296: Chapter 231: Assigning Defense Zones, Three Days of Shock at the Lone Star

After three dizzying short-range space jumps and an eight-hour sub-light cruise, the transport ship 'Fortitude' finally arrived at its destination—the KT-73 Astral Corridor, 'Lone Star-III' outpost.

Looking through the porthole, the so-called outpost was not built on any planet. It was a composite structure constructed from over a dozen asteroid fragments of varying sizes, forcibly welded and joined together by the Human Race military using high-strength alloys and energy force fields. The overall shape was an irregular spindle, approximately two kilometers at its longest and eight hundred meters at its widest. Its exterior was covered with various turrets (some clearly retrofitted), sensor arrays, energy shield generators, and dense, hive-like entrances and berths. The outpost's surface was riddled with repair marks and blackened energy burns, silently testifying to the battles it had endured. Several high-powered searchlights swept through the void, illuminating the relatively small rock fragments and metallic debris floating nearby.

The outpost was situated in a relatively 'empty' debris belt. The nearest large planetary remains were tens of thousands of kilometers away. However, this 'emptiness' did not mean safety; instead, it meant greater exposure and a lack of natural cover.

Under guidance, the transport ship slowly berthed into a docking bay flashing with green indicator lights. As the hatch opened, a thick, mixed odor wafted out—the smell of sweat, engine oil, low-quality nutrient paste, and a faint, musty scent of blood that seemed to come from deep underground.

“Eaglet Third Squad, follow me.” A sergeant in worn combat fatigues with a scar on his face, who had been waiting in the docking bay, beckoned to Lin Zhou and the other three, his tone curt.

The four followed the sergeant through a maze of dimly lit internal corridors with exposed pipes. Fatigued soldiers and hurried technicians occasionally brushed past them, with almost no one sparing them a glance. Space utilization inside the outpost was extremely high, and most areas felt cramped and functional.

Eventually, they were led to a relatively spacious but equally Spartan briefing room. Several people were already waiting inside. Leading them was a middle-aged officer with a resolute face and eyes as sharp as an eagle's, wearing the Rank of captain. He radiated a Lesser Divinity fluctuation of around LV300, carrying a distinct military Evil Qi. Several lieutenants and non-commissioned officers stood beside him, their auras also formidable.

“Reporting! Fledgling Eagle Project Third Squad: Second Lieutenant Lin Zhou, Second Lieutenant Zhao Hao, Second Lieutenant Li Mo, and Second Lieutenant Wang Meng, reporting for duty!” Lin Zhou stepped forward and reported according to basic military protocol.

The captain—the outpost commander, Captain Marcus—swept his gaze over the four like a knife. His brow twitched imperceptibly, especially when he sensed Lin Zhou's LV249 Rank and the steady, heavy aura of civilization about him.

“The ‘Legend’ of Xinghai University?” Captain Marcus spoke, his voice raspy and direct. “I received the notification. Let's not waste words. Welcome to ‘Lone Star-III’—or as we call it, the ‘Holdout.’ Here, you’d best put away those academy flourishes. Our mission is simple: stay pinned here, watch the Orcs, don't let them sneak through, and don't let yourselves turn into the junk floating outside for no reason.”

He walked to a tactical star map on the wall, which showed the surrounding area centered on the outpost. “You are assigned to defend ‘Watchtower No. 7’ and its surrounding sector.” He circled a protruding, independent small structure about five kilometers from the main outpost on the star map. “It was originally a discarded automated observation station that we reinforced; it has basic living and defense facilities. Your mission: hold this sector for three days. After three days, a rotation unit will take over. During this time, you need to complete daily routine patrols (a fifty-kilometer radius), maintain clear communications, and report all anomalies. If you encounter the enemy, handle it yourself or request reinforcements as the situation dictates. Understood?”

“Understood, Sir!” the four responded in unison. Three days of defense didn't seem long, but on this peril-filled frontline, every second could be full of variables.

“Here is the detailed sector data, communication channels, and emergency distress codes.” Captain Marcus handed Lin Zhou a tactical tablet. “Now, go to the quartermaster to collect your sector’s exclusive supplies and access keys, then head to Tower 7 immediately. The transport shuttle is ready.”

There was no welcome ceremony and no unnecessary chatter. Everything was governed by the highest principles of efficiency and survival.

Soon, the four collected several crates of basic ammunition (suitable for the Ballistae and other weapons they carried), extra energy batteries, a set of simple sector monitoring sensor nodes, and most importantly—the access keys for Watchtower No. 7 and a small transport shuttle.

The transport shuttle was a simple, spindle-shaped craft that could only hold about ten people, its hull covered in scratches. The pilot was a laconic veteran. After briefly confirming their identities, he started the engines and carried the four silently out of the outpost port, flying toward the solitary 'Watchtower No. 7' in the depths of the pitch-black void.

The five-kilometer distance was covered in an instant in the void. Tower 7’s appearance was even more dilapidated than it looked from afar. The main body was a hemispherical metal structure about thirty meters in diameter, sitting on a slightly larger, irregular rock base. Several radar antennas and an old automated rapid-fire cannon extended from the top of the hemisphere. Around the rock base, traces of crude sandbag fortifications and barbed wire could be seen.

The transport shuttle docked at the tower's only airlock. The four entered one after another, carrying their supplies. The interior was cramped, divided into two levels. The upper level was the control room and observation platform, filled with flickering screens and gauges; the lower level was the living area and a small warehouse, filled with stale air.

“Good luck to you.” The veteran pilot dropped those words and hurriedly piloted the shuttle back, seemingly unwilling to stay outside this isolated watchtower for a moment longer.

In the control room, Lin Zhou quickly familiarized himself with the interface, activating and deploying his own [Eye of Reconnaissance] constructs and the military-issued sensor nodes to begin building a preliminary monitoring network at the edge of the sector. Zhao Hao and Wang Meng checked the defensive facilities, while Li Mo began tuning the communication equipment and scanners.

“The defenses are pitifully weak,” Zhao Hao shook his head after checking the automated rapid-fire cannon. “The barrel is heavily worn, and the power supply is unstable. I estimate it’ll overheat after three minutes of continuous firing at most. Those fortifications can only stop stray bullets.”

“Spatial structure scans show a slightly unstable, subtle spatial fold about eighty kilometers northwest of the sector,” Li Mo said, staring at the screen. “It could be used as a hidden path for short-range jumps; we need to monitor it closely.”

“The air circulation System efficiency is only 65%, but the backup oxygen reserves are enough for five days,” Wang Meng reported, coming up from the lower level.

While listening to the reports, Lin Zhou slowly extended his Divine Thought, combining it with sensor data to perceive this sector that 'belonged' to them. The void was deathly silent, with only the faint light of distant stars and the silhouettes of even more distant broken celestial remains. But beneath this silence, he keenly captured faint, chaotic, and aggressive energy residues—traces of Orc activity.

“Stay alert and take turns on watch. Li Mo, focus on monitoring the spatial fold to the northwest and all sensor feedback. Zhao Hao, Wang Meng, familiarize yourselves with the surrounding terrain and plan retreat and blocking routes for an encounter. I will first attempt to establish a preliminary ‘Civilization Order Field’ to see if I can enhance the stability of the laws here.”

After giving the Orders, Lin Zhou went to the center of the observation platform and sat cross-legged. Communicating with his Divine Kingdom, he channeled the power of the river of civilization. A faint, pale golden halo slowly spread out from him like a ripple, attempting to envelop the lonely tower and a small surrounding area. This was not a powerful defensive barrier, but rather an infiltration of the rules of Way of Civilization, aimed at dispelling chaos, stabilizing the mind, and imbuing this temporary territory with a faint 'Order' attribute, which might interfere with some Spells based on chaos and evil.

[Civilization Order Field (Miniature) unfolding...]

Range: Approximately 500-meter radius.

Effect: Stability of Order-inclined rules within range +5%; Chaos/Evil alignment units will feel slight discomfort (All Attributes -1%) upon entry; Ally units' Mental Resistance +3%.

Consumption: Continuous maintenance, consumes approximately 10 units of Divine Power per minute.

However, less than half an hour after Lin Zhou's Order Field had taken shape, the monitoring screen in front of Li Mo suddenly emitted a piercing alarm!

"Abnormal spatial disturbance detected! Coordinates: Northwest of the defense zone, distance approximately seventy-five kilometers, approaching the spatial fold discovered earlier! Quantity... three... no, five small targets! Energy readings... Orc style! It's a scout team!" Li Mo spoke at a rapid-fire pace.

Almost simultaneously, a [Eye of Reconnaissance] deployed at the outermost perimeter sent back a blurry image: five crudely-fashioned small assault craft, shaped like enlarged canoes and covered in animal hides and bone decorations, were quietly sliding out of that spatial fold like ghosts! On each craft, five to six tall, muscular Orc warriors with dark green or brown skin were vaguely visible. They held crude but massive axes, spiked clubs, or simple flintlocks, their eyes flashing with Bloodlust and cunning. At the bow of one craft stood a gaunt Orc dressed in a tattered feathered cloak, holding a bone staff, his face covered in war paint—a Shaman Apprentice!

"Enemy attack! Prepare for battle!" Lin Zhou snapped his eyes open, the radiance of his Order Field glowing slightly. Through his faith link, he instantly issued commands to the expeditionary forces standing by within his Divine Kingdom.

"Perfect timing!" Zhao Hao growled low, Dragon Might faintly radiating from his body as the Battle Intent of the Red Dragon kin was ignited.

"Quantity approximately twenty-five to thirty, with spellcasting units." With Qin Qing absent, Li Mo quickly took over the intelligence analysis.

"Let them taste the Behemoths' fists!" Wang Meng had already rushed to the lower entrance, ready to summon Behemoth warriors at any moment.

The five Orc assault craft had clearly also spotted the conspicuous target of Watchtower No. 7. They didn't charge immediately, but instead spread out their formation, slowly closing in from different directions like a wolf pack, obviously observing and testing. That Shaman Apprentice raised his bone staff and began chanting, an ominous dark red light beginning to condense at the tip of the staff.

"We can't let them finish the Spell! Zhao Hao, aerial containment! Li Mo, disrupt the casting! Wang Meng, meet the enemy head-on! Use the second encounter plan!" Lin Zhou issued Orders rapidly. Meanwhile, his own Divine Power surged as he actively contracted and strengthened the [Civilization Order Field], focusing its coverage on the watchtower's base area and attempting to use the rules of Order to interfere with the opponent's Spell construction.

"Roar—!" A phantom image of a Red Dragon flashed behind Zhao Hao as two smaller but more agile Juvenile Red Dragons (LV35) were summoned (in projection form, consuming Divine Power). They let out a provocative roar and lunged toward the flanks of the Orc fleet, attempting to draw fire and disrupt their formation.

Li Mo controlled several newly assembled [Portable Ballista Platforms], aiming at the assault craft where the Shaman Apprentice was located. The platforms were not loaded with ordinary bolts, but with his specially made [Logic Interference Arrows] (which have a brief disruptive effect on energy structures and Spell models).

Wang Meng let out a roar as his body expanded, possessed by a Behemoth phantom. He directly summoned five of the most elite [Behemoth Heavy Armored Warriors (LV40)], who held massive shields like door panels and battle-axes, guarding the cover at the lower entrance like solid rock.

Lin Zhou himself locked onto an assault craft attempting to flank them from the right. The Fire of Civilization burned slightly in his eyes as he barked: "Edict: In this area, stealthy raids are forbidden!"

His words became law! A faint but clear rule of Order, driven by his Divine Power and the Fire of Civilization, instantly enveloped a section of the right flank. The assault craft that was about to approach using the shadow of a floating rock suddenly stalled. The crude optical camouflage used to blur its outline flickered with chaotic light and failed, exposing the entire craft as if it were illuminated by a spotlight!

"Now!"

Li Mo's Ballista Platforms fired first! Three [Logic Interference Arrows] flickering with blue electric arcs shot toward the Shaman Apprentice in a triangular formation! At the same time, Zhao Hao's two Juvenile Red Dragons exhaled scorching Dragon Breath, sweeping across two other assault craft.

The Orcs clearly hadn't expected this seemingly isolated and weak little outpost to react so quickly and with such strange attack methods. Although the Logic Interference Arrows failed to completely interrupt the Shaman Apprentice's Spell, they caused the condensed dark red light to shake violently, greatly reducing its power. The Dragon Breath ignited the hides and decorations on the surface of two assault craft, causing small-scale chaos.

"Waaagh!" The Orc Berserkers on the right-flank assault craft, having been forced out of hiding, let out a roar and no longer concealed themselves, accelerating their charge.

The battle erupted instantly!

Wang Meng's Behemoth warriors were like a steel wall, bracing against the frontal impact of the Orc warriors; the collision of giant shields and Orc heavy weapons produced a deafening roar. Zhao Hao's Red Dragons circled in the air, breathing Dragon Breath and attacking with claws and teeth to pin down other enemies. Li Mo's Ballista Platforms and mechanical scouting bees provided constant harassment and precision shots. Lin Zhou moved around to provide support, sometimes using the Confucian [Subtle Influence] to boost morale, sometimes using phantoms of the Legalist [Spear of Law] to snipe agile Orcs trying to bypass the defensive line. Simultaneously, he maintained the Order Field, weakening the effects of the [Bloodlust] and [Agony Curse] that the Orc Shaman Apprentice repeatedly tried to cast.

Though the Orcs were fierce and had a slight numerical advantage, Lin Zhou's team had better coordination, more layered tactics, and the rule-level interference made the Orc Shaman extremely uncomfortable. The battle lasted about fifteen minutes. The Orcs left behind eight corpses (including two Orc Musketeers sniped by Li Mo), and the Shaman Apprentice was grazed by a sudden phantom of [Judgment of Law]. Sensing things were going poorly, he let out a retreating shriek.

The remaining Orcs quickly broke contact, boarded their damaged assault craft, and fled in panic toward the spatial fold they came from, not even stopping to collect their comrades' bodies.

"We won!" Zhao Hao pumped his fist excitedly. The two Juvenile Red Dragons also bore some light injuries, but their spirits were high.

"Enemy losses approximately one-third. Our side... three Behemoth warriors lightly injured, Red Dragons lightly injured, energy consumption about 15%," Li Mo quickly calculated.

Wang Meng deactivated his Behemoth possession, panting slightly, but his eyes were bright: "That was satisfying! Just not quite enough of a challenge!"

Lin Zhou, however, did not relax his guard. He walked to the area below the tower where the fighting had been most intense, his gaze falling on the ground near an Orc corpse. There, at some point before retreating, the Shaman Apprentice had used his bone staff dipped in a dark red viscous liquid to draw a palm-sized totem with a twisted and eerie structure.

The totem looked neither like a beast nor a rune; its lines were crude yet exuded a sinister power. It was emitting a faint, very uncomfortable dark red glow, and a visible, thin black mist was drifting out from the totem.

Wherever the black mist passed, the extremely resilient lichen-like plants on the stone base—which could survive Void Realm radiation—actually withered, blackened, and turned to ash at a visible speed! Even the alloy floor seemed to be covered in a dim shadow.

"This is..." Li Mo immediately started a scan. "High-concentration curse energy! It has the triple effects of life drain, land pollution, and mental erosion! The range of influence... is expanding, currently about a fifteen-meter radius, with an expansion speed of about one meter per minute! If left untreated, it's expected to cover the entire watchtower base area in three hours!"

"Damn it! These green-skinned bastards!" Zhao Hao cursed.

Lin Zhou crouched down, cautiously extending his Divine Thought toward the eerie totem. Upon contact, a chaotic intent filled with violence, pain, and hatred tried to backlash along his Divine Thought. Simultaneously, he felt his own Divine Power being slightly tugged by the totem.

[Detected Unknown Orc Shaman Curse Totem (Low-Grade)]

Effects:

Life Wither: Continuously drains the vitality of non-Orc faction lifeforms within range. Plant-types wither directly; animals/humanoids continuously lose health points (approximately 1-5 points per second, depending on resistance).

Land Pollution: Pollutes the land, making it temporarily unable to support normal plant growth, and may breed mutant fungi beneficial to Orcs or attract certain lower-tier monsters that favor foul environments.

Mental Whispers: Units within range will be subjected to faint chaotic mental interference, producing negative emotions such as irritability and anger. Long-term exposure may lead to mental exhaustion.

Energy Marker: The totem can serve as a beacon for high-level Shamans for remote sensing or spellcasting.

Dispel Difficulty: Medium (requires targeted purification or strong rule coverage).

"They sent such a 'grand gift' right after arriving." Lin Zhou's gaze turned cold. If this curse totem wasn't handled in time, it would not only affect their guarding status for the next three days but could also expose their position and attract even stronger enemies.

He stood up and looked at the sinister pattern that was still slowly spreading black mist.

"It seems these three days are destined not to be peaceful."