October 3rd, 8:00 AM. The starport of Yunshan Interstellar Military Academy.
The fourth-year Command Departments, Classes One and Two, gathered to embark on their field training. Students stood in small groups, clearly having formed teams already. At the back of the crowd, Feng Mo and his team of four wore their black combat uniforms. Wang Chongsheng glanced around, then leaned in and said in a low voice, "Mo, there are a hundred people in Classes One and Two combined, but only sixty-three showed up today. It's hard to believe so many skipped out on this opportunity to join the Military Department."
Feng Mo dismissed Wang's comment with a wave. "It's not surprising. You're a young master with a T3 starship and a team of seasoned veterans. What do the civilian students have? You can't blame them for not wanting to become cannon fodder."
"He's right," Moxue chimed in. "The frontlines aren't a game. Not everyone has the courage to risk their lives. And some of the sixty who did come are civilians, which means they're the ones really putting it all on the line."
Standing next to Feng Mo, Yue Xiaomeng wasn't paying attention to the conversation. Instead, she was busy taking selfies with her terminal, much to Feng Mo's bemusement. Over the past few days, he'd learned more about her through their chats. Yue Xiaomeng was a mix of a "chuunibyou" and a gun-obsessed, selfie-loving big girl with a cutesy face.
A commotion at the front of the group caught their attention. Director Lui, along with the two class teachers, strode over in their combat uniforms.
"It's time to board the interstellar transport. Please proceed in an orderly fashion," Director Lui announced. "Once aboard, the instructors will assign you to your stasis pods, and we'll discuss the current frontline situation in a virtual classroom on the star network."
Director Lui led the way to Dock One. All the starships that had once been docked there had been moved to make way for a true behemoth: an 8,000-meter-long, 2,000-meter-wide T4-class Interstellar Transport Ship. This massive vessel was one of only four in the entire Yunshan Empire, a testament to how seriously the empire was taking this exercise.
With a ship like this, all the students and accompanying instructors' vessels could fit inside with room to spare. Feng Mo and his team followed the crowd aboard the colossal ship. Moments later, notifications from the vice-captains of their ships appeared on their terminals. The transport crew was requesting permission to bring Feng Mo's Storm into the transport's docking bay.
Once they'd given their consent, the four joined the crowd entering the interior. The inside of the transport ship was simple, almost spartan, with visible wear and tear. Feng Mo estimated it had been in service for no more than thirty years. He couldn't help but feel envious. Who wouldn't want to own such a powerful vessel? But for now, he couldn't even afford to build a T3 industrial ship or T3 battle armor, so acquiring a transport ship like this would have to wait.
"This voyage will span four star systems and take approximately three hours and fifty minutes," announced a mechanical voice. "The warp engine is ready. We will enter warp mode in ten minutes. All crew members, please enter deep-sea mode."
"Repeating: All crew members, please enter deep-sea mode."
Once everyone was aboard, the announcement concluded. Feng Mo and his friends climbed into their stasis pods, preparing for the journey. When they reappeared on the star network, they found themselves in the familiar classroom setting. Director Lui was already at the podium, waiting for everyone to assemble.
"The frontline we're heading to is the Northern Defense Line, adjacent to the Zerg," Director Lui began. "As you know, the Zerg are a warlike species that instinctively devour all life within their sensory range, even engaging in cannibalistic behavior among their own kind."
"Wherever they go, they bring utter devastation to all living beings on a planet. The best way to stop a Zerg invasion is to destroy their Hive Motherships," Director Lui continued. "In space, where there's no oxygen, these motherships function like life-support ships for the Zerg. Destroying them exposes the Zerg to the vacuum of space, where they suffocate and die."
"Zerg Hive Motherships are equivalent in strength to our starships. The main Zerg Hive is a T5-class behemoth, lurking deep in space. Despite several deadly missions by the Federation, it remains undefeated."
"One of the Zerg's most significant advantages is their rapid reproduction. As long as the main Hive survives and has enough nutrients, it can continuously spawn lower-tier Hive Motherships, which in turn create more Zerg troops."
"Our mission is to assist the Northern Defense Fleet and destroy as many Hive Motherships as possible to earn military merit."
Director Lui lectured for two hours, providing valuable insights into the Zerg's weaknesses and behavior.
"Transport Ship systems report: We have arrived at our destination, Fengtian Star Port. The ship is now in autopilot mode," a mechanical voice announced.
Feng Mo logged out of the star network and opened his stasis pod, stepping out with the others. They quickly donned their combat uniforms and formed ranks, completing the process in under two minutes—a testament to their four years of training.
Director Lui led the students off the transport ship and divided them into groups. He, along with the Class One and Two teachers, each took a group of students under their command.
Fengtian Star was the closest planet to the Northern Defense Line. Being here meant they had officially entered the battlefield.
Feng Mo's team was assigned to Director Lui's group. The director had a strong impression of this academy genius and was more than willing to give him extra guidance.
The three groups were soon greeted by three young officers in Military Department combat uniforms. Each wore the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, which meant they commanded small fleets.
The officer assigned to Director Lui's group was a nearly two-meter-tall, muscular man exuding a menacing aura—a warrior through and through.
"I'm Yu Minghao, Captain of the First Squad under the Moxue Fleet. Welcome to the frontlines, fellow students," he said with a grin.
"Captain Yu, it's an honor to be greeted by you personally," Director Lui responded politely.
"No need for formalities, Director Lui. I may have graduated, but I'm still a proud member of Yunshan Academy," Yu Minghao replied, his demeanor softening as he smiled.
Director Lui turned to the students. "This is Yu Minghao, a graduate from four years ago. He now leads the First Squad under the Moxue Fleet, commanding a hundred-ship fleet centered around a T4-class main battleship. He's also an exceptional Tier 3 Gene Warrior!"
"Hello, Senior Yu!" Feng Mo and the others greeted him in unison.
Yu Minghao, displaying no airs, led them to Dock Three, where their starships awaited. From here, they'd have to rely on their own ships for the journey ahead.
Feng Mo returned to the command center of the Storm. Vice-Captain Elpan was already waiting for him. Sitting in the captain's chair, Feng Mo faced a large projection screen displaying 27 video feeds, one for each of the instru
ctors and fellow students, including Director Lui and Yu Minghao.