The Second Asteroid Belt War (2)

In Sector 027 of the Asteroid Belt, on the bridge of the Uranus.

"Report, the main force of the Fourth Fleet has engaged the Oakes Empire fleet in Sector 016."

"Notify the fleet, change course to bearing 070."

"Understood!"

"Send a message using secure line number 7. The content is to meet in Sector 019."

"Yes!"

Although slightly confused, Sector 019 was precisely where his fleet was heading after changing course. Could there be reinforcements?

However, since the commander wasn't saying anything, he shouldn't pry!

At this moment, on the main battlefield of Sector 016, the Fourth Fleet's 5,000 warships had formed a tight formation and were charging at high speed towards the fleet's 010 direction.

This move caught the Oakes Empire's vanguard fleet commander, Cody, by surprise. After all, he had heard that Liang Xingchen's daughter was being held captive aboard. He had assumed the humans wouldn't dare to concentrate their fire in this direction, so he had only deployed 2,000 warships, with the main fleet positioned directly in front of the Fourth Fleet.

Just as Cody was hesitating whether to redeploy his fleet to support the left flank, the assault fleet dispatched by Liang Xingchen opened fire.

The assault of 5,000 ships against 2,000 instantly inflicted over 200 warship losses on the Oakes Empire, with energy rounds occasionally flashing past the side of the fleeing transport ships.

This scene sent a shiver down Cody's spine. If any stray shots hit and caused the Ninth Prince's demise, they would be executed by the Emperor even if they went on to annihilate humanity.

He had no choice but to arrange for 10,000 warships to reinforce the left flank and ordered the remaining ships on the original left flank to cover the transport ships' escape from the battlefield, withdrawing towards Jupiter.

A few minutes later, the remaining 900-plus warships began to retreat slowly while escorting the transport ships. The 10,000 warships that came to reinforce from the center filled the gap, facing the five sub-fleets that had launched the assault.

The entire battlefield had now been divided into two areas. One was the right front of the Fourth Fleet, where five sub-fleets, currently numbering approximately 4,700 warships, were facing 10,000 warships of the Oakes Empire.

The other was the central main battlefield, where the Fourth Fleet's main force of 10,000 warships was facing 18,000 warships of the Oakes Empire.

"Order the assault ships to change course to 050 for a curved detour!"

"Yes!"

In the center, the fleets on both sides had squared off and were engaging in fierce bombardment. However, this was not something that could be decided in a short period. Liang Xingchen had never expected to win through conventional bombardment. The key now was whether the enemy fleet in the front right would take the bait.

Upon receiving Liang Xingchen's order, the assault fleet immediately changed its course and began to fly in an arc towards 050.

This position was excellent. Why excellent? Because after flying in an arc, it would precisely pass over the 10,000 warships ahead, behind the fleeing transport ships.

Upon discovering this situation, Cody immediately ordered the 10,000 warships on his left flank to turn around and pursue, to latch onto the tail of the human fleet and annihilate them completely.

"Report, the 10,000 enemy ships in direction 010 have begun to turn. It looks like they intend to latch onto the tail of the assault force. If they succeed, the situation will become very bad."

"Mhm, I know. Give the order. The main fleet will abandon the enemy in front and also change course to 050. Latch onto them and strike them hard from behind."

After seeing the actions of the Fourth Fleet's main force, Cody was somewhat bewildered. What exactly was Liang Xingchen trying to do? Was he planning to let his tail hang out for me to bite?

Indeed, if Liang Xingchen latched onto the tail of the 10,000 warships in the front right, Cody's main fleet also turned to the left, pursuing the tail of the Fourth Fleet.

However, what Cody did not expect was that the initial 5,000 ships of the Fourth Fleet that had launched the assault, while making their curved detour behind the fleeing transport ships, did not pursue them. Instead, they continued to fly in an arc, completing a large circle before returning to latch onto the tail of Cody's main fleet.

Thus, a strange scene unfolded. The entire battlefield formed a circle, with a total of four fleets from both sides engaging in a mutual tail-chasing pursuit.

The Fourth Fleet's assault fleet of 5,000 warships was chasing Cody's 18,000 warships.

Cody's 18,000 warships were chasing Liang Xingchen's Fourth Fleet main force of 10,000 warships.

Liang Xingchen's Fourth Fleet main force of 10,000 warships was chasing the 10,000 warships that were originally intercepting the assault fleet.

And finally, these 10,000 Oakes warships were chasing the 5,000 warships of the assault fleet.

The entire scene resembled four snakes biting the tail of the snake in front of them, locked in a pure war of attrition.

"Commander, this is purely a war of attrition, and our numbers are fewer than theirs, which is extremely disadvantageous to us!"

"I understand. For now, let it be. I have my own plans!"

Jiang Hai was utterly perplexed at this moment. Why did the commander want to turn it into a war of attrition? It was impossible to retreat now.

The four fleets chasing each other, no matter which one wanted to withdraw, would inevitably expose its flank to the enemy fleet behind it when it turned. In space warfare, what did exposing a fleet's flank mean? It meant heavy casualties.

However, if they merely maintained this war of attrition, although the Fourth Fleet would not lose immediately and could sustain it for a long time, even for tens of hours.

After all, their total number of warships was less than half of the enemy's. Eventually, they would be devoured by the enemy fleet. Even if not, after tens of hours, the Oakes Empire's reinforcement fleet would cross the Asteroid Belt and arrive on the battlefield, and the Fourth Fleet would still face complete annihilation.

"The setup is complete. Now it's up to you, Lin Fan!"

Liang Xingchen said softly again, in a voice only he could hear.

Without the pursuit of the Fourth Fleet, the transport ship hijacked by Wood and its nearly 900 escorting warships flew unimpeded towards Jupiter.

"Your Highness, the Fourth Fleet has been blocked by the Empire's fleet. No one can pursue us anymore."

"Mhm, Adams did well this time! And you did well too. What reward do you desire?"

"Your Highness, if possible, I want this woman!"

Wood said, pointing at Liang Xue, who was tied up and still on the side.

"This woman? Alright, I'll grant her to you!"

Duolun glanced at Liang Xue twice and agreed without thinking twice, as human appearances were severely incompatible with Oakes aesthetics.

He even scorned Wood in his heart, calling it a waste of his reward promise, only asking for this one ugly female creature.

Wood, on the other hand, looked triumphantly at Liang Xue. In truth, he had been lusting after Liang Xue for a long time, but he had been restraining himself for the mission.

Hearing the conversation between the two, Liang Xue glared at Wood with murderous intent.

However, the more Liang Xue was like this, the more it seemed to satisfy Wood's perverted psychology, and his smile became even more sinister!