77: Beacon Strike and Energy Storm

The situation in the Lunar orbit battlefield gradually stabilized with the powerful intervention of the hope and Sun Zheng's order resonance support. The Scrin Fleet's offensive was contained, and even began to show signs of retreat. But Sun Zheng and Falcon both knew this was only temporary. As long as the purple spatial rift – the secondary beacon – was still operating, Scrin reinforcements would continuously pour in.

"The beacon must be destroyed!" Sun Zheng's gaze was fixed on the constantly fluctuating spatial rift in the distance. It was like a malignant tumor, continuously emitting chaotic energy, the core of the entire battlefield.

"Commander, there's a powerful energy shield around the beacon, and it's heavily guarded! A direct assault would be extremely difficult!" Colonel Falcon analyzed the scanning data. Near the beacon, in addition to the retreating remnants, two newly warped-in Scrin Heavy Cruisers and a large number of attack craft were guarding it.

Although the hope was powerful, after repeated fierce battles, its shields and ammunition were severely depleted, and the order resonance placed a great burden on Sun Zheng, unable to last too long. A direct assault on the beacon carried extremely high risks.

"We can't assault it directly, we can only outsmart it." Sun Zheng's mind raced, combining the keystone's sensing of the beacon's energy structure, a bold plan gradually took shape.

"The beacon's energy core is highly compressed chaotic energy. Order Energy is inherently antithetical to it." Sun Zheng analyzed, "If we can precisely inject a powerful stream of Order Energy into the beacon's core, it might trigger an energy imbalance, destroying it from within!"

"Like with the ancient ship in the Asteroid Belt?" Falcon immediately understood Sun Zheng's intention.

"Similar, but more dangerous this time. The beacon's energy level is higher, and it's extremely unstable." Sun Zheng nodded, "We need a high-speed, stealthy small spacecraft, carrying a high-concentration Order Energy generator, to break through the defenses and perform an 'energy injection' into the beacon at close range!"

"This... this is a suicide mission!" Falcon exclaimed in shock. The defensive firepower around the beacon was enough to instantly vaporize any small spacecraft.

"Therefore, someone needs to pilot the spacecraft and make a desperate charge." Sun Zheng's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable resolve, "Falcon, you command the hope, provide me with fire support, and draw the enemy's attention."

"Commander! You're going personally?!" Falcon was greatly alarmed.

"Only I can precisely control the Order Energy to complete the injection. This is the only chance." Sun Zheng patted Falcon's shoulder, "The hope and the Moon Base are in your hands."

There was no time to argue. Falcon looked at Sun Zheng's determined eyes and nodded heavily: "Understood! I will cover you with my life!"

The plan of action immediately began. An emergency-modified starshuttle-class assault craft, stripped of all weapons and equipped with an ultra-high-power Order Energy generator and reinforced shields, was released from the hope's hangar.

Sun Zheng donned a special protective suit and boarded the assault craft. Inside the craft, the Order Energy generator emitted a low hum, radiating a chilling blue light.

All of the hope's weapons roared again, launching a furious feint attack on the Scrin Fleet around the beacon, trying to draw as much fire as possible. The Moon Base's defenders also concentrated their remaining firepower to provide support.

"Now! Go!" Sun Zheng seized the opportunity, piloting the assault craft, engines overloaded, like a blue lightning bolt, it shot out from the hope's shadow, heading straight for the spatial beacon!

"High-speed target detected! Intercept it!" The Scrin Fleet immediately discovered the assault craft with its obvious intentions! A dense barrage of phase rounds poured down like a storm!

The assault craft maneuvered wildly through the barrage. Sun Zheng pushed his piloting skills to the limit, while simultaneously fully raising the Order Shield! The shield flickered violently under the attack, its energy rapidly depleting!

"One thousand kilometers to the beacon! Shield at 30% remaining!"

The hope's artillery desperately suppressed the pursuing enemy ships, buying precious time for Sun Zheng.

Five hundred kilometers! Three hundred kilometers!

The beacon's distorted purple light was now close at hand, and the chaotic energy it emitted made Sun Zheng feel waves of nausea. The assault craft's shield was almost depleted, and the hull was grazed by several phase cannons, its armor melting, alarms screaming shrilly!

"Now!" Sun Zheng roared, pushing the assault craft's speed to its limit, while simultaneously injecting all his mental energy into the Order Energy generator!

"Order Infusion! Maximum power!"

Buzz—!!!

A highly condensed beam of order light, like a blue sun, shot violently from the assault craft's front, accurately striking the core of the spatial beacon!

Rumble rumble rumble—!!!

The order and chaotic energies within the beacon clashed with unprecedented ferocity! The purple beacon light was instantly corroded by blue, and the entire spatial rift began to violently twist and vibrate! A terrifying Energy Storm erupted centered on the beacon!

"It worked! Retreat quickly!" Sun Zheng turned the craft around, attempting to escape.

But it was too late! The Energy Storm swept through far faster than imagined! The out-of-control chaotic energy engulfed the assault craft like a tsunami!

"Commander!" Falcon's eyes were bloodshot on the hope!

At this critical moment, the glimmer keystone on Sun Zheng's chest erupted with unprecedented light! A powerful surge of Order Energy formed a protective cocoon, enveloping him! At the same time, he felt a strong pulling force from the direction of the Moon – it was the Lunar Ruin! The ruin's core had resonated with the keystone, actively drawing him in!

Whoosh!

Just before the Energy Storm completely swallowed the assault craft, Sun Zheng, along with the Order Energy cocoon, was pulled by a blue light emanating from the Moon, instantly vanishing!

The next moment, the out-of-control energy core underwent a final explosion!

Boom—!!!

A massive purple energy sphere rapidly expanded, devouring everything around it, including several Scrin warships that couldn't escape in time! Then, the energy sphere sharply contracted, and the spatial rift completely collapsed and disappeared!

The Lunar Beacon was destroyed!

But Sun Zheng's assault craft also turned into cosmic dust in the explosion.

On the hope, there was a deathly silence. Colonel Falcon stared blankly at the gradually subsiding energy turbulence, his fists clenched, his fingernails digging deep into his palms.

Commander... sacrificed?