Chapter 853: Kamirate (7)

Kamirate, Third Mining Zone, Zhongyang Kongzhita — the next morning.

Marcus Thorne sat behind his spacious desk; on the holographic screen before him, the production report for the Third Mining Zone's night shift had just been generated.

The data curve showed a tiny dip at the end, which was the production delay caused by the cleanup operation in Section 7 of B Zone last night.

"A bunch of trash."

He cursed under his breath; the production delay meant he would have to rack his brain to explain it in the weekly report.

He pulled up the human resources file, skillfully approved the transfer applications for two new miners, and requested an additional five percent quota of Xiaoyao Agent from the reserve, to "soothe the inefficient emotions potentially caused by the accident."

The sky outside the window remained that same oppressive, dim yellow.

Suddenly, a communication device on his desk, bearing the encrypted mark of the Star Alliance Military, emitted a buzzing sound different from the internal communications.

The fingers Marcus Thorne had been tapping on the desk stopped, and his brows furrowed slightly.

This was a dedicated line directly connected to the Kamirate near-orbit patrol fleet; it rarely rang, and once it did, it meant there was an abnormal situation beyond the mining zone's jurisdiction.

He immediately sat up straight and pressed the answer button.

"This is Thorne, supervisor of the Third Mining Zone."

A report mixed with electrical interference came from the other end of the communication device; the voice belonged to a Communications Officer of the patrol fleet.

"Supervisor Thorne! This is the near-orbit patrol fleet. We have just discovered an abnormal situation! A squad consisting of three Scout-class reconnaissance boats lost all contact signals at 07:48 standard time while patrolling the remote shadow zone of Kamirate! The last data stream transmitted showed everything was normal, then communication was completely severed, and the beacon is unresponsive!"

Marcus Thorne's heart sank slightly. Reconnaissance boats lost contact? That was not common.

Although the Kamirate star sector was remote, it had always been under the control of the Feng Qi Xing Alliance and had never encountered a real security threat.

The greatest "threat" was nothing more than small groups of space pirates occasionally drifting through, but they would never dare to actively attack the Star Alliance's military vessels.

"Energy interference? Or equipment failure?"

Marcus Thorne asked calmly.

"There has been energy flow interference in this star sector recently; is it related to this?"

"Cannot confirm, Mr. Supervisor!"

The Communications Officer's tone was even more urgent.

"The interference source has always existed, but it has never caused a complete interruption of communication! The loss of contact was very sudden, as if... as if it were forcibly cut off! The Fleet Commander believes the situation is abnormal and has ordered the patrol fleet and attached frigates to change course and head to the airspace where the reconnaissance boats disappeared for on-site investigation! We are now reporting this situation to important ground facilities according to protocol; please be vigilant and pay attention to receiving subsequent..."

Before the Communications Officer could finish, a sharp, piercing noise suddenly erupted in the communication channel!

Marcus Thorne's eardrums ached from the noise, and he subconsciously pulled the communication device further away.

Immediately following, a roar full of shock suddenly sounded, replacing the voice of the previous Communications Officer!

—"Alarm! Under attack! Unidentified ships! Large numbers! They are coming from the shadows... urgh!"

—"Shields failed! Port side hit! Repeat, we are being..."

—"Evasive maneuvers! Evasive maneuvers! That's not pirates! That is..."

—"... BOOM!!!"

The communication came to an abrupt end with that massive explosion!

Following that was a deathly silence, with only faint electrical static hissing.

Marcus Thorne froze in place, still clutching the silent communication device; the usual indifference and composure on his face shattered instantly, replaced by immense shock and a trace of rapidly spreading panic.

Under attack? Unidentified ships? The patrol fleet?!

How is this possible?! Who is it? Who would dare to attack the regular fleet of the Star Alliance on Feng Qi Xing Alliance territory?! Pirates have absolutely no such guts or firepower!

A cold chill climbed rapidly up his spine.

The loss of contact with the reconnaissance boats might not have been an accident; it was a trap!

A trap aimed at the Kamirate patrol fleet!

Almost instinctively, he threw aside the military communication device and lunged toward another console connected to the deep communication network of the Feng Qi Xing Alliance.

His fingers were somewhat clumsy due to an irrepressible tremor as he quickly entered the Highest Priority alarm code, destination — Fengrao Starport.

That was the largest military and logistics hub of the Feng Qi Xing Alliance in this region, and also the direct administrator of Kamirate.

"This is Marcus Thorne, supervisor of the Third Mining Zone on Kamirate! Emergency military situation! Repeat, emergency military situation!"

His voice had become somewhat hoarse.

"The near-orbit patrol fleet is under attack by powerful firepower from an unidentified force! Communication has been interrupted during the exchange of fire! Suspect the fleet has been heavily damaged or even... completely wiped out! The identity of the attackers is unknown, intent unknown! Requesting the Starport to dispatch support immediately! Repeat, Kamirate is under unidentified invasion! Requesting immediate support!"

Message sent. The console displayed 【Highest Priority message has been encrypted and sent】.

For the next few seconds, Marcus Thorne felt every second was agonizingly long.

Marcus Thorne stared fixedly at the screen, breathing rapidly, fine cold sweat seeping from his forehead.

"Hum—"

The console finally emitted the notification sound for receiving a message!

Marcus Thorne practically lunged at the screen.

The reply came from the Command Center of Fengrao Starport, the content suffocatingly brief.

【Message received. Situation confirmed (Attached: received the last intermittent distress signal from the Vulture Fleet). The Starport has entered the highest state of combat readiness; support fleets are assembling. All ground units on Kamirate, immediately initiate the Level One Emergency Shelter Plan! Hold your position and wait for reinforcements! Repeat, immediately initiate the Level One Plan! Hold... bzz...】

The message was suddenly cut off here by intense interference, leaving only garbled code and static behind!

Even the stable communication with Fengrao Starport was being interfered with?!

Marcus Thorne's heart sank to the very bottom. The situation was far more serious than he had imagined.

The enemy not only possessed powerful offensive capabilities but also possessed extremely advanced electronic warfare capabilities.

Level One Emergency Shelter Plan!

That was the highest level of alert, meaning the planet might be facing orbital bombardment or ground invasion!

He had to sound the alarm immediately!

He turned abruptly and rushed toward the massive observation window, his fingers trembling as he reached for the red alarm button on the console—the one he was never allowed to touch, covered by a transparent shield—the Global and Near-Space Threat Alarm.

His gaze subconsciously turned toward the sky outside the window.

At that very moment, his movements froze, and his pupils contracted.

He saw that above the eternally dim yellow Tianqiong, dozens, or perhaps even hundreds, of abnormally bright, scorching meteors were tearing through the thick dust clouds, falling toward the surface of Kamirate.

Their light even temporarily dispersed the dim yellow, casting flickering shadows upon the reinforced glass of the control tower!

Their trajectories... their trajectories were clearly aimed at the various mining zones! Especially the Third Mining Zone under his jurisdiction! Those were not meteors at all! They were Landing Pods! They were the enemy's Airborne Troops!

"No...!"

Suo En did not hesitate in the slightest; he used all his strength to smash the protective cover of the alarm button and pressed his palm firmly onto that red button!

The next moment—

"Woooo———!!!!!!"

A sharp alarm sound rang throughout the entire Third Mining Zone.

Immediately following, the distant First and Second Mining Zones... the entire surface of Kamirate was submerged by this terrifying alarm sound that signaled the arrival of the apocalypse!

All production noise seemed insignificant at this moment, completely covered by this ear-piercing alarm.

Suo En collapsed in front of the Control Console; through the observation window, he watched those "meteors" drawing ever closer, trailing exhaust flames as they fell toward his mining zone.