Him and their stars.

Chapter 2020: The New Independent Ship's Journey Through Mountains and Rivers

As the core members of the Pioneer Party... well, before Earth fell, the Community's officers hadn't joined the Pioneer Party in large numbers. The so-called "no-nonsense" operation only occurred after the functional collapse of the Blue Star Community.

In short, as a core member of the YMCA, the first official adjutant of a certain warlord, and a top expert in military equipment and politics, Chester Rozes was naturally a very proactive member of the group.

He had already begun his actions when he was summoned back to Earth by an illogical order.

With the financial and intelligence support of the Alliance, his own prestige within the military, the Lionheart Society's infiltration of young officers and outstanding non-commissioned officers, and of course, the influence of the Rozes family within the shipyard system, he successfully sidelined the captains appointed by the powerful figures on Earth during his time at the Martian shipyard.

In fact, after the Empire entered Katun and functionally destroyed the Kingdom of Cherk, the escape plan of the New Independence was naturally put on the agenda.

At heart, Rozes was a realist, and after his call with his old superior, he finally realized that he was at least not a loser, just a pragmatist.

Anyone with a modicum of strategic judgment could see that once the Cherkians could no longer serve as a strategic buffer, all of Earth's defenses would crumble. The fall of Earth would then be imminent.

At this point, only defeatists and capitulationists would put up a futile resistance with their remaining forces, only to be tragically annihilated. Realists, however, who still hold hope for victory, would choose to retreat and preserve their strength. From this perspective, Rozes was indeed influenced by that officer.

As for why Krell Belmont, an outsider, joined the escape plan, it was naturally because this Alliance envoy, although he seemed like a very unreliable playboy, was actually a true all-rounder.

Furthermore, as an envoy of the Alliance, he also brought his team aboard the Titan, presumably to study the Empire's design philosophy for giant ships and perhaps steal some new technologies. To take the Titan away, it's impossible to bypass him.

Fortunately, when Rozes made the request to the latter, the Alliance's military advisor did not hesitate to agree.

"You're right. This war may not belong to the Alliance, but it belongs to us. If you believe you have a responsibility for the future of the universe, then it's not time for appointment. Man is the city, man is the ship, man's hymn is a hymn of courage, and every corner of the universe is our stage! Captain Rozes, we should be comrades. Let me tell you, back in the Tulon Machinery Factory, I was a key worker, a recipient of the Model Worker Medal. If I hadn't suddenly regained my memories, I might be a Pioneer Party member now."

When Claire Belmont expressed his determination with the above lines, his face shone with a martyr-like radiance.

This guy was even more passionate and enthusiastic than Rozes, the Commonwealth officer who was determined to save the country.

As the Alliance's military advisor, he naturally wanted to bring the Empire's Titans back home. That way, even if the Commonwealth were to perish without a trace, Lord Belmont would still have a share of the credit.

Everyone is aware of this, but we are all mature adults who understand the principle of seeking common ground while reserving differences. Even when facing a common enemy, we can certainly cooperate sincerely.

Thus, the remaining 11000 veteran crew members of the Community Solar System Fleet, 6000 "new recruits" with an average service time of no more than six months but with civilian ship service experience, 1500 young and ambitious military cadets, 5000 marines composed of volunteer veterans and remnants of the Tiger Division, 1500 pilots (including test pilots from various aircraft companies), 8 psionicists from the Blue Guard with an average ability of less than two rings, and 3000 technicians and engineers who had been temporarily and half-coaxed onto the ship from the Martian shipyard; finally, there was also the Alliance military advisory group of 200 people and 200 mercenaries led by Claire Belmont, which constituted the entire crew of the new Titan Independence.

To be fair, when they had just escaped Earth and successfully broken free from the Empire's encirclement, Rozes, a mere colonel, commanded far more men than his old superior, who had become a general.

Moreover, the composition of the personnel reveals that although there is a slight suspicion of a motley crew from various departments, a closer examination shows that they are by no means particularly incompetent.

Of course, to unleash the full combat potential of an Imperial-produced Titan, at least twice the manpower would be needed. Therefore, the Independence consistently adopted a strategy of avoiding combat as much as possible.

They had planned to go to New Chang'an to pick up Marshal Parris, but he refused. They then considered withdrawing from Terra and waging guerrilla warfare at the intersection of the Far Coast and the Hanging Arm sector. If all else failed, they could even retreat towards the Galactic Center, but this plan had to be declared a failure as soon as it was put into action.

Times have changed. Marshal Lukenar could roam freely through these star systems during the War of Independence, but that doesn't mean he can now.

The Independence had just completed its ambush of a passing Imperial patrol fleet when surrounding Imperial fleets swarmed in. The Galactic homeland is no new continent; Earth itself is a "forbidden zone" of civilization, like the Abyss and the Spiral Cross. High-powered source wave generators can even operate normally on every assault ship and individual combat aircraft.

Titans may be impregnable space fortresses, but that's with the support of a fleet. If a single Titan were to encounter a large enemy fleet, even if the enemy's firepower couldn't break through its defenses, the sheer number of assault troops that boarded would be enough to make it fall to the enemy again.

“We can be sunk, but we cannot be taken back,” Rosesh said solemnly.

“Yes, even if we surrender to the Alliance, we must never surrender to the Empire,” Belmont loudly echoed.

"Even if we have to self-destruct, we cannot surrender to anyone," Rose said solemnly.

"Well, there's no need to be so extreme. We can still discuss it properly," Belmont said, scratching his head as he advised.

Fortunately, both Rozes and Belmont were meticulous and had made arrangements before the operation. The gravity generators they deployed in the asteroid belt successfully simulated the gravitational fluctuations of a high-mass behemoth traveling at sub-light speed, misleading the pursuers.

Subsequently, the Independence plunged into the vast expanse of space. With the help of the pre-prepared star map and supply points, it left the territory of the Blue Star Community from the edge of the Hanging Arm sector before the Imperial pursuers arrived.

Just as the Titan ship left the land of the Earth people, it received news that the entire Arms sector had also fallen.

If they had been two days later, they would have been trapped by the Imperial fleet.

In fact, if Rozes hadn't possessed some star maps of the hidden shipping lanes around the Galactic Center, they would have been blocked even if they had crossed the border.

This is thanks to the Great Khan, who has now passed away. Of course, the above information comes from spoils of war during the "War of Judgment." As we all know, star maps are strategic resources discovered by pioneers risking their lives. Although we were allies at that time, there was no need to share everything, otherwise it would have been too tedious.

Even so, in the Independence's final breakout attempt as it entered the heart of the galaxy, railgun shells from the Silver Knight-class battlecruiser, like stray arrows, tore through the nebulous dust curtain and dealt a heavy blow to the Independence's hook.

Even though they were both imperial warships, they showed absolutely no mercy when they started fighting.

Despite being merely a Silver Knight-class battlecruiser, it was like a lion compared to a spotted hyena in the face of a Titan. However, we also know that spotted hyenas, once in a pack, naturally gain boundless courage and strength. They would gladly hunt down a lone, isolated lion.

This was certainly not the only attack the Independence suffered.

To shake off the Imperial pursuers, the Titans traveled along the border of the Galactic Center for the next two weeks, stopping and starting intermittently. Not to mention the natural damage they suffered from extreme celestial conditions along the way, it was also common for them to encounter small groups of raiders and fight a few battles.

The two million light-year expedition of Great Khan Tomitari took away most of the raider warlords and armies, but that does not mean they became extinct.

After inflicting numerous wounds and losing over two hundred comrades, the Independence finally withdrew from the Galactic Heart. Having temporarily shaken off the Imperial pursuers, they planned to enter through the Republic of Minlan. This nation was an ally of the Community, a member of the Alliance-led Cosmic Free Trade Organization, and a crucial ally that sat in the first three rows of the Galactic Civilization Council.

Whether from the perspective of national identity or self-perception, they should all be considered as one of us.

However, at the border, they were blocked by three Minlan People-class dreadnoughts and a large number of auxiliary warships.

This dreadnought is far inferior to the Community's Independence-class, but it is nonetheless the first dreadnought designed, researched, and built independently by a non-human race outside the two poles. This alone demonstrates the ambition of the Minlan people.

These self-proclaimed commercial nations could never be the harmless commercial nations they claim to be.

Then, the commander of the Minlan fleet, a man who identified himself as Admiral Hydeway, said in a communications message: "Don't harm me. My country is a truly permanent neutral nation. We will absolutely not participate in this war. I know this is very unfair to our friends, but this is the Council's conclusion, and I can only obey. I'm sorry!"

“We only want to pass through Minlan to reach the Alliance. We don’t intend to stay here,” Rose said.

"I'm sorry. Warships from either side of the war are not allowed to enter the country. If you can enter, then the Empire can also enter."

"Then, is it possible to traverse the Minha Star Gorge? This is your country's exclusive economic zone, but sovereignty belongs to four interstellar city-states. We can enter the Alliance's Habar affiliated kingdom from here."

“I’m sorry.” The Minlan man continued, but after thinking for a moment, he added, “Actually, the Alliance fleet has already blockaded the other side of Minha Star Canyon. You can’t get through.”

"Then we need at least some supplies and repairs. For the sake of our past alliance and friendship."

"I'm so sorry!" He simply decided to repeat the grade.

Krell interjected, "Then why not consider our friendship? General Hai, you're an old friend too! You visited my shop last time you came to Nefi for the ship show..."

"Aaaaah!" Admiral Hyde let out a scream like a groundhog, then said solemnly, "No, that's not true. You must have misunderstood."

“It seems I did misunderstand,” Krell said. “I own 3 percent of the shares in Enother Power in your country, which are held through a consulting firm. You understand what I mean?”

The people of Minlan were naturally very moved. Thus, although the Independence was still unable to enter Minlan's territory, it received some supplies and five days of emergency repairs.

"Thank you for your generosity." Rozes thought this man was truly generous, perhaps even too generous. He himself was also quite wealthy, but he really wasn't confident that he could sacrifice his personal interests for the sake of the public good.

Belmont, however, said, "The Alliance has stakes in most of Minland's major military and high-tech companies. This is a way to control, oops, and influence our allies."

Since embarking on his escape, this guy has become increasingly unrestrained.

“However, times have changed, and our approach is different now. The alliance has decided to sell these shares, especially the individual holdings. Even if this hadn't happened today, they would have been sold off and cashed out sooner or later anyway. In fact, from an investment return perspective, this deal is definitely not a loss.” Krell Belmont didn't take credit for it.

"Is this a new policy of the new government of the Alliance?" Roseshage asked curiously.

"It's probably just Yani's new policy. She suggested we sell our personal shares, and of course we're willing to listen."

"Moreover, General Hyde was not a greedy person; he just needed to find a reason to appease his officers and soldiers and give his superiors an explanation."

“I understand, it is indeed the league’s new policy.” Rozes said with a knowing look.

Belmont wanted to refute, but couldn't find a reason to do so.

"While I'm eager to understand whether the Alliance's policy change signifies a shift in its attitude towards war... given Princess Rainbow Rose's strategic brilliance, it's probably beyond the comprehension of a mere mortal like myself." Rose sincerely inquired, "I simply want to know, if we were to actually try to cross the Minha Star Gorge and forcibly enter the country for asylum, would the Alliance open fire?"

“It’s best not to have such expectations. If we reach a point where we can’t get in, there’ll be no turning back,” Belmont said with a bitter face.

Even if you were on the ship?

"Precisely because I'm on the ship."

"You've really worked hard!"

"Isn't that exactly right?"

"Although I feel a little embarrassed to say this, seeing how hard you've worked, I just want to say no, I just feel that you are more trustworthy."

"Then I'll just ignore that subtle verb from before. Long live understanding!"

In short, Chester Rozes and Claire Belmont, two men who had no connection whatsoever and even had a slight disagreement due to their relationship as the client and contractor in the design draft of the God-class battleship, were brought together by this escape journey aboard the ship and even forged a deep camaraderie.

All I can say is that the friendship forged in blood and fire on the battlefield is truly wonderful.

Thus, under the command of the two clear-headed young leaders, the Independence, having completed its resupply, simply turned back towards the Galactic Heart, skimming the border of the Republic of Minlan.

This massive Titan was not suited for these dangerous waterways, but they had no other choice at the moment.

But this time, the situation is not so simple.

They were once again intercepted by a small group of raiders, which was entirely expected. Accompanying the raiders were six Imperial battlecruisers, six aircraft carriers, and thirty cruisers, which was far beyond everyone's imagination.