Chapter 541: Facing the Grim Reaper with a Smile

Casualties were heavy the moment the two sides made contact. Giant Insects from other directions around Kepler were also rapidly rushing to support the direction of the Human army. Before they could fully reinforce, the Human fleet pierced in like a sharp blade. As the distance closed, the barrage of fire gradually turned into precision strikes. Entangling with the Giant Insects was a poor strategy; the main force had to resolve the high-level Giant Insects in local battles, such as the Brood Mothers, Bug Generals, and so on. The main forces of both sides filled the space, and as the war progressed, it finally entered the most intense hand-to-hand combat. Countless bugs flew toward the Human fleet, while Human Mobile Suits and a large number of drones charged out bravely, and one Giant Insect after another slammed into the hulls of the warships.

"Brothers, charge, charge, charge!"

"Follow me, 8th Squad, follow me, kill these bugs!"

"Screw it, kill them! I'll still be a hero twenty years from now. Leave that Brood Mother to me!"

"Haha, being able to fight alongside my goddess, this life of mine won't be in vain. Let's do it!"

"You guys provide cover, give me the bomb, I'm going to blow up that Brain Bug!"

One person, just one person, but the actions of one person could inspire the entire army. If A Youyou had left, or just stayed in the back singing, it might have provided some comfort and a little encouragement, but every Warrior still had to face life and death alone. But now, A Youyou was right there by their side. She had to carry out a more arduous mission, and now, they needed the Mobile Suits to tear open a gap for them and open a path.

In the hand-to-hand combat, suicide attacks had already begun to unfold. Even a war with the most thorough preparations is tragic, and countless unknown Warriors sacrificed themselves on the battlefield.

In the Command Room, they were closely observing the formation of the Giant Insect swarm. The initial plan was to attract the Giant Insects' attention from the front and enter from another direction of Kepler, but due to the presence of Nangong Yuhang, this behavior would likely turn them into living targets. Therefore, Makemu chose the meat-grinder tactic, which had high casualties but a higher success rate. At the same time, a large number of warships and transport ships would cover Li Hao and the others as they entered. The transport ships were empty, and the pilots were all carrying out the mission with the determination to die.

The victory of any war is not decided by one or two people; it is forged by the efforts and sacrifices of countless heroes. This is where fragile Humans are strong.

At close quarters, the Mobile Suits were already locked in battle with the Giant Insects. No one retreated, no one was afraid. Kill~~~~~

The sounds of battle cries and the glow of fire illuminated the space of Kepler. In the most intense stage of the slaughter, artillery fire crisscrossed. Nangong Yuhang truly did not expect Makemu to choose this tactic with the highest casualties. Once a Human himself, he knew those cream-puff officials up there; they were good at talking, but when it came to real war, they were all cautious and timid. The so-called general offensive was always meant to be a probing attack, but Makemu had come right out of the gate with an all-in wave.

Truly interesting.

Nangong Yuhang, Romero, and the others were also clearly observing the battle situation from Base One. Relying on his leadership position at the pinnacle of the Giant Insect pyramid, Nangong Yuhang had a clearer grasp of the battle. The Humans were completely disregarding everything; such a price was clearly for executing the airdrop plan.

"It seems our old friend is coming," Nangong Yuhang smiled. "Are you ready?"

Romero nodded. "Killing him, or being killed by him, is a very perfect ending for me."

"Haha, good, worthy of being the bravest Warrior of Mars. I will give you this opportunity. As long as he can arrive alive, we must treat him well." Nangong Yuhang was also very expectant and excited, but first, Li Hao had to be able to arrive alive, which was not easy.

As for the casualties of the Giant Insects, Nangong Yuhang had no emotional fluctuations. In this universe, everything except him was just a tool.

The strategic goal of the Expeditionary Army had been achieved. The Giant Insect swarm was in chaos, and their original formation had been torn open. Hundreds of small fleets began to break through the blockade of the Giant Insects and started to approach the orbit of the Kepler Planet. Among them was the mission fleet led by Elena and the others. Only in this way could Plan B be completed, allowing Li Hao and the others to enter the planetary orbit with the maximum success rate.

"I am Fleet Commander Elena. Warriors, we are about to enter the orbit of the Kepler Planet. Being able to escort you all is a significant highlight in my military career!" Elena opened the public channel. "A Youyou, say something!"

"I am A Youyou. It is a great honor to be a member of the escort, and I am willing to live and die with you all!" A Youyou's voice rang out, spreading to all the assault warships and all the Mecha in the transport ships.

Everyone knew that A Youyou had participated in the frontline operations, and there were rumors that she would participate in the most dangerous escort mission, but no one expected it to be true, and that she was on the actual transport fleet carrying Li Hao and the others.

All the crew members participating in the breakout operation had burning gazes. At this moment, nothing could stop the determination of the Human Warriors to achieve victory.

In the cabin of the First Squad, there was dead silence. Zuo Xiaotang and the others subconsciously looked at Li Hao, but Li Hao did not move, nor did he give any response.

A Youyou had not told him, and he had not asked, but he had guessed it, and A Youyou knew that he had guessed it. The two of them were just that in sync. From the moment they met, got to know each other, and fell in love, although it was short, it was wonderful enough.

He opened his own channel. "I am Li Hao of the First Squad. Thank you all for the escort. We will definitely achieve victory!"

Victory~~~~

Rumble rumble rumble...

The pursuit of the Giant Insects began. The Pangu Destroyer launched the first wave of interception, and the cruisers covered the transport ships as they began to enter the orbit. Artillery fire filled the sky, and energy spheres blasted from Kepler drifted past the transport ships like the grim reaper's summons. These energy spheres looked like they were wobbling, but their power was astonishing. Once they made contact, the ship would be destroyed and everyone would die. Moreover, once they got within a certain distance of a Human warship, they would drift toward it as if attracted by magnetism, causing huge damage to the large Human warships.

Elena and the others were all Elites among Elites, maneuvering their warships to perform various evasive actions. Human warships were constantly exploding in low-Earth orbit, and the Mobile Suits inside the transport ships were shaking violently, but the Warriors didn't have much of a reaction. Especially the veteran Warriors, who were still chatting and laughing. "I heard the scenery on Kepler is quite beautiful."

"The only pity is that there are only bugs, no girls."

"Haha, brothers, if we can survive this battle, I'll take you all to the Moon to see the world!"

"Damn, no sincerity. We should at least go to Heaven Island."

…………

The ones who were nervous were the Reserve, but the Golden Zone of this wave of Reserve was the strongest. Tension and pressure were certain, but now the heavy responsibility rested on their shoulders.

Maxis, Basta, Chao Qinglong, Luo Bi, Aofei, Wuzang... everyone's expression was serious yet resolute. They were just waiting for the Mecha to land, and then it would be their world.

A large number of deceptive transport planes played a huge role, making the Giant Insects unsure which one needed to be intercepted. In the aimless situation, Elena and A Youyou had already escorted the transport ships into low-Earth orbit. They had completed the first stage, and some other warships had also broken through the blockade and entered the orbit.

In space, the battle was even more intense. Compared to when Humans first arrived at Kepler, the Giant Insects had undergone earth-shaking evolution, specifically evolving the ability to adapt to Human weapons. Drones did not play a big role in this war, but Humans had also been studying the structure of the Giant Insects for many years, especially by specifically developing viruses targeting Silicon-based Life. The structure of Silicon-based Life allowed them to have peculiar ways of communication and telepathy, and the Silicon-based virus could spread in their bodies. It was just that it was impossible to determine to what extent this spread could reach, and there was no time left, so it was directly put into the war.

Countless Mobile Suits defended their Muchuan, and the Space Fortress also continuously released powerful firepower against the Giant Insects. Countless missiles and torpedoes wiped out the swarm like raindrops, while the Space Fortress, which was the largest Human target, was also hit in turns. Its energy shield was severely weakened, and some parts were seriously damaged.

In the Command Room, Makemu, Wufa, and Pang Pai were all watching the real-time battle reports. The three of them and the main members of the fleet were all wearing anti-interference helmets, just in case. The current casualties were heavy, but the strategic goal had been achieved. The transport ship carrying Li Hao and the others had entered the orbit, and in another half an hour, they would be able to enter the designated location for the airdrop.

"I am Makemu. Li Hao and his special operations team have successfully entered low-Earth orbit. Now we need to buy them half an hour. All fleets, fire at full power! Contain the enemy swarm at all costs!"

This half an hour would also be the half an hour with the heaviest casualties.

"Prepare the Janibekov Cannon for charging," Makemu said. The Command Room paused for a moment.

"Are we starting now?" Wufa frowned slightly.

Makemu nodded. "Their chance of winning is only ten percent."

(End of chapter)