In the dim starry sea, only starlight reflected from the suns provided faint visibility. Between several planets, two cruisers sped forward at full speed. Ahead of them, three thousand unmanned reconnaissance craft formed a wide arc, clearing a safe path for the fleet behind them.
Compared to the massive interstellar warships, the unmanned reconnaissance craft were like ants beneath a giant's feet. These J-10-sized machines carried only two-rail UC machine guns and three thousand rounds of ammunition.
Yet each of their heads was fitted with the Barton Civilization's most advanced radar scanning system, with a terrifying detection range of thirty thousand li. Any enemy discovered within that distance would leave enough time for both the reconnaissance craft and the fleet behind them to react.
Today, however, the reconnaissance craft's detection capabilities were called into question.
A reconnaissance craft streaked through space, then suddenly exploded without warning! A beautiful spark blossomed in the dark universe.
"Beep, beep..." The Luoming cruiser immediately received an alert.
"Captain Edward, one of our unmanned reconnaissance craft has been shot down..."
Edward's expression turned grave as he looked toward the far-right screen among the row of holographic displays on the command platform. "Pull up the reconnaissance craft's visual record!"
The well-trained operator was already doing so. Before Edward had even finished speaking, the screen displayed the flight recording from the destroyed reconnaissance craft.
The vast universe was utterly still. From the craft's perspective, the beautiful planets and nebulae possessed a unique charm. But then, a shadow flashed through its three-hundred-and-sixty-degree blind-spot-free field of vision. The reconnaissance craft exploded instantly!
"That part. Replay it in slow motion!"
The suddenly appearing shadow froze on the screen, then replayed at one-twentieth speed!
The shadow was several meters long, with a pair of wings and blade-like forelimbs growing from them.