By this point, the battle had been going on for ten hours, which also meant that everyone's engines had been running at full capacity for just as long. Even the engines of the Flame Dragon-class dreadnoughts had finally begun to emit heavy, anguished groans under the strain, and their speed was starting to drop.
What was frightening was that the Commonwealth warships on the other side still appeared to be in peak condition, vigorous and full of energy.
At this point, even the least perceptive people had to admit that if the standoff continued, their side would be at a disadvantage.
Fortunately, nearly a hundred assault landing craft and more than forty thousand assault troops aboard the four Phoenix carriers were already fully prepared.
This was also the Imperial Fleet's final card.
"Get the Junying into position as well and launch her escort fighters. Our aerial strangulation has reached a stalemate. All we need is one more fresh force, and we can open a path for the assault," General Mojiasi said.
The chief of staff did not object. At this point, even he, a defeatist strategist, truly had no other solution to offer.
"What about those new small craft?"
"Have Gem Bow 4 pull back and cover the fleet's flank. They're Saint Shield Type 3s, with reinforced anti-aircraft firepower. Those Earth vessels may be enhanced interceptors or suicide bombers, but..." General Mojiasi's brow twitched as he suddenly realized something. He added, "No, have all the Saint Shields pull back and prepare the spatial shock bombs."
The chief of staff understood at once. "You're worried the Earthlings will use spatial-bubble torpedoes."
"We can't rule out that possibility. After the Far Shore battle, the Earthlings returned the spatial bubbles, but they all showed signs of having been dismantled, and one of them