Interstellar Survival: Invasion

”What ’s going on? ” asked Zhang Xingxing when she heard the nervousness in Dodo ’s voice.

”Some unknown offensive system has locked onto Skyhawk.
And there is more than one offensive system involved, ” reported Dodo.

Jack hurriedly scanned our surroundings, but no enemy ship could be found.
We were unable to figure out how many enemy ships were involved.

”Commander, this isn ’t looking good.
If the enemy ships really attack, our defensive system won ’t be able to defend against so many attacks at the same time, ” said Dodo.

What humans feared most wasn ’t death itself.
Rather, the sensation of facing an unknown source of destruction was what humans feared more.
And that was exactly what we were facing.

”Dodo, initiate a wormhole-leap immediately to escape from the enemy ’s targeting, ” said Zhang Xingxing.

”Zhang Xingxing, Li Canyue, I ’m Prince Toruse.
Do you hear me? ” Prince Toruse ’s familiar voice suddenly came from the communicator.

”Prince, is that you? Where are you? ” replied Dodo.

”I ’m leading a special fleet.
We have been trying to follow Skyhawk, but you guys were moving too fast.
We are now locking on to your ships with our offensive system to confirm that everything is normal on your side, ” said Prince Toruse.

”Normal, everything is completely normal here.
You, why can ’t you contact us normally? What is the meaning of targeting us with your offensive system? ” Zhang Bao ’er did not find the explanation acceptable.

”Brother Bao ’er, don ’t be angry.
Using the offensive system is the most efficient and fastest method.
We need to establish contact before you disappear from our detection system again, ” said Prince Toruse.

”Prince, that is way too dangerous.
We might launch an offensive at any time.
We could very well end up killing each other, ” said Old Du, voicing his support for Zhang Bao ’er.

”Don ’t worry.
We ’re still 30 million kilometers away from you.
Our scouting drone was the one that had locked on to you.
The resulting alarm was a result of confusion, ” said Prince Toruse.

”A scouting drone? No wonder we couldn ’t detect any enemies nearby.
A single drone has created such a ruckus.
Looks like the imperial ships aren ’t really that impressive when it comes to battleship defense, ” said Zhang Bao ’er, finding an excuse for his embarrassing performance.

”Not really.
This only proves that the imperial ships are extremely effective at confusing the enemy.
Even a Milky Way–class battleship can ’t accurately determine if the enemy is actually attacking or not, ” said Jack.

”Prince Toruse, where are you? Are Dondon and the others safe? Join us as soon as possible.
Do you need Commander Zhang Xingxing herself to give the order before you ’re willing to move? ” said Domo with a reproachful tone.
It was quite surprising to hear Domo say such words.
 

”Roger.
Please wait a moment.
We will reach you in roughly 10 minutes.
The others are safe.
We will see you guys soon, ” said Prince Toruse.
He did not argue.

Everyone was relaxed upon learning that the offensive system that had locked onto us came from Prince Toruse ’s ship.
We all waited silently for the two princes and the others to return.
After roughly 10 minutes, a massive fleet of mixed ships appeared to the right of us.
That was a fleet with 3 battleships and over 30 smaller ships.
The leading ship at the very front of the fleet was none other than Fearless.

”Looks like the princes have succeeded in their mission, ” said Baron Sisse in excitement at the sight of that fleet.

”Baron, you must have been aware of what the princes were doing.
You were simply unwilling to tell us the truth, ” I said.

Baron Sisse remained silent, tacitly agreeing to my assumption.
A few minutes later, Fearless completed the docking procedure with Skyhawk.
When the door opened, the two princes, Wind Spirit, and Dondon walked out of the bridge.
Following behind them were two individuals who looked like Eternals.
We had been worried about Wind Spirit and Dondon, but this worry was quickly scattered when the two were standing before us once again.

”Princes, what is up with this fleet? ” Zhang Xingxing went straight to the point.

”This is my private army.
They are here to help us with the attack on the beast-breeding base, ” said Prince Toruse.

”Your army? But these ships don ’t look like they ’re from Akko.
All of them are imperial ships, ” questioned Zhang Xingxing.

”This is Commander Herbert of the Midstar Army ’s 37th Fleet.
This is Commander Xidor of the Midstar Army ’s 15th Fleet.
They are here to help us with their fleets, ” introduced Prince Toruse.

”Pleasure to meet you.
But I don ’t understand why some Eternals would help us attack a base of their own emperor, ” Zhang Bao ’er inquired doubtfully.

”They do not trust the emperor ’s rule.
The two commanders were once stationed at Akko.
During their time at Akko, we had reached an agreement to work together and overcome imperial rule.
Subsequently, the two commanders were transferred to the Midstar Army.
I wasn ’t aware if they still had the same aspirations.
Thus, I had to personally visit them to verify their current aspirations, ” explained Prince Toruse.

”It would be fine for you to go alone.
Why do you insist on dragging Wind Spirit and Dondon with you? ” asked Zhang Bao ’er.

”We need the princess ’s prestige to suppress the officers and other soldiers under the two commanders.
That way, we can reduce the risk of mutiny, ” explained Prince Toruse patiently.

It can be hard to make great work when its stolen from bit.ly/3iBfjkV.

Wind Spirit ’s face turned smug at that explanation.

”Do not doubt the two princes.
We have been unhappy with the emperor ’s iron fist rule for a very long time.
The two princes had taken great risks to get in touch with us.
Xidor and I are willing to help you destroy the beast-breeding base.
We are already tired of the emperor ’s endless wars, ” said Commander Herbert.

”Welcome to the team.
With your help, we have even more confidence to face the empire and its beasts.
How many soldiers have you brought with you? ” asked Zhang Xingxing.

”We brought nearly 20,000 soldiers with us and over 30 battleships.
However, the empire has sent several fleets out to hunt for us as a result of our defection.
We might have exposed your operation here, ” said Commander Herbert.

”Don ’t worry about the empire.
They can only search around the nebula ’s outer region.
The beast-breeding base we ’re aiming for is one of the empire ’s core secrets.
At present, all the forces here are still unaware of the base ’s location, ” said Baron Sisse.

”No wonder the empire spent so much effort to build such a big base.
They even have so many soldiers stationed here.
When we were deployed here, we were only told that we were here to harness new energy sources.
I did not expect this place to hide such a large conspiracy, ” said Commander Xidor furiously.

”The emperor will never do anything good.
Since our planet was conquered, we have only faced endless plunder and slaughter.
We can ’t see hope anywhere, ” said Domo, talking about the tragedy of his planet.

”Yes.
As an Eternal, we have long gotten tired of the endless wars.
Many soldiers like us long for peace as well.
However, the imperial police and the Sacred Wing race are staunchly loyal to the emperor and are too powerful.
Many soldiers have no choice but to submit under their authority, ” said Commander Herbert.

”This situation won ’t last long.
So long as the true nature of the empire is exposed and its beast-breeding base is destroyed, there will be a chance for us to obtain victory over the emperor.
At that time, hope and peace will return, ” said Prince Toruse with great fervor.

Listening to Prince Toruse, I could feel that he had grown more mature than before.
He was starting to look more and more like a proper king.

”How did you know that we were here? This place is one lightyear wide.
How can you find us so easily? ” Dodo asked.

”I told them, ” a voice rang out.
When we looked over, we saw that it was Principal Sosse.

”We have a set of secret communication devices.
Prior to our wormhole-leap, I had tried sending a secret message to the princes because I was afraid that they wouldn ’t be able to find us.
Surprisingly, they had received the message, ” explained Principal Sosse.

”You even have a secret communication channel between you? Just how little do you trust us? We have abandoned quite a lot of our plans for the sake of your difficult requests.
Even now, you ’re still communicating behind our backs? ” said Zhang Bao ’er unhappily.

This was not the time to bicker, so I interrupted Zhang Bao ’er and asked, ”Prince, do you—or the commanders—know the location of the three-star system? ”

”We don ’t know, but there has always been a legend in the Midstar Army.
I don ’t know if it will be helpful, ” said Commander Herbert.

His words attracted all our attention.
Perhaps that legend would be helpful in discovering the three-star system.

”Commanders, can you tell us about the legend? It will be much appreciated! ” I said.