Chapter 929: Fengrao Starport Alert (2)

The indicator signs in the corridor have already switched to wartime navigation mode, with green arrows pointing the way to different defense zones.

Kern muttered.

"Looks like it's a big deal; even the Logistics Department and the interstellar merchants have started to evacuate."

Weike did not speak, the unease in his heart growing heavier.

If it were just a small group of pirates, it would be impossible to trigger the highest alert, let alone require a large-scale evacuation of non-combatants.

Weike and his companion passed through a heavy blast door that was slowly lowering, entering the dedicated corridor leading to the D-2 zone.

The display screens on the corridor walls switched to concise tactical maps and continuously scrolling combat readiness orders.

The broadcast sounded again, this time with the voice of Commander Suo'er.

"All defenders of Fengrao Starport! We are facing an attack from a force called the 'Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance'! Behind us are the billions of our kin in the Seventh Star Sector, and beneath our feet is the dignity of Fengrao Starport! For the Star Alliance! For our home! Fight to the end!"

Kahn frowned as he ran.

"Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance? What the hell is that? Never heard of it! Which corner of the galaxy did they crawl out of?"

Weike had never heard of the name either.

"Forget who they are; the Commander already said they're a formidable enemy, so get ready to fight!"

The two arrived at the assembly point in the D-2 Defense Zone.

Weike and Kern quickly ran into the ranks of their assigned Third Combat Squad.

Captain Taluosi saw that the personnel were mostly assembled and clapped his hands forcefully.

"Alright, long story short! The situation is bad, worse than anything we could have imagined!

What we are facing is not some damn pirates, nor a small-scale conflict! It is an enemy calling themselves the 'Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance.' They possess a powerful fleet, staggering in number, and they have already destroyed our outer patrol squads and are heading straight for Fengrao Starport!"

A wave of stifled gasps and intakes of breath rose from the crowd.

"Sanpimu Star, we have confirmed, Sanpimu Star... has fallen. The brothers stationed there... I fear they are in grave danger."

The hall was deathly silent, and every person's face was etched with fury.

"The enemy is powerful and mysterious, but! This is our Fengrao Starport! It is the heart of the Seventh Star Sector! We have no retreat behind us! Commander Suo'er has ordered us to fight to the end!"

Captain Taluosi pointed to a massive observation window on one side of the hall.

"Look outside! Our fleet has sortied! Our defense platforms have been activated! We are not fighting alone! If the enemy wants to take a bite out of us, they better be prepared to have their teeth shattered!"

The starport defense fleet was forming up, the engines of cruiser after cruiser, destroyer, and frigate emitting a ghostly blue light as they slowly sailed toward the designated interception zone.

The starport's orbital defense platforms rose one after another from beneath their armor plating, their railgun muzzles charging, and the covers of the missile silos already open.

A layer of pale blue energy barrier was gradually forming around the outer perimeter of the starport, protecting the core area.

Various small patrol boats and fighters wove between the capital ships and defense platforms.

Captain Taluosi issued the combat Task.

"Our Task! D-2 Zone, primarily responsible for close-range coordinated defense of the No. 12 to No. 18 outer defense turrets and anti-landing infantry operations! If the enemy's landing craft or drop pods break through the outer fire and attempt to seize or destroy our turrets, then it is our turn to step up! Wipe them out on the deck! Do you understand?!"

"Understood! Sir!"

The soldiers roared in unison, their voices echoing through the hall.

The initial shock had been replaced by a heavy sense of responsibility.

They were one of the starport's last lines of defense, guarding these heavy weapons capable of dealing the enemy a crushing blow.

"Check your equipment! Collect extra ammunition and energy cells! In five minutes, each squad will move to their defensive positions according to the pre-set plan!"

Captain Taluosi ordered.

Weike and Kern went to the supply distribution point to collect extra energy rifle magazines, a few high-explosive hand grenades, and a set of vacuum combat suit sealing patches.

Fighting near a defense turret meant facing the constant danger of bulkhead breaches and decompression.

"Hey, Weike."

Kern bumped Weike with his arm while hooking a hand grenade onto his tactical belt.

"Do you think... what these 'Xiuluo Holy' guys actually look like?"

Weike shook his head, checking the safety on his energy rifle.

"Don't know. But no matter what they look like, as long as they dare to step onto the starport, we'll turn them into sieves."

Even so, there was still a trace of unease in Weike's heart.

An enemy capable of rapidly conquering Sanpimu Star and making Fengrao Starport face such a formidable foe would definitely not be easy to deal with.

"Third Combat Squad! Follow me!"

A Fengqi Military sergeant waved to summon Weike and his companion.

Weike and his companion formed into a tactical formation, following the sergeant through several internal corridors until they reached the area below the control room of the No. 15 Defensive Turret.

This was one of the pre-set defensive positions.

The control room was on the upper level, operated by specialized turret crew.

And the task of Weike's squad was to hold several important corridors and gates leading to the control room and the key parts of the turret itself.

Weike and Kern were assigned to a corner position that could provide crossfire coverage of the main corridor.

Laku set up the Ciqiang Jijiang behind them; the firepower of that thing was enough to tear apart heavy vehicles.

Other squad members were dispersed in nearby side corridors and ventilation duct openings.

Reports from various positions and orders from the Commander came through the communication channel from time to time.

Weike leaned behind a Hejin Hushun, looking out through the firing port at the corridor beyond.

Kern muttered.

"Damn, just waiting like this is really uncomfortable. Might as well just rush out and have a go at them."

Weike shook his head and said.

"I actually hope they get wiped out in space; if the battle really develops to our side, how large would the scale of this war be?"

"Don't be a killjoy; Fengrao Starport isn't something you can just take down whenever you want."

Chaomo Asteroid Belt.

Kashika, Fleet Commander of the Third Defense Fleet of Fengrao Starport, watched the Chaomo Asteroid Belt ahead from the observation window of the cruiser.

The asteroid belt was composed of countless rocks and ice chunks of varying sizes, reflecting cold light under the illumination of distant starlight.

"Dingding Hao" was the flagship of the Third Defense Fleet of the Seventh Star Sector of the Fengqi Star Alliance, a "Shouyeren Ji Ji Ji" heavy cruiser that had been in service for over fifteen years.

Kashika watched the main tactical Holographic Star Map.

On the star map, the blue light dots representing the Third Defense Fleet, along with the green light dots of the First Defense Fleet that had come to execute the interception Task, were moving toward the preset positions in the Chaomo Asteroid Belt.

"All ships, report status!"

Kashika's voice rang out within the Bridge.

Reports from the captains of each ship immediately came through the communication channel.

"'Wind Blade Hao' cruiser in position, weapon systems online, shields at full power!"

"'Jingti Hao' destroyer has entered the designated position, Missile array loaded!"

"'Ranger 1' through '5' frigate squadron, already deployed to the forward edge of the asteroid belt, sensors scanning at maximum power!"

The holographic image of Suofeiya, Fleet Commander of the First Defense Fleet, also appeared on the communication platform beside Kashika.

"Fleet Commander Kashika, the First Fleet has completed its initial deployment. I suggest placing my heavy cruiser formation in the 'Suiyan Qu', where the asteroid density is highest, to maximize broadside firepower projection using the terrain."

"Agreed, Suofeiya."

Kashika nodded, his fingers tracing several areas on the star map.

"Your fleet will serve as the core Anchor Point. My destroyer and frigate squadrons will rely on smaller asteroids as mobile cover to conduct harassment and flanking maneuvers. Remember our Task: not annihilation, but delay! Exhaust the enemy as much as possible and buy time for the Starport!"

"Understood. For Fengqi."

Suofeiya's image saluted and then vanished.