combined."
"Still, bio-ships have their limitations. Their offensive and defensive capabilities are more straightforward than our Federation fleets, so we've managed to hold the fortress. But the situation remains grim; insectoid reinforcements just keep coming."
Feng Mo's expression grew serious. "Is the Federation formulating a response plan?"
"Of course. The Northern War Zone sent an emergency report, and after three days of meetings, the Federation decided to launch an all-out counteroffensive. They're preparing a sweeping strike against the insectoids' home territories," Gu Jun explained.
"The Central Empires—Apocalypse and Radiance—are joining the operation, deploying thirteen T5 fleets in total. Yunshan will contribute two of its three fleets, while the Northern Zone will supply five T5 fleets. The remaining fleets w
ill come from the Apocalypse and Radiance Empires."
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