Chapter 287 – Star 4344
After recovering three barren stars, the strategy was to start with the smaller stars, advancing step-by-step to encircle the larger star before delivering a decisive blow.
The layout and strategic plans for each star were meticulously crafted by the rulers of the Haenden star system, resembling a game of chess where each move was calculated several steps ahead.
Star 4344 was very close to Rose Star. All the nearby smaller stars surrounding Rose Star had already been occupied by alien beasts, including Star 4344.
The alien beasts first invaded the Haenden star system at Rose Star, establishing it as their stronghold and spreading throughout the entire star system from there.
This offensive against Star 4344 was intended to create a breach within the alien beasts’ base. Humanity aimed to use this point as a stronghold, expanding their influence and shifting from passive defense to active offense.
It was considered a surprise assault, humanity’s first direct strike against the alien beasts.
It was also a risky endeavor. Elite forces ventured deep behind enemy lines, which inevitably weakened the forces left to guard the rear. For each star they advanced to, they had to set up transport devices, and the army could only return once these devices were operational, a process requiring some time. If the alien beasts attacked the rear during this period, the consequences would be dire.
After weighing the risks and benefits, the rulers decided to take the risk. They reinforced the garrisons on all planets adjacent to the alien beasts to prepare for any sudden incidents.
Due to the significance of this operation, the residents of the entire Haenden star system were paying close attention.
As per past practice, every military action included cameras for recording, transmitting live footage back to the main star for battle analysis and post-battle reviews. Occasionally, they would broadcast to the public, but only at carefully chosen moments.
For instance, scenes of humanity defeating the alien beasts, moving forward courageously without fear, and soldiers helping each other in touching displays of camaraderie—only these positive, inspiring moments would be broadcast.
When Ye Hongci led the team, the number of cameras would double, as she was the spiritual pillar and driving force for everyone in the Haenden star system.
She won every battle with brilliance, always stirring the people’s fighting spirit and their desire to sacrifice everything for the Haenden system. The supreme commanders of the Haenden star system never hesitated to broadcast live footage of Ye Hongci’s battles.
This time, however, was different from any previous operation; the significance was far greater. If successful, it would mark a turning point in humanity’s fate.
The number of cameras assigned was quadrupled compared to usual, and the commander even agreed to make the live broadcast available in its entirety, allowing all residents of the Haenden star system to watch it in real time.
At this moment, the people of the Haenden system were eagerly flooding into the live stream, searching among the mechas for the distinctive black-and-gold mecha of General Ye.
All the military personnel had already entered the blue energy field and were waiting for the teleportation device to activate.
The cameras were also positioned within the teleportation device, flying low to provide close-ups of each soldier.
Most of the public couldn’t recognize anyone in the group, as every soldier was enclosed in their mech. The only way to identify some of them was by the design of their mechas, which were familiar from past media appearances.
For example, Ye Hongci’s black-and-gold mecha was unmistakable, and anyone would immediately notice it. Standing beside her, Tang Ying’s red mecha also stood out, easily recognizable to all.
As for the other soldiers, they left no significant impression.
Tu Ran blended into the crowd of mechas, quietly observing her surroundings.
This was her first time using a teleportation device, a technology that allowed for spatial teleportation to specific coordinates.
The technology in this world had advanced to the point where it could disregard the limits of spatial distance.
Once again dazzled by the technology of this world, Tu Ran recalled the first day she arrived in this world, when she had actually thought it was a world more backward than the Federation.
She had overestimated the Federation and underestimated this low-key world.
The buzzing sound of the machine starting echoed, growing louder and more intense. The surrounding blue light also grew stronger, eventually becoming almost pure white.
Tu Ran could see nothing, only a blinding white light. The mechas around her disappeared one by one.
The machine’s hum reached an almost unbearable peak, and Tu Ran furrowed her brows, enduring the noise.
In the next moment, the sound suddenly stopped.
The entire universe fell silent.
The blinding light faded, and Tu Ran saw the mechas, still standing exactly where they had been, unchanged.
They were in the same positions, with Ye Hongci and Tang Ying still at the forefront.
However, the surrounding environment had changed drastically.
The energy field was gone, and the massive blue ring had vanished. What remained was a dark sky, a bleak, gray-black ground, barren and lifeless.
Looking out, Tu Ran saw grayish mountains, shaped in strange and irregular forms as if they had been blasted by explosives.
Drones, equipped with cameras, had already begun to spread out, scanning the area.
The drones moved quickly, transmitting footage in real-time. Ye Hongci quickly reviewed the images before gazing up at the gray-black sky and sounding the first human charge on Star 4344 since the alien beasts had occupied it decades ago. “Proceed according to plan! Move out!”
“Swish!”
Everyone sprang into action.
As per the plan, the team that arrived on Star 4344 was divided into five squads, each with different tasks.
The first team, also known as the Construction Team, was made up of engineers and mecha researchers. Their mission was to immediately begin constructing the teleportation device upon arriving at Star 4344.
The teleportation device was crucial for the retreat of all military personnel on Star 4344. It was also the first step in the human stronghold construction plan. Only after the teleportation device was completed could they move to other planets. If they encountered an insurmountable situation on this planet, it would provide a way for everyone to retreat quickly.
In addition, the mecha researchers were responsible for repairing any mechas damaged by combat.
The second team’s task was to protect the construction team, remaining at the building site to guard against attacks from the alien beasts on both the teleportation device and the engineers.
The remaining three teams were each assigned a different direction. They were to advance from three separate routes, searching for, slaying, and exterminating the alien beasts, leaving no survivors.
Tu Ran was assigned to Ye Hongci’s team.
Tang Ying, as the captain, led another team.
All five teams began their operations.
Tu Ran followed behind Ye Hongci’s black-and-gold mecha as they moved toward their designated route.
Their path took them through rugged mountainous terrain, with complex, labyrinth-like geography. It was an area where alien beasts could easily hide, making them difficult to locate. Everyone remained on high alert.
The drones had already gone ahead, constantly relaying information about the situation ahead.
After nearly half an hour, Ye Hongci’s voice suddenly came through the comms in everyone’s mecha cabins, “The alien beasts are directly ahead. Accelerate and move forward.”
Everyone simultaneously pressed the acceleration button and raced toward their objective.
Five minutes later, Ye Hongci ordered everyone to stop.
They had reached a continuous mountain range.
From the human perspective, the mountains were towering and blocked the sky. However, from the mecha’s vantage point, all it took was a small leap to get a clear view of the situation on the other side of the mountains.
The footage transmitted from the drones revealed that on the other side of the mountains, there was a group of alien beasts.
