Chapter 1501: Tiezhua Mercenaries Conduct Intercept

Fafeili sat on the Bridge of the flagship Tiezhua, organizing the fleet into four sub-fleets, each with about thirty-five ships, plus auxiliary supply ships and scout boats, bringing the total to nearly two hundred formation units.

Tiezhua was a refitted heavy cruiser, its exterior covered in armor patches of various sizes and all sorts of non-standard Sensor Array.

The Communications Officer sat before the Control Console on the right side of the Bridge, turning their head to report to Fafeili.

Grand Commander, the first installment of the final payment has arrived from the escrow account, totaling two billion. The remaining portion will be paid in two installments according to the escrow transfer agreement, expected to arrive successively after we reach the Intercept position.

Fafeili said in a good mood.

Not bad, the noble lords didn't delay payment this time. It seems Kusilei is indeed very anxious to have someone stop that fleet.

On the star map in front of him, the Tiezhua Fleet formation was advancing along a marked route toward the intersection of the shipping lanes at the edge of the Southern Border.

Two days later, the fleet arrived at the periphery of the shipping lane intersection in the Bianyuan Xingyu of the Southern Border.

This was an area suitable for Intercept operations; around the intersection of several main shipping lanes were scattered several small asteroid belts and an unstable gas cloud, which could serve as cover and interference fields.

The Tiezhua Fleet spread out its formation, occupying positions according to standard battlefield deployment, and several scout boats were released from the fleet's flanks to extend reconnaissance ahead of the shipping lanes.

Fafeili stood before the main console in the center of the Bridge, listening to the reports from his subordinates.

No large-scale ship formations detected ahead, only a few civilian transport ships passing through the shipping lane. Continuing to advance to the predetermined reconnaissance limit distance.

Fafeili nodded and said to the Adjutant.

Push further forward, expand the search range; if the opponent is a fleet of a hundred ships, we will definitely detect their tracks in advance.

The scout boats continued to advance forward.

About half a standard hour later, the voice in the communication channel sounded again.

Grand Commander, a large-scale fleet has been discovered entering standard cruising speed. Approaching now, the number is estimated to be around one hundred and thirty, the formation is orderly, ship types are being identified... confirmed to be standard warships of the Keluoke Central Army.

The Bridge fell silent.

Fafeili's four eyes stared at the newly appeared signal points on the star map.

The Adjutant beside him said in a low voice.

Keluoke Central Army? Grand Commander, are we intercepting the Keluoke Central Army?

The corners of Fafeili's mouth twitched, and he suddenly realized.

No wonder Kusilei was willing to pay five billion; so he wanted us to intercept the Central Army.

The Adjutant said.

Kusilei wants us to intercept the Central Army for him? That is already treason.

Fafeili nodded and said.

The heir of Duke Kusa has never recognized the throne of Kesi from the beginning. This time Kesi sent the Central Army to the Southern Border to suppress the rebellion, and Kusilei doesn't want this fleet to enter, so he paid us to be the shield.

The Adjutant looked at Fafeili's expression and asked hesitantly.

Then do we withdraw? This is a civil war of the Keluoke Imperium; if we get involved, we will offend the Central Army. Even if we win, Kesi will treat Tiezhua as an enemy in the future.

Fafeili tilted his head to look at the Adjutant and grinned.

Withdraw? Why withdraw? Do you know what Tiezhua will become if we eat up this Central Army fleet?

"What... what will it become?"

Fafeili stood up so that everyone on the Bridge could hear clearly.

One hundred and thirty Capital Ship of the Central Army—if we destroy them here, the entire Keluoke Imperium will know the name of Tiezhua. By then, it won't be us begging others for business, but others lining up to send us money.

We can also use the spoils of this battle to expand the fleet, replace those patched-up old ships, and buy brand-new battlecruisers, brand-new frigates, and brand-new main gun systems.

Once this fleet is completed, no armed force in the entire Southern Border will be able to stand on equal footing with us in space.

Fafeili looked at the officers and communications officers on the Bridge who were waiting for orders and commanded.

Notify the entire fleet to enter Level 1 combat readiness.

All main guns charge, Huzhun Xitong raised to combat level, fighter formations launch and stand by according to the predetermined Intercept plan.

Bring out the best equipment; once this battle is over, your military pay will double, and there will be endless spoils!

"Yes!"

Hearing that their military pay would double, these mercenaries finally perked up; after all, everyone was just looking for money, and who they fought didn't matter.

The Tiezhua Fleet formation began to adjust, the four sub-fleets closing from their original spread-out formation into a wide horizontal line, with Capital Ship distributed on the leading edge of the line and frigates providing cover on the flanks.

Fafeili stood on the command platform in the center of the Bridge and said to the Communications Officer.

Have they discovered us?

Data streams jumped rapidly on the screen in front of the Communications Officer, who replied.

The opposing fleet has begun to decelerate, and their formation posture has switched from cruise mode to combat mode. Main gun charging signals have been detected; they have discovered us.

The corners of Fafeili's mouth turned up.

Good, that saves me a bunch of nonsense.

As soon as he finished speaking, the main guns of the battlecruisers and Capital Ship of the Central Army fleet had finished charging during the first volley, firing the first batch of beams at the front line of the Tiezhua Fleet.

Those lines covered the leading edge of the Tiezhua Fleet's left-wing sub-fleet, and the shields of several frigates flickered violently under the impact of the beams.

Fafeili did not turn his head, his voice coming from the command platform.

Left-wing sub-fleet, report damage status.

The Communications Officer's voice followed immediately.

Three frigates in the left-wing sub-fleet have had their shields drop to forty percent, and the shields of the other ships are between sixty and eighty percent.

The first volley did not penetrate the hull armor of any ship, and the left-wing sub-fleet began to return fire.

Fafeili looked at the red signal points on the screen that were recharging and ordered.

Tell all sub-fleets that the Central Army's first volley was very orderly, but their firepower intensity did not exceed expectations. Take advantage of this gap to advance and compress the engagement distance into our advantageous firing range.

"Yes!"

After firing the first volley, the opposing Central Army fleet had a brief charging gap.

The Tiezhua Fleet used this period of time to advance the designated distance, shortening the engagement range.

Fafeili saw the distance value shift into place and issued a new order.

"Open fire, concentrate firepower on that Battlecruiser to the middle-left of their formation; take out their flagship formation first to disrupt their command chain."

The Tiezhua Fleet's fire control systems responded simultaneously, with hundreds of Capital Ships in the vanguard concentrating their main and secondary battery beams onto the target point deep in the left flank of the Central Army fleet.

Fafeili stood on the command deck, watching the shield readings of that Battlecruiser continue to drop, the smile at the corner of his mouth growing increasingly rampant.

"As expected, once you hit the command fleet first, the opponent loses their footing."

The Communications Officer spoke up to report again.

"The Central Army fleet has begun attempting to break through our right flank formation; their two Battlecruisers are turning, intending to cut in from the right flank. The right flank detachment requests fire support."

Fafeili withdrew his gaze from the damaged Battlecruiser on the left flank of the Central Army fleet and looked toward the data display area for the right flank.

"The right flank detachment is not to block them head-on; yield a path and let them cut in. Once they enter the formation, have the detachments on both flanks close in from the sides and surround them in the middle."