The 27 starships linked their radars, ensuring no one would fall behind, as the T4 White Shark-class interstellar destroyer under the command of Yu Minghao led them into the depths of space. Their destination: a planet designated as Z139, located to the right of Beitianmen Space Station, on the northern outskirts of Fengtian Star. This was the frontline against the Zerg, and even with warp engines engaged, it would take an hour and a half to reach.
The distance was equivalent to that between the Xianyun Prime Star and the Xianyun Star Gate. After an hour and a half of travel, the fleet arrived at the designated coordinates.
Feng Mo quickly regained full awareness and, seated in his captain's chair, issued battle preparation orders.
Yu Minghao's fleet was stationed at Z139, establishing a defensive line to ensure that no Hive Mothership would break through. Z139 was home to only two million residents and served as a frontline logistics planet, perpetually under threat from Zerg invasions. All personnel were Military Department appointees.
"Cadets, your timing is unfortunate," Yu Minghao announced over the video feed. "Our forward scout fleet just reported that the Zerg are less than 0.0001 light-years from Z139. I have to go to the frontline to command the defense. Director Lui will take over from here, so prepare for battle!"
Feng Mo couldn't help but notice that Yu Minghao seemed a bit too excited at the prospect of combat. Most people would look grim in this situation, but Yu seemed to relish it. However, there was no time to dwell on this; it was time to prepare for battle.
"All cadets, follow the White Shark and form the second line of defense behind the Moxue Squad, which will be the first line of defense," Director Lui ordered. "This is your first battle. Make it count! Starting now, your actions will be recorded for military merit."
At Director Lui's command, everyone readied themselves for combat and proceeded to follow the White Shark.
Twenty minutes into the journey, Storm's radar indicated a massive assembly of starships ahead—Yu Minghao's fleet. Suddenly, red blips began flooding the radar. Feng Mo looked at the live video feed from the White Shark and saw a horde of Hive Motherships advancing.
"Pfft, over 500 Hive Motherships, but only ten are T3-class. The rest are small fry," Yu Minghao announced. "T3 Rhino-class interstellar frigates, form the first line of defense. Maximize your Star Shield output and prepare the close-defense laser turrets. Wait until they're in range before firing. Battleships and destroyers, charge your main cannons."
"T3 Hive-class interstellar carriers, deploy the drones and give those bugs a taste of our firepower," he added with a grin.
Hearing Yu Minghao's calm and confident commands, Feng Mo felt a surge of adrenaline.
"Elpan, activate Storm's surveillance probes. We're about to get a masterclass in warfare."
"Surveillance probes activated, Commander," Elpan reported.
A projection screen materialized in Storm's command center, displaying a massive carrier deploying 500 T3 drones and 50 enormous T3 bomber drones, which charged into the swarm. The T3 drones formed a vast web of firepower, engaging thousands of Hive Motherships in a crossfire.
Meanwhile, the 50 bomber drones unleashed seismic missiles, setting off a spectacular series of explosions.
As the 550 drones unleashed a barrage of firepower, several lower-tier Hive Motherships were shattered into pieces. Feng Mo clenched his fists, exhilarated. This was the harsh reality of war.
However, the Hive Motherships retaliated with swarms of green energy beams, destroying numerous drones. After expending their payloads, most of the drones retreated to the carrier for rearmament, with only 300 making it back safely.
Despite the heavy losses, the presence of eight T3 industrial ships in the rear meant resupply would not be an issue.
Feng Mo had studied the Zerg extensively, and Director Lui had briefed them on the journey, but witnessing their tactics in person was something else entirely. The relentless onslaught of the Zerg forces was both awe-inspiring and terrifying.
For anyone with a fear of dense patterns, the sight of the swarm would be enough to induce a breakdown. The Hive Motherships were enormous biological starships, not particularly agile but bristling with organic lasers and biotorpedoes. They were unmatched in durability and had no qualms about ramming enemy vessels in suicide attacks.
Worse, the Hive Motherships could churn out endless waves of bio-weapons like suicide bugs and corrosive insects, which clung to the motherships' surfaces.
Each T1 Hive Mothership carried a thousand suicide bugs and ten thousand corrosive insects. The suicide bugs could briefly survive in space and had propulsion systems that allowed them to self-destruct upon impact with Federation ships. The corrosive insects were even deadlier, spewing acid capable of melting through T4 starship armor.
The Federation had initially suffered heavy losses against these insects. It was a brutal reminder that the Zerg evolved and adapted just as the Federation's technology advanced.
The Zerg were fearless, mindlessly obeying the Hive Motherships' commands to attack in waves. Their tactics bore a resemblance to carrier-based drone warfare, with the insects acting as living drones.
The screen showed a swarm of suicide bugs launching from the Hive Motherships, hurtling toward the defense line like a flood.
"Drones have resupplied and are ready for a second assault!" someone reported over the comms.
"Deploy the drones again," Yu Minghao ordered. "After three waves of attacks, the drones will pull back. Inform all ship captains to have their main cannons ready to fire after the third drone wave."
"Yes, sir!"
The drones carried out three more bombing runs. Feng Mo counted the numbers. After the three waves, the carrier had lost 300 drones, but nearly a hundred Hive Motherships had been destroyed.
"All ships, prepare to fire main cannons! Charge the secondary cannons!" Yu Minghao's voice rang out.
Hundreds of starships unleashed a coordinated barrage of laser fire, creating an immense web of destruction that engulfed the remaining Hive Motherships. Explosions erupted across the battlefield, lighting up the void of space.
But the Zerg were far from finished. Green energy beams streaked from the remaining Hive Motherships. Calmly, Yu Minghao issued new orders, "Frigates, activate close-defense laser turrets and intercept those attacks. Maximize Star Shield output!"
"Battleships and destroyers, fire the secondary cannons. Main cannons to recharge for another volley."
Yu Minghao's commands were precise and confident, and the tide of battle began to turn in their favor. The Zerg were steadily being pushed back.
"Director Lui," Yu Minghao said, "these are just cannon
fodder. Let the cadets take over and gain some real combat experience."