As the battleship turned to retreat, a beam from the heavy cannon shot forward but was deflected by the cruiser's void shields, dissipating into the warp. Another beam quickly followed, again intercepted by the void shield. The heavy cannon continued its relentless barrage, and after enduring seven strikes, the void shield finally collapsed. The eighth beam struck the cruiser's left side, sweeping from the stern to the bow.
The weapon systems along the ship's side were obliterated where the beam touched. Every person on the bridge could feel the tremors from the explosions below, though these were merely peripheral damages. The captain immediately issued a string of orders: vent the hit sections to extinguish fires in the vacuum, urge the crew maintaining the void shield to restore it quickly, and spread out the crew and slaves across the ship to avoid clustered casualties. Most importantly, prepare for a warp jump.
As the ship continued to forge ahead, beams from the satellite's heavy cannon pounded its hull. Only when the warp engines and Geller field were fully operational did the battleship finally make its escape, vanishing into the warp.
The heavy cannon's glowing orb dissipated, and the satellite resumed its silent rotation as if it had never been attacked, nor had it attacked anyone.
...
"Detecting an enemy ship approaching, initiating defense protocols."
"Particle lance charging."
"Charging complete."
"First shot fired, damage result: intercepted by the void shield."
"..."
Within the fortress's underground chamber, Qin Mo silently watched the images on the screen. It displayed a first-person view from the orbital dock, capturing the entire attack. The dock's defense had been handled by the master AI, which controlled the weapons embedded in the dock's outer shell.
The small particle lance, originally designed to counter orbital bombardments on the planet, had done its job. The void shield that intercepted the enemy was not of the same nature as a void shield at all.
What puzzled Qin Mo, however, was the sudden disappearance of one torpedo and two cannon shells during the attack. It seemed as though a minor defense system had been activated—something too insignificant to influence the battle, yet still unusual. Qin Mo did not recall installing such a device capable of making enemy projectiles vanish.
"I detected a warp signature before the energy shield activated," the AI said.
"A warp signature? Could it be the ash blocks at work?" Qin Mo mused with a smile.
"Perhaps," the AI replied. "In New Kato and across the lower hive, it is customary to commemorate the fallen daily."
Qin Mo pondered for a moment, then concluded that the ash blocks were likely responsible. Though their current effect was minimal, just barely negating a fraction of enemy attacks, it was enough. Progress would be slow over the next decade, but this small victory was sufficient.
"How goes the ship construction?" Qin Mo asked.
"The escort frigates are thirty percent complete, while the cruisers are at twenty percent. They will be finished approximately seventy hours ahead of my previous estimate," the AI responded.
Qin Mo was pleased. He knew that once the ships were launched and crewed, they could strike Tyrone II. At that time, equipping the orbital dock with ample weapons for orbital bombardment would be easy. Conquering an entire planet would be far simpler than the battle for Tyrone's hives.
Satisfied, Qin Mo returned his focus to developing a weapon capable of annihilating all enemies on Tyrone III. This was no simple task. He couldn't just build a massive bomb to obliterate the planet. After all, only three habitable planets existed in the Tyrone system, and they were too precious to destroy unless absolutely necessary.
"The crew selection is nearly complete," the AI continued. "There is a man named Adam, thirty-four years old. He ranked highly in all tests and possesses remarkably stable emotions, which will greatly aid in avoiding interference during ship operation."
"Begin training immediately. I want them ready to man the ships the moment they leave the docks," Qin Mo commanded.
"Understood," the AI replied.
...
In the lower hive city of New Kato.
At the logistics mechanical repair plant, the mechanics had gathered, eagerly watching the latest updates on the war's progress. News of the orbital dock repelling the enemy cruiser hadn't yet spread, but the army's series of victories in the hive's sewer network was enough to fill everyone with excitement.
Grot joined the others in cheering as he heard the news, though he quickly reined in his excitement.
"Grot, someone's here to see you," a fellow worker tapped him on the shoulder, pointing towards the factory entrance.
A soldier stood there, expressionless, his gaze cold as a statue's. He wore no power armor, only a combat suit-like garment.
"Adam!" Grot immediately walked over.
The officer named Adam regarded Grot coolly, responding, "Good afternoon, Grot."
The two had known each other for some time. Whenever Adam had a break, he would visit Grot at the factory, offering him special guidance. This advice centered on one thing—helping Grot control his emotions.
The two left the factory together.
On the way, Adam said suddenly, "After I leave, another will come to continue your training in emotional restraint."
"Where are you going? Did the legion commander create a new unit?" Grot asked, puzzled.
"I've been selected to serve on a warship. Training starts soon," Adam replied.
This was thrilling news. No one in the lower hive would refuse a chance to serve aboard a warship. Grot was genuinely happy for Adam, though Adam's voice was as emotionless as ever.
Grot knew that all members of the "Servitors" were like Adam. They suppressed their emotions and desires, even sneaking away from the pleasures offered by the church to toil alongside the logistics mechanics.
"I still don't understand why you're guiding me," Grot asked.
"Because you were once a guardsman," Adam replied calmly. "You lost that honor because you strayed too far from the divine. But you are not beyond redemption."
Grot nodded silently. He wasn't eager to join the ranks of the Servitors, but he was willing to pay any price to regain his place as a guardsman—or even a common soldier—anything to escape the aimless monotony of factory life.
"Based on our studies of you, we believe your problem in battle is over-excitement. We've prepared a special training ground and a program designed to help you control it," Adam explained.
"Good, take me there," Grot agreed without hesitation, following closely behind Adam.