From cannon fodder to sweeping across thousands of stars.

Chapter 553: Changing the soup without changing the medicine

"Stoner, why do you think they do this?"

Major General Benelli, who was sitting in the captain's seat, asked in confusion. At this time, he had already put on his cabin suit and secured himself to the chair.

In fact, after discovering the sudden appearance of the huge "light ball", the 17th and 18th fleets issued an order for "full combat readiness" in case of any emergencies that could not be responded to in time.

"Perhaps he wants to hide the true number of his fleet?" Stoner replied:
"Through this method, we are indeed unable to determine the number of warships on the other side, but what's the point? Generally speaking, this method is used to make the enemy unclear about our true strength when our fleet is weaker than the enemy's."

"and many more!"

Stoner's words made Bernard suddenly realize something, and he interrupted the former.

"Could it be that the commander of the Atlas fleet chose to conceal the true size of the fleet for this very reason?!"

"But no matter what, they annihilated the garrison fleet of this galaxy. In terms of numbers, that's at least a standard fleet, right?"

Stoner was a little hesitant to make a conclusion now. Although his experience and skills in fleet command were superior to those of the younger new commander, Benelli, his overall style was still relatively conservative.

"Who knows? Maybe they adopted some kind of surprise attack tactics? Besides, the strength of the galaxy garrison fleet is just like that~"

Benelli, the young fleet commander, felt that he might have discovered the truth, and he became excited.

"Think about it, although the Atlas Group has grown rapidly in strength during this period, it takes time to manufacture or purchase warships, as well as to train crew members.
The Naval Intelligence Department has never believed that they can expand the fleet quickly in such a short period of time, so the size of Atlas' manned combat fleet has always been judged to be no more than three standard fleets.

As for the three rebellious unmanned fleets, according to the intelligence received previously, they should still be in the process of jumping, so they will not appear in the Rubion galaxy for the time being.

Based on the above points, and considering the warships that the Atlas Group needs to deploy in other areas, I personally believe that the size of the opponent's fleet in the Rubion system is at most a standard fleet, or even less!!!"

Stoner had to admit at this moment that the analysis of this junior was not without reason, but his cautious character had penetrated into his bones after all, so he still put forward another guess.

"Bernelli, is there a possibility that the enemy commander wants you to think so, so that you will attack without restraint and then be ambushed by their hidden superior forces?"

"This probability is too small! How could a mere commander of an enterprise fleet be so well-prepared?!

Believe me, this is the time to attack boldly to maximize the results! "

There was a hint of unnaturalness in Benelli's tone, because he knew that the situation Stoner described was possible.

But this proud naval fleet commander did not think that a private enterprise fleet commander could do this.

In terms of strategy and tactical arrangements, he is better than this professionally trained fleet commander?
What an international joke.
"Since the probability is not zero, it means that this situation is very likely to happen, Rear Admiral Bernelli. We can't gamble with the 17th and 18th main fleets."

Stoner added the military rank when addressing Bernelli, which showed that he was serious and solemn when he said this.

It also means that he does not agree with Benelli's risky plan.

According to the instructions given by Marshal Trafalgar before the two fleets set out, any major decisions made by the 17th and 18th fleets must be agreed upon by both fleet commanders before they can be implemented.

Therefore, as long as Stoner did not agree with Bernelli's plan, the latter would not be able to launch an attack with his fleet - even if the 17th Fleet attacked alone.

After hearing Stoner's words, Benelli was stunned for a moment, then he sighed and said resignedly:

"Then what do you say we should do, Major General Stoner?"

"Continue to execute the current combat plan. Let's go through the field at high speed first to see the situation. If it is really as you guessed, it won't be too late for us to turn around and set up our formation to launch an attack, right?"
-
"Report, the Federation Fleet has not changed its formation yet. According to the calculations of the shipboard control personality, the Federation Fleet should still intend to conduct armed reconnaissance while passing through the area at high speed!"

On the bridge of the Infinity, after hearing the report from the Tactical Information Coordinator, Randall, who was also wearing a cabin suit, nodded in the captain's seat.

"Received. All ships continue to maintain their current status. By the way, where are the plasma torpedoes and anti-ship missiles?

"Captain, the first batch of plasma torpedoes and anti-ship missiles launched at the enemy fleet have already approached their left and right hemispheres and are about to enter the final impact range!

The second batch of plasma torpedoes that passed through Rubion V have now completed three-quarters of their orbit. According to calculations, they will successfully launch an attack from the rear of the enemy fleet's left hemisphere!"

So far, Randall has heard good news from the tactical information coordinator and other bridge officers that "everything is going well", but he is still a little panicked in his heart.

After all, the fleet sent by the Federation is more than twice the size of the Third Task Force. As long as the battle is normal, even with the "Infinity" in charge, the Third Task Force will definitely be annihilated.

Maybe he will even offer the "first kill" of the Infinite Class Super Flagship.
So Randall didn't want this to happen at all, which is why he racked his brains to figure out how to deal with the opponent.

Time passed by minute by minute in this somewhat anxious atmosphere. As the distance between the two fleets got closer and closer, the federal fleet was the first to discover the closer fleet in front of them, which seemed to be just a bait.

This speculation was answered after several battleships followed the flagship's order and used the bow heavy particle cannon to carry out "diffusion irradiation".

Those decoys equipped with corner reflectors obviously could not withstand the metal jets swept out by the heavy particle cannon, even if they were irradiated in diffuse mode.

So soon, the detection results of the superconducting quantum interference magnetic measurement systems of these warships were transmitted back to the two flagships.

"Large areas of chaotic magnetic fields and plasma ripples?"

"It is suspected that the main thruster exploded, causing magnetic field disturbance in the target area!"

The results of the superconducting quantum interference magnetic measurement system and the judgments made by the system based on the characteristics made the two fleet commanders laugh.

"How long has it been since the feature database and result judgment logic tree of this system were updated? It turns out that such a ridiculous conclusion was drawn."

Major General Benelli complained speechlessly, because a proper warship, even a frigate of the smallest tonnage, could not have its thrusters blown up by the diffuse irradiation of a heavy particle cannon.

So it was obvious that the other party's bait had been detonated. "It's been a long time since I updated, but now is not the time to dwell on it. At least we know that there are a lot of baits mixed in with the fleet in front of us."

Major General Stoner habitually wanted to touch his chin, but was blocked by the mask of the cabin suit. He withdrew his hand somewhat embarrassedly, and then continued:
"So now we have a new question. What is the size of Atlas' fleet?"

"Whatever, I think we should just launch the attack now! I still stick to my point of view, the enemy's warships are definitely not many!"

Major General Benelli became excited again because he found that the current situation seemed to confirm his previous guess.

To be honest, at this point, Stoner was actually a little shaken, and began to feel that now might be a good opportunity to completely wipe out the enemy fleet.

But just as this thought came to his mind, the alarm suddenly sounded on the bridge.

"Warning! A large number of unidentified units have been detected approaching the two wings of the fleet! Based on feature comparison, they are identified as plasma torpedoes and heavy anti-ship missiles! The total number is 3326!"

"I knew it! It's not that simple!"

Stoner wanted to stand up excitedly, but he was held back by the captain's seat belt. However, he still waved his hand and continued to give orders:
"The fleet is ready to conduct air defense operations. The fourth and fifth escort squadrons will move to the outside of the formation!"

At the same time, Bernelli on the flagship of the 17th Fleet also issued almost identical orders.

This time, the destroyers and frigates in the two fleets finally demonstrated their real fleet air defense capabilities.

After a large number of destroyers and frigates maneuvered to the periphery of the fleet, they immediately used the large number of rapid-fire weapons and anti-aircraft missiles they were equipped with to support the fleet's air defense network.

This was thanks to Amber's ability to break into a fleet and tear through the air defense network alone, which she had demonstrated many times before.

Coupled with the combat data obtained after the Corporate Combined Fleet's "failure" outside the A. Bawa. Ku Fortress, the Federation Navy Fleet significantly raised the priority of the fleet's air defense after a certain point in time.

Not only has the air defense weapon configuration of destroyers and frigates been improved, and the air search radar has been upgraded (mainly used to detect small targets such as torpedoes, missiles, and HCP), but the authority of the air defense commander has also been greatly increased, allowing this position to mobilize more resources to support the battle after the fleet enters air defense operations.

"Everyone, be prepared to intercept!"

The voice of Kyle Stone, the air defense commander of the 17th Fleet, was transmitted through the communication channel to every warship responsible for air defense operations.

His voice was calm and firm, as if the thousands of targets that were attacking him were all under his control.

"Just like in normal training, follow the plan and don't let the enemy's torpedoes and anti-ship missiles break through the air defense network!"

At the same time, the huge holographic projection screen in front of him began to display the trajectory of the enemy's weapons, and dense red spots of light were moving rapidly towards his position.

As his order was given, the 17th Fleet's air defense system was instantly activated, and an invisible air defense firepower network was built amid the maneuvers of a large number of destroyers and frigates.

These small anti-aircraft defense ship groups that maneuvered to the outside of the fleet quickly adjusted their positions and soon formed the first line of defense.

The first to launch an attack was the anti-aircraft high-energy laser defense array that had just been installed on the ship. This weapon, derived from the high-energy laser turret, gave up its anti-ship combat capability and began to focus on air defense operations.

"Phoenix, 45 degrees to port, 8000 kilometers away, multi-target locking mode!"

A young female officer on the Haiyan-class destroyer Phoenix reported loudly from the air weapons officer's position. Although her voice was a little trembling, it was still clear and powerful.

"Target confirmed, start attack!" Her superior, who was also the air defense staff of the destroyer, responded immediately.

Then, long and thin red beams of light cut through the void, lighting up blue and white fireballs in the farther deep space. Those were the signs of intercepted plasma torpedoes and anti-ship missiles equipped with plasma warheads.

A large number of anti-aircraft combat ships, under the organization of the fleet's air defense commander, launched attacks on targets coming from both wings.

Countless slender and hot beams intertwined like a web, forming a gorgeous but deadly barrier in the void. Each hit was accompanied by a short and intense flash, burning through and detonating the target that tried to pass through the defense line.

However, not all threats can be addressed so easily.

The stealth plasma torpedoes currently deployed on a large scale by the Atlas combat fleet have had their warhead defense capabilities greatly enhanced in previous upgrades. Simply one or two high-energy laser irradiations will not be enough to destroy them directly.

The stealth plasma torpedoes, which adopt stealth configuration and special coating, were originally designed to break through conventional air defense means. It takes a lot of effort for air defense ships to discover these "little cuties", and the destructive effect of the laser defense array is not as good as the air defense commander imagined.

So after several rounds of interception, a large number of targets still stubbornly approached the core area of ​​the fleet.

At this time, the second line of anti-aircraft defense also joined the battle with quick response. These were the charged particle cannons equipped on the destroyers and frigates, as well as the electromagnetic reconnection cannons that had been disassembled on the cruisers deeper in the water.

The lethality of the charged particle cannon's point-to-point irradiation is naturally higher than that of the laser defense array, and the high kinetic damage caused by the cruiser-driven electromagnetic reconnection cannon after launching a dedicated anti-aircraft programmed warhead is the most fatal to the plasma torpedo.

"The long-range strike tactics of the Atlas combat fleet are indeed as threatening as the rumors say."

On the flagship of the 18th Fleet, Major General Stoner, who was closely watching the air defense combat situation, couldn't help but sigh in a low voice.

Although the main fleet of the Federal Navy has greatly improved its air defense capabilities, and the effect is very significant, it is still struggling to face the unreasonable "full-fire" attack of Atlas.

In this short period of time, nearly 30 plasma torpedoes and anti-ship missiles have broken through the air defense network, and successfully caused the th Fleet to lose a heavy cruiser, three light cruisers, seven destroyers, and frigates.
This is not because the fleet's air defense firepower is not strong enough, but mainly because these attacks launched from the flanks are too tricky, making it impossible for many air defense combat ships to use all their air defense weapons.

Only Selina, a high-level shipborne control personality created by Lilith, can calculate such an attack path.

If it were the conventional attack mode of other fleets, it would definitely not be able to achieve this effect.
However, as the first wave of plasma torpedoes and heavy anti-ship missiles that attacked from both wings of the federal fleet were intercepted, Major General Stoner couldn't help but reveal a sneer on his face.

"Humph, it's just a change of name. We have to thank Atlas for prompting our fleet to improve its air defense capabilities~"

Then he waved his hand and ordered in a deep voice:
"Attention, all fleets. Keep the normal course unchanged. Prepare to adjust the main gun firing axis. Open all gun ports on all ships! Prepare to fire in unison!"

(End of this chapter)