Him and their stars.

Chapter 2135 The First Foreign Enemy and the First Artillery Strike

This was the first foreign fleet to enter the capital of the Galactic Empire after the advent of the Age of Space Exploration.

Their size was not large, merely that of a regional squadron. In a decisive fleet battle that would determine the fate of a great power, they wouldn't even be fit for auxiliary tasks; at best, they would be cannon fodder, merely filling in the gaps in formation.

But they did come. Their very presence was like an invisible mental shockwave, sweeping over all the Imperials who witnessed this scene and bringing their minds to a standstill.

This included soldiers, nobles, commoners, and even all sorts of observers.

This is a self-protective mechanism of civilization and humanity; everything is reasonable.

They stood there, frozen in place, like petrified statues, watching the entire leap unfold.

First to enter the battlefield were three Ranger-class cruisers with sleek lines and equipped with numerous reactive shields and anti-aircraft guns. These warships, originally designed as "medium-sized all-purpose armed merchant ships," are now the most famous light cruisers in the entire galaxy, even surpassing the Empire's Aegis-class and the Alliance's Suppression-class in terms of popularity.

Indeed, in any era, the measure of a weapon's capability should not be its various parameters, but its combat record.

What? You're saying this warship was designed by the Alliance?

That's no longer important. The community has thoroughly understood the design of this warship, and even shipyards in New Shenzhou, which have only been built for two or three years, have begun laying keels and constructing twenty ships at once.

Now, it is universally acknowledged that the Ranger-class is also the representative warship of Earthlings.

Just like in countless battles they had participated in, after exiting the warp state, they quickly began to maneuver with precise movements, spreading out at the edge of the gravity well and opening the shields and the front main gun muzzle.

The guided robots used for advance observation and lightning interception left the ship's hull and deployed directly in the void, forming the first line of defense.

Of course, a considerable number of round, multi-functional robots were also mixed in. Although they had faces that clashed with the overall battlefield atmosphere, they did indeed significantly enhance the combat capabilities of this interception network.

This is a classic outpost tactic, where a vanguard fleet establishes a beachhead to cover the main fleet's jump behind. History has proven this standard tactic to be effective in combat. And its developers, of course, were the battle-hardened Imperial Royal Fleet.

Next to appear on the battlefield was an even larger aircraft carrier, the Enterprise.

The Crimson Ghost and White Devil fighters, already fully equipped and ready for takeoff, left the hangar. They formed ranks, preparing to spend an hour establishing a perimeter of airspace with a diameter of at least 1000 million kilometers.

Earth's officers and soldiers have honed their tactical and technical skills to near perfection, executing the tactical maneuvers from the Empire flawlessly.

However, instead of a counterattack from Imperial aircraft, they were met with an indescribable silence. So silent, in fact, that Horatio Wayne, aboard the Enterprise, almost thought it was some strange trap.

Of course, even if it's a trap, it certainly can't harm us.

The Earthlings only had a small fleet, but no one doubted their fighting strength.

"The enemy remains silent. The A-sector turrets are not responding, and the fighter platforms are not responding. The 3rd White Devil Squadron is approaching."

"If the enemy's turret array and fighter platforms remain silent, order the fighter squadron to destroy them immediately! What about the Hand of Glory fortress?"

"An alarm signal has been detected inside the Hand of Glory fortress. There is...firefight taking place inside the fortress," the communications officer began reporting.

“Very good, our allies have begun to cooperate.” Although Horatio Wayne didn’t know what kind of mythical beasts these so-called allies were, it didn’t stop him from expressing his optimism to his subordinates.

"Reporting to the flagship. This area is clear, our troops are moving freely. Our troops are moving freely." This might sound a bit ominous, but it's full of optimism, so the commander probably won't mind.

Only then did the Wide-Range Silence, escorted by the Lexington and Saratoga sisters, swagger through the Gravity Well. After a period of gravitational swaying that caused spatial dislocation finally ended, this ancient warship, with its magnificent streamlined body and a crystal-clear, mirror-like hull, finally arrived at the core of this Galactic Empire's star system.

In fact, her exoskeleton could truly reflect light and stars. As she walked through the void of space, it truly felt as if the stars were pulsating, or perhaps, as a colossal void beast lurking in the universe, ready to hunt at any moment.

On May 16th, 835 of the Common Calendar, at 2:23 PM Galactic Standard Time, the Wide-Field Silence arrived at the capital of the Galactic Empire. Meanwhile, Yu Lian, who was seated in the command seat, returned once again to his loyal Celestial Realm.

Speaking of which, when was the last time he came back?
Was it 3 years ago? Or 500 years ago?

Yu Lian said he really didn't know either. Gazing at the magnificent, brightly lit space city cluster in the distance, he felt as if he were witnessing the pinnacle of a cosmic civilization, and once again felt a strange sense of awe.

What would happen if you fired an electric arc at the densest space city?

The power and destructive force of the arc cannon are said to possess a certain mystical quality. So, how many shots would it take to completely destroy a massive space city with tens of millions of inhabitants?

How many more people will be killed or injured if such a shot is fired?

...Well, I've gotten a bit carried away; I need to rein myself in. I need to seriously rein myself in.

In short, Yu Lian dares to swear to the spirit of the universe that he only considered these matters as academic issues to be discussed briefly. He absolutely had no intention of becoming a mass murderer.

Absolutely not!

Needless to say, it was Fei Fei who brought him back from his daydreams.

"Sir, we just received encrypted communications from the Wisdom Palace University City. The Pioneer Party Special Operations Group's plan is proceeding very smoothly. With Miss Amya's help, they have indeed successfully backed up a portion of the core database. However, they are currently holding their ground by relying on the University City's fortifications, and the situation is temporarily stable. But the backup array cabinet cannot be moved at the moment, and we need to reconsider."

"Very good, thank you for your hard work. By the way, what is the Pioneer Party Special Task Force again?"

"The remaining students from the Overseas Students Association, and the intelligence personnel left behind by the embassy. They had lost contact with the French Nationalist Party and were thus incorporated into our ranks. Let's call them the Pioneer Party's intelligence department for now."

So, what's the deal with a newly emerging political party establishing its own intelligence organization, or even directly undermining the country?

"What, did they do something wrong?" Fei Fei tilted her head and looked at her lover.

“No, you did the right thing. It would be pretentious to act like this now. The Pioneer Party is already the only ruling party in the new China, and it certainly will be after the reconstruction of the community.” As Yu Lian spoke, his gaze fell on the direction of the inner ring city cluster.

Even he, of course, could not see the space city two astronomical units away with the naked eye, but he could use his spiritual sense to detect subtle changes and directly access the monitoring information of the swarm network.

Like Shirley, he quickly confirmed the existence of the Thorn Witch.

Does this "old friend" represent the alliance, or the snake?
“There are actually quite a few visitors here; we’re not the first group,” Yu Lian said.

“But everyone else is just an observer; only we can decide how things go on stage,” Fei Fei said.

“You’re right.” Yu Lian reached out and gently grasped the girl’s soft hand that was resting on the control panel.

"This time..." "This time, I'm not the director. I'll just stand shoulder to shoulder with you, and be a promising leading lady together. Darling, this time you have to take full responsibility." Fei Fei felt the warmth from the back of her hand, her smile gentle and warm. She even turned slightly, shifting her weight towards Yu Lian, as if to fill all of Yu Lian's senses with her fragrance.

Yu Lian knew when was the last time Fei Fei had laughed like that.

He gripped his girl's hand, tightening his grip slightly: "I always take full responsibility. And this time, this time I'm on top... oops, I mean in front."

Feifei playfully punched her lover's back with her small fist before saying, "You know, even though he's a famous director, the real stage doesn't need a role like that. So, after this battle is over, will everything be peaceful? Can you come back to our hometown with me and get married?"

"...Honey, aren't you jumping the subject too fast?"

"Please answer my question directly. I'm proposing, you know."

"Marriage is great! Everyone should get married at least once in their life."

"We should also invite those little foxes, sly foxes, and philandering foxes to be bridesmaids. Of course, the Alliance's big white fox and the Empire's orange cat could be guests of honor, perhaps vying for the bouquet, which would be excellent as well."

“That requires peace and tranquility,” Yu Lian laughed. “But I don’t know either. Didn’t you say that the real world doesn’t need this kind of existence?”

"You are such a cunning man!"

The two exchanged a smile. Just then, the sensor signals on the main screen suddenly intensified, and the AI ​​alarm sounded again throughout the bridge: "Alarm, the fluid metal layer on the surface of the Hand of Glory has changed! The fluid metal layer on the surface of the Hand of Glory has changed! It is possible that the positron main gun is preparing to surface."

Of course, it was still the same emotionless, flat voice from the central control AI, but Yu Lian could clearly detect a slight hint of something else. He was certain it wasn't just his imagination.

……

The oppressive atmosphere that had been hanging in the air inside the command center of Hand of Glory Fortress finally eased. Or rather, if the Community fleet hadn't arrived and broken the solemnity, the atmosphere here might have been even more oppressive.

The general, suspected to be a "traitor of the original color," surveyed his ashen-faced subordinates and said in a deep voice, "The knights may retreat into their turtle shells! But we cannot! Behind us lies the Celestial Realm, and billions of citizens! The Galactic Empire has always protected the people of this country; our military pay comes from the offerings of the Empire's people. We must protect them!"

Yes, the Galactic Empire plunders, exploits, suppresses, and even massacres, but it also protects its people.

Of course, the general had already made it clear that "their military pay comes from the offerings of the imperial people," rather than "the emperor's grace," which was already a step forward compared to most high-ranking officers in the imperial army.

In addition, there were indeed more of them than the rebels.

But that's not important. Often, rebels demonstrate a level of responsibility and loyalty to their country that surpasses that of the rulers. This is never an isolated case.

The commander stared intently at the main screen, at the flagship of the Earth fleet, his eyes bloodshot.

"All energy should be prioritized for the Spear of Judgment by Hades!"

Needless to say, this is the code name for the main cannon of the Hand of Glory, which is very much in line with the Empire's consistent naming habits.

"Aim at the dragon flagship! Aim at that evil spirit of the end! Even if it's an ancient ship from the era of the Enlighteners, it's still a ship. I absolutely refuse to believe that the fortress's main cannons can't penetrate its shields!"

Yes, as the kill list is constantly updated, the nickname "Ghost" has naturally been upgraded as well.

Now, the Hand of Glory has been ambushed, the Zerg swarm has reached the core chamber, and the army has reached the outskirts of the fortress command post, with a straight-line distance of no more than one kilometer.

The Knights of the Stars, the Inquisition, and the Star Pavilion have all been lost contact with, and even the Privy Council members are speechless.

In the entire Heavenly Realm, are the only remaining forces still fighting in this fortress?
Therefore, the main guns were the only chance to turn the tide of the battle in this desperate situation. Even just damaging that ancient ship would be enough to give the empire hope.

For the sake of the people of the Empire, we must hold out until reinforcements arrive!
The general shouted, "Whoever comes to the Celestial Realm must leave behind some spare parts! I said it! The Enlighteners are no exception!"

"Understood, General!" The artillery technical officers were already infected by his resoluteness, their hands flying across the control panel.

Under their command, eight tower-like devices rose from beneath the fluid metal layer and began moving toward the Earth fleet.

The positron beam began to accumulate, condensing into a terrifyingly bright light.

The soldiers in command post, dressed in mechs, surrounded the entrance, ready to use their flesh and blood to shield the main gun from firing.

"Firing range is being adjusted. The enemy fleet will be within attack range soon!"

"Once the adjustments are complete, fire immediately without waiting for my order!"

"understand!"

"10 seconds left to enter firing range! Start the countdown, 10...9...8..."

The general stared at the main gun's adjustment parameters appearing on the screen, holding his breath. He wished the brief countdown would finish immediately.

However, the more critical the moment, the more agonizing it becomes, and the slower time seems to pass.

Moreover, it is often at this point that the short countdown is never completed.

But at that moment, the artillery officer suddenly let out a scream that was almost a scream: "I...we've lost control?"

"What do you mean by 'out of control'?" The general's mind was blank, but he still shouted out instinctively.

Before a reply could be heard, a piercing, desperate scream came through the communication channel: "Insects! Monsters! They're in! They... Ah! Don't eat me!"

The communication was abruptly cut off by a scream that abruptly ended.

“Yes, it’s the main gun control room…” the communications officer replied tremblingly.

The general's bloodshot pupils suddenly contracted, and he instantly understood what had happened. But by then, it was all in vain.

The next moment, an incredibly thick positron beam, brimming with destructive power, tore through the dark cosmic space.

However, it did not shoot at any fleet, but instead drew a breathtaking trajectory, traversing the sky and accurately hitting a civilian space station not far from the Fist of Glory fortress!

The space station, like a balloon punctured by a needle, suddenly expanded in the silent universe before disintegrating and annihilating in a brilliant but brief burst of flames, turning into a rapidly spreading cloud of metallic dust.

This was certainly the first time an enemy fleet had entered the Sky Domain, but it was also the first time in the more than two thousand years since the Glory Hand Fortress was built that a civilian space station in the Sky Domain had been bombarded.