Solar System, Asteroid Belt Sector 039, Federal Fleet battle line.
"Commander, Commander Lin has sent a message through Secret Channel No. 3!"
"Read it!"
"Our fleet has broken through the enemy center. Adams's flagship has been confirmed sunk. We will now execute Plan Three!"
"Good. Jiang Hai, how long until the enemy fleet reaches firing range?"
"Reporting, 152 seconds!"
"Enough. Order the fleet to spread out laterally according to Plan Three."
"Yes!"
With Adams's central force gone, the entire Third Imperial Guard Legion had instead formed an inverted V formation. Liang Xingchen, correspondingly, arranged his fleet in a straight line.
In the eyes of any ordinary commander, Liang Xingchen's move was utterly foolish. Everyone knew that a wedge formation loved enemies deployed in a straight line; it could tear a massive gap through their center and split their fleet apart!
One hundred and fifty-two seconds later, both sides opened fire as if by mutual agreement. The Third Imperial Guard Legion showed no sign of slowing down, still advancing at nearly 4,000 kilometers per second. Its entire fleet was about to crash straight into the Federal Fleet, fighting with complete disregard for its own survival.
"Jiang Hai, cooperate with their charge. Have the fleet scatter to both sides, and make the act convincing!"
"Understood!"
Three minutes later, the spearhead of the Third Imperial Guard Legion slammed into the center of Liang Xingchen's defensive line. The central fleet collapsed at first contact and scattered toward both flanks, leaving the formation torn open by a massive breach.
Unfortunately, Adams was gone. Otherwise, he would definitely have seen through this performance.
"Not bad. Follow the established Plan Three and have the separated fleets deploy vertically along both sides!"
"Yes!"
Not long after the Third Imperial Guard Legion tore open the Federal Fleet's line and