The merchant fleet was traveling along its route when it came face-to-face with a small fleet consisting of two Kindling Warships and an assault ship.
Without any attempt at communication or negotiation, the enemy brazenly launched a sneak attack!
Caught off guard, the merchant fleet hadn't even had time to raise its energy shields. One of Wu Haoze's Kindling Warships was struck by concentrated fire and its hull was damaged.
Fortunately, the merchant fleet's formation remained intact. A scout ship on the outer perimeter took one of the enemy's lethal shots.
The scout ship was badly damaged, but the Kindling Warship behind it had escaped damage to any vital areas. Only the armor around its bow was damaged.
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"
"Raise the energy shields!"
"Disperse Mie Particles! Don't give them another chance to launch a long-range attack!"
"Kindling Warships, advance and engage! Assault ships, cover the transport ships as they retreat!"
"Scout ships, widen your reconnaissance range and assess the surrounding situation!"
"Send a message to the fleet in the mining region behind us and demand that they clarify their position!"
Wu Haoze's merchant fleet was undoubtedly an experienced one.
Though they hadn't expected to be attacked without warning in airspace that had always been safe, neither Wu Haoze nor the commanders of the fleet's ships, let alone the crew, panicked.
Instead, they swiftly took a series of accurate and effective countermeasures.
The dispersal of Mie Particles would severely interfere with the Skywatch Radar within the affected area, reducing the accuracy of long-range bombardment to a rather dismal level.
Once their energy shields were raised, Kindling Warships could withstand attacks far better than assault ships.
Sending the two Kindling Warships forward to engage the enemy first was clearly the safest course of action.
Next, the six assault ships