Arrival

In the sixty-eighth year of the New Era, the past few years have generally been relatively peaceful. At least the Ketu civilization has not been disturbed, which makes them quite uncomfortable.

During this period, reinforcements from the Star Sea Alliance continued to arrive in an endless stream, increasing the total number of civilizations on the front lines from the original ninety-one to ninety-five.

With the shipping lanes cleared again, some daring civilizations began using warp drive once more. Although they were harassed by the Swarm several times, the Alliance detected and eliminated them in advance. Gradually, more and more civilizations regained their confidence and resumed warp drive.

The Star Sea Alliance's territory wasn't actually far from the Swarm's territory. Many civilizations, having received their assigned missions, caught up with the leading Mid-Ring Civilizations in no time.

However, these Mid-Ring Civilizations were unwilling to take the risk of restarting warp drive and instead opted for a more cautious approach using Sub-light Engine. Later civilizations, even those eager to be the first to adopt this technology, ultimately had no choice but to join the sub-light-speed travel group, considering their own limitations.

After more than four years, the combined forces of several Mid-Ring Civilizations finally made their way, albeit unsteadily, towards the Swarm's star system.

Of course, their forces have expanded considerably. On the Ketu civilization side alone, their forces have increased from the original three Mid-Ring Civilizations with a total of 170 million warships to seven Mid-Ring Civilizations with a total of nearly 400 million warships.

At the same time, six other Outer-Ring Civilizations joined, providing nearly 300 million warships. However, their technological level was slightly lower compared to the Mid-Ring Civilizations. But even as cannon fodder, they were still far superior to carrier-based Unmanned Fighter.

Thus, the Ketu civilization's entity has undergone a qualitative change, possessing a total of nearly 700 million warships, and several other civilizations' fleets will join in the next few years.

The mission of this massive fleet is to capture Planet One, the frontline planet of the Swarm.

Looking at the numerous friendly warship markers on the 3D sandbox, and the dazzling galaxy outside the porthole composed of countless warning lights and thrusters, Elder Aier of the Ketu civilization felt that with these, taking over a star system would be absolutely no problem.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the battle line, another force was even more powerful. Their initial force consisted of four members, with a total strength of over 200 million. Over the past four years, they had been reinforced by several Mid-Ring Civilizations- and Outer-Ring Civilizations, bringing their total strength to over 800 million, approaching 900 million. With this kind of strength, Aier felt that taking over the Zerg's ninth star system would be even less of a problem.

Now, their target, the Zerg Star System No. 1, is within reach. Aier adjusted his instruments; the war council was about to begin. Now that the Yuntu Clan was gone, their Ketu Civilization was the strongest in the group, and he had to make a good impression.

The representatives of the dozen or so civilizations exchanged pleasantries and compliments, and the entire meeting concluded in a friendly and harmonious atmosphere. During the meeting, everyone highly approved and unanimously passed the tactical plan proposed by Elder Aier, the representative of the Ketu civilization, giving Aier face.

Aier's proposed plan was not particularly complex. According to intelligence, the number of combat units larger than 500 meters in size within the Zerg Star System No. 1 has increased rapidly in recent years, currently reaching approximately 1.5 billion. To put this in perspective, ten years ago, the Zerg's total military strength across all nine star systems on the entire front amounted to only 4 billion.

The reason the Zerg forces have increased so rapidly, according to the Alliance's reconnaissance, is that the Zerg have occupied more than two hundred star systems behind their lines. Those star systems are now continuously swarming with troops, which are then being sent to the front lines.

However, despite the Zerg's strength, Aier remained confident in the Star Sea Alliance, which boasted over two hundred members and nearly ten thousand star systems. In a war of attrition, the Zerg simply could not contend with the Alliance.

But all that is a bit too far off. Let's focus on the present. 1.5 billion Zerg troops may seem like a lot, but based on the combat power they demonstrated when they ambushed the Yuntu Clan last time, their forces don't need any fancy tactics. A fleet of 700 million can simply push forward steadily from the front.

Although the fleet included many Outer-Ring Civilizations, and two Mid-Ring Civilizations were also relatively weak, with their fleets not yet having completed the Dark Energy system upgrade, even so, it was more than enough to wipe out the 1.5 billion Zerg forces.

So this is Aier's plan: set up a formation, advance head-on, and crush the Zerg with sheer strength.

With the tactics finalized, a consensus was quickly reached regarding task allocation, despite some initial disagreements. Several Mid-Ring Civilizations were assigned to direct fire, while the remaining Outer-Ring Civilizations were responsible for flanking support.

As the strategist, Aier placed the Ketu civilization in the very center and at the very front, which was also the most stressful position. However, in Aier's view, although being in the center seemed to put the most pressure on them, they only needed to face the Zerg coming from the front, and the defense on both sides relied entirely on friendly forces, so the actual danger was not great.

On the contrary, the flanks would face attacks from both the front and the sides, making them much more vulnerable. He wasn't the only clever one; some Outer-Ring Civilizations had raised objections, but under the combined pressure of several Mid-Ring Civilizations, they ultimately accepted the plan.

With a month's journey still to the Zerg Star System No. 1, the fleet began to adjust its formation. Seven Mid-Ring Civilizations and six Outer-Ring Civilizations, totaling 700 million warships, formed a massive battle formation and marched majestically towards the Swarm.

"Your Majesty, they have reached the outer edge of No. 1 Star System."

"Okay, I understand."

"Do we need to start it?"

"They're still too few in number. Let's scare them first, then our own people will cooperate."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

A month later, the Zerg Star System No. 1 was already in sight. The Zerg clearly did not want the war to take place on their own territory, and had long since deployed their forces outside the star system.

The Zerg have always been known for their ruthlessness, taciturn nature, and refusal to communicate. Therefore, there was no small talk or trash talk between the two sides before the battle.

The Ketu civilization had already set up their formation early, so they didn't waste any time. Just as they were about to enter the main gun's firing range, the warship's forward thrusters activated, reducing the warship's speed. At the same time, energy was redistributed, and the main gun began to recharge.

Aier scoffed at the Zerg's formation. With inferior energy, main gun power, range, and numbers, how could the Zerg have the confidence to deploy a formation for a direct, head-on confrontation?

Although he outwardly showed disdain, Aier secretly instructed his Adjutant to keep a close eye on the surroundings. The Zerg weren't fools; they couldn't possibly be unaware of this troop delivery, and there must be something fishy going on.

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