Bait and Destruction
The warships dispatched by the Alliance sped toward the Leibert's position with relentless urgency. On the star map, the distance between the Alliance Army's icon and the Leibert rapidly decreased, visibly shortening. The galaxy group swiftly closed in on the solitary blue dot.
Major General Cotton, still quite young, looked particularly energetic in his dark blue Alliance uniform. Standing confidently in the combat room, he observed the approaching light spots on the star map.
Cotton had volunteered to lead the pursuit. He was fully aware of the details surrounding this incident. Given his prior knowledge of the Leibert's weapons and ship equipment, he was certain that the overwhelming firepower of the Alliance Army would render the Leibert virtually defenseless. Although the Leibert had accelerated eight hours ago, temporarily distancing itself, it had now slowed considerably after desperately heading toward the meteorite field at the galaxy's edge.
Before them lay the renowned meteorite field, notorious across the planets. Even highly maneuverable light craft would hesitate to enter this area, let alone such a massive interstellar main ship. No matter how experienced the captain, navigating through this region would lead to inevitable complications and immobilization.
To Cotton, this seemed like a straightforward task.
He could already envision the grand scene of victory as he triumphantly led the Leibert back.
A report from his subordinates interrupted his thoughts: "The Leibert has entered the screen capture range."
Cotton adjusted his uniform and commanded, "Capture the image."
A light blue wave appeared on the light screen in the combat room, transforming from a flat star map to a broad, detailed view of the scene outside.
Countless large and small irregular meteorites floated sporadically in the dark space. As they moved forward, the meteorites became denser and more complex. Through the field of meteorites, they could see the Leibert, slightly tilted and trapped between two larger meteorites. The tail shield of the ship had evidently collided with a meteorite, and energy detectors showed significant energy fluctuations—indicating that it was firmly ensnared in a meteorite puzzle.
Cotton's lips curled into a smug smile.
The gap between the meteorites was too narrow for an Alliance main ship, nearly the same size as the Leibert, to approach without damage.
Cotton decided to proceed cautiously. He dispatched fifteen more agile light warships to focus on destroying the Leibert's light energy shield. The impact of the heavy fire energy bullets against the massive shield created a spectacular display of fireworks, visible through the glass of the war room.
Following his instructions, the light ships concentrated their fire on the weakened area of the Leibert's tail.
Soon, the light energy shield of the Leibert was breached, and it flickered before dimming completely.
The Leibert quickly launched a counterattack, but with its heavy artillery not yet loaded and its lighter guns unable to maneuver due to its immobilized position, it only managed to shatter some floating meteorites—causing minimal harm to the Alliance forces.
The news arrived promptly.
The forward team had breached the Leibert's certified ship door, deactivating its attack state, and it was now safe to board the ship.
Cotton's smile widened uncontrollably. He straightened his uniform with determination and commanded, "Prepare to board the ship."
An elite corvette from the Alliance's fleet, symbolizing Alliance Blue, launched from the main ship, carrying Cotton and his close adjutant through the meteorite field toward the Leibert, which was now under their control.
As they boarded, the Alliance advance force, piloting light warships, had already been waiting.
Under Cotton's leadership, the Alliance troops swiftly moved towards the captain's room without encountering any resistance. The technician forcibly broke the electronic door lock, and the steel door slowly opened.
Cotton's expression changed in an instant.
Dozens of crew members, stripped and bound to chairs, were displayed in a grotesque manner. The crew members in the most visible positions had crooked, mocking smiles painted on their chests in bright red.
Before Cotton could react, several light warships appeared behind the massive meteorites, removing their camouflage and charging toward them.
Cotton, now terrified, urgently activated the communicator: "The enemy is attempting to board the ship in Union uniforms! Repeat! The enemy is attempting to board the ship in Union uniforms!"
There was no response on the communicator, only a crackling noise, as if the signal had been jammed.
Pale and panicked, Cotton realized time was fleeting. He quickly ordered a retreat, moving his adjutants and troops back to their battleship and heading towards the main ship at top speed.
There was still a chance! The main ship's access required the captain's command, and its light energy shield was extremely difficult to breach. The Leibert lacked the necessary firepower to cause significant damage—unless…
Cotton noticed unusual energy fluctuations from the back of the light ship.
He turned and looked back.
The impacted meteorite on the Leibert's tail dissipated like water, revealing an intact steel hull—it was a virtual projection!
The Leibert's outer light energy shield reactivated, enveloping the ship once more. The Leibert then launched a direct assault on the Alliance main ship.
The meteorite fragments shattered by the earlier light artillery were pushed farther away by the energy fluctuations. Cotton realized that the shells fired by the Leibert had been clearing a path—directly leading to the Alliance main ship.
His eyes widened in horror as he understood the enemy's strategy.
The Leibert wasn't a mere ship or a decoy—it was a weapon!
This self-destructive strategy, designed to cause mutual destruction, was unprecedented in Cotton's combat career—extreme, cold, and reckless.
The earlier damage was merely a ruse. They had fallen into a trap, led to their own destruction.
Inside the steel-forged ship, Ge Xiu observed the approaching Alliance main ship with a cruel, crazed smile. His lips curled as he prepared for the final blow.
As the Leibert collided with the main ship at near-thunder speed, the front shield's light energy flashed cold blue, tearing through the Alliance main ship's defenses before crashing into it, resulting in a magnificent, silent explosion.
Cotton, overwhelmed and terrified, could hardly comprehend the scene.
Despite the loss of the main ship and some light ships, most of the light combat ships remained under his command. The opposing main ship had also sustained severe damage. Cotton clenched his cold fingers and gritted his teeth, ordering all ships into combat mode, preparing for a decisive engagement.
Suddenly, the screen lit up bright red, accompanied by harsh alarms indicating unknown news: "Battleship A013 lost contact."
"What?" Cotton exclaimed in disbelief.
"Battleship A015 lost contact."
The warnings continued, each one more alarming: "Battleship A021 lost contact."
…"Battleship A008 lost contact."
The star chart displayed a larger, different energy fluctuation. Cotton felt a chill. Through the porthole, he saw a massive battleship slowly emerging from the distant star field.
Its pitch-black hull reflected cold light, like a menacing beast. The overwhelming power it exuded instilled a physical fear that left Cotton breathless.
His face turned gray as he realized the gravity of the situation. With his voice sharp and distorted, he ordered, "Retreat! Announce a general evacuation! No losses are to be counted! Get out of here quickly!"
It was none other than…
The blood-soaked terror of interstellar expansion, the former Alliance's first marshal, the legendary God of War.
Lulai Sivir.
He had rebelled against the Alliance three years ago, disappearing without a trace, only to reappear commanding his fleet. His strength was fearsome, with the potential to challenge the Alliance.
Terrified, Cotton wished he could retreat to the safety of the central galaxy protected by the Alliance, escaping the wrath of the legendary figure he had only heard about.
Now, retreat was his only option.
---
Ge Xiu leisurely navigated through the steel fissures of the ship, his expression nonchalant, as if nothing could rattle him. He no longer resembled a captain who had just survived a desperate battle.
The main ship ahead was a mess. The alarms blared in the massive metal space as Xiaoyi and the remaining crew dispersed to search for resources and equipment, transporting them back to their ships.
Ge Xiu observed their frantic activity with satisfaction.
He looked at the pitch-black warship in the distance through the massive porthole, his lips curling into an elusive smile.
It seemed he had found a new favorite toy.
The screen on Cotton's ship flickered and lit up, displaying a picture of the boy who had previously appeared on the Alliance Command screen.
The young man's smile seemed innocent and harmless, but Cotton could see the cold, broken metal burning behind him—an indication of the boy's true nature.
The boy sighed exaggeratedly and shook his head in mock regret: "I've said it before, next time you meet, please bring enough stars. Why is the ship still so shabby?"
He raised his index finger to his lips, frowning in exaggerated distress: "So, who will pay for my ship?"
Cotton finally glimpsed the true expression behind the smile.
The boy's dark pupils flickered with excitement and a chilling malice that burned with a twisted innocence and zeal.
"Why don't you just use your command center?"