The Auckland System lay on the outskirts of the Snowhawk Empire. Nearest to it were the U1, U2, and U3 Systems, followed by U4 and U5. Beyond these, one entered the depths of the Chaos Starsea, where the rule of law no longer extended, and power alone reigned supreme.
This meant that Feng Mo could ambush the Bai Family's transport fleet without concern for Federation legalities, as long as he stayed beyond the U-series systems.
The U5 System was connected to three others, with the Devil's System being a prime source of slaves for the Human Federation's trafficking companies. The Devil's System was a massive star system engaged in constant warfare. Its ruler dared not offend the Human Federation and even relied on trade with the Federation, making it the largest supplier for the slave trade.
However, there was no stargate linking the Devil's System and U5 System. Travel between them required navigating through interstellar space, a buffer zone containing hydrogen atoms that occupied roughly 70% of the space. The remainder was filled with scattered planets, stars, and other matter.
Interstellar space wasn't as bright as star systems, with a dimmer, shadowy hue that made it ideal for ambushes. Feng Mo, ever cautious, had brought not only the Storm Fleet but also a T4 Scorpion Tail from the asteroid belt for this mission.
The T4 Scorpion Tail's stealth and reconnaissance capabilities rendered it invisible to the Bai Family's fleet.
Feng Mo sat in the captain's chair aboard the Storm, facing a holographic screen showing the Melo sisters. Through a shared view, he could see the perspective of the T4 Scorpion Tail.
The T4 starship's radar system was three times more powerful than any T3 vessel, a fact that Feng Mo marveled at while keeping his eyes locked on the screen.
"Alert: Detected multiple energy signatures ahead. Scanning… image generated."
Through the display, Feng Mo could clearly see a transport fleet bearing three emblems: the Human Federation, the Snowhawk Empire, and the Bai Family.
There they were: the Bai Family's fleet transporting slaves. Finally, it was time.
"Hua Qin, order the Storm Fleet to advance at full speed to the coordinates. Our people from the Storm System are waiting to be rescued," Feng Mo commanded, fully considering the enslaved population as his own citizens.
Each T3 interstellar transport ship could carry about 30 million people. With ten T3 transports in the fleet, that amounted to 300 million new residents. This would push the Storm System's population beyond 1.1 billion. It was a delightful prospect.
"Melo, let's test the T4 Scorpion Tail's power. Target all T3 starships in the enemy fleet. This will be a live-fire trial."
"Yes, Commander!"
Feng Mo was eager to see the might of his creation, the T4 Scorpion Tail.
The T4 Scorpion Tail had already taken up a hidden position along the Bai Family fleet's route. As the enemy entered interstellar space, the Melo sisters had identified the best spot to strike.
T4 Scorpion Tail-Class Stealth Bomber, Command Room.
"Engage stealth mode at full speed. Navigate to the designated position," the Melo sisters ordered.
The T4 Scorpion Tail vanished into stealth mode, accelerating silently to maximum speed. It closed in on the Bai Family fleet undetected. Once in the perfect attack position, the Melo sisters issued their command:
"Target the enemy's T3 Hive-Class Carrier, T3 Cheetah-Class Battleship, and twelve T3 Peregrine-Class Destroyers. Commence attack!"
Following their command, the crew locked onto the fourteen T3 starships.
"Weapons systems: Proton torpedoes and kinetic beam missiles ready. Fire!"
As the Melo sisters smoothly directed the T4 Scorpion Tail's attack, Feng Mo observed from the Storm's control room, nodding approvingly. Proton torpedoes were ideal for breaking star shields, while kinetic beam missiles inflicted heavy damage on hulls—a well-thought-out combination.
The T4 Scorpion Tail had now entered the enemy's radar range, but the Bai Family fleet had yet to detect it. Only after the T4 Scorpion Tail launched its missile barrage did alarms blare throughout the enemy ships—but it was already too late.
"Alert! Energy attack detected! Star shields at maximum power!" came the frantic warnings from the Bai Family fleet.
Three consecutive alarm calls plunged the enemy fleet into chaos. Space battles relied on communications and radar systems. If a fleet failed to detect an enemy until after the attack had begun, it was already doomed.
Fourteen T4 proton torpedoes struck first, shattering the shields of all fourteen T3 starships.
Next, fourteen T4 kinetic beam missiles slammed into the command bridges of the same ships. Massive explosions erupted across the Bai Family's fleet, a symphony of destruction that echoed through space—a one-time performance for those aboard the doomed starships.
"Radar confirms target starships' energy signatures have vanished. The strike was effective. Awaiting orders," reported the adjutant.
The Melo sisters were thrilled. The attack had been a resounding success, a true display of overwhelming firepower. As half-beasts, they had a natural craving for battle. Destroying just the T3 starships wasn't enough, so they ordered:
"All missiles, lock onto the enemy's T2 combat ships. Fire!"
Fifty launch silos opened simultaneously, unleashing fifty missiles toward their respective targets.
Using T4 missiles on T2 starships was like swatting flies with a sledgehammer—utterly overkill. But the Melo sisters were too caught up in the excitement to care.
Watching through the feed, Feng Mo frowned slightly but chose not to interfere. He understood the principle that a commander in the field must be given autonomy. Criticizing or overruling their orders could undermine their authority and damage their confidence, which he wanted to avoid.
Still, he couldn't help feeling a bit pained at the cost of the munitions. As the old saying went, "Every shot fired costs gold." With two new resource-hun
gry starships under his command, the expenses were beginning to add up.
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