207: Stalemate and undercurrent

Genoq Star, Northern Mountains, a certain mine, Earth Federation Frontline Command Post.

A year ago, this was the Earth Federation's most important rare metal mining base. Now, it has become a meat grinder, repeatedly contested by both sides.

A piercing alarm cut through the night sky, and the holographic projection in the command room flickered with dazzling red light.

"The Brood Fleet is here again!" The communications officer's voice was tense. "Orbital bombardment alert! Estimated contact in thirty seconds!"

The Commander stood up abruptly, slamming his fist on the alarm button on the control panel: "Everyone, immediately enter the underground bunker! Repeat, immediately enter the underground bunker!"

Personnel in the command room quickly evacuated. The Commander took one last look at the holographic star map. The Brood Fleet's emblem was moving in orbit, locking onto the Earth Federation's frontline base.

"FXXK!"

He gritted his teeth and turned to rush into the emergency passage.

Boom—

Deafening explosions came from the surface, the entire underground bunker shook violently, and dust fell from the ceiling. The Commander leaned against the wall, feeling the tremor of each shockwave.

"Third round..." he muttered softly. "How much ammunition do these lunatics have?"

"How can we fight this war without air superiority?"

The Earth Federation's defense line was built into a converted mine, with heavy alloy gates blocking every passage, and automated turrets and proximity mines forming a death trap. On the outskirts of the mine, Brood bodies piled up like mountains, their gray-green blood seeping into the soil, staining the rocks a strange dark color.

"Report, large number of biological signals on the east defense line!" The roar of a frontline soldier came through the communicator. "The Brood are charging again!"

The Commander pulled up the monitoring screen, only to see hundreds of Brood warriors surging from the other side of the ridge. They held crude but deadly cold weapons, emitting beast-like war cries from their throats.

"Let them in." The Commander said coldly. "Execute as planned."

The Brood broke through the first line of defense, roaring excitedly as they charged into the mine. However, what awaited them was not fleeing Earth Federation soldiers, but silent muzzles.

"Fire!"

The Earth Federation forces, hidden in the shadows of the mine, suddenly appeared.

They wore heavy exoskeleton armor and wielded electromagnetic rifles, their muzzles spitting deadly blue light. Even more terrifying, their pupils glowed with an unnatural red light in the dark. These were bio-engineered soldiers, newly developed by the Earth Federation using gene-editing technology, with neural reaction speeds and muscle strength far exceeding ordinary people.

To be precise, they could contend with the strongest Brood warriors bare-handed.

The Brood warriors' charge was instantly shattered. Electromagnetic rounds easily tore through their armor, riddling their flesh. In just three minutes, this Brood assault team was completely wiped out.

"Cleanup complete." The captain reported. "Enemy casualties 87, our casualties zero."

The Commander nodded, about to order the reinforcement of the defense line, when suddenly, a scream came through his earpiece.

"Warning! High-altitude energy signature detected!" The radar operator's voice suddenly became sharp. "It's the Brood Mothership's main cannon!"

"Everyone immediately retreat underground! Quick!"

A dazzling beam of light descended from the sky, precisely hitting the center of the mine. A huge shockwave instantly vaporized the surface buildings, and the flames of the explosion swept across the entire mining area. Even hiding tens of meters deep in the underground command post, the Commander could still feel the world-destroying tremor.

When the dust settled, the monitoring screen showed only a scorched earth. The mine, which had many large buildings and reinforced bunkers, was once again reduced to ruins, along with some Earth Federation soldiers and surviving Brood, completely wiped out.

"These beasts..." The Commander's fists clenched, cracking. "They even kill their own!"

He pulled up the holographic map, which showed the records of engagements between the two sides over the past six months.

The Earth Federation's defense line advanced steadily in the mountains, relying on bio-engineered soldiers and automated weapons to resist the Brood's ground attacks. But as soon as the Earth Federation gained a foothold somewhere, the Brood Fleet would flatten it with orbital bombardment.

Then the Earth Federation would rebuild defensive positions on the ruins, resisting the Brood's landing and preventing them from establishing surface bases.

This was a never-ending war of attrition.

"Report to the Parliament," the Commander rubbed his temples wearily. "We need a new strategy."

Earth Federation Parliament Building, operations meeting room.

On the holographic projection, the scene of the mine being bombed plunged the entire room into silence.

Emma stood in front of the projection, her face as grim as iron: "Losses?"

"The Northern Mountains mine has been completely destroyed again," the Minister of Defense's voice was heavy. "This time our personnel losses were much lower than last time, but rebuilding the position will take a lot of time."

"What about the Brood?"

"Their ground forces were also completely annihilated, but..." The Minister of Defense gave a bitter smile. "At least from their combat mode, they seem to not care about casualties at all."

Emma closed her eyes and took a deep breath. This was the third time this month. The Earth Federation's soldiers could crush the Brood's ground forces, but as soon as the Earth Federation gained an advantage, the Brood Fleet would use orbital bombardment to achieve mutual destruction.

"What about our space fleet?"

"Still unable to break through the Brood Fleet's defense line." The Naval Commander shook his head. "Their spaceship technology far surpasses ours. Although we can get close, if we can't break through their shields, we can't even make a springboard."

Emma's fingers tapped lightly on the table: "How is the 'Orion Project' progressing?"

The technician pulled up an encrypted report: "The anti-orbital missile prototype test was successful, but the lethality is still insufficient. To threaten the Brood Mothership, we can only exchange quantity for quality. Based on our current reserves and production capacity, it will take at least six more months."

"Six months..." Emma fell into thought.

She turned to the star map, looking at the massive Brood Mothership on the outskirts of the Genoq Star system, her gaze as sharp as a knife.

"Perhaps, we can talk to them?"

Brood Mothership "Brood", command cabin. Krook, the current Supreme Commander of the Brood Civilization, stood in front of the observation window, looking at Genoq Star engulfed in gunfire below.

His skin was darker than that of ordinary Brood, and there were bone spurs protruding from his joints, indicating his noble lineage.

"The Earth Federation people have hidden underground again." The adjutant reported. "Our bombing effectiveness is decreasing."

Krook sneered: "Hmph, then we'll bomb until they have nowhere to hide."

"But Commander..." The adjutant hesitated. "Our ammunition reserves are already less than 30%, and the energy core is also starting to age. The Engineer said that if we continue to fight at such high intensity, the Mothership's lifespan will be greatly shortened."

Krook's bone spurs trembled slightly with anger: "Then let the Engineer find a way! We Brood will never bow down to a lower civilization!"

The adjutant lowered his head, not daring to speak further.

Earth Federation Capital, civilian assembly square, some races were holding rallies and speeches. Or rather, protests.

"Stop the war! We want peace!"

"When will the Brood's bombardment end?!"

"The Parliament is incompetent! It can't protect us!"

Angry citizens held up placards, protesting in front of the Parliament Building.

In the past few years, the Brood Fleet would occasionally launch orbital bombardments on the Earth Federation's border colonies. Although the direct casualties were not large, the psychological deterrence to the public was extremely severe.

The Sirius Clan representative stood on the podium, his voice impassioned: "The Earth Federation Parliament has wasted too many resources in this meaningless war! We, the Sirius Clan, demand autonomy! We have the right to decide our own future!"

A cheer erupted from the crowd below.

Inside the Parliament Building, Emma stood by the window, watching the scene expressionlessly.

"Separatist sentiment is getting worse and worse," the Minister of Internal Affairs said worriedly. "The Sirius Clan has begun to openly question the Parliament's authority."

"According to our intelligence, they are probably just pawns being instigated."

Emma shook her head slightly: "They are afraid. Because of our peaceful methods at the time, they came to believe that those green beasts would also give them equality and benefits."

"What should we do?"

"Continue to execute the established strategy." Emma turned and walked towards the door. "At the same time, prepare the 'contingency plan'."

Meanwhile, in the lower cabins of the Brood Mothership, people were also secretly conversing.

In the dimly lit cabin, several Brood were gathered, talking in low voices. Their figures were much smaller than Brood warriors, and their skin was more bluish-green. In Brood Civilization, they were members of the Scholar class.

"Krook is crazy," the older Brood Scholar whispered. "He will exhaust our last resources like this."

"The Mothership's energy core won't last much longer," the young Engineer said worriedly. "If this continues, we won't even be able to leave this star system."

"We must do something." The third Scholar said. "The Earth Federation people are not our enemies, they are just..."

"Just what?" A cold voice suddenly came from the doorway.

The Scholars turned in horror, seeing an officer loyal to Krook standing at the door with two warriors, blood still dripping from their battle axes.

"Traitors." The officer grinned, raising his battle axe. "The glory of the Brood cannot be defiled!"

Earth Federation Parliament Building, late night.

Emma's personal communicator suddenly rang. She glanced at the encrypted channel, her brows slightly furrowed.

Opening the communication, an image of an unfamiliar Brood appeared in the holographic projection.

The other party did not have the tyrannical aura of a Brood warrior, but rather a sense of rationality and peace.

"Speaker Emma," the other party said in fluent Earth Federation language. "I am a representative of the Brood Scholar Council. We need to talk."

Emma's eyes narrowed slightly: "About what?"

"About, ending this war."