In the sea of stars, a fleet made up of more than a dozen starships hovered silently.
These starships seemed to have just gone through battle. Many still bore scars of damage, while mech workers rushed to repair them, welding flashes flickering from time to time.
Inside one of the starships, the hall was a mess, and some instruments were still spitting sparks.
Many stations did not even have operators. A dozen or so operators sat listlessly, their eyes dull and lifeless, while female operators occasionally let out muffled sobs.
Gu Jing stood in the command hall. His face bore wounds that had only been crudely stitched, with blood still seeping out. His right arm was wrapped in gauze, likewise stained through with blood. His expression was dark and grief-stricken as his eyes remained fixed on a planet glimmering in the sea of stars.
That was Zhiyuan Star.
Old Zhong was dead. The Nine Great Alliances had been forced into action, and he had intended to seize the base.
But the Mechanical Empire had reacted swiftly and prepared its defenses thoroughly. It had also established an independent defensive system. Furthermore, the Mechanical Empire had Level 5 Liquid Metal Warriors within the base, while powerful starships lay hidden in the sea of stars.
The Mechanical Empire had never truly trusted the Thirteen Alliances.
Once the battle erupted, he had been defeated quickly. The Mechanical Empire had blockaded Zhiyuan Star, attacked the Alliance Army, and destroyed the Starship Port.
Fortunately, he had escaped. Only this dozen or so starships had escaped with him. The Alliance's forces on Zhiyuan Star had nearly been wiped out.
Sigh!
He let out a faint sigh.
"I wonder what the Alliance's situation is now?"
"Has the Mechanical Empire withdrawn? Can we go back?"
"All our efforts have