Chapter 1312: Cleansing the Shattered Star Belt (2)

Inside the Gladiator Arena, two slaves were fighting.

They did not know what was happening outside; they only knew the alarm had sounded, but no one had come to tell them what to do.

So they continued to fight, because that was the only thing they knew how to do.

One was a bulky Sota, with four arms and bulging muscles.

The other was a lean Feilin, holding a rusted power sword in both hands.

The Sota roared and charged at the Feilin.

The Feilin dodged to the side and struck back with the sword, leaving a deep wound on the Sota's arm.

The Sota bellowed and turned to pounce again.

Just then, the gate of the Gladiator Arena was blown open.

Amidst the debris and smoke, a yellow figure walked in.

The two slaves stopped fighting and stared at the giant.

The Sota threw away its weapon and knelt on the ground.

"Surrender! I surrender!"

The Feilin also threw away its weapon and knelt on the ground.

"I surrender too! We are just slaves! Not pirates!"

The Lamenters Space Marine looked at them.

"The Emperor does not accept the surrender of Aliens."

He raised his Bolter.

Two bolter rounds.

The two slaves fell.

The Lamenters warrior turned and walked out of the Gladiator Arena.

Behind him, blood flowed slowly across the floor.

In every corner of the Nest of the Faithless, Lamenters warriors were carrying out the same Task.

Cleansing.

They walked through every corridor, searched every room, and rummaged through every corner.

Pirates hid behind cover, tucked themselves into cabinets, crawled into ventilation ducts, and even disguised themselves as corpses.

But the Lamenters Space Marines always found them, and always killed them.

No one could escape.

No one could survive.

Sailusi stood before the window of the Command Center, looking at the dark red Shattered Star Belt outside.

"Company Commander, the West District has been cleared."

"The East District has been cleared."

"The South District has been cleared."

"The North District has been cleared."

"The port has been cleared."

"The Shipyard has been cleared."

Sailusi pressed the comms button.

"Check again. Leave no survivors."

"Understood."

He released the comms button and turned to look at the corpses in the Command Center.

The corpse of Waluoke lay in the corner, his skull crushed.

His second-in-command lay at the doorway, his chest pierced by a bolter round.

The corpses of other pirates were scattered everywhere, their blood pooling into shallow puddles on the floor.

Sailusi stepped out of the Command Center to continue his cleansing.

On the western edge of the Shattered Star Belt, behind an inconspicuous asteroid.

Fourth Company Company Commander Walunsi's Thunderhawk Gunship hovered silently in the shadows.

Walunsi stood by the hatch, staring at the screen.

"Company Commander, the reconnaissance results are in."

The pilot looked back at him, a hint of confusion in his voice.

"The target stronghold is empty."

Walunsi's brow furrowed.

"Empty?"

"Yes. Sensors show signs of life within the stronghold, but the numbers are very low, and... it is chaotic. It is not a state of normal garrison."

"What about the pirates?"

The pilot pulled up the data.

"There are only a few small craft in the stronghold's berths; the Capital Ships are all gone. According to thermal trail analysis, they likely evacuated about two hours ago."

Behind him, a warrior said in a low voice.

"Ran away? They ran before we even made a move?"

Walunsi said.

"Go down and take a look."

The Thunderhawk's engines restarted, slowly moving toward the outpost.

The outpost was not large, a hollowed-out asteroid containing a few makeshift berths and living quarters.

The Thunderhawk landed on a berth, and Walunsi jumped off the hatch with nine warriors.

The berth was empty, with only a few dilapidated small boats abandoned in the corners.

Various debris was scattered across the ground.

"The people here left in a hurry."

A Lamenter warrior crouched down and picked up a Data Pad with its screen still lit.

"They didn't have time to take many things."

Walunsi took the Data Pad and scanned it quickly.

The screen displayed the pirate communication network of the Shattered Star Belt. The last message had been sent half an hour ago, containing only one sentence.

"The Nest of the Faithless is finished. Flee for your lives."

Walunsi's eyebrows arched slightly.

"News travels quite fast."

Another Lamenter warrior walked out from the living quarters.

"Company Commander, there are a few survivors inside. Not pirates, but slaves. Locked in cages, left unattended."

Walunsi looked at him.

"What race?"

"According to the data, they are Feilin. There are also a few Sota."

"Dispose of them. Leave none behind."

The Lamenter warrior nodded, turned, and walked back into the living quarters.

A moment later, the roar of a Bolter echoed through the empty outpost.

Walunsi stood at the edge of the berth, looking out at the dark red Shattered Star Belt.

"Fourth Company calling flagship."

He pressed his Communication Device.

"Target outpost is empty. Pirates evacuated early. Requesting next orders."

Ake's voice came through the Communication Device.

"Pursue. They won't get far. The Shattered Star Belt is only so big; they can be found."

"Understood."

Walunsi released the communication key and turned to face the warriors behind him.

"Back to the Thunderhawk. We are going in pursuit."

Deep in the Shattered Star Belt, a small fleet consisting of seven pirate ships was traveling between asteroids.

They had their lights off, and their engine power was suppressed to the minimum, attempting to hide themselves in the darkness.

Leading them was a modified Frigate.

The captain was an elderly Feilin named Zelike.

He had been in the Shattered Star Belt for two hundred years and had never been in such a sorry state.

"The Nest of the Faithless is finished."

This news had spread throughout the entire Shattered Star Belt half an hour ago.

No one knew exactly what had happened, but everyone knew one thing.

The Asura Holy Star Alliance had come, and Waluo was dead.

Zelike stood on the Bridge, staring at the Holographic Star Map.

"How much longer until the exit?" he asked.

The Adjutant checked the navigation data.

"Four hours. Once we exit through the 'Ash Corridor', we can enter the Ziyou Xingyu."

Zelike's brow was tightly furrowed.

"Too slow. Accelerate."

"Captain, if we accelerate, the engine's heat signature will be detected..."

Zelike interrupted him.

"Being detected is better than being caught. Accelerate."

The Adjutant nodded and turned to relay the order.

Just then.

"Captain! Ships approaching from the rear! They are very fast!"

Zelike's pupils contracted violently.

"How many?"

"One... no, two... three! Three! They are too fast!"

Zelike rushed to the sensor screen.

On the screen, three light dots were approaching rapidly.

"It's the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance's small craft!"

The Adjutant's voice was trembling.

Zelike ordered immediately.

"Full speed ahead! Everyone prepare for combat!"