Near the Venus Belt, a dark mass of starships were suspended in a row, their guns raised, their thrusters preheated, ready to launch planetary-class long-range missiles at any time.

The Chanyuan, Gangneung, Pyeongning, and Feilian fleets were all in line, like nocturnal birds of prey, silently hiding themselves in the floating boulders and the dark background.

Mei Jielin was using a pair of scissors to repair her princess cut which had grown a bit longer: "There's an asteroid belt behind us and a huge vortex in front of us. It makes me feel like I'm building a house on the edge of a cliff. And the rebels' lair is right across the vortex. Wow, it's dangerous and exciting. Will they attack us suddenly?"

She sounded worried when she spoke, but there was no fear in her tone. Instead, she sounded eager to try.

Long Xiyun answered her, "No, ten minutes ago, the technical department recovered data from a large piece of mechanical debris that was taken out of the vortex. The rebels called this vortex 'Koboyi', which means 'holy light'. No one is allowed to approach or desecrate it."

Without hesitation, Mei Jielin rolled her eyes and said in disgust, "Holy light? Didn't the technical department take out a lot of human skeletons that died abnormally and messy genetic research reports that were completely against human nature? It really fits the rebels' consistent style: under the holy light, there is filth and dirt."

"So it's called holy light on the surface, but in fact it's used as a secret garbage dump?" Wei Yin stretched his waist lazily, "The rebels are really uncreative. Once it involves 'God', They immediately created some holy light, holy stars and so on, and established a bunch of strange rules, such as what humans cannot set foot in, cannot approach and cannot defile, as if humans don't like to take a bath, their bodies are dirty and dust falls on them when they walk, and they can pollute the entire universe with a breath."

Mei Jielin laughed and almost cut the paper crookedly with the scissors: "Captain Wei'in, your eloquence is getting better and better!"

As soon as the voice fell, Lu Fenghan connected to the video call, and the few people who were chatting idly immediately shut up. Mei Jielin quickly finished the last cut of the scissors and got it over with.

In the command room, Lu Fenghan faced the virtual star map and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt with one hand: "General Nie plans to start the operation in two hours."

Mei Jielin was the first to ask: "How to solve the problem of Leto's planetary defense system? The defense level of that thing is completely proportional to the money spent on building it."

"The people inside Leto got the triple key from the rebels, which can open a gap in the defense network within a certain period of time. The rebels' reconnaissance at the gap is invalid, surveillance is suspended, and entry and exit will not trigger automatic attacks and alarms."

Lu Fenghan's eyes were similar to the silver stars on his shoulder straps, both of which had a cold texture. "General Nie will split his troops into two groups. One group will first seize the overall control of the planetary defense system after passing through the gap to reach the surface of Leto, and the other group will confront the rebels led by Hodgkin outside Leto's atmosphere to prevent the space troops from returning to the surface for reinforcement."

Du Shang immediately thought: "Close the door and beat the dog?"

"Brother, your metaphor is wonderful!" After praising, Metierin twirled the scissors flexibly with his fingers, "As long as the planetary defense system is back in General Nie's hands, the rebels will not have the leisure to bombard the defense network crazily and smash it to pieces in two minutes, and the firepower of the space battle will not affect the people on the surface of the capital planet."

Dushan: "Yes, then the Leto defense system will be blocked in the middle, and the space battle will be fought in the space battle, and the ground battle will be fought on the ground. In a short time, there will be no interference with each other. Both sides will have room for progress without any constraints."

Metierin grasped the scissors and put his face close to the camera: "Commander, what about us? How can we get past the Divine Court?"

Lu Fenghan was holding Qi Yan's wrist, massaging it from time to time, and replied, "There is no clear detection result, but the fleets of the Third and Sixth Legions should be guarding nearby. They will never let us get close to the planet where the Divine Court is located. This is the first line of firepower. At the same time, the string of floating space fortresses can be transformed into huge artillery platforms. This is the second line of firepower. The Divine Court must be equipped with a powerful planetary defense system, which is the third line of firepower. Everyone, be prepared for a tough battle."

Everyone present had a psychological preset for the situation they were facing.

At this moment, the Divine Court was right in front of them, and they were only one step away from ending this war that had lasted for more than half a century. There was absolutely no reason to shrink back.

If we retreat even a single step out of cowardice, we will be ashamed to face the millions of heroes floating in this vast space.

Judging from the current situation, there is no shortcut to the battle against the Divine Court, and no tactics that can determine the overall situation can be used. We can only rely on force. It depends on which side is out of strength and gets smashed into pieces first.

Mei Jielin and the others looked at each other across the screen, and they all had the same idea.

Lu Fenghan stared at the virtual star map: "The rebels don't know we are coming, which is an advantage. Once we show our presence, the enemy will immediately realize that they have exposed their coordinates. Therefore, this 'advantage' must be seized."

He changed his gestures, and the lit star map began to show different character marks as he spoke.

"Temporarily, Dushan and Weiyin will follow me on Route A and reach the other side of the vortex via the distal end. Meijielin and Long Xiyun will take Route B and go around from the proximal end to ambush and wait. Note that on the way, stay close to the edge of the vortex and use the vortex to interfere with the signal to avoid being detected by the other side.

I will use the 'Mirage' to disrupt the information they have obtained, making them think that the four fleets behind me are all there. After luring the Third and Sixth Legions over, Meijielin and Long Xiyun will go around and surround them from the front and back."

In the communication channel, several people said, "Understood!"

"If, I mean if," Lu Fenghan said in a deep voice, "if something unexpected happens and we are stuck in a dead end, then everyone must obey orders, not fight to the death, retreat to the Venus Belt, leave the wormhole immediately, and return to the base. Eric and Vincent are waiting there, and I will cover you."

Mei Jielin wanted to say something, but swallowed it back, frowned, and replied in a sullen voice: "Yes!"

The Third Legion's army Captain Fritz was leaning on the sofa eating fruit candy when a video chat frame suddenly appeared in front of him. He didn't even blink, and knew who it was without even looking: "Let me think, you just came out of the temple, and were scolded badly by the wise man?"

His white shirt was spotless, and the pleated lace of his scarf was intricate and exquisite, with a bloodstone and secret silver button on it, making him look like a noble in a retro oil painting from the Earth era.

"You know?"

"Butler, why do you think I took the patrol mission and left the ground?" Fritz propped his chin on his hand, facing the video dialogue box, and said slowly, "Whether it is the front line of the Southern Cross Region or the Central Administrative District, the Wise have lost too many equipment and people. Even if those people are as lowly as ants, it is ultimately a loss of face for the Wise. Also, Miss Helena is indeed stupid, but she is the Wise's sister after all, and she also lost her life. If it were you, would you be in a good mood?"

Butler's eyes were light brown, and he narrowed them slightly, but he didn't hold on to it, and changed the subject: "The Wise have the intention of conserving their energy."

With a "click", the fruit candy was accidentally bitten to pieces. Fritz touched the tip of his tongue against his palate and changed his tone to a serious one: "Are you sure?"

"Sure, the wise man has expressed this attitude." Butler strode in the luxurious corridor of the Divine Court building. The guard officer was at a distance. He used straightforward words, "The Central Galaxy has been reoccupied by the Alliance, and Leto can't hold on for too long. The Southern Cross Region is under the control of the Expeditionary Force, and the White Tower is helping. We have almost no chance of winning."

Peeling off another piece of fruit candy, Fritz continued, "The most important thing is that the wise man is still very young, less than 40 years old, and he has at least 60 to 70 years to live."

Butler: "That's right. If Lu Fenghan had died cleanly a year ago, maybe you and I would have been in charge of a large area of ​​​​the star field and promoted to a higher position. It's not impossible to wait another 20 years. The Alliance is the best. What they are good at is criticizing each other. In less than ten years, Lu Fenghan will die at the hands of his own people. "

Puffing the candy into his mouth, Fritz leaned back on the sofa and said, "Since all wise men can keep their composure, I have nothing to propose. He slowly twisted the candy wrapper and said, "How long will it take for the Alliance to find you?"

Butler mentioned: "When I went to see the wise man, I happened to encounter someone in the garden shooting a traitor. " The location of the Holy Palace is hidden, and no one dares to leak the coordinates to the outside world. It is impossible for the alliance to find it in a short time. It has been safe for the past ten years. "

Speaking of "traitors", both of them knew in their hearts that they were just people with self-awareness, a little doubt about God, and a little wavering about wise men and rebels.

As the war in the Southern Cross Region and the Central Administrative Region was losing ground, the wise man became more suspicious. The execution of traitors in the garden happened two or three times a day.

Fritz held a candy in his mouth and said, "Well, I'll go to see the wise man after I finish my patrol and return to the ground."

At this moment, the two heard the alarm almost at the same time!

Butler paused and looked at the source of the sound with a gloomy face: "There is an enemy attack!"

Fritz stood up: "Expeditionary Force?"

Butler wanted to deny it, but the alarm was already ringing in his ears, so he had no choice but to admit it. He just said "Come back quickly" and cut off the video communication.

On the other side, Lu Fenghan led Wei Yin and Du Shang to bypass the vortex from the far end.

After leaving the signal interference range at the edge of the vortex, Lu Fenghan immediately ordered all starships in the fleet to maneuver twice in succession. Just as they were about to enter the range, a large number of planetary-class long-range missiles were thrown towards the opposite side with the help of thrusters!

The flames burst out instantly, illuminating the portholes.

A round of bombing lasted only two or three seconds, and the rebels were unaware that their combat power was damaged.

Judging that the opponent did not immediately form an effective counterattack or defense, Lu Fenghan spoke very quickly: "Release the second wave of missiles, prepare the third wave!"

Qi Yan also saw it: "The commander of the opposite army is not in the command position."

Mei Jielin was on his way to the ambush point. When he heard Qi Yan's words, he immediately found an opportunity to speak: "Looking at the specific number of fleets, only one army is outside the atmosphere of the Divine Court, and the commander of the army is not here. We are really lucky!"

Flames exploded silently one after another, and countless small ships were swallowed by the explosion. The array was immediately dispersed, revealing a gap.

Lu Fenghan made a prompt decision: "Dingyuan particle cannon four batteries, get ready! Completely break the enemy's formation!"

White arcs of light burst out and fell into the enemy fleet. The enemy fleet had no time to react, and was like being chopped by a sword, and could not form a formation. Only fifteen seconds had passed since the expeditionary army "fell from the sky".

Lu Fenghan issued several orders in succession, and they were as easy to use as his own arms.

"The Jiangling destroyer sequence will attack as planned, avoid medium-sized ships, and mainly destroy small ships to reduce the enemy's mobility."

"Yes!"

After a fierce attack, when Butler took over the battlefield, facing the fragmented fleet, he couldn't help but frown, clenched his fists and slammed them heavily on the command platform.

The next second, the video communication was forcibly connected. Butler adjusted his facial expression in one second and said respectfully: "Wise man!"

In the one-way video connection, a slow voice came out: "Butler, don't let me down."

Butler bowed his head and expressed his submission: "Your people will never let you down!"

I don't know when I changed from calling myself "God's people" in the past.

Lu Fenghan also immediately discovered: "The commander of the opposite side has taken over."

"The Chanyuan fleet has arrived at the predetermined coordinates." Mei Jielin reported and continued, "The speed is quite fast, but the commander of the opposite side certainly dare not retreat, the wise man is watching him in the Divine Court."

"Well, according to the original plan." Lu Fenghan instructed, "Act more realistically."

Chagall was in the destroyer sequence of Jiangling, and he was a little worried after receiving this order: "Senior, what if the First Military Academy doesn't teach acting classes? I can't act."

"It's so simple, do we still need to be taught?" Calvin, who was sitting next to him, sighed and had to teach on the spot, "I'll give you a scene. The enemy is gathering its forces and is about to attack you. You are a little scared and can't help but start to retreat hesitantly-"

Chagall had never learned what it meant to retreat hesitantly: "But senior, the enemy is coming to attack us, of course we should charge forward! Fight! We are all starships, who is afraid of who?"

Calvin glared: "Didn't the commander say we have to act? Let go, I'll act and you just watch! Although I'm not sure if there will be more battles in the future, you still have to learn, because I may not be there to guide you next time!"

Calvin said as he grasped the joystick and nimbly dodged the incoming laser cannon. He moved to the side while counterattacking, and as if he couldn't stand the fierce attack from the opposite side, he retreated a little, and then fired a laser cannon that deviated from its trajectory and only rubbed the starboard side of the enemy ship.

Chagall couldn't help describing his impressions after watching the show: "Senior, you are really amazing. I haven't fired a cannon with such a bad accuracy since I entered the First Military Academy for half a year!"

Calvin thought to himself, it was really annoying to sit with top students, after all, he also fired such a cannon with such accuracy in his graduation exam. After entering the battlefield, every time they fired a cannon, their lives depended on it. Only under high pressure did they hone their accuracy.

They fought and retreated. After the commander of the corps took over, the enemy's morale was obviously boosted, and the firepower was also increased. The acting of the expeditionary army was very natural, and it didn't take long for them to lead the enemy army to the vicinity of the vortex. However

, the situation changed. Just as they were about to fall into an ambush, the enemy suddenly stopped and no longer moved forward, but instead showed a tendency to retreat!

"It's off the hook." Lu Fenghan's tone remained unchanged, "No need to wait any longer, Mei Jielin and Long Xiyun move immediately and attack his left wing from the side."

Long Xiyun: "Yes!"

"Yes!" Mei Jielin licked her lips and instantly increased her speed to the highest level, going straight to block it, so that the fish that was off the hook had no time to run away and was surrounded again in a blink of an eye.

At this time, Pojun reported: "General, a high-energy group is approaching rapidly, suspected to be enemy reinforcements!"

Lu Fenghan's expression remained unchanged: "How long?"

"It will be within range in two minutes and seventeen seconds."

"That's enough." Lu Fenghan said in a steady voice, tapping the table with his fingers, "Deal with the immediate situation first. The primary goal is to destroy the enemy's mobile combat power. Destroy as many as you can. Pojun, report the distance at any time."

When there were still fifteen seconds before the enemy reinforcements entered the range, Lu Fenghan ordered: "Dingyuan and Jiangling fleets turn to meet the enemy!"

Following his order, several main ships turned their guns in unison.

In the half second when the enemy reinforcements entered the battle circle, the firepower of the two sides collided, and the air waves caused by the explosion pushed away the floating stones and metal debris around.

In a war at this level in space, pre-designed tactics and strategies are often changed or invalidated due to the situation on the ground. In the final analysis, it is still a competition of real combat power. If the difference in the strength of the two sides is too great, one side may be able to completely engulf the other in less than two minutes.

Unexpectedly, at this moment, a high-energy particle cannon suddenly lit up!

The response of the expeditionary force was not slow - small and medium-sized starships immediately maneuvered and jumped out of the path of the high-energy particle cannon, and the main ships used their protection systems as shields to block the small and medium-sized ships. Dingyuan was the target of the impact point and took the cannon!

In the communication channel, Mei Jielin asked quickly: "Where did this cannon come from?"

Lu Fenghan replied: "The space fortress."

On the star map, Po Jun traced the source of the particle cannon.

He saw that the space fortress closest to the war zone had been disconnected from the trestle bridge, and the muzzle of the cannon was grim, and it turned into a huge movable turret in an instant. Once it found an opportunity, it would show its fangs.

Mei Jielin responded immediately: "So the commander asked you to lead the enemy to the vicinity of the vortex at the beginning, hiding the signal while worrying about the space fortress's sneak attack?"

"Yes." Lu Fenghan pinched Qi Yan's fingers, calming his emotions, only his eyebrows showed sharpness, "The person who controlled the space fortress thought I was on the Dingyuan, and his target was me."

Leto.

The night was dark, and Xia Zhiyang was wearing a cloaking device newly invented by the Underground Science Academy. He quickly moved between buildings without leaving any trace in the surveillance video. The

cloaking device will release a section of interference wave to prevent imaging, which can make him "invisible" in the surveillance system. It is a reliable little prop made by the Underground Science Academy recently.

Hearing the noise, Xia Zhiyang suddenly stopped, held his breath, and hid quietly in the shadow behind the building. He waited until the patrolling rebels walked away before continuing on his way - the cloaking device can only fool the surveillance, but not the human eye.

Arriving at the lawn behind the ISCO Superoptical Computer Equipment Center, Xia Zhiyang propped up his knees and took two breaths. After standing up, he looked out.

Less than two minutes later, a black suspended vehicle stopped ten steps away in the night, and the door slid open to the sides.

The person he was waiting for came.

This was his mission this time.

The other party was an important technical personnel sent in by General Nie from the gap in the Leto defense system. For some reason, the other party specifically selected him as the ground contact person.

The person being protected in the middle walked hurriedly. Xia Zhiyang stood there and looked carefully, making sure that he did not know the person and had never seen him before.

When passing by him, the other party nodded at him. Xia Zhiyang reacted for two seconds and quickly followed.

They did not enter from the main door of the equipment center, but went around the lawn behind the grass and found a very hidden entrance. Taking the elevator to the underground, Xia Zhiyang glanced at the middle-aged man standing in front of him. He was a little curious about why the other party would choose him, but after experiencing countless missions, he has learned not to be curious and to speak less. Unexpectedly,

the other party turned around and took the initiative to introduce himself: "Hello, my name is August, and I'm from the White Tower."

White Tower?

This word made Xia Zhiyang's heart tremble. His eyes narrowed slightly and he immediately straightened his back: "Hello... Hello!"

"I know you are wondering why I know your name and chose you as my message messenger." August said gently, "Because I trust you, I believe you will not betray the alliance."

Being trusted by others is a happy thing. Xia Zhiyang hesitated and asked: "Why do you trust me? As far as I know, we don't know each other."

August looked at the person in front of him and found that even after experiencing countless darkness, these eyes were still clear and bright. He couldn't help but slow down his voice and replied: "I know your good friend, Qi Yan."

At this time, the elevator stopped on the eleventh floor underground. Xia Zhiyang suddenly heard the name "Qi Yan" and was stunned for a few seconds. A bunch of questions surged in his mind, but he knew that now was not the time to ask them, so he had to hold them all in.

Following August, passing by the smooth and shiny metal wall, Xia Zhiyang couldn't help but look at his own blurry shadow reflected on it, and was stunned again.

It was just a short period of time, and he seemed to have changed... a lot.

Xia Zhiyang thought, if they had the chance to meet again, he didn't know if Qi Yan would be able to recognize him at first sight.