Chapter 491

Looking down from high altitude.

On this side of Tai Luo Ke Er's metropolitan area, it was already noon, and each district of the metro area successively raised energy shields composed of hundreds, even thousands of hexagonal panels.

The fierce sunlight shone directly on the energy shields, even causing a certain degree of 'light pollution'; fortunately, the vast majority of people remained in their own residences, or were placed in buildings such as stadiums and malls.

Moreover, above the core district of the metro area, two Paris‑class frigates were moored, apparently preparing to provide fire support for ground forces.

Shorten the distance.

Arrived at the outskirts, Metro District 29.

The energy shield divided the prosperous, intricately intertwined urban districts from the suburbs where many warehouses and residential communities were located.

At the inner edge of the energy shield, numerous defensive fortifications built by the Engineering Department and civilian engineering crews, working overtime, facilitated the stationing of military and public security personnel for better defense.

Even many veterans retired from the UNSC were, according to orders, deployed between streets and buildings.

Meanwhile, Metro District 07, which possesses a space elevator, was hurriedly transporting underage children to the near‑Earth orbital transit hub, then via cargo ships, merchant vessels, and any civilian craft capable of jump‑flight, evacuating as many children as possible to safe star systems.

All of Tai Luo Ke Er was at a standstill; economic losses had not yet been tallied, but restoring it to its original state would require at least half an Earth year.

Furthermore, whether the dreaded unknown insectoid swarm's main force was approaching, or whether they could rely on their flesh to travel through vacuum, etc., all remained unknown.

Most importantly, none of the Spiritual Users had sensed any strongly hostile entity approaching Tai Luo Ke Er; even the chaotic, evil‑filled extradimensional spaces were unusually tranquil.

This is why the chief administrator overseeing livelihood and economy, despite being constrained by the presence of Sergeant Ran Ze, had to voice support and assist the evacuation as best he could, but his heart was 'bleeding'…

There was no way around it; regardless of the outcome, Tai Luo Ke Er faced the necessity of reconstruction.

——————

…

Meanwhile.

In the near‑Earth orbit of Tai Luo Ke Er.

Dozens of civilian vessels almost simultaneously opened azure‑colored vortex entrances, carrying the children into the Rift Space and vanishing from this sector of space.

As the hub linking near‑Earth orbit to the surface, it was protected by Tai Luo Ke Er's local UNSC fleet: one Yandu‑class, two Resolute‑class, and two Paris‑class ships.

Inside the bridge of the flagship Yandu‑class…

"Sir." A crew member seated on the right side of the bridge, while watching the real‑time data on the holographic screen ahead, loudly reported to the captain, who was also the Tai Luo Ke Er naval commander: "As of now, we have evacuated thirteen million underage civilians."

"Thirteen million…"

Standing by the bridge viewport with his hands clasped behind his back, the naval commander gazed into the black void of space, lost in thought.

Projected on the commander's left chest was a holographic nameplate displaying: "Horn·Recktol, Age: 82, Rank: Navy Lieutenant General" etc.

After hearing the report, the lieutenant general nodded slightly, then turned a bit, using his peripheral vision to look toward the left side of the bridge, and asked:

"Any movement on the radar?"

"No, sir." A crew member responsible for monitoring and surveillance immediately shook his head, saying: "Whether it's conventional radar or Spiritual Energy radar, the feedback I'm reading is all green."

"All green?" the lieutenant general frowned.

The Yandu‑class possesses multiple types of ship‑borne radar, including the "conventional" and "Spiritual Energy" radar mentioned by that crew member earlier.

Conventional radar differs greatly from traditional electromagnetic wave radar; it employs quantum technology and compares against existing star‑chart data to analyze whether any hostile forces are approaching.

The Yandu‑class ship‑borne radar has a maximum detection range of about two light‑years, and it can also perceive Rift Space within that range, as well as spatial distortions caused by jump‑fold, warp, or similar navigation technologies.

Theoretically, should any object or fleet attempt to break into the Tai Luo Ke Er star system, the Yandu‑class ought to be able to detect and lock onto it in advance.

As for the Spiritual Energy radar, it can detect whether there are any anomalies in the fluctuations of nearby extradimensional space.

But…

Both the physical universe and extradimensional space showed no issues, which instead sank the lieutenant general's spirits; he then turned away from the viewport, preparing to retake the captain's seat, and still said:

"Tell ground personnel to immediately cease using the space elevator and the hub, and swiftly withdraw all staff."

"Yes."

The communications crew member, having received the order, then made contact with the metro area side.

Not long after, outside the bridge's right‑side viewport, the once brightly lit hub could be seen now plunged into darkness, and both passenger and service elevators were moving along the track toward Metro District 07 on the surface.

"Beep! Beep!"

Just as the hub's personnel had finished evacuating, an alert suddenly rang throughout the bridge, and the crew member in charge of radar monitoring likewise immediately reported:

"Sir! Detected at coordinates 2300, 1003, 0027, a spatial distortion generated by gravitational anomaly, moving fast; estimated to reach the edge of Tai Luo Ke Er's gravitational influence in 140 seconds, very likely the main fleet of the unknown insectoid swarm!"

"Finally here." Upon hearing that, the lieutenant general instantly swept away his earlier gloom.

After all, that kind of uncertain situation is the most trying; now that there is a clear target, the lieutenant general is no longer perplexed or hesitant, and he calmly orders:

"Deploy the fleet into formation, charge the main and secondary guns; after the insect swarm finishes its unknown means but its relatively slower faster‑than‑light travel, give me a full salvo—do not spare the ammunition stores."

"Yes! Sir!"

As the lieutenant general issued a series of orders, the fleet already in combat status heightened its alertness further.

One hundred forty seconds passed in an instant.

And the unknown insectoid swarm's "main fleet," just as reported by the crew member, appeared at the edge of Tai Luo Ke Er's gravitational influence.

However…

Yet its scale far exceeded the fleet's estimates.

The number was beyond concrete description; if the UNSC fleet's scale were like a single ant, then the insectoid swarm's main force would be like a youth or maiden carrying a hot water kettle, trying to overwhelm an ant nest.

In terms of scale, they are no longer on the same level.

The naval lieutenant general needed no holographic screen's aid; merely looking forward through the viewport, he could see the black void of space filled with countless bio‑warships,

By visual estimate, the lieutenant general guessed the swarm's fleet numbered at least in the millions, while the holographic screen showed that the most numerous bio‑warship type in the swarm was about eight hundred meters long.

Even if the Thirteenth Legion mustered all its available forces, it would still fall far short of a million warships, let alone them with only a few escort vessels.

But…

"Fire!" After a brief moment of surprise, the lieutenant general once again waved his left hand forward and raised his voice: "Let them taste what our ammunition is like!"

"Yes!"

Ri~—— whoosh!!!

As the words fell, the Swallow Capital-class, Resolute-class, and Paris-class launched a volley of artillery fire.

Straight trajectories and massive artillery batteries emitting brilliant blue light swept past below and to the sides of the portholes, instantly making contact with the Insect Clan fleet.

Boom—! Boom··!!

Although the piercing and explosive effects were fierce, against the entire Insect Clan fleet they failed to produce even a ripple.

However, the fleet's attack would not stop just because of that.

At this moment, the Swallow Capital-class and the two Resolute-class released the diamond-shaped metal columns from their sides.

Immediately afterward, a total of fourteen metal columns, each about thirty meters long, surrounded the fleet on all sides, forming a hexagonal matrix, and then…

Hum!!!

It released a matrix light beam that was likewise hexagonal and emitted a cyan-blue light.

Zizzle!!

This matrix light beam attack was like the "cutting" effect inflicted on the insect swarm by the hundred-armed giant in the battle that had just erupted east of Aoliweilan Town, and it also caused widespread damage to the Insect Swarm fleet.

Even so, the Navy Major General and the crew members had no trace of joy, because the Insect Clan fleet as a whole remained unharmed.

Thus, upon seeing the Insect Clan fleet launch a counterattack, releasing millions of bioplasma artillery batteries and bone spurs, the Major General solemnly ordered:

"Notify all personnel on this ship to take any available transport aircraft, drop pods, and escape vessels, and immediately head to the metropolitan area."

"Also notify the remaining vessels of the fleet to immediately enter the atmosphere to assist Impact and Vast (the two Paris-class ships stationed above the metropolitan area) in providing as much artillery support as possible to the ground forces."

"Under the current circumstances, we have lost the conditions to continue controlling orbital control, so preserving our fighting strength and delaying until the arrival of the Thirteenth Legion has become our primary objective."

"But Commander... what about you?" a crew member asked.

"I will operate this ship and maintain the matrix light beam until the very last moment." the Major General said in a calm tone.

Boom!! Boom!!

As he spoke, the Insect Clan fleet's counteroffensive also fiercely clashed with and collided against the energy shield generated by the human fleet.

However, this wave of offense was not enough to directly shatter the shield; instead, the surface beyond a thousand kilometers north of the metropolitan area suffered.

"Commander! We need to operate the ship better!"

"That's right, Commander!"

"Heh..." Seeing the subordinates resolutely stay behind, the Major General finally smiled a little, then without further hesitation nodded and agreed:

"Good, let those bugs see what we humans truly rely on to hold our ground in the galaxy!"

"Yes, Commander!"

Everyone on the bridge became extremely excited.

Next, the two Resolute-class and two Paris-class ships proceeded into the atmosphere as ordered, and before leaving low Earth orbit, the two Resolute-class also left the diamond-shaped metal columns that could form the beam matrix for the Swallow Capital-class and the Major General's party.

Within three minutes.

Sir, aside from us, all personnel have already evacuated the ship.

"Very good." After hearing the report, the brigadier general's eyes blazed like torches as he stared at the insect fleet outside the porthole, and he said decisively: "Speed seven knots, advance forward, charge into the enemy swarm so the matrix beams achieve maximum destructive effect."

Yes, sir!

Outside the bridge at this moment.

The Yandu-class escort frigate charged toward the insect swarm fleet, while the fourteen diamond-shaped metal pillars—that is, the matrix nodes—also moved quickly with the Yandu-class, continuously firing matrix beams at the swarm.

When the distance closed.

Swish~! Swish~!

The Yandu-class opened its missile bays on both sides of the hull, launching nearly a hundred missiles carrying antimatter and plasma warheads.

Boom!! Boom!!

In an instant, nearly a hundred miniature blue and white "suns" rose at the forefront of the swarm.

If ten thousand Yandu-class and Jianding-class ships were present and fired a combined matrix and artillery barrage, the insect fleet before us couldn't even raise a ripple.

It's a pity that, relying solely on the suicidal assault of the brigadier general and his comrades, and the destructive effect of that single Yandu-class, it is utterly negligible.

Soon.

The Yandu-class and its fourteen matrix nodes were then devoured by millions of living warships and subjected to intense concentrated fire.

In merely a moment, the Yandu-class's self-generated energy shield shattered under the bioplasma.

However, as it shattered, six of the matrix nodes generated a barrier emitting a cyan-blue light, replacing the energy shield and briefly helping the Yandu-class withstand the attack, while the remaining nodes continued to sweep-fire beams.

But this is not a long-term solution.

Inside the bridge.

Looking out through the porthole, one can see countless insects incessantly striking the barrier, while the holographic screen beside the brigadier general's right hand also shows the barrier's percentage steadily dropping.

A crew member turned and reported: "At the current rate, the Defensive Barrier will break in eighty seconds."

"Sir." Another crew member asked: "What should we do next?"

Having said that, everyone's gaze in the bridge focused on the brigadier general.

"What should we do?" the brigadier general still wore his carefree expression, saying: "Set the ship's engine output to maximum, without considering the risk of collapse, and give the insects a true light-and-fire show."

Upon saying this, the brigadier general stood, raised his right hand in a standard salute, lowered his voice slightly, and continued: "It has been an honor to serve with you; may we meet again in the Sea of Souls."

Yes, sir!

Upon hearing this, all crew members also stood, saluted the brigadier general and responded loudly, then proceeded to carry out the so-called "true light-and-fire show."

Outside the bridge.

All matrix nodes immediately formed a hexagonal pattern, while the Yandu-class, having lost its barrier, had to withstand all attacks with its hull alone.

And as it was about to be torn apart, the fourteen matrix nodes burst forth with a radiance never before seen, immediately followed by…

Ree~——!

Whoosh~——!

Watching from afar, a Z-shaped matrix beam, winding and approaching light speed, swept forward horizontally, cutting through everything in its path, nearly slicing the insect swarm fleet apart horizontally.

Although the matrix beam just now destroyed and burned thousands of living warships, barely making a dent compared to the entire insect swarm fleet, it still greatly eased the pressure on Tai Luo Ke Er.

As for the brigadier general and the rest of the ship's crew, at the instant the matrix beam burst forth with light, they manually overloaded the engines.

(End of chapter)