At that moment, the Mechanized Fleet's Sixth Fleet, including its commander, found themselves in a situation of utter despair. Mechanized lifeforms did not fear death, but to die without meaning was something even they could not ignore.
With 50,000 interstellar missiles and torpedoes targeting them, there was no fleet that could withstand such an onslaught. Even with all interception weapons activated, at least 10,000 interstellar missiles would break through, and the Sixth Fleet had only around 500 T5 mechanized warships. This meant that each T5 ship would face an average of over 20 missiles.
The Sixth Fleet's commander was at a loss, wondering when the Interstellar Human Federation had produced such a formidable adversary. But his time for questions had ended, as the mechanized fleet was swiftly torn to shreds under the barrage.
With the Cloud Mountain Fleet aiding from the side, unleashing laser cannons and interstellar missiles as if they were limitless, there was no chance for survival. Feng Mo could confidently predict that the Sixth Fleet wouldn't make it out.
"Commanders, the time for a counteroffensive is now!" boomed Zhongming in the command room chat.
This opportunity was possible only because of the Storm Fleet's intervention. First, they eliminated an enemy T6 mechanized warship, followed by the annihilation of the Mechanized Sixth and Seventh Fleets. Together with the Federation First Fleet's crippling blow to the Fifth Fleet, the battle was turning.
The mechanized forces had deployed twenty fleets for this conflict, roughly matching the Federation in numbers. Now, with three mechanized fleets gone and the elite Cloud Mountain, Storm, and Federation First Fleets leading the attack, the counteroffensive was underway. The three fleets tore through mechanized defenses like arrows piercing the sky. Feng Mo's mission objectives were complete, so he issued orders to strike at will, initiating saturation bombardments without hesitation.
Meanwhile, within the core of the mechanized command on their homeworld, a large screen displayed the frontline battle in real time. Several smaller screens showed the awe-inspiring might of the Federation's First Fleet, Cloud Mountain Fleet, and Storm Fleet. A bald, muscular figure in a black combat uniform stood before the screen, issuing orders calmly:
"Retreat and scatter decoys along the way. Lure the Interstellar Human Federation fleets deep into our space. Five T6 mechanized warships are on standby, ready to engage and join the main forces."
A series of orders flowed from the bald commander. Upon receiving them, the mechanized fleets began retreating, albeit slowly, leaving an impression of a desperate, disorganized withdrawal.
Zhongming, recognizing this as an unmissable opportunity to deal a severe blow to the mechanized forces, ordered a full pursuit. Leading a quasi-T6 fleet filled him with confidence, especially with the mechanized forces no longer fielding any T6 warships. To him, the Federation First Fleet was practically unstoppable.
The bald commander's plan to lure the Federation deeper was proving effective. Every so often, the mechanized forces would leave behind a few dozen T5 warships, allowing the Federation fleets to destroy them. Soon, the Federation found themselves entering interstellar space, edging ever closer to mechanized territory. Feng Mo, sensing a foreboding premonition, sent a private message to Gu Jun via his communication terminal.
Receiving Feng Mo's warning, Gu Jun ordered the Cloud Mountain Fleet to regroup with the Storm Fleet, both slowing their advance. Feng Mo then instructed Xing Shuwen to relay a command:
"Summon the Vermilion Ape immediately from Beast Roar System."
As a T6 warship equipped with a sixth-level warp engine, the Vermilion Ape could cross to the Star River System through a star gate within an hour, and from there, jump to the Vermilion Bird System. Once it arrived at the Vermilion Bird Interstellar Fortress, almost three hours had passed, and news of the Storm Empire's T6 starship had spread throughout the Federation.
Utilizing the Federation's star gate would inevitably reveal the presence of their starship, and with the Federation aware of the front-line developments, they took note of this formidable asset.
At that point, all Federation fleets had entered mechanized territory. Suddenly, the seventeen mechanized fleets ahead halted and turned, as brilliant blue energy gathered around them.
Simultaneously, more and more T5 mechanized warships converged on the area. Feng Mo, observing the scene, felt his suspicions confirmed—they had been drawn into a trap.
"Alert! Storm God's radar has detected three T6 mechanized warships," a mechanical voice announced. So, this was the trap. Feng Mo had seen firsthand how challenging even one T6 mechanized warship was to deal with. Three, paired with an array of T5 warships, could easily annihilate a quasi-T6 fleet.
And as more and more T5 mechanized warships gathered, it became clear that the mechanized commander was betting everything on this encounter. Without these twenty Federation fleets, the Interstellar Human Federation would lose its footing against the mechanized forces.
Feng Mo's communication device chimed twice—a message from Gu Jun. In it, Gu Jun assured Feng Mo that if the situation became desperate, the Cloud Mountain Fleet would cover the Storm Fleet's retreat through the jump gate, allowing Feng Mo's forces to escape first. The message ended with a request for Feng Mo to take care of his daughter, Feng Mo's younger sister, and, if possible, bring her back to the Storm Empire.
Feng Mo chuckled at this; Uncle Gu was perhaps being a bit too pessimistic, though understandably so. They were indeed surrounded, and even if they attempted a retreat, losses would likely be significant.
Zhongming's voice came over the comm, maintaining a veneer of calm. "I've requested Federation reinforcements. As long as we hold out for two hours, the Federation can send at least one quasi-T6 fleet and five T5 fleets to our aid. Hang in there—just two hours."
His words provided a glimmer of hope to the other commanders. Meanwhile, Feng Mo used Storm God's optical grip technology to stealthily transfer himself to the command center of one of the T5 Mystic Birds. He then activated its stealth mode, slipping out of the encirclement and back into interstellar space.
There, he found the colossal Vermilion Ape—its streamlined, silver hull resembling an enlarged, sleek shuttle—waiting amidst a field of scattered asteroids. Feng Mo used the optical grip to board the Vermilion Ape, re-establishing contact with Gu Jun through video. Ai Er remained on the Storm God, continuing to lead the fleet in battle.
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