The captain stared intently at the main screen, then asked the navigation analyst a question.

"Can you estimate the correct route?"

The latter loosened the uniform around his neck.

"I'll try to do inertia analysis based on the previous variables."

As the navigation operator's hand speed suddenly increased, the power of the reconnaissance ship's main control computer was gradually pushed up.

"The results are in!"

On the screen, a meteorite cluster, with an irregular trajectory, stretches far into the depths of the planetary debris belt in this desolate star field.

"The destination is... the shelter."

"This isn't a meteorite! It's a fake spaceship or something else!"

The captain immediately connected to the rear via all channels.

"Calling for rear support, calling for rear support. The Lieyun reconnaissance ship No. 129 has detected a cluster of unidentified flying objects. The shape is disguised as a meteorite, and it is exhibiting irregular trajectory changes. The suspected target is a refuge."

"Estimated contact time is nineteen hours. Requesting fire support for interception. Star coordinates..."

Once this communication was sent, the numerous attack fleets that had already been activated immediately set off for the coordinates.

The principle of "better safe than sorry" is the first rule here. Too many civilizations have suffered similar losses. In this dangerous universe, those who are careless and negligent have already perished.

Due to the close proximity, none of the spacecraft used high-speed engines; instead, they all used conventional flight propulsion systems to propel them closer.

The data detected and calculated by the forward reconnaissance ships has been sent to the attacking mixed fleet that is arriving from the rear.

The one in charge was a red-skinned humanoid creature, about the size of a dwarf, with a large head and small limbs.

After analyzing the meteorite's trajectory and number, he loudly issued the order.

"Command the flanking clusters to calculate the attack trajectory and launch a probe attack in two minutes."

Hundreds of spaceships of various sizes and shapes appeared on the flanks, their cannons exposed. Due to the different habits of different civilizations, these offensive weapons were of different types, but kinetic weapons were given priority.

When intercepting large-mass projectiles, unless one possesses extremely advanced technology capable of annihilating or instantly destroying the target, energy weapons are generally ineffective.

But if they really had such a high level of technology, they wouldn't be in such a miserable state.

Two minutes later, all the flanking fleets that had calculated their trajectories launched their first salvo after receiving the commander's order to "fire".

The silent space was instantly illuminated by a barrage of cannon fire. Countless projectiles flew ahead of the target meteorite cluster, followed by tracking thermal weapons, much like human-made missiles.

The barrage of artillery shells and the meteorite rapidly approached each other along their respective trajectories on the screens of various warships, finally colliding under the watchful eyes of everyone.

The commander-in-chief immediately issued the next instructions.

"Notify the forward reconnaissance ships to report the results of this attack. The flanking fleet should continue to recharge and prepare, correct the trajectory and share data. All attack ships should prepare to attack based on the trajectory data."

While the attack fleet behind was preparing for a second attack in an orderly manner, the reconnaissance ship group in front turned on all its equipment and made every effort to observe, sacrificing some concealment.

It was the same reconnaissance ship belonging to the Hunter Cloud people that, due to its unique position, was the first to observe the data images.

The microparticles on the screen reflect the current appearance of the meteorite cluster.

The first wave of attacks was definitely effective; in addition to the intact meteorites continuing to fly, countless meteorite fragments appeared at the attack site.

Although the overall meteorite swarm did not appear to have decreased significantly, the number of fragments indicated that the attack was very effective.

"Wait, what's this?"

The captain looked in the direction indicated by the navigator.

"enlarge."

The image, which was somewhat blurry due to distance, was magnified again and optimized through background processing.

The image shows a mass of red, spherical material of varying sizes, which doesn't quite resemble meteorite fragments; some of them are even twisting in shape as they move.

"What the hell is this thing?"

The captain's brow was furrowed.

One of the older crew members suddenly had an idea.

"It's liquid! Lots of liquid!"

The captain then realized that because there was not much gravitational pull in the area where the meteorite was located, the liquid easily coalesced into a spherical shape, and the distortion was due to the thrust and inertia of the exploding fragments.

"But how can there be so much liquid? It's not easy for water to accumulate inside a meteorite. If there is any, it should be ice. And it's red, could it be blood?"

This deduction startled even the captain himself.

Since iron and copper are common constituent elements of biological blood proteins, even in the ever-changing universe, red and blue are common blood colors for any protein-based organism, and even the Devourer has mostly red blood.

Before the captain could report his deductions to the rear, he saw a change in the meteorite formation on the screen.

The smaller meteorite continued its journey, but underwent another orbital change.

Countless massive meteorites cracked open, revealing grotesque and ferocious beasts or monsters inside.

They drifted among the meteorites, some even flying out of the meteorite cluster and moving rapidly toward the attacking fleet with unknown propulsion.

"Captain! The energy reaction is intensifying dramatically. The Devourer radar is alarming. The meteorite is full of Devourers, absolutely everything!"

The captain stared intently at the meteor shower on the screen, observing the dense array of light points behind it.

"Rear fleet, this is a reconnaissance ship. The meteor shower has changed course again. This is the data correction. Requesting immediate attack. There are Devouring Beasts inside..."

The transmitted images caused a stir in the fleet behind. The various races in this refuge were all victims of the Devourer civilization's attacks. Most of them had only heard of the Devourers, and even those who had seen them were only seen as weapons placed on the surface of planets.

But this time the number and scale are enormous, and the number that can be seen is already in the tens of thousands.

Thinking of the terror that awaited when the Devouring Beast approached, the rear fleet reacted swiftly to the command, correcting the trajectory and immediately ordering a continuous salvo.

This time, however, the effect was much worse. Apart from some small meteorites being hit, the large Devouring Beasts that had already broken open and escaped were all very agile. They seemed to have a natural sense of each other over long distances, avoiding the trajectory of the high-powered kinetic energy bullets. The tracking weapons were always detonated prematurely by the Devouring Beasts' various strange attacks from a distance.

The reconnaissance ships ahead were constantly monitoring the attack's effectiveness, but they placed too much trust in the instruments' scanning capabilities, so much so that they failed to detect the "invisible" monsters that had quietly appeared nearby.

"Boom!"

A flash of fire appeared not far away and was spotted by the Hunter Cloud reconnaissance ship, which was docked at a corner of the star fragment.

"What happened? Why did ship number 9 explode?"

Before the captain could finish speaking, flashes of fire appeared on the optical observation screen.

"Quickly check the detection frequency, what exactly..."

The captain paused in his speech.

A worm-like monster, one size smaller than their own ship, appeared in the center of the optical observation screen.

Everyone on the bridge froze, like frogs being stared at by a giant snake.

The worm's abdomen was pressed tightly against the crystal glass outside the bridge, revealing countless sharp mouthparts.

The captain clenched his fist.

"Damn it..."

"Boom!"

The No. 129 reconnaissance ship was also reduced to flames.