Counter Ambush Battle

"Commander, we're in a race against time for the rescue, why are we going to Sector 280?"

"Deputy Liang, could you please relay my orders before asking questions?"

"My apologies!"

Liang Xue immediately realized her mistake and promptly issued the new orders.

"All ships, immediately turn towards Sector 280 of the Asteroid Belt!"

What does a commander fear most? They fear their deputy not understanding their intentions and refusing to execute orders. This is a major taboo on the battlefield.

It's fine if you don't understand the commander's intentions, but if you hesitate and refuse to act because you don't understand, that's a huge problem. It could lead to the failure of the entire battle.

"Deputy Liang, I don't want to see a repeat of what just happened."

"Yes, Commander, it won't happen again!"

"Alright, now I can answer your question. The Oakes Empire fleet is using a 'siege and ambush reinforcements' tactic. They must have discovered the hidden location of the resource extraction ships and are prepared to ambush us."

"But how did the commander determine that their real target was us?"

"I'll ask you this: if you were the Oakes Empire's commander, and you wanted to send a fleet to the Asteroid Belt to raid the Federation's resource extraction ships, how would you arrange it?"

"I would organize several high-speed micro-fleets, and then…"

Liang Xue's fundamentals were quite good, but she lacked practical combat experience. After all, not everyone had a system like Lin Fan, which could provide 100% virtual combat simulations every day!

Liang Xue, who was halfway through her sentence, also realized her mistake and covered her mouth with her right hand.

"Exactly, that's the correct way. However, there are two anomalies in this entire incident. Firstly, they sent a small fleet of 200 warships, and secondly, the area they chose to attack is not very suitable for small fleets to navigate."

"I understand now. So, their real intention wasn't to attack the resource extraction ships at all, but to deliberately block the resource extraction ships in Sector 279 and use the complex environment of that area to prepare an ambush for the reinforcement fleet!"

Lin Fan nodded as he looked at Liang Xue, displaying an expression of 'a promising student.'

He then operated the tactical computer, opening the star charts for Sector 279 and its surrounding areas, and continued to speak to Liang Xue.

"Then, where do you think they will set up their ambush?"

"It should be between the resource extraction ships' hiding place and the Mars Base, while also needing to accommodate an environment where 200 warships can hide. I know, it's here!"

Following Lin Fan's guidance, Liang Xue quickly identified the most likely ambush location.

No wonder the commander wanted to turn towards Sector 280. Sector 280 was precisely on the rear flank of this ambush point!

Liang Xue blinked her beautiful eyes and looked at Lin Fan with renewed curiosity. This calmness and precise battlefield judgment reminded her of her father, Liang Xingchen.

"Deputy, please focus your attention on the mission!"

Lin Fan, seeing Liang Xue looking at him, immediately used her own words from before they departed, verbatim, to retort. He instantly felt his mood lift.

At this, Liang Xue felt terrible. She immediately reverted to her icy expression, turned her head away, and stopped speaking.

More than three hours later, the 101st Task Force Fleet arrived at Sector 280.

"Deputy, have the aircraft carriers arrange for a scout ship to conduct reconnaissance. Remember to be cautious and stealthy."

"Understood!"

Soon, a small scout ship flew out from an aircraft carrier, specifically choosing areas with dense asteroids to conceal its presence and advance in a circuitous route.

Ten minutes later, Lin Fan received the scout ship's report. They had discovered the Oakes Empire's fleet, precisely as predicted, all ambushed in the previously identified location, with warships hidden behind asteroids.

This position would be incredibly effective for ambushing a fleet coming from the Mars Base, but the problem was that Lin Fan's fleet was positioned on the enemy's rear flank.

In other words, once Lin Fan launched his attack, the warships hiding behind the asteroids would have their retreat cut off by Lin Fan's fleet.

Turn to face the enemy? Lin Fan would tell you that during the turning process, at least half of your warships would be destroyed. Remember, a 180-degree turn for a space warship is a very lengthy maneuver.

Don't turn, flee forward, advance in an arc, and eventually form a circle with Lin Fan's fleet, biting at each other's tails?

Sorry, did you forget you're hiding behind asteroids? Accelerate straight ahead? That's suicide by crashing into an asteroid!

Lin Fan didn't rush to attack. Instead, he began to examine the surrounding environment in detail again.

Liang Xue, standing beside him, was puzzled. With such an advantageous position, why wasn't he attacking immediately?

"Deputy, inform the aircraft carriers to deploy all 9,000 mechs, equipped with anti-ship weaponry, to Sector X718, and to wait for orders while concealed!"

"Understood!"

Liang Xue, having learned from her previous mistake, no longer asked questions and directly contacted the aircraft carriers to issue the orders.

Soon, a large number of mechs took off from the aircraft carriers and flew towards Sector X718.

Ten minutes later.

"Report, the mech swarm has arrived at the designated location and completed concealment."

"Good. Deputy, plan a stealthy route for the fleet's advance, and then let's move out!"

"Understood!"

"Route planned. The fleet is advancing!"

I mean, can it be that fast? It's only been ten seconds, right?

It was the same last time when we assembled at the port; they counted over 30,000 people in just a few seconds. You must have a system too, right?

"System, can you scan Liang Xue's attributes?"

"Ding, scan complete!"

Name: Liang Xue

Intelligence: 240

Brain Development: 22%

"Whoa. That brain development is higher than mine. System, are you sure you're the only one?"

"Ding, target Liang Xue shows no signs of System binding!"

Alright, if I don't have a cheat, then this person must be humanity's strongest.

"Deputy, let's approach stealthily, as close as possible. Also, have the reconnaissance ships keep an eye on their fleet. If there's any anomaly, immediately stop approaching and open fire."

"Yes!"

Not far away, inside the Oakes Empire's flagship.

"Ninth Prince, it's been three and a half hours. According to calculations, they should have arrived by now if they departed from Mars Base, but the enemy hasn't appeared yet. To prevent any changes, perhaps we should return?"

"Rex, are you saying my perfect strategy has been seen through by the enemy? Why don't you consider that the opposing side might have lax military discipline and slow movements?"

The Ninth Prince, Duran Oakes, looked at Rex with disdain.

Rex shook his head helplessly. He knew very well who was on the other side.

It was that damned Liang Xingchen, the one who once defeated our 200,000 warships with just 20,000. Everyone knew how elite his fleet was. Lax military discipline? Slow movements? Are you kidding me?

Rex now deeply regretted agreeing to come out with the Ninth Prince. He had said it was to relax, but as soon as they came out, the Ninth Prince had directly seized command and was using his fleet to test his tactics.

Alas, he could only hope that the person who arrived wasn't a particularly capable commander!

On the other side.

"Commander, we've reached the limit. If we get any closer, we'll definitely be discovered, especially since we have a full 144 warships."

"Understood. Then let's begin. Deputy Liang, you'll be responsible for distributing firepower and targets. Prioritize eliminating their aircraft carriers."

"Yes!"