Him and their stars

It can be seen that when Chief of Staff Mkawa said this, he must have made a great determination.

He certainly knew that although the Far Shore Star Region was on the border, it was not a "remote and poor place" like New Shenzhou. New Shuntian is a military stronghold with a billion people living there. New Tennessee's high-quality beef and various agricultural products are exported to the other side of the nebula. New Seville is also a famous marine tourist destination and marine industry base.

Not to mention, there is also Lumina.

The planet that Commander Yu personally led. If it were placed in ancient times, it could almost be called the place where the dragon rose, right?

All of the above can actually be abandoned. This is war.

However, even if this is the case, who can really stay calm?

Yu Lian's expression was very calm, and he motioned Chief of Staff Mkawa to continue.

"After sailing out of the Far Shore Nebula, General Bai can lead the Athena to turn to the direction of New Seville for supplies and rest, and look for opportunities to continue fighting the enemy."

This is of course a more euphemistic statement. To put it bluntly, the Athena and its fleet were used as abandoned pawns to attract the enemy's attention.

However, it was still the cruel fact. Given the current situation, this sacrifice was actually justified.

"As for us, we don't have to stay in Xinshuntian, but take the nearest route to Nantianmen, considering that the Imperial Army must allocate troops to capture the major strongholds in the star zone. We have a chance to escape. As long as this fleet arrives at Nantianmen in advance, everything will be fine."

Yu Lian shook his head and said, "But this is just your speculation. Will the Imperial Army give up the pursuit and annihilation of us in order to capture the planet? Chief of Staff, you still think too much of the Imperials. Besides, who said that things will get better after reconciliation with Marshal Bonaparte of Nantianmen? Chief of Staff, huddling together for warmth will only make you die later, not save you."

In the silence of Chief of Staff Mkawa, Yu Lian seemed to suddenly think of He stretched out his fist and knocked his palm, as if he had just thought of an important question: "Yes. If we really give up all the bases in the Far Shore Star Region, what do you think the Earth will say?"

Major General Mkawa couldn't help but smile bitterly: "...Sir, there is no need to play dumb with old Mkawa. The orders from the Earth are not important to you."

Yu Lian felt a little wronged: "I have never violated the orders of the Earth, but I respect the reality in execution."

The Chief of Staff smiled mischievously: "So, this is why so many people have high hopes for you. Only when you are justified can you speak smoothly, and it has been like this since ancient times."

Is it true that once people get older, they like to speak half of their words?

Yu Lian looked at the old man meaningfully, and calmly changed the subject: "Chief of Staff, Marshal Bonaparte and I have reached a consensus and determined the combat guidelines for the remaining fleets on the Far Shore."

Chief of Staff Mkawa turned on the terminal and began to record.

"Notify the Athena and have them speed up immediately, try their best to get rid of the enemy fleet behind them, turn at the Corridor 7A system, take the Nebula Fork Route No. 1 to enter the I Earl Star Gorge. Meet us in the system."

Major General Mkawa had a brief doubt, but still began to record.

"After this fleet arrives at the I Earl-4 system, it can stay for a while. Wait for the Athena to meet up at the No. 1 fork."

"Understood. Then, should we start the fleet operation with the standard of a large-scale fleet battle of about a thousand ships?"

"No need. Everyone can relax a little more. I said that the pursuers behind me are a group of very pragmatic guys." Yu Lian smiled and said, "Speaking of which, Chief of Staff, do we have any stage ships? The kind that can project live singing and dancing in space."

"No. Your Excellency, after you invited all the friends in the literary and artistic circles to entertain the troops in February, there are no such ships left."

"What a pity." Yu Lian's face was full of regret.

Fortunately, none of these ships were left, and the Chief of Staff felt particularly fortunate.

"In addition, although we can gain a certain tactical initiative by meeting up in advance, the Athena will be in danger of being caught up by the enemy fleet in the Nebula Trail. In addition, if we release the Lucknar Corridor, the enemy will accelerate through the nebula and it is possible to cut off our retreat to Xinshuntian in advance."

"Hey, Chief of Staff, isn't this exactly why you advised me?" Yu Lian made a joke.

Major General Mkawa couldn't laugh, and his expression even looked quite awkward, even stiff.

"Okay, then let's think about the escape route again. Chief of Staff, after leaving the nebula, we will move to the Shanhai Channel without stopping. Xin Shenzhou is actually a good place, with simple folk customs and pleasant scenery, and it has everything it should have. The Shanhai Channel is narrow and rugged, and it is even easier to defend than Sai De."

"..."

After being stunned for a few seconds, the Chief of Staff actually flashed a hint of joy on his face.

Of course, he realized that he had lost his composure and coughed awkwardly: "But if that's the case..."

"Even if that's the case, the Imperials still have time to react in advance and intercept and block us." Yu Lian smiled: "But, Chief of Staff, do you know what target is more valuable to the Empire than this fleet?"

Chief of Staff Mkawa was slightly confused for a few seconds, and then a hint of realization appeared on his face. However, before that, Yu Lian had already pointed his thumb to his chest, revealing a proud expression.

"Of course it's me."

While the chief of staff was shocked to the point of speechlessness, Yu Lian smiled again and said, "It would be even better if it were me and the dragon boat."

Major General Mkawa was stunned in place for at least half a minute, and finally couldn't help but said: "Your Excellency, wasn't this all part of your plan from the beginning?"

Yu Lian spread his hands: "Tell me, Chief of Staff, notify the Patrol and get my spear! Where are my lovely 'old enemy' Yeager Soback and his comrades now? "

…

The imperial fleet, led by Lieutenant General Midbexi and Major General Sobek, maintained a rigorous and solemn march in the dark void, just like a large herd of beasts migrating in the grassland of the stars.

Their state was indeed too neat. It definitely didn't look like they were chasing the enemy, but more like they were marching. Naturally, they couldn't get up fast, but the victory was that they were tight.

Judging from their appearance, even if the Earth Fleet suddenly turns back and presses back directly, even if the "Magic Dragon" who cannot even be named suddenly starts to break through the formation on his own again, he must be able to hold on until the reinforcements arrive from behind. Come here.

However, on May 23, Vice Admiral Midbeschi, who was on the dreadnought ship Golden Calvary, issued an order to bypass the entire fleet and stop advancing.

The entire fleet accepted this unusual order very naturally. After they arrived at the Earl's Gap-5B galaxy, they immediately stopped advancing and stopped at the edge of the galaxy.

Soon, the captains received the latest order from the headquarters, requiring all of them to start fleet formation operations and change the entire fleet from a marching state to a defensive counterattack posture.

At this time, they were only 114 light-years away from the exit of the Far Coast Nebula, and they only needed 5 jumps.

However, the Midbexi fleet, which had a total strength of 247 ships and had one Yanlong-class dreadnought and four battlecruisers, still stopped timidly. Like a brown bear parked on the edge of the bush, it carefully stretched out its nose to smell the "prey" or "hunter" behind the jungle.

He had to be careful.

This world composed of deep space and stars is an endless wilderness and a dark forest where the sun never shines. In this world, the positions of prey and hunter are always reversed.

And one of the instigators of all this, Rear Admiral Yeager Soback of the Galactic Empire, was standing at the top railing of the Royal Rabbit's bridge, staring at the starry sky outside the huge porthole in front of him, as if he wanted to He threw his whole body into the deep sky.

In his senses, natural and artificial light spots mixed together to form a silent movement that resounded to the far end of the universe, and seemed to be able to awaken the devil behind that universe.

Yes, the "old enemy" that everyone considers, his "inner demon", his "nightmare", and his old friends are leading the main force of the Earth's fleet to stop in the I Count-4 galaxy, which is a jump away from us. pace. According to the scout ship, they even turned around and took up their positions, as if they were ready to fight back at any time.

In accordance with the principle of "safety first" and at the same time following His Royal Highness the Sand King's request not to fight in the Nebula (Love) on the far coast, the entire fleet should of course stop the pursuit and even take a stance to counter the enemy's counterattack.

Everyone is very resolute in this regard. But even so, Yeager Soback's little heart could not stop being cold. He always felt that this was not safe. The opponent's large fleet would pounce like a giant beast, and the stars all over the sky were the claws of the giant beast. In front of the star-like beast, the artificial light of our own fleet is too small.

He shuddered very calmly, quickly withdrew his gaze, and asked his subordinates: "According to the battle plan formulated in advance, this ship should..."

"We should be on the left wing of the entire army and be responsible for commanding the 3rd and 4th heavy cruiser detachments. If the enemy fleet launches a surprise attack, we must act as the first line of defense." Captain Peggese directed the movement of the entire ship. He replied: "Also, Your Excellency, our main artillery is engaged in interception operations."

"Main gun interception?"

"Yes. According to that man's consistent style, if he charges in person, there is more than a 60% chance that he will attack the main formation from the left wing. We are likely to be the first batch of the entire army to face him. The main gun must indeed Warm up in advance," Miss Sellu also said. There was still a trace of doubt on her face, but she still mustered up the courage to say: "Once the war starts, we will face the most dangerous challenge. But it doesn't matter, we will face it together! Let's die together!"

This should be an emotional time. However, Soback always felt that he had shot himself in the foot, and for a while he didn't know what expression he should make.

"This is also the battle plan you proposed, using dense main guns to intercept a saint." Captain Peggese looked gearing up: "To be honest, Your Excellency, I am a (mortal) person who loves cannons after all. Sailor, I've been meaning to try this (blasting psykers with cannons) for a long time. Thank you very much!"

This guy only spoke half of what he said, but both Soback and Sellu could hear his subtext and couldn't help but quickly exchanged a look.

This guy's symptoms are indeed getting worse, but he is indeed the most capable captain Sobek has ever seen, even more than his old Kiyan partner.

Soback said helplessly: "Just let it go, Captain. I really don't want to go to the Inquisition's prison to collect your body next time."

"Uh, excuse me, sir, but sir, we need to prepare in advance. All battleship main guns should start charging one hour in advance."

"I know. Sellu... notified the entire fleet to let the pilots immediately enter combat positions and take off at any time. They are actually the front line of interception and investigation." Yeager Soback said in a calm tone.

Even the latest Titanium Blade fighter is a target of massacre in the face of Dragon's mobility, not to mention the possibility of encountering the enemy's latest Red Ghost. However, their sacrifice can provide an early warning for the entire fleet.

The captain glanced at his commander with some surprise. He had always felt that his commander was actually a good and harmless man at heart, but now he seemed to be a bit like "using troops like sand".

So, is this the alienation of human nature by power? Or is it the alienation of human nature caused by war?

Captain Peggese felt that he still needed to observe carefully.

Unfortunately, the person involved was not aware of it. He looked at the front porthole again to make sure that most of the surrounding warships were in place, then tiptoed back to his chair and threw his body back.

The young general let out a full sigh, half talking to himself and half complaining: "It would be great if I had the command of the entire fleet!"

"The entire fleet?" Viscount Serlu asked doubtfully, "You mean to take over the command of the entire fleet on behalf of Lieutenant General Midbesh?"

"Don't talk nonsense, sir, he is a good man and I have a good relationship with him. What I mean is..."

"The entire Far Shore Front, right?" Captain Peggese laughed.

"What an impressive ambition! Your Excellency, have you finally decided to aim at the Marshal of the Empire and start working hard?" Miss Serlu's face was filled with emotion.

Soback said angrily: "...What I am saying is that if I were the commander of the far coast, I would not launch the general offensive of Laoshizi. As long as His Royal Highness King Su from the Cirk direction takes over Xinya, they themselves will also They will run away. We can even watch the defenders retreat. Isn't it a great achievement to take over the Sede Fortress in such a bloodless manner? Isn't it a great achievement that the millions of soldiers who died on the Sede front line can go home in such a way that the country is safe and the people are happy. Beautiful?”

Miss Viscount and Mr. Captain looked at each other. They were not sure whether the officer was joking, but they felt that what he said made sense.

"Commander, you are indeed a good man." Captain Peggese said.

"But... I have to remind you, Your Excellency, you cannot let others discover that you are a good person." Viscount Serlu said.

At this time, Lieutenant General Midbexi's communication was immediately picked up.

Sobek quickly ordered the call. Immediately afterwards, the voice of his current boss appeared, with a face like a knife and an axe, beard and hair like a lion's mane, a tall and majestic body, and an upright and majestic temperament.

In short, everyone looks like a majestic warrior, even more like a serious imperial marshal than the thin old man on the God of Four Seasons.

Of course, he only looks like a fierce general, which is a good thing that makes everyone breathe a sigh of relief.

"The Karaman fleet had a battle with the Earth's Athena formation in the A11 galaxy of the Lucnar Corridor. It suffered some losses." He started with these words, with a hint of vagueness in his voice. smile.

Didn't you say that you are good friends?

Is such obvious schadenfreude really good? Soback thought, but he actually wanted to laugh a little bit.