Chapter 525: A Greater Temptation

Upon receiving the order, the Fifth Fleet initiated a round of laser cannon bombardment. This time, humanity was very well prepared with sufficient firepower. While firing, they slowly retreated; it took over an hour for the fleet to gradually disengage from the battlefield. Once a certain distance was opened up, the insect swarm did not pursue. A large number of brood nests hovered in space, and the giant insects returned to the nests one after another. The brood nests contracted, as if entering a state of sleep, forming a massive barrier in front of the Kepler Planet. More brood nests were still ascending, though the speed of their ascent was no longer as urgent.

Makemu immediately convened a combat meeting. This probe had preliminarily revealed the scale of the giant insects. It was no longer the "dimensional strike" that many had been optimistic about. Judging from this contact, the giant insects had also prepared a sufficient army and had evolved their space combat capabilities to a great extent; this was completely different from what had been encountered before.

"The volume of the brood nests is much larger, five or six times that of the first generation. Moreover, the varieties are also becoming specialized; those that release energy spheres and those that transport are beginning to be categorized. According to intelligence, there are also several types with unknown abilities. This time, it will be a tough battle."

"Judging from the battle results, their ability to resist our firepower is also improving. The firepower prepared by the explosive drones this time was very strong, but the damage caused was quite average and did not meet our expectations. I believe the opponent is no longer a simple low-level organism."

The debate in the conference room was extremely intense. The giant insects were prepared, and their scale was not at all what humanity had judged. For so many years, they had allowed humanity to build a base on Kepler, while the giant insects were surely evolving and developing silently in underground nests that humanity could not reach. There was very likely collusion involving the Nimeier Civilization and human traitors. War is something you fight if you can; if you can't, you shouldn't fight it recklessly.

Given the current scale and combat power of the giant insects, should humanity still fight this battle?

"At the current scale, even if the entire fleet presses in, it will require paying a quite enormous price. Is it really necessary for us to cross the Solar System for this battle?"

"The evolution speed of the giant insects is too fast, and the human traitors are right on Kepler. If we don't destroy them with all our might now, it will be a different scene once they reach the Solar System!"

"That is purely your speculation, without scientific basis. We can completely destroy the jump point; how could a bunch of bugs get over from Kepler? If they could come, they would have come long ago!"

"Speculation? If it were before we arrived at Kepler, that would indeed be the case. But now that we have arrived, that layer of window paper has been pierced. You say they cannot come, but can you guarantee it? How do you know? Once they come, what do we do? What does humanity do? I believe we have no way out. I don't think there is any need to report to the Alliance anymore; once we get bogged down in buck-passing, this campaign will end in a miserable defeat for humanity!"

"Bullshit! Is the fate of humanity something you can decide personally? Do you know what war means? Do you know how many people are in the entire fleet? This is the vital force of humanity, not something you can do whatever you want with!"

The conference room exploded in chaos. Makemu remained silent, because this expedition was generally viewed with optimism, including by the higher-ups, and even more so by those below. This was the first time humanity had prepared such a powerful fleet; previous ones were all small-scale. Furthermore, in terms of space technology, we were crushing the giant insects. Over these past few years, countless preparations had been made regarding research and plans for Kepler, all with the intent to crush them. The so-called "tactical caution" was actually just a figure of speech; deep down, no one thought we would be unable to defeat these low-level, silicon-based primitive organisms.

And now, the price that might need to be paid to win this war is one that perhaps no one can bear.

Makemu tapped the table. "Gentlemen, what we are facing this time is not just the giant insects, but also human traitors, as well as the existence of the Nimeier Civilization, for which we currently lack further data."

"Commander-in-Chief, the Nimeier Civilization has already been destroyed. I don't think we should scare ourselves. The ruins on Earth also prove this point; that was all tens of thousands of years ago. Although some traces were discovered on Kepler, it doesn't prove anything. The human traitors are real, but will our dignified, strongest force of humanity be scared by some human cult organization? I wonder if some people have other intentions?"

In an instant, the entire conference room went quiet. The waters of Noah's Ark are very deep; some are participants, some are passive, and some have even inadvertently received benefits. After all, families like the Mofelisi have tentacles that reach too far, and some normal interactions are included in that. It's just that at this sensitive moment, things have taken on a different flavor.

Fight... we must fight. But once the war truly begins, there will be no room for the choices we have now.

This matter still needs to be communicated with the Solar System Alliance Council. The enemy's preparations and scale are different from the plan. If we are to fight, we must formulate a new combat plan and bear the consequences. If we are to retreat, we must guard against the possibility of the giant insects invading the Solar System. With the reproductive and survival capabilities of these giant insects, that would bring immeasurable disaster to the Solar System.

A matter like this is not something you can just rush into on a whim. We must fight, but how to fight is something that everyone needs to re-plan.

Makemu has always been a bit worried about the Nimeier Civilization. Various signs indicate that the Nimeier Civilization has not been completely extinct. A cult organization like Noah's Ark, no matter how evil, is still human. Nangong Yuhang using the Nimeier Civilization to occupy Xilian's body is in itself a terrifying thing, and from the perspective of interests, it has almost reached the extreme of what a human could desire.

What is the struggle for?

Fame and fortune.

Even a madman has logic. He has already achieved the greatest goal he could reach, yet he is still unwilling to be satisfied, even risking doing even crazier things. Makemu does not think he wants to occupy Kepler, because the heir of the Mofelisi combined with the power of Noah's Ark, one in the light and one in the dark, can generate energy that is definitely not small. Such traitorous behavior is simply unnecessary.

There is only one possibility, and that is that Nangong Yuhang, or rather Noah's Ark, discovered something with more temptation than human fame and fortune after coming into contact with the Nimeier Civilization, and was even bewitched by some kind of power.

The Alliance has investigated and combed through the entire incident. Although there is no direct evidence, all aspects point to a common point: the Nimeier Civilization is very likely not completely extinct and is using some method to constantly interfere with the progress of human civilization, and even guided humanity to discover the Kepler Planet.

"A great man in our history once said: 'Boldly hypothesize, carefully verify.' Now there is a possibility that this is the first time humanity has encountered an attack from a higher civilization. The forms of attack are diverse; force is only one of them," Wu Fa said.

The three generals in the conference room must make a judgment on the current situation. The discussions of others only provide ideas; in the end, the three of them must make the final judgment.

Pang Pai puffed on a cigar, his face full of the ruthlessness and ferocity unique to a Martian. "I don't support a retreat. We're already here; if we don't kill them, are we going back to wait for death?"

Since one has chosen to become a soldier, death is an attribute of this profession.

Makemu nodded. "We must fight, but we need to readjust strategically. Wu Fa, what are your thoughts?"

Wu Fa nodded. "At first, our strategy assumed the main force was the giant insects; now it is very likely the Nimeier Civilization. If this is truly the case, these will be two different types of wars. We must first find a way to confirm this."

The art of war lies in peeling the cocoon to find the thread; only then can one decide how to fight.

"We currently know nothing about the interior of Kepler. That strange fog is a bit eerie. Under normal circumstances, it is impossible for such a vast sea area to have this level of mist; it must be trying to cover something up," Pang Pai's hoarse voice rang out. "And what about our base? We must find a way to get in and take a look. Makemu, have you already thought of this?"

Makemu looked at the Star Map with deep eyes. Preparation? He had indeed done a little for every factor. Letting Li Hao form a special combat group was also to deal with some special situations. "Currently, the giant insects' vigilance is at its highest. Don't be anxious; this is a protracted war. Notify all starships to prepare for long-term combat, and we must also request supplies from the Alliance."

"Damn it, I'm not doing this. Wu Fa, you do it. They are too slow, making it look like I'm trying to embezzle," Pang Pai said.

War is about spending money and lives. From a broad perspective, it is for the safety of humanity, but this view is not accepted by everyone. There are still some who look at the cost-benefit ratio. This expedition has been formed, but continuing to add supplies, how long to fight, and how to fight—the problems behind this are all things Makemu and the others must face.

"This is also a headache for me. I'll take the first wave," Wu Fa said. The first wave pointed out the key: this war will never be too easy. He already understood how Makemu intended to fight; asking for money and equipment is the kind of thing where one has to take turns being thick-skinned.

Humanity's massive fleet is dispersed in space, and there is a formation. The six fleets are divided into five space anchor points. Among them, the TAS Freedom Fleet mainly serves a transport role and is near the Moon's Hanxing Fleet. The Fifth Fleet, as the Vanguard, remains at the very front, followed by Earth's Sixth Fleet. The two Martian fleets are dispersed on the two wings. If there is a strategic need, they can launch a full-scale attack on Kepler to break through the giant insects' defense. Their non-concentrated method is clearly to prevent humanity from entering the interior of the Kepler Planet.

Currently, it seems that by relying on the Kepler Planet, the giant insects have a supply advantage for close-range combat. If we fight far away, the giant insects will not follow. For humanity, this war is not about entering Kepler, but about destroying the giant insects; otherwise, it is meaningless. Of course, humanity's advantage lies in the initiative to advance or retreat, but being too far from the Solar System and having an overly long supply line is also a problem for humanity.

"If we're not careful, we'll be comparing whether we produce faster or the giant insects reproduce faster."

"This time is to have a showdown with the giant insects."

"We have superior forces; let's press down with full firepower before they react and destroy them completely!"

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