Chapter 40: Sword and Shield

Even though they were caught unprepared, the humans were able to react to the new tactic that the living metal has used. Though what they did was a drastic measure. The pilots of the mechs that were closest to the living metal bullets trajectory put their mechs in their path blocking them from reaching the bigger ships.

They didn't have any hesitation as they were in the safety of one of the many capital ships in the fleet. The pilots that blocked the bullets had also set their mech to self destruct on impact, causing the liquid metal so far they couldn't come together once again.

After losing a few thousand mechs in the primary assault of the liquid metal they were able to repel the new living metal bullets without sacrificing mechs.

" Sir, it seem scattering living metal into a very small sizes will limit their self recovery. So, Explosions are the best course of action against them. Send out seeking mines. Not one of them should be stationary, that will make them think twice before hurdling face first towards our ships."

A vast amount Seeker mines were released from the ships, they went past the mechs and other crafts of the defender, after which they started to use the fleets targeting network to set themself in the path of the living metal bullets.

This single decision nearly turned the battle in the humans favor. It was as if the dark void of space was filled with fireworks as more and more Living Metal bullets flew head first into the mines. The mechs and Turrets only had to take care of a few that got lucky. The Fleet had more than enough Mines to hold the enemy back for a lot more than just 5 minutes.

Alexander's fleet was gaining hope by the second. The troops morale was sky high. It was then the larger city sized living metal started to make a move. The smaller living metals opened a path for their larger counterparts. The Larger living metals formed groups of five with one of them in the center. This time Alexander's fleet was ready for it.

" Somethings different about this change, they are not definitely not going to use the larger ones as projectiles. Scan their energy signatures. I feel like they are going to use some kind of energy beam. Every ship with the ion plasma shields transfer all your power to shields and all units take cover behind them. Assume shielded Arrow formation. The ones taking cover under the tanking ships transfer a portion of your power to them. We will survive no matter what."

" Sir, the scan show that they are concentrating a high amount ionic currents to the middle one. It is as you said sir, they are planning to use a high powered ion beam. The shields should hold for some time. More than enough time for the hyperspace engines to come be back online".

The crew was filled with hope but they did not know grave danger they were in. They had hugely underestimated the power of the beam.

" Shields at maximum power, we only need to hold out for just about 3 minutes and we will be on our way home." The entire crew was with high hopes as they waited for the beam to fire and watch it be easily blocked by their shield.

The logistics crew were completely prepared for the beam as they had already calibrated the shields for the maximum durability, they were constantly monitoring it when the living metal fired the bullet.

The four Living metals suddenly transferred all the power they were accumulating to the one in the middle. Bright lines started to appear on the living metal in the middle and a small glow started to form which was directly pointing at Alexander's fleet. The small glow grew in size as the bright lines on the Living metal was slowly moved towards the glow. The power accumulated was so great that the glow was blinding.

And then... The beam was Fired. It arrived instantly and impacted the shield. The concentrated beam would have been able to push the shielding ships back if they were not supported by the other ships of the fleet.

After seeing that the shields were able to hold on without much trouble Alexander sighed in relief," seems that we can survive this ordeal without much trouble. Collect as much data as possible, I refuse to believe that they are invincible. The data can be analyzed back in the coalition. How much longer before the hyperspace engines are back online."

" Sir in 2 minutes. In two minutes they will be fully operational."

" Good"

The beam was continuous but the shields was able to easily bloke it.

But just as the fleet was sighing they saw that the smaller living metal that had given way to the beam was now combining to form another bigger one. This was twice as large the ones that was firing the beam at the fleet.

The entire fleet was petrified as the newly formed was charging itself to join the group.

"oh no".