138: Tactical Mech

The *pioneer* Space Fortress.

“Sir, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Huaxia Federation has requested we deploy the *Calamity*.”

He Ming opened his eyes, a memory surfacing of him and Ji Xue inside the cockpit of the *Calamity*.

That specific *Calamity*, which could absorb destiny/fortune and convert it into its own energy, was completely different from the standard mass-produced models.

The answer provided by the omniscient notebook was because of Ji Xue; her ability was extremely unique, something she herself had not yet realized.

As long as she poured a large amount of emotion into an object, that object would be imbued with a soul consciousness.

This had a certain connection with the Ji Family’s inherited cultivation method, the *Word Spirit Sutra*.

Ji Xue, while cultivating the *Word Spirit Sutra*, also switched to cultivating the Star Guidance Technique, creating a marvelous complementarity between the two.

However, Ji Xue was the only person in the entire Ji Family to possess this ability.

He Ming: “How many units do they want?”

“Two units.”

“Give them to them.”

“Understood, Sir.”

... B7-49 Star Sector, Asteroid Belt.

Two thousand hai star mecha units split into two formations, left and right, maneuvering around the obstacles and advancing at full speed toward the B-10 main battlefield.

Just as the vanguard was about to pass through the Asteroid Belt, two *Calamity* units hidden within the belt were suddenly activated, their thrusters fully engaged as they lunged toward the two arrays of the hai star mecha formation.

“Enemy attack!”

A warning came from the command system, but it was too late.

The *Calamity* units opened their full complement of missile bays, launching 144 tactical heavy particle explosive warheads simultaneously!

They immediately transformed into suicide bombers, rushing toward the hai star mecha array, their bodies rapidly heating up until they glowed red, like white-hot branding irons.

The two *Calamity* units were destroyed by concentrated fire just before impact, but the special pulse generated by the explosion spread wildly, instantly engulfing the entire mobile unit.

“Damn it, I can’t move!”

“This is an electromagnetic pulse storm!”

“It’s over...”

... 288 tactical heavy particle explosive warheads dispersed, forming a net that covered the sky and earth, descending upon the Hai Star mobile unit.

The first warhead was detonated.

The resulting ball of light shot into the sky, spreading wildly in all directions, like a blooming crimson lotus, instantly causing a chain reaction.

Silent explosions rang out in succession, forming a brilliant glare that illuminated an area spanning a million kilometers, resembling a bloody hell on earth.

The shockwaves collided with each other, creating an even more powerful high-energy reaction.

In the end, the Hai Star mobile unmanned combat unit, along with forty high-ranking military officers, were completely swallowed up, leaving no trace of their existence.

Hai Star Fleet.

A crimson light swept over, bathing the entire expanse of space in blood red.

Although separated by hundreds of thousands of kilometers, the entire fleet could still see that flower of starlight with the naked eye; it was as if a star was exploding, and even space itself was on the verge of being torn apart.

“Commander!”

“All signals from the mobile unit have vanished!”

Commander leaped up in shock, rushing to the observation window in two strides, staring in disbelief at the clusters of crimson light in the distant sky.

“The Blue Star people actually possess tactical weaponry of this caliber!”

The Deputy silently arrived behind Commander.

“Commander, why did the Blue Star people know our deployment beforehand?”

His voice lacked its usual respect, carrying a hint of suspicion.

Commander suddenly turned around, his gaze sharp, meeting the Deputy’s eyes.

“Are you doubting me?”

His tone was chilling, and his eyes revealed a trace of disappointment.

The Deputy subconsciously shifted his gaze, looking down at the terminal in his hand, and spoke expressionlessly: “The central intelligence has already made a judgment: the Blue Star people knew the mobile unit’s route and exact arrival time in advance, and they were equipped with a special coating capable of evading our radar scans.”

At this point, the Deputy turned the tablet toward Commander.

The screen showed the pulse energy generated by the explosion of the two *Calamity* units instantly completing its spread, paralyzing the entire mobile unit for a full two seconds.

It was precisely this two-second window that allowed the incoming warheads to complete their final deployment.

Once the explosion formed, attempting escape was already too late.

“This pulse energy blocked all signal sources, causing the central intelligence to lose connection, which is why the mobile unit was brought to a standstill.”

“To achieve this level of effect, they needed to first crack the central intelligence’s underlying connection logic, as well as... a targeted data link attack pattern.”

“General, before I entered service, control over the central intelligence was always in your hands.”

The atmosphere on the bridge gradually became oppressive as the two men spoke, like sinking into a swamp, leaving people unable to move or even breathe deeply.

Commander, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Hai Star Expeditionary Force and Fleet Commander, held the highest rank and absolute authority.

However, his Deputy, Koste, hailed from the Hai Star Royal Family, similar to the ancient Chinese role of an imperial inspector, and although he could not directly participate in fleet decisions, he possessed the right to dismiss the supreme leader at any time.

Provided the evidence was sufficient and passed the central intelligence’s review, Commander would be immediately dismissed and stripped of his command over the fleet.

Commander removed his hat and placed it at his waist; he seemed to have aged ten years in that moment.

“I have not betrayed Hai Star, nor would I ever do such a thing.”

“I will bear all losses resulting from this tactical error and accept any form of investigation.”

Koste sighed.

“Commander, during the investigation, you will temporarily step down as Commander-in-Chief of the Expeditionary Force and lose fleet command.”

“Take him away.”

Two guards quickly stepped forward, performed a standard Imperial military salute by clenching their right fists and striking their hearts, and then followed Commander out of the bridge, one on his left and one on his right.

Moon Base.

Xi stood like a javelin in front of the main control screen, observing the battle damage reports for both sides displayed on the star map.

If the battle continued at this pace, the Hai Star drone unit would be completely annihilated in another three hours.

At this moment, a message popped up in the bottom right corner of the main control screen.

[Commander-in-Chief of the Hai Star Expeditionary Force and Supreme Fleet Commander—Commander—has been temporarily dismissed. Fleet Deputy Commander Gomu will take over overall fleet command.]

Upon seeing this message, a slight smile appeared on Xi's lips.

He had studied all the data concerning Commander: 497 years old, having participated in 307 interstellar wars without a single defeat.

Even when facing the weakest opponents, Commander’s leadership style remained consistent.

Steady advancement, never rushed or impatient.

This was, without a doubt, the greatest obstacle for the commando unit preparing to execute the decapitation strike.

All the previous schemes were designed to unseat this steady Hai Star general and replace him with the more aggressive Deputy Commander-in-Chief Gomu.

If the plan had failed, the decapitation strike would have had to be temporarily canceled.

“Execute Phase Three of the battle plan. Increase the deployment of Hive units and continue steady advancement.”

Asteroid Base.

Twenty hatch doors opened, and twenty triangular warp spacecraft slowly ascended.

After adjusting their direction, they instantly vanished from their original location.