Galaxy Domination Guide-Chapter 452 : The Grand Invasion (8)

After exiting the Warp Bubble, the Star Alliance warships immediately launched an attack on the Enslavers' Warship. An asteroid belt is the best formation to sever a fleet's overall formation, and in this preset battlefield, the Star Alliance Universe Army had already conducted many tactical simulations.

In fact, the outnumbered Star Alliance warships didn't form their own formations at all, they followed AI-guided preset attack positions, directly targeting the enemy on the battlefield.

If one were to draw an analogy with ancient military formations, a normal star battle might resemble the collision of two neatly organized infantry phalanxes, whereas battling in an asteroid belt sown with mines evoked a more dispersed urban warfare with various covers.

Enslavers' warships kept hitting mines or being sunk by Universe Army ships. The gap in firepower combined with familiarity with the terrain made it very difficult for the Enslavers' ships to gain the upper hand in such an environment.

Xu Lanzhou, in the main fleet, paid close attention to the battle, which was proceeding smoothly, yet she didn't let down her guard.

On the screen, Lv Zhinian from the Aquarius said, "The enemy has not shown any sign of retreat in such a disadvantaged state, which is not a good omen."

Xu Lanzhou frowned slightly and asked, "Major General Lv, what do you mean?"

Lv Zhinian replied, "Our roaming Reconnaissance Ships are about to reach the enemy's stronghold, and if I'm not wrong, the enemy has likely already dispatched their forces towards the Lingge Star Galaxy."

In space combat, the most crucial intelligence is knowing the enemy's location and scale. Only in this part of the Xunyi Star Zone was the Star Alliance at an advantage. Bai Zhongqi had done a tremendous job installing a dense monitoring system and defensive mechanisms in the Xunyi Star Zone, and the Star Alliance Universe Army had specifically built many ships for tactical reconnaissance. Ordinary Reconnaissance Ships would easily be destroyed by the enemy, so they couldn't stay in one place long. The Star Alliance's Reconnaissance Ships used a mobile roaming reconnaissance mode.

Reconnaissance Ships continuously approached the enemy's fleet using secondary Warp Speed. During the window of opportunity after exiting warp, they intensively gathered intelligence; as the enemy started to converge, the Reconnaissance Ships would immediately perform a Phase Jump to the vicinity of other planets, because the Warp Engines typically required some time to cool down. In this situation, the enemy repeatedly saw Star Alliance Reconnaissance Ships sneaking up; just as they wanted to attack, the Reconnaissance Ships would vanish without a trace.

The Great Emperor of Teizene was an experienced military tactician, aware that he was at a disadvantage in terms of intelligence. Therefore, he kept adjusting his fleet's position. However, he could not allow his ships to frequently engage Warp Speed for long-range, extensive movements, because the Star Alliance's detection of Warp Speed fluctuations was very thorough; as soon as he engaged Warp Speed, the Star Alliance could basically pinpoint his exact location and intended destination.

Therefore, the Enslavers' fleet moved using conventional engines, and this indeed made it somewhat difficult but not too difficult for the Star Alliance Reconnaissance Ships to discover them. What the Great Emperor of Teizene didn't know was how many detection radars and sensors the Iridium Star Chancellor had placed throughout the entire Star Region.

"Commander, a large-scale Warp Speed activity has been detected. The Enslavers' fleet is preparing to move towards Lingge Star, presumably to support their defeated forces in the Lingge Galaxy," Beiluoshimen stated coldly.

Xu Lanzhou looked at Lv Zhinian with some admiration for this general, whose instincts for battle were extremely sharp.

Lv Zhinian suggested, "Commander, I recommend we withdraw our fleet."

Xu Lanzhou exclaimed in shock, "What? You want me to withdraw our fleet, are we giving up on Lingge Star?"

Lv Zhinian's expression remained indifferent as he responded, "Correct. In our defense strategy, only Taoran Star is indispensable. In this situation, it is acceptable to give up Lingge Star."

Xu Lanzhou, her face showing stern resolve, resolutely opposed, "Impossible. His Majesty entrusted me with a heavy responsibility. Lingge Star is an important Administrative Star for the Star Alliance, with two billion Star Alliance citizens living there. If we do nothing, the Enslavers will destroy it."

Lv Zhinian nodded, "Of course I know, but the enemy is employing a ruse right now."

Xu Lanzhou wasn't foolish; she had received excellent military command training and had quite a talent for it. She naturally understood Lv Zhinian's thoughts, "You mean, the enemy is trying to mobilize our Main Battle Ship, to draw us away from Taoran Star?"

"Exactly, Your Majesty's judgment is very correct. The Controllers have made two proactive strategic moves, winning any of which would mean defeat for the Star Alliance. We can't help His Majesty with the Earth situation, but it's obvious here—the pivotal point is Taoran Star, our strategic eye. The Eternal Crystal Stone on Taoran Star is something the Controllers cannot abandon. And whoever is commanding the Enslavers' large fleet, they must surely be aware of this. Understanding their position reveals what they fear most."

Xu Lanzhou fell silent before lifting her head, "Destroy Taoran Star."

Lv Zhinian still wore an expression of cool detachment, "Yes, I believe among the directives His Majesty gave you, one must include this. In case of discord, obliterate Taoran Star. This can be said to be our only proactive measure amidst the enemy's two opportunities."

This was a weighty decision, and Xu Lanzhou wasn't sure she could make it.

Lv Zhinian continued on his own, "The Enslavers' best option is to move us as far away from Taoran Star as possible, and Lingge Star is clearly a good destination. Attack where the enemy must save, and the actual value of Lingge Star to us may, in fact, far exceed that of the underdeveloped Taoran Star at present. Once they draw out our main force and then start the decisive battle, as long as they win that battle, Taoran Star will be theirs for the taking."

Xu Lanzhou expressed her doubts, "If it comes to a fleet's decisive battle, then we have no reason to fear."

Lv Zhinian shook his head, "True, but there are two problems with that assumption: First, in a head-on battle, how many forces would we lose? Although the Star Alliance has developed quickly, a battle won with the least amount of casualties is still best; second, if the Enslavers are smart, they wouldn't send their entire fleet to Lingge Star. If I were their Commander, I would keep a fleet hidden and then send out the large fleet to feign an attack on Lingge Star. As soon as they deduce our Main Battle Ship has been successfully drawn away and Taoran Star's defenses are vulnerable, this surprise force will make a beeline for Taoran Star and take the planet."

A tremor ran through Xu Lanzhou's heart. She hadn't considered such a possibility. The battlefield was ever-changing, and with the Enslavers led by the likes of Teizene, a civilization adept in strategy and tactics, if Lv Zhinian's guess was correct, then it was indeed terrifying.

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"But are we truly going to just give up on Lingge Star?"