"The consciousnesses of the First-Generation Guardians can attack the parasites directly, but doing so will consume enormous amounts of energy."
"And if we fail, the parasites will turn on our consciousnesses and devour them."
Thirty-six Void Battleships had finished charging, their purple energy beams poised to fire.
At this critical moment, Lin Ye had to make a choice:
Should he destroy the controlled battleships outright, or risk trying to save their innocent crews?
This decision would directly affect the execution of the rescue plans that followed.
The Sagittarius mark flickered on the blade, conveying hazy visions of the future.
Lin Ye saw two possible futures:
In the first, they destroyed the enemy ships and quickly escaped the battlefield, but the parasites absorbed the slain crew members' anguished consciousnesses, making the enemy even stronger.
In the second, Artemis risked a rescue operation and saved most of the crew members, but the consciousnesses of the First-Generation Guardians suffered devastating injuries, depriving them of crucial support in the battles to come.
Both choices came at a cost. Both carried risks.
But this was precisely the trial the Sagittarius Guardian had to face-making a choice even when no perfect answer existed.
"Artemis, begin the rescue operation," Lin Ye finally ordered.
The First-Generation Guardians' rescue operation proved more difficult than expected.
Twelve silver battleships released pure waves of consciousness, attempting to establish a mental connection with the parasitized Void Fleet.
But every time their consciousnesses made contact, the parasites unleashed piercing psychic shrieks, like the sound of nails scraping glass inside everyone's minds.
"These parasites are more tenacious than we expected." Artemis's voice was weary.
"Their nature seems unlike any form of life we know."
Just then, another consciousness projection appeared on the communications screen.
It was the silhouette of a woman, radiating perfectly symmetrical