Chapter 905: The Commission of the Feng Qi Xing Alliance

A Raven Guard Sergeant broke through to melee range.

The Chainsword in his hand came down with a roar, easily tearing through the alloy bunker the mercenaries had set up.

Two mercenaries attacked from both sides simultaneously; this Raven Guard Sergeant performed a simple sidestep and smashed one man into a pulp with a single punch, while simultaneously bisecting the other with his Chainsword.

Blood and viscera splattered against the corridor walls, but the Raven Guard Sergeant did not pause, continuing to push forward.

Ge Lei realized this was not a battle at all, but a slaughter.

These mercenaries, who thought themselves elite, were as powerless as children before these super-soldiers.

"Retreat! Everyone retreat to the Bridge!"

He finally ordered, but it was too late.

The Raven Guard's tactics were flawless.

They had already silently circled to the rear, cutting off all paths of retreat.

Ge Lei and his squad were completely surrounded in a corridor.

The final line of defense collapsed even more rapidly.

Ge Lei saw a Raven Guard Space Marine holding a Bolter in one hand for precision fire, while using a Combat Knife in the other to parry bullets fired at him.

Seeing this scene in reality was more despair-inducing than hearing about it.

In less than five minutes, Ge Lei was the only one left in his squad.

He backed against the wall; his Plasma Gun had already overheated, and his Pistol ammunition was exhausted.

Four Raven Guard warriors approached from different directions, their Bolters pointed at him, but they did not fire.

The Raven Guard Sergeant stepped forward, his helmet lenses fixed on Ge Lei.

"Drop your weapons."

Ge Lei threw his weapons away with trembling hands and fell to his knees.

His battle-hardened confidence and pride were completely shattered in this moment.

He had once thought he had seen the most powerful warriors in the Bode Star System, but now he knew what a true war machine was.

"What... exactly are you?"

He muttered.

The Raven Guard Sergeant did not answer, merely signaling two Raven Guard Space Marines to step forward and detain him.

Ge Lei had no thoughts of resistance; in the face of such power, resistance was meaningless.

Similar scenes were playing out all over the ship.

The mercenaries' resistance was crushed quickly, efficiently, and thoroughly.

The Raven Guard's losses were minimal, with only a few suffering minor injuries and none killed in action.

In less than twenty minutes, the voice of Kasiwusi came through the comms: "Bridge secured. Captured the caravan leader and his senior advisors. Minor resistance, suppressed."

Corax nodded in satisfaction.

"Very well. Secure the remaining ships and bring the prisoners and the data core back to the 'Raven'."

In space, the remaining merchant ships, seeing their flagship captured, mostly chose to surrender. The few that attempted to resist or flee had their power or weapon systems precisely disabled by the Raven Guard warships before being boarded and seized.

The Bridge of the 'Star Wish' was completely controlled by the Raven Guard.

The caravan leader, Gabriel Vanzhuo, sat in the captain's chair, trying to maintain his dignity, but his slightly trembling hands betrayed his fear.

His advisors and senior crew were gathered in the corner, guarded by fully armed Space Marines.

When Corax appeared on the Bridge via holographic projection, the scales on Vanzhuo's body contracted.

Even appearing through a projection, the Primarch's majesty and oppressive presence were enough to make Vanzhuo feel suffocated.

"Who... who are you?"

Vanzhuo stammered, his previous arrogance gone without a trace.

"I am Corax, Primarch of the Raven Guard. Do you understand now whom you have offended?"

"Pri... Primarch? What is that?"

"Enough talk, explain your true purpose. The Shadow Star is not on any trade route, your fleet hides armed warships, and your crew are professional mercenaries. This is no ordinary trade expedition."

Vanzhuo swallowed hard and explained.

"Lord Corax, this is merely a precaution! Unknown star sectors are full of dangers, we must be prepared..."

Corax interrupted Vanzhuo.

"Your ship scans show large amounts of exploration and excavation equipment, not trade goods. Who do you work for? What are you looking for?"

When Vanzhuo hesitated, Kexisi stepped forward and handed a Data Pad to the holographic projector.

"My Lord Primarch, we have recovered some encrypted data from his systems. Preliminary decryption shows a connection to the 'Feng Qi Xing Alliance Supreme Directorate'."

"Alright! Alright! I'll talk! We were commissioned by the Feng Qi Xing Alliance to come and confirm the progress of the 'project' on the Shadow Star. The Shu were supposed to report once a month, but they have already missed two communications..."

"What 'project'?"

Corax pressed.

"I don't know the details! Really! We are only responsible for transport and communications. The Feng Qi Xing Alliance is conducting some kind of... geo-engineering experiment on the Shadow Star. The Shu provide the site and labor, the Star Alliance provides the technology and protection."

Corax nodded; this explained why the Feng Qi Xing Alliance would be interested in this remote world.

The Maw of Darkness might not have been dug up by accident, but as part of some experiment.

"Hand over all data to us, including all communication records and contract details with the Star Alliance."

Vanzhuo nodded dejectedly and asked Corax.

"What... will you do with us?"

"That depends on your level of cooperation and the value of the data. Now, begin the transmission."

Just as the data transfer was underway, the sensor officer suddenly reported.

"New warp signals detected! Multiple combat-scale signals! It's the Feng Qi Xing Alliance navy fleet!"

Everyone immediately tensed up.

"Scale?"

"At least five Battleship-class, over a dozen Cruisers and Frigates. They are heading straight for Shadow Star and will reach engagement range within ten minutes."

Vanzhuo revealed an expression of hope.

"The Feng Qi Xing Alliance fleet! They have come to save us!"

Corax looked at Vanzhuo's expression and poured a bucket of cold water on it.

"No, they are here to silence us. Sairuoluo, prepare to engage the enemy. Kexisi, ensure all prisoners are securely detained."

"Yes! Father!"

On the Bridge of the Raven, Company Commander Sairuoluo issued a series of orders.

"All warships, form combat formation! Activate Void Shields to maximum power! Charge weapon systems to full power!"

The Raven Guard fleet shifted formation, with three Dreadnought-class Light Cruisers pushing forward in a wedge shape, the Raven positioned in the center, and 12 Frigates providing cover on the flanks.

The newly captured merchant ships were forcibly pushed to the rear, guarded by a small squad of Anya Shouwei.

On the sensor screens, the signals of the Feng Qi Xing Alliance fleet grew stronger, with five Battleships surrounded by twelve Cruisers and more Frigates.

Their armor was painted with the deep purple geometric emblem of the Feng Qi Xing Alliance, and all weapon ports were open.

"They are targeting us and the captured ships; the Battleship main guns are charging, it's some kind of particle weapon!"

Sairuoluo immediately gave the order.

"Launch Interference Barrage! All ships, maneuver to evade! Detach two Frigates to protect the prisoner ships!"