Him and their stars.

Chapter 2056 Xia Li, Xia Li A-ed again

However, perhaps even the greatest confidence in our system is a thing of the past.

In short, the abduction of over twenty respectable elders at once threw the entire Celestial Realm into a state of panic. As for the still turbulent Torristan system, order was not gradually restored until after March.

To be honest, a nation like the Galactic Empire, with its human supremacy, militarism, and racism, is never short of rebels. Whether in times of war or peace and prosperity, small-scale unrest has never ceased, but the Empire has never considered it a problem.

This time, however, the rebels have actually appeared openly next to the capital, which is truly the first time since the Seventh Galactic War.

The empire's sudden tightening of its ideological control is not a particularly strange development.

But is it really that simple?

Yu Lian thought of Viscount Aucho, who had been arrested.

He could indeed be considered an "old friend" of Yu Lian. Although the two had only met once, they had a pleasant conversation. Yu Lian's own speech, "I Have a Dream," was broadcast live through his television station.

Furthermore, according to Mr. Qi, the reason why "Yuan" was able to spread so extensively within the empire cannot be overlooked due to his contribution.

Very good. Even a reactionary country like the Galactic Empire cannot ignore the existence of progressive nobles!

Although they were the evil imperial military aristocracy, they were still the most educated class. It's quite normal for some of them to engage in political maneuvering after they've had their fill of food and drink.

To date, it cannot be confirmed whether the riots in Torristan are directly related to these progressive elders, nor can it be certain that the First Guard Fleet's delay in action is due to this.

Regardless, the First Imperial Guard Fleet was indeed a step too slow, which was undoubtedly their biggest advantage.

“We can speed things up now. Twenty-four hours earlier might not be enough; we need at least forty-eight hours,” Kent suggested.

Wayne agreed: "We cannot rule out the possibility that the Zhechong Prefecture and the vassal states of the Wanfan system will mobilize. These armies cannot fight against us, but they can provide a bridgehead for the Imperial Guard fleet."

The senior student said, "Then the entire fleet will need to march at full speed. Captain Nemo, we also need to keep the Bifang system active and ensure the equipment protection of all ships."

The captain, serious yet confident, said, "We are always on standby."

Yu Lian readily accepted good advice.

He only needs to nod in agreement for this kind of thing; he doesn't even need to worry about it personally.

His friends are all very talented, not only in offering suggestions but also in carrying them out themselves.

Thus, during the following days of sailing, under the command and coordination of everyone, the entire fleet ensured a rapid march without any warship falling behind or suffering non-combat damage from forced sailing.

This is certainly because the Silent Ship's Bifang system is omnipotent, almost like a "warship healing aura," and it is also inseparable from the fleet operations and personnel rotation of the commanders.

Thus, the Yulian fleet arrived at the Chaomen system in just over five days, before March 16.

What's truly admirable is that the three nest ships led by Lord 1412 also kept pace with the Yulian fleet during their forced march without falling behind. Despite being a group of super-sized pupae, they displayed unprecedented endurance and stamina at this critical moment.

“We each hid a dragon in our food pouches, which we hunted from the Baijing Star System. They’re all still alive. If we run out of energy, we can just take a bite to get an injection of active cells and energy. These phantom beasts with innate psionic factors are our natural batteries!” This is how 1412 answered Yu Lian’s question.

...Considering that dragons are at least more intelligent than well-trained sheepdogs and warhorses, it seems rather inhumane to eat them alive, but Yu Lian couldn't very well object.

What he cares more about is the way the swarm uses and utilizes "bioenergy," which seems to have reached a new level.

Therefore, when he arrived at the Alpha Chaomen system and saw the main force of the Zerg fleet that had also arrived from the other side, he was not particularly surprised.

The flagship that accompanied Shirley through the universe was no less massive than any super Titan. Yet, under the detection of this fleet's gravity radar, it only produced a cruiser-level mass response.

Well, if these Leviathan hives are indeed made of insect-like cuticles, then their "lightweight" nature makes sense.

Besides the Titan-class motherships, there were more than thirty Tier 2 and Tier 3 insect ships in total. In terms of scale and ferocity, they were indeed no less than the Yu Lian fleet.

To be fair, this is a fleet capable of achieving dominance in the New World or the Spiral Grand Cross Nebula. However, just two months ago, our sovereign was all alone, accompanied only by her mothership.

Given the current rate at which the Zerg Swarm is producing troops, if this were in the New World or during a power vacuum in another major power, they could truly establish a catastrophic force within a year or two. Just like what another version of her did "back then".

More importantly, compared to towering steel warships, the Zerg fleet is less affected by narrow channels and adverse celestial conditions, and has greater maneuverability.

Now, she has grown up faster than the other "her" in history, and has also advanced to the stage of defeating the boss much earlier.

"What a coincidence, Shirley. So, wasn't it supposed to be the 20th?" Yu Lian asked. Now that everyone is in the same star system, they can communicate directly through the swarm network, with an efficiency comparable to close-range telepathy between psionicists.

"Then why did you come so early?" Shirley retorted.

"Of course, it's to ensure absolute safety," Yu Lian said. "The enemy's imperial guard fleet has already been activated, and the feudal lords and conscripts may have been mobilized as well."

“Me too. I need to set up defenses in this star system in advance. If the main force of the Empire really comes, we can ambush them.” She sent over a star system map from afar, circled more than ten dwarf planets near the gravity well, and marked the outermost planets of the star system with glittering icons.

“There is water and fungi here. I will establish a colony here, mainly producing large ion beetles! As for the dwarf planet, a defensive force of hydralisks can also be placed. I can complete this defense line in just three days.”

Yu Lian looked at Xia Li's defense plan and found that it was indeed quite well-organized.

Good heavens! This naturally clueless, foolish ruler has actually started studying military strategy!

"I was already attacking before you stormed the Dragon's Nest, before you attacked the Gate of Glory. Now, I have the knowledge of at least a hundred high-ranking Imperial officers! Hmph, when it comes to military strategy, you might not be able to beat me," Shirley said smugly.

"Possibly. Respect to you, Shirley Zhao."

How this military knowledge was "acquired" and whether the methods used were inhumane are, of course, unimportant.

Shirley added, "486 has arrived at the opposite Chaomen β. This is the latest intelligence it sent me." This reconnaissance lord's designation feels like a natural cannon fodder with an immortal body, making it particularly suitable for dangerous reconnaissance missions on the front lines—the more dangerous, the better.

"The main force of the Imperial Guard Fleet has not yet arrived, but a group of high-speed fleets has arrived ahead of time and has already joined up with the local fleets in this system."

Yu then saw the shared field of vision of scout bug No. 486.

It was clear that from a great distance, only scattered lights and blurry outlines of the ships could be seen. Although it was just a rough observation, it was still evident that the fleet there numbered at least 200.

It's understandable. The Wanfan Star Sector is already a densely populated and industrially developed hinterland of the empire. With the mobilization of the garrison fleet, the security fleet, and armed merchant ships, they might actually be able to pull up thousands of ships.

"The current number is 276. The ship types are still uncertain, but we know that there are four battlecruisers and two large aircraft carriers. This is the vanguard of the Imperial Guard Fleet."

Useless scout bug, don't you know how to use contour mapping and quality data analysis?

“My scout bugs haven’t evolved that function yet, nor do they need it. We only need to classify danger levels by energy fluctuations. I’m part of the swarm!” Shirley declared confidently.

Okay, since it's a biological warship, it naturally has biological early warning methods, so it's understandable that they don't use numbers.

Just as Yu Lian transmitted the footage sent by Scout Bug 486 to the Silent Ship's terminal and instructed his subordinates to begin analysis, he heard Xia Li say again, "However, since you've arrived ahead of schedule, you can certainly modify the tactics."

Her voice was somewhat too high-spirited, even a little sharp, as if every syllable carried an undeniable, fanatical, and menacing aura.

“I’ve already had 486 lock onto the most dangerous targets. They are indeed just battlecruisers. Besides, without the Dragon Ship, even if there are psionicists, they won’t pose much of a threat.” Through the swarm’s mental network, Shirley looked intently at Yu Lian, her eyes filled with an impatient urgency.

Yu Lian felt that this girl didn't seem like she was going to war, but rather like a starving brat standing in front of McDonald's, drooling over fried chicken.

In fact, she really started drooling. Even though they were already rulers, shouldn't their salivary glands have evolved away long ago?
“These Imperial warships are now standing by the gravity wellhead, less than 0.1 astronomical units from the channel exit. Do you know what that means?”

"The enemy is on high alert; we'll be under concentrated fire as soon as we go out?"

"Hehehe, you defeatist strategist, you can't even fake it properly. Why can't I think about it the other way around?" The swarm's minor overlord covered his mouth and let out a loud laugh: "We need offensive tactics."

"Since it's an offensive tactic, I can ask my advisors..."

Yu Lian pondered what technical means to project Xia Li's image into the conference room so they could discuss tactics together. After all, the cooperation between the two armies was imminent, and some advance arrangements were necessary.

"Yes, tactics are all about offense! I'm going first! Wahahahaha, here I come! Heroic Earth warriors, do you dare to follow?"

Her last words were delivered using incantations, with the insect ship No. 1412 beside the Silent One serving as a conduit for her will and spirit. Thus, her psychic energy propelled her voice, causing it to explode directly within the Silent One's bridge.

This was of course Shirley's (human form) voice. It was a crisp, girlish voice, yet it sounded like a sudden horn call, reaching the ears of every soldier on Earth.

They certainly saw the massive advance of the Zerg fleet. What were clearly just a group of large, purplish-red pupae had now transformed into a massive, surging meteor shower that seemed to be rushing forward and never returning.

"A provocation!" Yu Lian roared in anger. "Do you think I'd fall for that?"

Although the girl's behavior just now seemed like a mocking remark like "You guys are no good," he believed that his soldiers were rational and wouldn't be provoked.

He looked down and saw his flagship's second mate and chief helmsman, Ms. [Name], frantically inputting commands into the navigation terminal.

The model of the route that leads directly to the Wanfan Star Sector has appeared on the screen.

“The course is stable, and a jump can be performed at any time,” Anne Romanova said.

Her voice was like a signal, and the atmosphere on the entire ship seemed to suddenly become intense and boiling.

However, at this moment, Yu Lian also clearly saw that as the swarm fleet accelerated forward, the edge of the starry sky suddenly appeared with shimmering waves of high-energy radiation and turbulent matter, as if a stone had been used to disrupt the scene.

"They all rushed over? Are they trying to jump over all at once?" Captain Nemo's voice took on a sharp tone of disbelief, which, combined with his South Asian accent, made it all the more comical.

But no one laughed. They all stared intently at the strange sight on one side of the starry sky, watching the crack transform into a vortex of gravitational field, constantly expanding and rising until it enveloped the entire Zerg fleet.

“Energy turbulence index…27! The spatial curvature is changing drastically! If it were our warship, it could be torn apart.” Annie looked at the energy readings on the warp navigation system, her voice struggling to remain calm.

Despite the fact that this situation defied her common sense, she was able to maintain basic emotional stability, which can actually be described as calm.

Sure enough, Professor Eddington, the oldest scientist on the ship, was once again in a frenzy: "What is this phenomenon? No, quick, write it down immediately! We are once again getting closer to the mysterious truth of the universe!"

Well, the professor was having a fit in his observation room and didn't intend to affect the other officers and soldiers on the bridge, but what can you do when Commander Yu has such good hearing?
“She wants to ride on my face,” Fei Fei said.

"Yes, she's too brave for her. I still prefer the more timid Shirley! When can she come back to her old self?"

"So, how did she do it?"

"The concept of spatial mucous membrane of organic matter".

"Oh?"

This is no longer the time to explain scientific principles.

All that could be seen was that the vast and imposing purplish-red giant cocoons had already merged into the scorching torrent in the center of the starry sea. Like primordial and boundless moths, they disappeared into the spatial ripples, thus leaving the dragon's nest.

However, this is only the perception of the soldiers here.

Within Yu Lian's hyper-sensory vision, the hyperspace veil between Dragon's Nest and the Wanfan Sector was violently torn open. Shirley's Zerg swarm fleet hadn't warped into this prosperous sector; rather, it had crashed into the edge of the gravitational well of the Chaomen β system with its most ferocious force!
Of course, it also crashed directly into the Imperial fleet's formation.

Without warning, without buffer, without the vulnerable period after the jump ends, Shirley's swarm fleet, carrying with it the violent energy that tears through space and the pungent, malevolent aura unique to biomass, poured directly out of these fissures!

"Move out! March towards Wanfan!" Yu Lian shouted, then quickly added, "Of course, this ship will be the vanguard. Bifang 2.0, prepare for defense!"