163: Oh, I thought it was a speed bump.

Bonus chapter for the generous donation from An Zai QWQ (4/9)

Currently owe 30 chapters

...

"You mean to say that not only the Followers are here, but the Imperial Navy has also decided to join the fun?"

Xi Hai listened to the reports sent by the two FG300s, his brow furrowing deeper and deeper.

According to them, as soon as the Follower fleet arrived, a group of guys popped up.

Furthermore, those guys were not just ordinary people—based on the livery identification, it was a mobile fleet of the Imperial Navy.

The situation suddenly became complicated:

Was this infighting? Or getting rid of a tool once it had served its purpose?

Right! Hadn't he captured a group of Followers at Ursa Major V12.22?

If that was the case, it seemed the business at Ursa Major was done by the Followers...

That makes sense!

If the incident at Ursa Major V12.22 were exposed, then the massacre of an entire star system—regardless of whether it was the Empire's original intention—would be pinned directly on them.

The Empire was making a clean break now; on one hand, it could make certain knowledgeable individuals shut up completely, and on the other hand, it could take the credit for the reputation.

It was indeed a wise choice.

However... since the Empire had already sent people, his intervention would seem somewhat inappropriate—so it was highly likely this trip was for nothing.

Forget it, if I get it, it's my luck; if I lose it, it's fate.

Even without this reputation, if the Sacred Stars Group continued to develop steadily, it wouldn't be doing too badly.

While comforting himself, Xi Hai changed the subject and asked:

"Where is your Research Officer White Shark?"

The other side hesitated for a moment before replying:

"Uh... in order to collect first-hand data on the archaeological target, he led a team and landed on Planet Three via orbital drop."

"As of now... he should be trapped there."

Xi Hai raised an eyebrow.

So brave?

He needed to find time to advise him; even with a clone body as a safety net, individual heroism was undesirable—

Xi Hai decided to strengthen the firepower of the archaeological team and let his archaeological research officer know the charm of armed archaeology.

Thinking this, he asked curiously:

"Is his clone body still alive?"

Just after asking, Xi Hai found it funny—

How could it still be alive?

If they were going to do a clean break, they would definitely start by precisely removing all space structures, then follow up with orbital bombardment and neutron purging.

If he could survive that, his research officer would be a literal superman, the kind you could send straight to Chengdu.

But the reply was not what he had expected—

"Report! There are still two surviving members of our landing party! They are Research Officer White Shark and his assistant, Research Officer Baili Ying!"

What? Still alive?

"Wait, didn't those Imperial Navy ships conduct orbital bombardment?"

"Report! No! The Imperial Navy seems to be conducting orbital landings on several specific areas!"

What? Landing?

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, hold on.

Doesn't that make things even more complicated?

Xi Hai suddenly felt a headache coming on.

He looked at another schematic sent by the research ship—

The landing sites were concentrated in five locations, and there was support from amphibious aircraft...

This doesn't look like an extermination, does it?

It looks like they are looking for something.

As if to confirm his conjecture, his communicator suddenly emitted a "beep, beep, beep" sound.

Once connected, an anxious female voice came through—

"Report, Commander! I am Research Officer White Shark's assistant, Baili Ying! We have discovered a massive pre-era construct beneath the city of 'Baghdad' on the second planet of the target star system!"

"It is suspected to be a weapon-class megastructure!"

"We are being pursued by a group of armed militants! They seem to be after that megastructure too!"

"Requesting reinforcements!"

Along with this communication, there were two videos:

One was footage of fighter jets strafing a crowd, and the other—

was the entire process of those Marines interrogating and then murdering the bearded Follower.

Originally, before watching those two videos, Xi Hai was hesitant:

He wanted that megastructure, but going up against the Empire meant he would have to give up all his current political capital.

He couldn't estimate the cost-benefit ratio—

After all, he didn't know how many parts of that megastructure were still functional, or if it was just an empty shell.

But after watching those two videos,

Xi Hai's furrowed brow immediately relaxed—not only did it relax, but a smile he couldn't hide spread across his face—

At this moment, he was incredibly grateful to that Marine who had been filmed:

I was worried you were from the Empire!

You should have said you were rebels sooner!

And alien-hybrid rebels at that!

Now, don't I have a reason for political correctness? Don't I have someone to take the fall?

It's hard not to hit you! Brother!

And—Xi Hai looked at that terrible alien name,

Fighting you is my specialty!!!

Without any hesitation, Xi Hai switched the channel to the entire fleet:

"Attention all units! Split into six routes and enter warp flight mode!"

"Assault!!!"

"Do not let a single enemy escape!"

...

...

On that gray Warship floating in orbit,

Kaims Hill was gazing out the window, wondering what he was thinking about.

Suddenly, his adjutant walked over quickly with a report—

"Report, General! The Marine Corps responsible for landing at Baghdad Point 3 just sent a report; they have discovered the buried megastructure!"

"It's right directly beneath that White Tower!"

Hearing this news, he turned to look at his adjutant and nodded with satisfaction:

"See, our soldiers are still quite capable,"

"Those stupid natives sit on a treasure mountain but never think to utilize it, and foolishly shelve it in the form of religion,"

"Only us, inheriting the noble Yutai bloodline, we who truly possess wisdom,"

"are qualified to inherit and possess these technological creations."

His adjutant bowed again and replied:

"The General is wise."

Kaims Hill glanced at the adjutant and continued:

"Elijah, you often have some very good ideas,"

"Regarding our subsequent direction, how do you think we should proceed?"

After being asked, Elijah (the adjutant) was stunned for a few seconds, then said:

"General, you flatter me too much,"

"I dare not say I have any ideas, it's just that under your guidance, I occasionally have some imperfect inspirations,"

"Those inspirations can only be fully realized after being shared with you."

A smile tugged at the corner of Kaims Hill's mouth, but he still looked into Adjutant Elijah's eyes and said:

"Then, now, tell me about your inspiration."

"Yes."

Elijah lowered his head and replied:

"Isn't our rotation period coming up this year?"

"It just so happens we have already corrupted our direct superiors in the military department, and now they all stand on our side."

"Coincidentally, I heard that the jurisdiction of the newly appointed Grand Duke Chu Xiluo—Tianjin Seat V89—is facing a severe military threat, and the Imperial government organs there have almost completely ceased functioning,"

"Undoubtedly, we can maneuver to be transferred directly there."

"There is undoubtedly a huge demand for rebuilding the administrative system there,"

"Our Legion can first feign loyalty to him, while secretly infiltrating and corrupting, until we turn that area into our own de facto territory,"

"Finally, kick him out, occupy that region, and stand against the Empire."

Hearing Elijah's plan, Kaims Hill was even more satisfied, but he added:

"Well said, but not just administration, there's also the economic system, cultural system, religious system..."

"We must completely grasp the lifeblood of that star sector, letting every organ, every second of time, and every strand of spiritual thought of every person there belong to us."

"Undoubtedly, that Imperial Grand Duke will only have two choices in the end—"

"Either become our ally,"

"Or become our puppet."

"Now, let us go and welcome our..."

Kaims Hill's words were not finished when suddenly, the Warship under his feet shook violently—

"BOOM————!!!!!"

"BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP!!!!!"

"Alarm! Alarm! Port side decompression!!"

"Alarm! Alarm! Starboard armor penetrated!!"

"Report, General! An unidentified fleet has suddenly appeared! They have launched a surprise attack on us!"

"Graviton interference facilities are losing power!"

"Report! We are being captured by planetary gravity! We are going to crash!"

"What is going on!!!"

On the Bridge, those who were feeling smug a second ago fell from heaven to hell in an instant.

People scrambled toward the escape Shuttle; sirens, screaming...

Chaos ensued.

And in the distance—

The main gun of the storm had just finished a round of firing, and the plasma projection device in front was constantly hurling bright white orbs at the enemy ships,

And the surrounding Ninth Mobile Fleet Warships also roared with iron and fire at their respective targets.

Watching the Warships disintegrating, falling, and burning in orbit, Xi Hai on the Bridge of the storm curled his lip in disdain—

"What kind of garbage is this? I thought they were strong?"

"Just a speed bump?"

Saying this, he opened the fleet channel and ordered loudly:

"Continue to press forward! Prepare to capture the main enemy force for a decisive battle!"