aircannonsinc Page 132
Page 132
While assembling the legion, Zhou Qing also needed to gather the fleet. More importantly, he needed to build a stargate in the edge star system of the extreme star field to complete the support and assembly of the fleet.
Time, he needs time, he needs time to assemble his legion.
Chapter 205 Clash Between the Patrol Fleet and the Zerg Swarm
Zhou Qing needs time for scientific research, and the legion also needs enough time to produce fleets. Where does this time come from?
Naturally, the Imperial Guards needed to personally lobby for it.
To resist the invasion of the insect swarm, Zhou Qing directly provided eight patrol fleets. These eight patrol fleets, together with 1 million Imperial Guards, formed a defensive fleet against the insect swarm.
When the fleet reached the edge of the extreme star field through the stargate network, they resolutely plunged into the dark depths of the universe, where no starlight could illuminate them.
The Milky Way is a very small galaxy within the Milky Way, with a diameter of only 5 light-years.
Such a size is but a drop in the ocean compared to the entire universe, and the Emperor's radiance can only illuminate these 5 light-years.
However, being a drop in the ocean does not mean that the universe is rich; at least the area around the Milky Way is not rich at all.
There is a huge void around the Milky Way.
Apart from the Milky Way galaxy, which has a large number of planets, the rest of the region is mostly empty space, with a diameter of about 1.5 million light-years.
This is why the warships of the human empire rarely venture outside the range of the Imperial Torch.
On the one hand, without the light of interstellar navigation, they could not determine their position and direction.
Without the guidance of a star torch, exploring the universe could easily lead to one's own death.
On the other hand, the Milky Way is already the richest galaxy in the vicinity; you may not be able to find another rich galaxy outside of the Milky Way.
More likely, what you'll find is just a bunch of empty holes.
Within the Milky Way galaxy, you'll encounter a star system every five to six light-years. However, within this void, you might not encounter a single star system even after hundreds of light-years.
This was utterly disastrous for the Empire's abstract navigational capabilities.
However, with the support of the hyperspace engine, the Imperial Guard can now confidently order its patrol fleets to begin entering the outer reaches of the galaxy.
Once the fleet entered the outer reaches of the Milky Way, it was enveloped in endless darkness, as the stars no longer existed in the deep space of the universe, and only darkness accompanied them.
Such a voyage, if one stares directly into the void for too long, will drive a person insane.
The Imperial Guards, however, were different. They possessed unwavering willpower, so even staring directly into the void did not drive them to madness.
The Imperial Guard fleet sailed through the void, and thanks to the powerful detection capabilities of the patrol fleet, they had already locked onto the Zerg fleet that was approaching their extreme star system from afar.
When Trajan saw the planetary-level Leviathan heading in their direction, he couldn't help but gasp.
Although they had previously fought a planetary-level Leviathan, this Leviathan only had the appearance of a planet and its actual combat power was not as high as imagined, but...
However, his enormous size already indicates that even if he doesn't have strong combat power, his combat ability is definitely not weak.
At least in terms of indestructibility, it is indeed absolutely indestructible.
A single planetary-level Leviathan is already so difficult to deal with, let alone the hundreds of Leviathans that are now included in their scanning system.
"...Everyone, prepare for battle. At our current speed, we'll encounter the Zerg's vanguard in just two standard Terra days."
"The War Commander has handed over most of the main fleet to us. Our mission is to keep them firmly occupied."
We must at least buy the War Commander enough time to build a sufficient number of warships; otherwise, when this fleet enters Imperial territory, we will inevitably face the destruction of the Limitless Starfield.
The soldiers of the Imperial Guard were all steadfast and tenacious, but even Trajan, a steadfast and tenacious soldier, was still willing to explain to them the importance of his current mission.
This is because it increases the soldiers' sense of honor, even for the Imperial Guards, whose sense of honor is already almost at its highest level.
However, even at a high level, there are ways and abilities to continue improving.
For the Imperial Guards, a greater sense of honor leads to stronger combat power.
After Trajan discovered the Zerg fleet, the Zerg hive consciousness of the fleet also discovered the human fleet.
The swarm is a very peculiar unit; because they are never full, they always need to eat.
Most importantly, they can vaguely sense where there is enough food, even without sending out a large number of vanguards.
All they need to do is explore the warp; the starlight emitted by Guilliman when he established the Second Reich has attracted these swarms.
The ones that the Empire previously defeated were merely the Zerg's vanguard scouting forces, while this time, the true vanguard squad of the Zerg has arrived.
As a civilization that has almost traversed the universe, their detection technology is naturally quite advanced. Trajan could detect them, and they could certainly detect Trajan as well.
"Sizzle sizzle... sizzle sizzle..."
After a burst of unique Zerg language, a full 40 Zerg Leviathans broke away from the massive Zerg fleet and headed towards the Imperial Guard at an even faster speed.
The last encounter made them realize that the human fleet was not to be trifled with, and this time they sent out even more Zerg swarms. Leviathan was preparing to conduct further probing.
The two fleets began to move in a galaxy apart from space undead.
Other races in the galaxy, even the Eldar, were rapidly closing in at a speed beyond their comprehension, and the battle alarm was raised.
When the two sides were only about 20 light-years apart, the first salvo broke out, with the Titans firing first.
The massive spear of light pierced through the body of a Zerg planet Leviathan in the very first moment, but that was nothing.
It is visible to the naked eye that this Zerg Leviathan is being constantly repaired.
A large number of Zerg units sacrificed their lives as fuel to repair Leviathan-class units; this is the benefit of Zerg's Getafe-like consciousness.
Ordinary insects have no consciousness; they do everything according to the orders of their superiors, so they are willing to sacrifice everything.
Trajan, who had already fought the swarm, didn't take this scene to heart.
The next second, an even larger Titan attack also opened fire.
The swarm, already under attack, created an even larger hole in the Leviathan, and this blow sealed its fate.
Eight patrol fleets meant that a total of eight Titans launched an attack simultaneously, destroying four Zerg Leviathans before the Zerg could even engage the human fleet.
From this perspective, the insects don't seem to have much combat power. They only need to keep their distance and launch an attack with Titans, and they are fully capable of wearing down these insect swarms of Leviathans.
But as a cosmic catastrophe, are the Zerg swarm really that weak?
Chapter 206 Large-Scale Fleet Clash with the Zerg Swarm
Although he destroyed the four Zerg planets Leviathan in the first instance, Turalyon showed no joy on his face, because the next scene proved why he was not happy.
After the Zerg planet Leviathan was destroyed, the subsequent planets and Leviathan followed without any hesitation.
They were like a giant living organism, swallowing their killed comrades whole, one bite at a time.
The next second, the planetary-level Leviathans that had devoured their companions grew even larger.
This is what makes the Zerg Leviathan so difficult to deal with.
The swarm can absorb all biomass and strengthen its host, just as these planetary-level Leviathans can devour the bodies of their dead comrades to enhance their own combat power.
It is evident that the data detected on the warship is soaring.
These swarm planets, Leviathan, which devoured their own kind, developed an even tougher outer layer.
Trajan, who had been watching this unfold, was not at all surprised.
After all, this was the second time they had fought.
The most difficult thing about the Zerg swarm is that they can devour their own kind, but this is actually not the most monstrous aspect of the Zerg swarm.
If the conflict becomes protracted, these swarms can even regenerate the Leviathans they have swallowed, turning them into satellite Leviathans.
This conclusion was reached by the Imperial Guard after months of fighting the Zerg.
According to this theory, if given enough time, the swarm might be able to use the biomass they destroyed to propagate a new planet-sized Leviathan.
"Was the footage recorded?"
If you record this, send it to Commander Zhan immediately through our communication network.
"If we rely solely on warships to fight, we're unlikely to be a match for these insects. We need to send this document to the War Commander and see if he has any good ideas."
As the saying goes, if the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up.
For many in the empire, Zhou Qing's existence was a great blessing; if Trajan had been alone, he might be frowning by now.
However, with Zhou Qing around, this isn't necessary; they only need to follow the war commander's orders.
"Yes, Commander. I have already sent the data to the War Marshal." The Imperial Guard beside him bowed, indicating that he had carried out the order.
"Well, now it's time to continue the fight."
"Our mission is to delay these swarms from reaching the Extreme Starfield, so we need to destroy as many of their large warships as possible."
"These insects won't waste this precious biomass. Destroying their large warships will be enough to buy the war commander time."
"Now everyone spread out and fight individually. Be sure to take advantage of our speed and don't engage in a stalemate with those bugs."
The order was swiftly relayed throughout the fleet. The eight patrol fleets dispersed instantly, like blooming steel petals.
All fleets are organized into dozens of flexible attack formations centered around Titans or battleships.
Human warships displayed their superior maneuverability to the fullest in the vast expanse of space. Instead of attempting to form tight battle lines, they dispersed into smaller units, using hyperspace engines to make short, precise jumps, launching attacks on the massive Leviathan swarm from various tricky angles.
The swarm reacted just as swiftly. The remaining thirty-six planetary-level Leviathans did not retreat in the face of their fallen comrades; instead, they accelerated forward, their rough, heavy carapaces creating eerie streams of energy as they rubbed against the void.
Meanwhile, countless small Zerg ships—like moths, beetles, or twisted arthropods—swarmed out of the holes in Leviathan's surface, forming a boundless wave of biomass that attempted to overwhelm the human fleet with sheer numbers.
"Attention all ships! Maintain distance and prioritize eliminating any small swarm units that approach! Light spear array, fire freely! Torpedoes, focus on the Leviathan's thrusters!" Trajan's orders quickly spread to all the Imperial Navy commanders.
In an instant, the silent void was illuminated.
The dense beams of light, like the needles of death, weaved through the swarm of insects, each flash evaporating large numbers of small insect ships.
The Hellfire Ray spewed out destructive flames, while the Nova Cannon exploded into blasting spheres of energy nearby, turning the approaching swarm into cosmic dust.
More importantly, the pyrolysis cannon directly pyrolyzes all the materials to prevent the swarm from continuing to utilize them.
The Disintegration Cannon has proven extremely useful in previous battles, as it can directly decompose matter, making it harder for the swarm to replenish its units.
The proton torpedo, trailing a long plume of flame, struck the Leviathan's relatively vulnerable tail propulsion organ like a precise scalpel, triggering a series of violent explosions.
In the very first exchange, the Imperial Guards gained an overwhelming advantage. The Zerg units offered little resistance, suffering a devastating slaughter, as the Zerg's range had not yet closed in.
However, the onslaught of the insect swarm was endless.