Shadows of the Deep Space
Chapter 457 - 329: The Battle Begins (Five in One)_6

Chapter 457: Chapter 329: The Battle Begins (Five in One)_6

"Minor issue!"

Su Ming replied with a smile.

Shu’en was curious to ask,

"How did you manage to train them so well in such a short time?"

"First, train the basics, then create a crash course in combat methods, and expand the training."

Su Ming and Shu’en started chatting.

---------------------------------

Two days later, on the training ground.

Su Ming stood on the elevated command platform, watching the numerous soldiers train.

At that moment, his bracelet vibrated slightly, displaying a message.

"Major Su Ming, please proceed immediately to the operations room in Starshine Castle, attendance is mandatory!"

Upon seeing this message, Su Ming immediately returned to the city and rushed to the summit.

As he passed through multiple checkpoints to reach the summit,

Su Ming suddenly noticed on the left a forked road cordoned off, with a metal sign hung above.

Taking a closer look, the metal sign clearly read,

"Xi Guang Laboratory Designated Area, Unauthorized Personnel Forbidden."

Su Ming frowned slightly upon seeing this, surprised that the Xi Guang Laboratory had set up an institution inside the fortress.

However, Su Ming didn’t join the crowd but continued towards the castle.

The legion commander had announced a day off earlier, making Su Ming suspicious. Now, the sudden call for a meeting felt problematic.

...

Shortly after, Su Ming arrived at the castle, walking down the side corridor towards the operations room.

On the way, he encountered several majors, all summoned on short notice.

Soon, they entered the operations room.

The operations room was circular with rows of chairs along the perimeter and a raised metal platform at the center.

At this time, the room was already filled with officers.

"Su Ming, over here!"

Shu’en waved and called out to Su Ming.

After seeing him, Su Ming hurried over and sat down, lowering his voice to ask,

"Sir, do you know why the Legion Commander has summoned us?"

"No idea, haven’t received any information. But since we’re called to the operations room, I guess..."

Shu’en paused without finishing.

"I think so too."

Su Ming replied, his brow furrowed.

Just then, a rush of footsteps entered, silencing the entire operations room as everyone turned their heads towards the main door.

They saw a purple-haired girl accompanied by several generals, including Ferion, walking in.

Su Ming and the others immediately stood up, greeting,

"Legion Commander!"

"Sit!"

The purple-haired girl raised her hand, signaling everyone to sit down and then walked straight to the raised metal platform.

Click!

The moment the doors closed,

The purple-haired girl surveyed everyone and spoke in a cool tone,

"I’ve called you here today to announce something major. In five hours, Starshine Fortress will cease superluminal flight and commence combat operations!"

Everyone was shocked for a moment.

They had considered that this meeting might be to discuss combat operations but had not anticipated that it would begin in just five hours. They had no idea where or whom they would be fighting.

Seeing everyone startled, the purple-haired girl immediately explained,

"The reason I didn’t inform you earlier was to ensure the information wouldn’t leak."

"Yes, Commander."

Kaff and others responded solemnly.

"Alright, let’s not dwell on the trivialities. Let us now start planning the combat strategy."

The girl with purple hair lifted her hand and snapped her fingers.

A virtual starry sky, projected holographically, appeared before the girl with purple hair as she began to speak in an orderly fashion.

"This is the Siloke Star Sea, this star sea is located between the Danube Star Sea and the central area of the Dark Star Empire."

The girl with purple hair spoke as she enlarged the view of the entire star sea.

A planet fortress came into view, surrounded by a scattering of smaller planets. In the direction near the Danube Star Sea, there also lay a transit planet.

In addition to this, one could see the entire starry sky densely populated with various kinds of space fortresses and defensive weapons.

"Isn’t this the largest external transit area of the Imperial Army?"

Kaff and the others, their faces showing slight changes, said.

"Yes, let me explain to you in detail. This planet fortress is called Hamms, it is a movable planet fortress. The Imperial Army has placed it here as a springboard for the expeditionary forces. According to the information fed back by our people, inside this planet fortress is stationed the Dark Star Empire’s Fifth Legion—the Black Crow Army, with one-third of the legion’s forces inside."

"Also, this transit planet near the Danube Star Sea belongs to the Uranus Neutral Country."

"This Uranus Neutral Country is the second strongest among the six that have pledged allegiance to the Imperial Army in the Danube Star Sea. On this transit planet, the Uranus Neutral Country’s Second Ace Legion—the Water Snake Army, is stationed, and they will definitely come out once the war starts!"

"Also, the Kudik Neutral Country and Fabidon Neutral Country are stationed with two legions each on the edge of the Danube Star Sea. Among them, the Grey Gun Legion stationed by Kudik Neutral Country is expected to arrive at the battlefield five hours after the battle begins, and Fabidon Neutral Country’s Rock Army is estimated to arrive twelve hours later."

"Besides these, the Imperial Army has also stationed defense forces at these several space defense points...."

...

The girl with purple hair explained the distribution of the Imperial Army and Neutral Country forces in great detail to everyone.

Su Ming’s eyes revealed a hint of surprise upon hearing this.

The Legion Commander had actually figured out the distribution of forces of both the Imperial Army and the Neutral Countries so thoroughly. It seemed that not only the Federation was infiltrated, but the other side wasn’t in good shape either.

However, according to the current explanation of the force distribution by the Legion Commander, the situation looked rather grim.

It was clear that their strategic target was the Imperial Army’s Planet Fortress·Hamms.

But if they were to look at the existing forces, forcefully breaking through the various defense points to take down Hamms Fortress would also be exceedingly difficult.

The most critical point, however, was that the Neutral Countries wouldn’t just sit by and watch.

If their master was attacked, as loyal followers, they would definitely fight desperately to rescue. Even though their combat power may not be comparable to that of the Imperial Army forces, they still couldn’t be underestimated because of their numbers.

However, Su Ming remained silent since the Legion Commander had such a thorough understanding of the enemy’s situation. She must have a solution to the problem of the disparity in forces.

"Alright, I have now briefed you on the overall situation. Let’s now start assigning specific combat tasks."

The girl with purple hair directly addressed everyone.

"Yes!"

Kaff and the others responded gravely.

"First, our strategic target is to take down Hamms Planet Fortress. This task will be assigned to Admiral Ferion, you don’t need to worry about it!"

The girl with purple hair directly continued.

Kaff and the others were stunned; they were actually not participating in the main battlefield?

Su Ming’s eyelids twitched sharply, and he immediately realized. If they weren’t attacking, it meant there must be another force inside the Starshine Fortress, and that force was the main force.

At this moment, ignoring the astonished crowd, the girl with purple hair spoke.

"Deputy Corps Commander Vickers!"

"Present!"

Vickers immediately stood up solemnly.

"I entrust you with the Emperor Mother Ship, Twin Battleship, and all the Mecha forces of the Thirteenth Legion. It is your command to eliminate these defense points, and to intercept the Uranus Neutral Country’s Second Ace Legion, the Water Snake Army. You will also need to intercept the Grey Gun Legion and Rock Army! I don’t care how you do it, but absolutely do not allow the Neutral Country forces to enter the main battlefield area, or else it is your responsibility!"

The girl with purple hair directly addressed Deputy Corps Commander Vickers.

"Yes, Legion Commander!"

Vickers responded resolutely.

Everyone hearing this showed excited expressions. It turned out that after all this preparation, they were not fighting the Imperial Army forces, but the Neutral Countries’ legions!

Su Ming couldn’t help but reveal a hint of a smile; this battle was going to be easier!

Although they were leading a bunch of recruits, the Neutral Countries’ forces likely weren’t much better; it would probably be a case of the blind leading the blind.

Seeing her subordinates looking pleased, the girl with purple hair sternly reminded them.

"Listen carefully, although you are facing the Neutral Countries’ forces, and your equipment is more advanced than theirs, do not underestimate them. After all, they are their ace legions and still have considerable combat power. Do not take them lightly."

Indeed, the Federation’s equipment was definitely better than that of the Neutral Countries, because even among the ace legions of the Neutral Countries, many were using First Generation Mechas modified.

Even if it’s the same Second Generation Mechas, their Mechas were definitely better than those of the Neutral Countries, because they were equipped with the latest model of Iron Guard, whose performance absolutely crushed the opposition.

"Understood!"

Vickers and the others responded seriously.

"Good, now everyone start preparing."

The girl with purple hair then issued the order.

...