Chapter 278: Artificial Overload and Fragmentation

In the region of space littered with warship wreckage.

The Teutonic Knight adjusted its bow, first using conventional navigation to distance itself from the debris zone, then employing its jump engine to escape the Shield World's gravitational pull, heading into the gravitational range of that icy giant planet to observe from a safe zone in the distance.

At this moment, the inner world.

Due to the execution of the overload program, the artificial star gradually expanded in volume; in just thirty seconds it became about three times its original size.

As the volume continued to expand, the rising temperature set forests ablaze, lakes and oceans were rapidly evaporated, and even the "swamp" regions contaminated by the Flood could not escape the same fate.

The expansion speed kept increasing.

Not long after, the artificial star devoured the entire inner world, then the metallic crust, and finally the whole Shield World; only when its diameter reached six thousand kilometers did it maintain a momentary stability.

Next came one of the most common sights in the universe, a stellar explosion…

Whoosh—Boom—!

Although it was a super‑small‑scale stellar explosion, the blinding flash that could not be stared at directly had a luminosity capable of lighting up the entire star system, and this brightness would last for weeks.

And the impending Flood, including the not‑yet‑formed Corpse Brain Beasts, were all annihilated in this stellar explosion.

A few minutes later.

After confirming the artificial star had completed overload and eliminated the Flood here, the Teutonic Knight then activated the jump entrance, sailing into Rift Space to return to Harvest Star.

As for the Covenant Empire, it never dispatched any fleet to reinforce, because internally it was enduring stubborn resistance from the Elites, while externally it faced a strong human "counterattack".

———————

…

As the Teutonic Knight headed back to Harvest Star,

Within the Covenant Empire.

On the surface of the colonial planet, a city stood with numerous cylindrical megastructures, its eastern outskirts covered in grassland…

"Tap! Tap!"

"Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Barrages of various colors and trajectories, the "symphony" played by gunfire and artillery fire, were now at their most thrilling moment.

In the sky, fighters of different factions tangled and dogfought, vying for or defending the current air superiority.

"Ri~--tatatat!"

The extremely rapid‑fire pulse close‑in gun was especially conspicuous in the chaotic melee.

Two Paris‑class ships and one Blue Hawk‑class descended to about a kilometer above ground, providing absolute fire support for the human and Elite fighter formations.

The small‑caliber plasma cannons on the ship's sides and belly also delivered fire strikes to the assault forces.

Human vessels could easily enter the atmosphere, signifying that the "space battle" beyond the atmosphere was drawing to a close and that the Covenant Empire had effectively lost control of near‑Earth orbit.

On the ground.

Transport planes and landing craft ferried troops and armored vehicles, continuously dropping off at landing zones far from the city.

Inside a command armored vehicle parked at the landing zone.

A lieutenant colonel wearing lightweight TPS Power Armor, with the inverted Ω legion insignia on his pauldron, flipped up his helmet, wore a black beret, stood in the center of the compartment, and through the real‑time battle situation displayed on numerous screens, immediately issued the order:

"1st, 2nd Battalions and Armored Battalion, coordinate with allies for a frontal assault! 3rd Battalion flank attack! I want you to seize the city's east side within twenty minutes!"

"Understood."

Seated at their respective consoles, the auxiliary army soldiers likewise wearing lightweight TPS Power Armor immediately relayed the orders to all units.

The assault forces shown on the screen were the auxiliary army equipped with TPS‑V and CMC‑450 model powered armor, charging toward the city alongside the Elites.

The Armored Battalion, which possessed a Mammoth Mobile Fortress, four siege tanks, and more than a dozen light tracked infantry vehicles, was at the forefront of the assault force.

"Boom…! Boom…!"

At that moment, several loud explosions came from afar, and the shockwaves from the blasts also caused the armored vehicle to shake.

"Lieutenant Colonel! The 3rd Battalion suffered a suicidal attack by high‑ranking soldiers of the Gilahani tribe (Ghost Face Beasts), and Lieutenant Ken Te requested our support."

After hearing the auxiliary army's report, the lieutenant colonel responded: "Approve the request, notify the 2nd Battalion to flank."

"Yes… Lieutenant Colonel, the allies also dispatched their high‑ranking warriors to support the 2nd Battalion."

"Good, maintain the current situation."

"Yes."

Soon, the screen showed the 3rd Battalion's advance stalled with heavy casualties; after receiving aid from the 2nd Battalion and high‑ranking Elites, it finally turned the tide and resumed its advance.

Outside the command armored vehicle.

Over three thousand auxiliary troops and thousands of Elites‑led forces, totaling nearly ten thousand, advanced smoothly and seized the city's east side within seventeen minutes.

From the viewpoint of three escort vessels.

The outskirts of the city had fallen, and UNSC, legion auxiliary forces, and Elite units were continuously pouring into the city.

Many individual or multi‑person drop pods smashed into the city center, and HellParatroopers and airborne divisions, moving inward and outward, cooperated with the main force to eliminate the Covenant Empire's resistance.

Once five Astate‑exclusive drop pods streaked across the sky and came into view, the battle for this city could basically be declared over.

Leaving the atmosphere to observe.

The entire planet was engulfed in war and smoke, and countless warship wrecks also filled near‑Earth orbit and the surrounding space.

A large amount of debris, affected by gravity, became momentary space junk before falling to the surface, bringing this colonial planet a splendid "meteor shower".

Nevertheless, neither side had the inclination to admire it.

Meanwhile, in the debris‑free region of space, a Zeus‑class superheavy carrier was moored.

The markings on her sides reading "Umbrella DawnGuardian" and the inverted Ω insignia identified her as the flagship of the Extreme Legion, the DawnGuardian.

The transport formation sequentially departed the hangar, carrying auxiliary troops and Extreme Legion warriors toward the surface.

On the bridge.

The ship's crew also conducted orderly dispatch, relaying the highest commands to each department, so that the mixed fleet formed by the First Legion and five UNSC mainline fleets operated like a precision instrument running efficiently.

Next to the main control console projecting a planetary hologram and real-time battle situation stood a 'captain' in a rear admiral's uniform, and Robert, his powered armor helmet unfolded, with a solemn expression.

This captain, who looks only in his early fifties and is named Jacob Kaise, is regarded as a legend both within Umbrella and the UNSC.

He has not only witnessed the development of humanity's space‑faring warships, but the 'Kaise Maneuver' tactic he created has even been incorporated into the curricula of Minos Island and the UNSC Naval Academy.

That this mixed fleet could destroy a Covenant fleet four times its size in just six hours is directly related to that legendary captain.

Of course, the assistance of the Elite clan in tying down the enemy also played a part.

Looking at the projected data, Kaise told Robert, 'At the current pace, the ground battle will end in twelve hours.'

But at least two days, or even longer, will be needed to mop up the Covenant remnants, since ground combat is not like naval warfare.

'If we don't want to overextend our lines but still want to push deeper, we should request follow‑up forces from higher command to take over mopping up and stabilizing the area.'

'I will apply to my father for reserve forces and have them gathered and deployed to the planet we have captured,' Robert said, nodding in agreement, then added:

'Moreover, our goal is not to annex the Covenant Empire but to utterly destroy its military force; having lost its capital and top command, it is now a headless fly, its threat reduced to nil.'

Saying this, Robert turned his head to his left, raised his voice, and asked, 'How are the other mixed fleets doing?'

Upon hearing that, a female crew member shifted her gaze from the control console, turned, and reported, 'All mixed fleets are progressing smoothly.'

'Good, report our situation to the company as well, and don't forget to collate the soldiers' helmet camera footage and upload it to the company.'

'Yes, sir.'

Seeing Robert finish his conversation with the crew member.

Kaise clasped his hands behind his back, gazed out the porthole at the planet, and remarked, 'I never imagined that humans, who were slaughtering each other a hundred years ago, could now unite to resist an external foe…'

'Times change, I'm getting old.'

Back then, Kaise chose to retire after the Gulf War, having witnessed the army's ugly side and citing post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as his reason.

After being recruited by Umbrella intelligence, Kaise regained his faith and pride in the military and in humanity.

At 109 years old, he has not only witnessed the evolution of warships but also experienced humanity's overall transformation.

Having heard Kaise's remark, Robert agreed, 'Captain, you're joking—let's first look at the next target.'

'Hehe, okay.'

The two of them then refocused on the main console, pulled up the star‑map data provided by Benevolent City, formulated a plan in advance, and prepared for the assault on the next star system.

——————

…

Soon after.

Inside the private quarters of the Courage Anthem, which was parked in sync with Harvest Star's rotation not far from the transit hub.

The surface of the fixed desk was spotless; on the left side of the cabin was a virtual window showing a vast prairie under a star‑filled night sky, with the faint chirping of insects.

Suddenly.

A soft 'whoosh' sounded.

As the automatic door on the right side of the cabin opened, the virtual window shifted on its own from deep night to a bright afternoon, making the dim space much brighter.

There, Sui Bian, who had just concluded a video conference with UEG officials and UNSC commanders, entered the room with his two secretaries.

He walked toward the desk, taking off his coat and handing it to the White Empress, straightened his tie, rolled up the sleeves of his black shirt, went around the desk, and sat in the fixed chair.

Before Sui Bian could say anything, the Red Empress, already standing at the left side of the desk, projected the organized data onto the desktop.

The White Empress first hung his coat on a nearby rack, then slowly walked to the right side of the desk, placed her hands before her abdomen, remained silent, and quietly watched the boss review the situation of the 'Counteroffensive Expedition'.

'Better than expected,' Sui Bian thought.

As Robert said, the Covenant Empire, having lost its leader, is like a headless fly, with its colonial star systems, fleets, and troops each fighting on their own.

Moreover, its bloated, convoluted system has pushed the Covenant Empire to the brink of total collapse; now only the final straw is needed to break it.

Thinking of this.

Sui Bian casually said, 'Red Empress, disseminate that merciful prophet's confession—especially the sight of him willing to betray his kin just to save his own life—through Benevolent City's communications system to the entire Covenant Empire.'

'Let those alien races that shout they fight for the priests and for my god see what the priests they worship and revere really are.'

'Yes, Chairman,' the Red Empress replied in a calm voice, and within seconds she said, 'It's done.'

'Hmm,' Sui Bian nodded without speaking.

As a theocratic empire, besides military force, the best way to destroy it is to shatter its faith.

Seeing the once supreme, 'selfless' priests now selling out the Elite clan for power and begging humanity's heretics for mercy just to stay alive.

Upon learning that their lifelong pilgrimage was merely a tool for the prophet clan to consolidate power, everything turned out to be a deception…

Doomed to fall apart.

In fact, the moment Kelakesi and NuoWa seized Benevolent City, the Covenant Empire was already a hollow shell; its core technology, military deployments, and star maps of its territory all fell into human hands.

The Covenant side had already lost the war as soon as it began.

Sui Bian's dispatch of five mixed fleets in the 'Counteroffensive Expedition' truly aimed to announce to the alien races that humanity is not something they can provoke.

After all, humanity's current population cannot absorb more territory.

Furthermore, the real killing move is the merciful prophet's 'self‑detonation'.

At this moment.

'Chairman,' the White Empress, whose pupils flashed blue light, spoke up: 'The foreseeable future of the Covenant Empire will be warlord‑ridden, pirates proliferating, and plunging into uncontrollable chaos.'

Its military strength, technology, and population will continue to dwindle, meaning to us it has completely lost its threat.

'That is inevitable,' Sui Bian replied with a soft acknowledgment, looked up at the White Empress, and ordered:

'The Sangheili clan, with whom we have established cooperation, should now officially appear in the public eye; we will organize and edit the armor camera footage Robert uploaded so that everyone can see Sangheili warriors fighting alongside our human soldiers.'

'All right, Chairman, may we disclose the existence of the IntiUnancha clan (Iron Blood)?' the White Empress asked.

'Disclose them as well,' Sui Bian said without objection, continuing his order: 'Notify Rebecca and Alekxia at Luna Base to send the newly adult reservists to the occupied zone.'

'Also, promptly update the company's and UNSC's combat systems so that frontline soldiers won't have to rely on gestures to communicate with allies.'

"Okay."

After finishing talking with the White Empress, Sui Bian turned to the Red Empress and said, "Tell Robert, John, and the others to occupy the star systems nearest our territory."

"Yes."

"Right." Sui Bian then asked, "How much longer until the Teutonic Knight arrives at Harvest Star?"

"Estimated sixteen hours."

"Okay."

After saying that.

Sui Bian lightly touched the holographic screen on the table, calling up the data previously uploaded by Leon and Magnus, then opened their helmet cameras.

Play

Fast forward

Pause

The view locked onto the empty room at the top of the pyramid facility, and the memory storage unit whose appearance closely resembled a human.

(End of chapter)