Chapter 963: Assembly at Ka Lun Star

"Do you see it?"

Geluke pointed at those points of light.

"If we concentrate these forces of ours to clash head-on, it might not be enough to fill the gaps in the enemy's teeth. But if we disperse them and use their familiarity with the local star system to harass, ambush, and destroy supply lines... we can exert a tremendous effect."

Norn was silent for a moment, then spoke again.

"I understand everyone's considerations. The 'Swarm' protocol can serve as an initial strategy. But I must emphasize that the value of the 'Guardian' lies in decisive battlefield breakthroughs.

Once the enemy's main force location and weaknesses are confirmed, I hope to receive authorization to deploy the 'Fist of the Firmament' for a thunderous strike.

We cannot continue to skirmish with the enemy indefinitely; the pressure on the Western Theater does not allow for it."

Walton exchanged a look with Liara and Geluke.

It was unrealistic to expect this arrogant "Guardian" legion commander to fully submit to the "Swarm" protocol.

Colonel Walton nodded in agreement.

"Very well, Commander. After arriving at Ka Lun Star, we will rely on the asteroid belt and gravitational anomaly zones on the outskirts of the planet to establish forward observation posts and mobile bases.

Your legion will serve as a strategic reserve, stationed near the Ka Lun Star Orbital Defense Platform, standing by at all times.

At the same time, we will dispatch a large number of reconnaissance units, including Erasin psionic sensors and Klim drone probes, to conduct comprehensive monitoring toward the Seventh Star Sector.

Once we discover valuable targets or combat opportunities, we will notify you immediately."

Norn nodded slightly and said.

"Very good. The 'Fist of the Firmament' is ready at any time to annihilate any enemy who dares to desecrate the Fengqi Territory."

Having said this, Norn's projection vanished from the virtual meeting space.

Walton rubbed his brow, feeling exhausted.

Coordinating these commanders from different backgrounds with different philosophies was more tiring than planning a campaign.

Colonel Liara said softly.

"He is too confident, confident to the point of... being somewhat contemptuous of the enemy. Has General Suo'er not been full of confidence as well?"

Geluke snorted.

"No choice, they are projects valued by the Council, they are the 'future'. It would be good if they listened to even half of what we old guys from the 'past' have to say. I only hope their strength is worthy of this confidence."

Colonel Walton looked at the area on the star map covered in red, and the blue light points constantly converging toward Ka Lun Star, and gave the order.

"Order the fleet to maintain course and accelerate toward Ka Lun Star. Notify the advance reconnaissance detachment to enter the highest state of alert. The storm... is about to come."

After several days of navigation, the mixed fleet arrived at Ka Lun Star.

Dingzi looked out through the porthole at a grayish-yellow terrestrial planet and the asteroid belt circling it.

Support fleets arriving from all parts of the Sixth Star Sector were merging into the main body of the mixed fleet according to the received instructions.

"All units attention, this is the Ka Lun Star Orbital Control Center. Please maneuver strictly according to the assigned airspace coordinates, repeat, maneuver strictly according to coordinates! Avoid collisions!"

"... Industrial fleet, guide to the Seventh Anchorage, mobile maintenance platforms please follow the guidance beacons."

"... Reconnaissance cluster, report your positions, prepare to receive reconnaissance task packages."

"... Defense fleet, your garrison area is the C-12 asteroid group, coordinates have been sent."

Dierda Xiaoxingxingdai.

"Looks like we've arrived 'home'."

Tiezha muttered, looking at the scene outside the window.

"Can this place block the enemy fleet?"

Keerte said without even raising his head.

"Not block, hide. The first principle of the 'Swarm' is to let yourself survive, and only then can you find a chance to sting. This debris belt and the gravitational anomaly zone in the distance are the best hiding spots."

Soon, their assault ship approached a larger asteroid.

On the surface of this asteroid, sensor arrays and camouflaged turret bases had already been temporarily erected, and some engineering ships were conducting reinforcement work.

"TJ-77, AX-39, Keerte! Equip your weapons and survival gear, prepare to land with the first wave of ground squads to establish a forward observation post!"

The Sergeant's scarred face appeared on the cabin communication screen.

"Yes!"

Dingzi, Tiezha, and Keerte put on exoskeleton armor equipped with basic life support and protection functions, and stuffed high-energy compressed rations and first-aid kits into their backpacks.

The three of them, along with a dozen other fully armed soldiers, boarded a small landing craft and landed on the asteroid's surface.

"Don't space out! Move!"

A Fengqi Military Sergeant roared through the communication channel built into the armor.

"The Engineering Team has already marked the location! We must establish and camouflage this observation post within four standard hours! Signalman, set up the long-range sensors and Encryption Communication Array immediately! Everyone else, establish a defensive perimeter, deploy Automatic Turrets and vibration sensors!"

Dingzi and other infantry were responsible for clearing the site, moving prefabricated components, and laying power lines.

While moving a crate of Energy Batteries, Dingzi saw two Erasin with their eyes closed, their hands lightly touching a massive rock, their long, pointed ears twitching slightly.

"What are they doing?"

Dingzi asked Keerte next to him through a private channel.

Keerte explained.

"Psionic sensing, they are sensing the 'background spiritual waves' of this area. Any large-scale navigation or intense energy explosion will leave ripples."

A few hours later, a forward observation post with basic functional completeness was established.

Similar scenes were playing out simultaneously at hundreds of preset nodes near Ka Lun Star.

At the same time, Ka Lun Star synchronous orbit, flagship "Firm Bastion", "Fist of the Firmament" Legion Command.

Legion Commander Akutulesi Nuoen removed his helmet, revealing a stern face; his skin was darker in color than that of ordinary Fengqi.

Norn stood before the tactical star map, looking at the dense blue light points representing his own units and the red areas representing enemy-occupied territory.

His Adjutant stood behind him to report.

"Legion Commander, all companies have completed combat readiness inspections and are ready to be committed to battle at any time. The Orbital Defense Platform has been reinforced with the assistance of our legion's technical Sergeant, and its reaction speed and firepower density have increased by twenty-two percent."

Norn nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on the scattered small blue light dots on the star map.

"Walton and the others... are still playing this game of hide-and-seek. By dispersing such precious strength, they won't even be able to organize a decent resistance once the enemy's main force truly appears."

The Adjutant responded cautiously.

"The generals are following General Gelan's 'Swarm' protocol. They believe this is a prudent strategy for dealing with unknown, powerful enemies."

"Prudent? Wars are never won by being prudent. Victory belongs to the side that dares to seize the opportunity and strike with full force. Suo'er's failure lay in his underestimation of the enemy, not in his tactics themselves. If we possess greater strength, we should crush the enemy completely while they are still unstable, rather than waiting here, watching them potentially consolidate their defensive lines, or even launch the next wave of attacks."

Norn pointed to an area near the border of the Seventh Star Sector on the star map and said.

"Have our reconnaissance units made any discoveries?"

"Not yet, Legion Commander. The Erasin psionic sensor teams report that the energy background in that area is 'noisy,' making it difficult to distinguish specific signals. After the Klim unmanned probes penetrated the anomaly zone, one-third lost contact, and the data transmitted back showed no signs of large-scale fleet activity."

Norn's brow furrowed.

"The enemy cannot be completely unprepared for Ka Lun Star, this gateway. Either they are so confident that they believe we dare not counterattack, or they are planning something we have yet to detect."