Chapter 1277: Chapter 43: Dawn (Part 3)
As a few slight sounds and tremors came from within the mothership, several space fighters suddenly darted out simultaneously from below the front and side portholes, spinning like electricity shooting toward the distance. Moments later, countless more fighters had shot out from various catapults of the mothership, continuously flying toward far-off space, forming a massive fighter formation.
"This is..." Felix looked toward the liaison officer.
Another Lieutenant Colonel named Blair Nison, with a worried expression, said, "The fleet has detected traces of the Jiepeng Fleet. At present, we cannot determine their numbers or identification; it is very likely part of Mikami Yuto’s Thunderbolt Fleet."
"Haven’t we already shaken off the enemy?" Su Fei asked with a frown.
After setting out, the fleet quickly broke through the Space Jump Point. Mikami Yuto deployed only a few warships at the Space Jump Point. Since Qian Bolin’s fleet was still wandering around the Resk Star System and knowing it was impossible to launch a direct decisive battle at the Jump Point against the Fei Alliance Fleet, he didn’t bother defending the Jump Point at all.
However, after entering Resk, those small fleets of Mikami Yuto still caused some trouble for the Allied Fleet, with the three-minute engine activation time at the Jump Point allowing the Western Alliance Fleet to launch attacks recklessly. At least thirty warships, of various sizes, were destroyed while breaking through the Jump Point.
Upon reaching the Resk Star System, the Jiepeng and Suss Fleets, like a pack of sharks sensing the scent, approached from all directions, with countless attacks along the route.
The fleet, unable to establish contact with Qian Bolin, in order to conceal combat intentions, could only fight while trying to repel the Jiepeng Fleet and simultaneously conduct a feint toward Leifeng Star.
Until the fleet confirmed that Mikami Yuto’s fleet had started gathering around Leifeng Star, the fleet then split into two, with one part continuing to exert pressure on Leifeng Star and the other leading the giant transport ships silently toward Canglang Star, preparing to complete the deployment toward Canglang Star with the speed and stealth of a thunderbolt.
The first wave of landing included four giant transport ships and sixteen Armored Divisions. Once these sixteen Armored Divisions established a foothold, the fleet would successively deploy all remaining Army forces to open a second front on Canglang Star. By then, the Jiepeng people would find it hard to manage on both ends, and the domestic situation would eliminate any interference, boosting the reinforcements.
It’s a risky gambit. For everyone, it is exceptionally critical.
Whether this battle can succeed depends on this deployment. If the fight with Mikami Yuto drags on too long in space, as reinforcements from Suss and Jiepeng arrive at Resk, landing will become increasingly difficult.
And now, upon hearing that the Jiepeng Fleet, initially lured to Leifeng Star, appeared here again, everyone became somewhat anxious.
"Mikami Yuto is too cunning," Wang Hao clenched his fists, his gaze passing over Su Fei, staring hard at the main screen showing Canglang Star, with faint starlight in his eyes: "He’s been guarding against our landing on Canglang Star."
A moment of silence descended on everyone.
Although most of the members in the reporting group knew little about the military, through conversations and other channels along the way, they had gathered quite a bit of information. They understood that if they missed this landing opportunity, the fleet would be forced to protect the giant transport ships, leaving Canglang Star’s area. When the next landing chance may come is uncertain.
And time is of utmost importance to Chuckna, whose internal opinions are not unified, and to the Military Department, which is betting everything on this.
"It’s the Thunderbolt Fleet..." In the silence, Liaison Officer Nison touched the headset in his ear and gritted his teeth, saying heavily: "Not just a part; it’s the entire Thunderbolt Fleet. Battle has already started at the front. From the information coming back, our chances to break through and land are zero!"
"How is that possible..." Su Fei uttered in a daze: "The entire Thunderbolt Fleet, why would Mikami Yuto leave so much force at Canglang Star? He only needs half... no, only a third to stop us from landing!"
Felix slowly sat down on a chair next to the corridor railing, his brow tightly furrowed, lines on his face became deeper and more evident, matched with his hair now grey and white, making him appear much older in this moment. His assistant stepped forward to comfort him, but in the end, it was just a sigh.
Everyone knew he loved this country with his heart and soul; his bluntness and acrimony were due to his most profound love deep in his heart. For this true patriot, such a blow is beyond consolation. He always stood as a questioner, but deep down, more than anyone else, he yearned for the military’s victory.
Suddenly, an intense burst of cheers erupted in the Command Room.
Everyone was startled and hurriedly turned to look. They saw many staff on the central platform suddenly stand up, some within were excitedly speaking into their headset microphones.
Looking back at the Central Command Platform, several senior officers had jumped to their feet, and the commander of the fleet, the commander of the entire operation, Admiral Li Hongwu, was fiercely pumping his fist, his face flushed with excitement!
What happened?
Everyone turned their gaze to the two liaison officers intently listening to the communications channel through their headsets. As the liaison officers’ eyes grew brighter, everyone’s heartbeat quickened.
