75: Choices and Rescue

The activation of the Moon beacon and the urgent alarm from Mars struck Sun Zheng's heart like two heavy hammers. The Scrin Fleet's general offensive was not a step-by-step process, but a multi-point blitzkrieg! They intended to destroy key nodes before humanity could even react!

Inside the bridge of the "hope," the air was so heavy it felt as if it were about to solidify. Everyone stared at Sun Zheng, waiting for his decision.

Return to reinforce the Moon? Or rush to reinforce Mars?

The Moon Base "Guanghan Palace" was a vital outpost and research station, and more importantly, the eyes monitoring Earth and deep space. If it fell, it would not only mean the loss of precious data and personnel but would also provide the Scrin Fleet with a springboard to directly threaten Earth and Mars.

The Mars "Hope Fortress" was the foundation, the lifeblood of all industrial capacity and the main fleet. If Mars were lost, humanity would lose its final base of resistance and fall into eternal damnation.

Split the forces? Relying on the strength of a single destroyer like the "hope," splitting into two paths was equivalent to suicide.

Sun Zheng's gaze moved rapidly between the points of the Moon and Mars on the star map, his brain analyzing the pros and cons at an unprecedented speed. The sense of crisis coming from the keystone was like an ice pick piercing his bones, but it also brought a sliver of cold clarity.

"The Moon!" Sun Zheng suddenly looked up, his voice resolute. "Turn around immediately, support the Moon!"

"Commander?!" Colonel Falcon was startled. "Mars is our foundation! And the Jupiter beacon..."

"Mars has Colonel A001, a complete defense system, and a fleet under construction; they can hold out!" Sun Zheng explained quickly. "But the Moon Base's defenses are weak, and it's too close to Earth! Once the Moon falls, the Scrin Fleet's spearhead will point directly at a defenseless Earth! We just established contact with our compatriots on Earth; we cannot stand by and watch them be destroyed!"

"Furthermore," a sharp light flashed in Sun Zheng's eyes, "the Moon beacon is a secondary beacon; its energy fluctuations are far inferior to the main beacon at Jupiter. Destroying it might delay the activation of the main beacon, buying time for Mars! This is currently the choice with controllable risk and the greatest strategic gain!"

Colonel Falcon thought for a moment and immediately understood Sun Zheng's intention. This was seeking victory amidst danger, a direct strike at the vitals!

"Understood! Target: Moon. Full speed ahead!" Falcon immediately gave the order to the helmsman.

The massive hull of the "hope" carved a sharp arc in space. Its engines overdriven, it sprayed a dazzling tail flame as it broke Earth's orbit and charged toward the Moon without looking back!

"Communications officer! Send a message to the Mars Base and the 'wind chaser' near the Oort Cloud!" Sun Zheng ordered while staring at the star map. "Tell them our decision. order the Mars Base to enter maximum combat readiness and hold at all costs! order the 'wind chaser' to accelerate their search; they must find the order beacon!"

"Yes!"

The information was sent at faster-than-light speed. Sun Zheng knew this decision threw immense pressure onto Colonel A001 and the reconnaissance team far away in the Oort Cloud, but he had no choice.

During the voyage, Sun Zheng continuously received battle reports from the Moon Base; the situation was critical!

In lunar orbit, that purple spatial rift had stabilized, looking like a hideous eye. Dozens of Scrin medium attack ships and hundreds of attackers were swarming out of the rift, launching a fierce assault on the "Guanghan Palace" base! The base's prism towers and missile batteries resisted desperately, but the defensive line was crumbling!

"Guanghan Palace reporting! The eastern defense platform has been destroyed! Casualties are heavy! We need support!" Colonel A001's voice was mixed with explosions and alarms, filled with anxiety.

"Hold on! We're almost there!" Sun Zheng replied, his palms turning white from clenching too hard.

The "hope" pushed its speed to the limit. Colonel Falcon and the crew made final pre-battle preparations, checking weapon systems and assigning combat tasks. A murderous atmosphere preceding a great battle permeated the ship.

Sun Zheng walked into the captain's lounge alone and closed the door. He needed a moment of silence to adjust his state for the upcoming fierce battle. Closing his eyes, his consciousness sank into the homeworld space.

The light of the glimmer keystone at the center of the space flowed, seemingly sensing the approaching crisis. Sun Zheng placed his hand on the keystone, feeling the Order Energy contained within. This time, he no longer passively received information, but actively poured his will and determination into it.

"We need power... the power to protect..."

The keystone's light suddenly became blazing! A purer and more massive surge of Order Energy fed back, pouring into Sun Zheng's limbs and bones! He felt his connection with the warship grow tighter, and his control over energy rose to a new level!

[glimmer keystone synchronization rate increased! Temporary ability unlocked: Order Resonance (Basic) — Can significantly strengthen friendly unit shields and weapon effectiveness for a short time within a limited range.]

A temporary, powerful support ability! Truly timely help!

Sun Zheng exited the space, a blue light flashing briefly in his eyes. He pushed open the cabin door and returned to the bridge, his voice steady and powerful:

"All hands, battle stations! Falcon, take over tactical command. I will personally coordinate the Order Energy to provide support for the fleet!"

"Understood!"

The "hope" shot through layers of void like an arrow from a bow. The grey silhouette of the Moon, covered in craters, was already before their eyes. Ahead was the dense, purple-glowing Scrin Fleet, radiating destruction!