From cannon fodder to sweeping across thousands of stars.

Chapter 770: Sub-Light Speed ​​Strike

If Agnes wasn't particularly panicked before, she became really panicked at this moment when she discovered what had happened to her thoughts.

As the queen of the Star Dragon Empire, she didn't understand why she would suddenly think in a direction that would benefit Amber and the Atlas Group.

Agnes' first reaction was whether Amber had influenced her thinking through her psychic powers.

But no matter what, he is not an ordinary person. The talent he has shown in "Dragon Power" also makes him a leader in the Leon royal family. It is impossible for his mental thinking to be influenced by others without knowing it.

She looked up at Amber and found that she was also looking at her with a puzzled expression.

"What's the matter, Your Majesty? Do you have any questions?"

"You don't, it's nothing."

Agnes stopped the question that was about to come out of her mouth, and finally shook her head, while her face regained the calmness that a queen of the empire should have.

"Well, Mr. Amber, I have nothing to say. As for the reason for the fortress's departure, I will handle it myself. The Empire has just experienced war, and it is reasonable to declare that the fortress needs to return to the dock for a comprehensive overhaul and upgrade."

After hearing what Agnes said, Amber was a little confused as to why the other party agreed so quickly, but she still nodded approvingly. The political wisdom and reaction of the new queen were indeed not slow.

"Then I wish your Majesty all the best in your efforts to govern the empire~"

Amber nodded slightly as a farewell.

"I also wish Mr. Amber a smooth trip."

Agnes responded with a formal blessing, but a complex and incomprehensible emotion seemed to pass through the depths of her ruby ​​eyes.

After leaving the reception room, Amber did not delay for a moment and quickly passed on the order. The huge Crown Fortress immediately began to prepare for the long-distance jump.

Agnes and her group quickly moved to the Gospel Fortress where the Duke of Hastings was. At least for a period of time, Agnes and the imperial high-ranking officials might have to work in this fortress.
The next day, with all preparations completed, the Coronet Fortress began to slowly move towards an orbit away from the planet with the gradually increasing low hum of the main engine.

Standing in front of the large virtual porthole in the core command room of the fortress, Amber was overlooking the capital of the Star Dragon Empire which was slowly recovering below, as well as the Atlas fleet in orbit which was beginning to rearrange its formation and prepare to evacuate in batches.

After a while, Isabel walked up to him and gently put a coat with body temperature on his shoulders.

"Amber, you look a little strange since yesterday. Do you think something is going to go wrong with the Federation and the Renaissance Alliance?" Isabel asked softly, her blue eyes reflecting stars and worry.

Amber sighed softly, holding Isabel's slightly cool hand, feeling the delicateness of her palm.

"There are always dangers, but everything is under control at the moment." He smiled, trying to reassure Isabel, "And don't forget, we are the ones dealing the cards at this table."

"Beautiful dealer?" Isabel tilted her head.

"Online Dealing~"

The huge Coronet Fortress slowly broke away from the gravitational pull of Saint-Saunière and began to change direction like an awakened star beast. The destination of this long-distance jump was A. Bava Ku. According to Amber's arrangement, the fortress would be temporarily moored near the asteroid fortress for the final construction.

After all the projects are completed, some personnel of the Atlas Group will be transferred from the A.Bava.Ku asteroid fortress to this artificial celestial fortress.

The turmoil in the Star Dragon Empire has come to an end for the time being, but the chess game in this universe has obviously just entered the more complicated middle stage, so Amber fortress will definitely not be returned.

You're crazy. How can you spit out the meat you've already put in your mouth?
-
Federal Capital Star, Capital Orbital Defense Platform Command.

The piercing alarm tore through the originally dull silence of the command center. Scarlet lights replaced the soft lighting. The regular surveillance picture on the main screen was urgently switched. What caught the eyes of everyone present was a set of heart-pounding unknown celestial body trajectories.

"Confirmed abnormal celestial body target! Number 12!"

A young radar operator's voice trembled, his fingers tapping rapidly on the volumetric light of the control panel.

"The speed has reached sub-light speed standards! Oh my God, according to estimates, they are rushing directly from the outer side of the Oort Cloud!"

Marcus Kane, Vice Admiral of the Federation Navy, commander of the orbital defense platform and garrison fleet, stood up abruptly from his seat. He walked quickly to the main screen with an expression of disbelief on his face.

On the headquarters' main screen, 12 spots of light were approaching the depths of the gravity well of the Federation Capital Star at an astonishing speed, along a slightly curved trajectory.

The objects that can be captured by orbital defense platforms at a long distance are generally large celestial bodies, but this is the first time that Lieutenant General Marcus has seen such a large number of celestial bodies attacking.

Not to mention the terrifying kinetic energy numbers calculated by the platform's control AI, which are enough to send chills down the spine of everyone who sees it.

"Quick! Try to perform a material analysis!"

"The analysis is complete, General!"

A technical officer's voice came through the intercom, with a hint of absurdity and confusion: "The main component of this thing is very simple. It is water ice crystals, mixed with a small amount of methane and ammonia ice. General, they are just. Ordinary ice crystals."

"Ordinary ice crystals?"

Lieutenant General Marcus frowned, his sharp eyes swept across the outrageous speed on the screen and the even more outrageous kinetic energy converted, "What kind of ice crystal can reach sub-light speed?!"

"The preliminary kinetic energy model calculation is complete. The impact of any ice crystal is enough to paralyze any of our existing orbital defense units. The 12 ice crystals are likely to be aimed at the cores of our 12 defense units."

The technical officer didn't say anything else, but everyone understood what he meant.

Lieutenant General Marcus took a deep breath. He also knew what this meant. This was definitely not a natural phenomenon but a man-made attack, an incredible yet extremely deadly attack method.

He looked at the communications officer beside him and said, "Connect to the Presidential Palace's highest encryption line."

"Yes, General."

A moment later, the haggard and almost unrecognizable face of Federal President Brandon appeared on the communication screen.

He seemed to have just been awakened from a short rest, with sunken eye sockets and some dry and loose hair sticking to his forehead. The presidential office, which once symbolized power, now seemed empty and depressing. "Lieutenant General Marcus, why are you using an encrypted line to contact me at this time? What happened?" Brandon's voice was full of deep fatigue.

Lieutenant General Marcus tried his best to keep his tone steady, but the content of his words was like a heavy hammer, which directly woke Brandon up:
"Mr. President, we have detected 12 sub-light speed ice crystals approaching the capital system at high speed. They are expected to arrive in forty-six hours."

Brandon was stunned, as if he couldn't understand the meaning of this sentence for a moment.

"ice crystals?"

"Yes, Mr. President, it is the ice crystals commonly found in the asteroid belt, but this is by no means a natural phenomenon."

Lieutenant General Marcus succinctly explained the abnormal speed and trajectory of these ice crystals: "They are most likely artificially driven, and their target should be our orbital defense system."

"Who did it?" Brandon's face turned pale in an instant. He subconsciously clenched the edge of the desk, his knuckles turning white from the force. "Renaissance Alliance? Or Atlas?"

"It's hard to be sure at the moment, Mr. President, but this method is more like the work of the Atlas Group. It's crazy, efficient, and regardless of cost." Lieutenant General Marcus gave his own judgment. "No matter who they are, their purpose is clear. They want to paralyze our defense and clear the way for the final offensive."

"Intercept. Can we intercept them?"

Lieutenant General Marcus was silent for a moment, then spoke with difficulty: "Mr. President, as you know, in the battle where Marshal Trafalgar died, the 'Requiem' array under construction was also destroyed."

'Requiem' - the Federation's most powerful intergalactic attack weapon, a satellite gun array capable of triggering directional nuclear explosions and producing gamma-ray bursts.

It is also the only theoretical means to attack these ice crystals at a long distance.

"Existing orbital defense platforms, whether kinetic weapons or directed energy weapons, cannot effectively deal with targets of such a large number and speed. In other words, by the time these ice crystals enter the attack range of the orbital defense platform, it is too late to launch an attack."

There was a hint of despair in Lieutenant General Marcus' voice, and it was obvious that he was at his wit's end.

"Mr. President, once the orbital defense platform is destroyed, the capital planet will be completely exposed to any possible follow-up attacks and will be unable to fight back."

Brandon closed his eyes, and the wrinkles on his forehead twisted into a ball.

The command center of the orbital defense platform headquarters was also dead silent, with only the alarm lights still flashing stubbornly.

"Mr President"

Lieutenant General Marcus looked at Brandon's desperate face on the screen and finally made the suggestion.

"Please prepare to evacuate immediately with the core members of the government. We must preserve the last spark of the Federation."

"Transfer?"

Brandon suddenly opened his eyes, and a light of almost madness flashed in his cloudy eyes. He laughed at himself, and his laughter was dry and empty.

"Lieutenant General Marcus, tell me, where else can we move to?"

His eyes swept across the Federation star map on the wall of the office. It once represented the vast territory covered by "freedom and democracy", but now it was shattered by the red blocks representing the Renaissance Alliance.

"Most of the Federation has fallen into the hands of the rebels. The remaining star regions can either establish their own kingdoms or watch the fire from the other side. We are like remnants trapped on an isolated island. Where can we escape to? Escape to the territory of those traitors, surrender to them, and ask for their forgiveness? Or hide in some desolate galaxy, linger on, and watch the last symbol of the Federation being trampled by the enemy?"

Brandon's voice gradually rose, with a determination to burn his boats:

"I am the President of the Federation! My place is right here, in the capital! If the Federation is destined to end here, then I will wait for that moment with it! I will not run away like a coward!"

Lieutenant General Marcus stared at the president on the screen in silence. The almost martyr-like light in the other's eyes left him speechless.

He understood Brandon's choice. It was not just despair, but also a tragic persistence belonging to the leaders of the old era.

"I understand, Mr. President." Lieutenant General Marcus' voice was low and heavy. "The Orbital Defense Platform Command will fight to the last moment."

“No, you can actually leave.”

"I am a soldier of the Federation, Your Excellency the President."

Hearing Marcus' words, Brandon was stunned for a moment, and then a rare smile appeared on his face.

"Thank you, Your Excellency, Lieutenant General. I will now leave the defense of the capital system to you."

"Yes, Mr. President!"

The communication was cut off and the screen went dark.

Inside the command center, the alarm continued to sound relentlessly, like a death knell.

Lieutenant General Marcus slowly turned around and faced a group of young faces filled with anxiety and fear.

"Give me the order!"

His voice regained its military hardness, and the fear on his face disappeared.

"All units are on high alert! Activate all backup energy sources, preheat the defense system, and prepare for impact! At the same time, issue an emergency evacuation notice to the entire galaxy, and open all underground bunkers in the capital. As for the rest, do your best and leave the rest to fate."

"Yes! General!"

The cold despair, like an impending ice crystal, silently enveloped the entire capital.

Brandon, or the Federation's last forty-six hours, began to count down.

(End of this chapter)