Chapter 1019: Protecting the Emperor's Subjects on This Planet

General Gelan pondered for a moment, thinking of that light fleet.

Guiding the insect swarm is an extreme action; behind it, there must be the Committee, or perhaps even the authorization of Commissioner Valken himself, and it requires absolute secrecy.

If he were to report in detail at this moment, he might instead disrupt the plans of his superiors.

"Not for now. We will only report: 'Discovered unusual movement of the insect swarm, which may affect the situation in the theater; my unit is closely monitoring and formulating corresponding contingency plans.'

As for the specific combat plan, we will report it together when the time is ripe and the results are apparent. Right now, what we need is initiative and decisiveness!"

Gelan looked at Lieutenant Colonel Lynn.

"Lieutenant Colonel Lynn, you and your 'Ghost Eye' detachment have performed a great service! Now, at all costs, keep your eyes locked on the Sixth Star Sector! I want to know every reaction of the Xiuluo Saint the moment the insect swarm enters, and every movement of their fleets! Information will be the key to our victory!"

"Understood! General!"

Lieutenant Colonel Lynn straightened his body, gave a standard military salute, his eyes filled with a sense of mission, and turned to leave quickly.

General Gelan turned to face his command team again.

"Gentlemen, the opportunity has appeared, and it is fleeting! The glory of the Fengqi Star Alliance and the dignity of the Southern Theater depend on this one move! I order all combat units in the Southern Theater to enter the highest state of combat readiness immediately! The original attack plan is suspended."

"The new plan is codenamed: 'Echo Raid'!"

"All fleet commanders, assemble at the main Meeting Room immediately! We want our artillery fire to become the death echo that resounds through the Seventh Star Sector the moment the insect swarm tears through the Sixth Star Sector's defense line!"

"Yes! General!"

When only General Gelan remained in the command room, he whispered to himself.

"Commissioner Valken... this is truly a risky move you've made. However... I like it.

You bastards of the Xiuluo Saint, enjoy this 'gift' from the depths of the star sea. While you are fighting for your lives against those bugs, we will deliver a fatal blow from the place you least expect!"

At the same time, in the Sixth Star Sector, Ximao Star.

The Cadian soldiers who had finished their day of training were resting, sitting in twos and threes outside the barracks, cleaning their weapons, or chatting with familiar local residents.

The logistics personnel of Wentuiliya were still instructing the gravel-folk on equipment maintenance.

The snack stalls wafted with fragrance, and children were chasing and playing within the designated safe zone.

Everything seemed so peaceful and full of hope.

Inside the "Jianbao" base, in the orbital early warning center guarded by the Blood Angels Eighth Company, a shrill alarm sounded.

A Blood Angels tech-sergeant looked up at the bio-energy signals and abnormal spatial fluctuation data on the main screen that were almost off the charts.

"Detected large-scale biological entity signals! Hyperspace jump exit coordinates: K-7-Theta! Distance: 0.3 light-minutes! Quantity... impossible to count precisely! Energy level... Insect Hive mother ship!"

The voice of the Blood Angels tech-sergeant was transmitted through the internal communication channel to the ears of the Eighth Company Commander, Kashiusiluo, who was conducting meditation training in the company chapel.

Company Commander Kashiusiluo opened his eyes and stood up abruptly, his power armor's servo system emitting a slight hum.

"All companies, level one combat readiness! All Blood Angels still on Ximao Star, prepare for battle!"

"Notify the Cadian 214th Regiment and the Wentuiliya 93rd Infantry Regiment to enter defensive positions immediately!"

"Send the highest priority alert to the fleet heading to nearby planets to deliver supplies; return immediately!"

"The enemy is... the Zerg Alien!"

Sixth Star Sector, Ximao Star, "Jianbao" main base and surrounding areas.

The shrill alarm broke the evening's tranquility.

On the street outside "Jianbao" that had just gained some signs of life, the dough in the hands of the old master at the snack stall dropped onto the hot iron plate with a sizzle.

The gravel-folk children who were chatting with the Cadian soldiers stopped laughing and looked up at the sky in a daze.

Hans, the Wentuiliya tech-sergeant who was instructing on equipment maintenance, stopped his work, and the gravel-folk girl beside him said nervously.

"Is... is it an air raid?"

Sergeant Hans did not answer immediately; he quickly glanced at the data pad on his wrist, which had already flashed the red highest alert code and brief instructions.

【Non-standard threat, biological entity, all personnel level one combat readiness, civilian evacuation】.

Hans patted the girl on the shoulder and said.

"It's not an air raid, but it's worse than an air raid. Don't be afraid, do as we practiced. Go find your parents immediately and follow the administrator's personnel to the shelter! Go!"

Similar scenes were playing out in every corner.

A brief panic was inevitable, but the chaos did not last long.

A loud voice rang out through the public address system at the street corner.

"Everyone! Stay calm! Repeat, everyone stay calm! This is not a drill! An unknown biological threat has been detected approaching Ximao Star! According to the 'Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance Emergency State Law' and the 'Xi'an Defense Plan', a level one emergency response is now initiated!"

"All residents, please put down what you are doing immediately and follow the instructions of the local sheriff and the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance administrative personnel to proceed to the designated shelters in an orderly manner! Repeat, proceed to the designated shelters in an orderly manner! Do not run, do not crowd, take care of the elderly and children!"

"The army of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance will protect everyone's safety! Trust our soldiers, trust our laws! Order will be the guarantee of our survival!"

Almost simultaneously, the grassroots officers and sergeants of the Cadian Shock Troops and the Vantria Noble Regiment stationed in "Jianbao" and the surrounding areas also took action.

"Cadians, assemble!"

Corporal Ka'e, with a scar on his face, blew the whistle hanging around his neck.

The Cadian soldiers grabbed the laser guns leaning against the wall and rushed to their respective platoon assembly points as fast as they could.

Xiaodingzi and the other children were stunned by this sudden change.

Before running to the assembly point, Corporal Ka'e looked back and growled at Xiaodingzi and his companions.

"Kids, don't just stand there! Go find the adults and go to the shelter! That's an order!"

At the station of the Vantria 93rd Infantry Regiment, Major Friedrich had already donned his gear and walked out of his headquarters.

His adjutant followed closely behind, reporting the assembly situation of each company at a rapid pace.

"Major, the First Company and Second Company have entered the outer defensive positions according to the plan, the Third Company is assisting the administrator in evacuating residents in the core area, and the Fourth Company is on standby as a reserve force."

"Very good."

Major Friedrich scanned the slightly chaotic settlement, picked up the communication device, and connected to the regiment-wide broadcast channel.

"Soldiers of the Vantria 93rd Regiment, I am Major Friedrich. We are facing a threat from aliens. Please remember, we are soldiers of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance, followers of the Emperor. Our duty is to protect the Emperor's subjects on this planet and to uphold the laws and order of the Star Alliance."

"Look at the citizens beside you; they trust us and have entrusted their lives to us. We cannot, and we absolutely will not, betray this trust. Maintain formation, hold your positions, and strictly execute orders. Our tenacity and discipline will be the sturdiest shield we hold up for them. For the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance, for the people of Ximao Star, for the Emperor!"