Even the bravest and most fearless commander was helpless when facing forces a thousand times greater than his own.
This was no longer a disadvantage that strategy or tactics could overcome. Once the enemy committed their entire force, they would sweep in like a tsunami and destroy all resistance.
What was more, the enemy before them was a Gloriana-class Battleship like the Vengeful Spirit. Though she was no longer the Empire's most advanced warship, in the face of such an absolute numerical disparity, everything else was meaningless.
A Thundercloud-class planetary warship could easily defeat a single Gloriana. Against three Glorianas, it had to take care not to be surrounded. Against six, it could only fight while retreating.
And when that gap expanded to ten ships, even a Celestial Battleship could barely mount any response.
"Six thousand Vengeful Spirits. Even counting our fleet's battleships, cruisers, transports, and frigates, we don't have half that number. How are we supposed to fight this?"
Lox said helplessly, his voice hoarse, like a traveler dying of thirst in the desert.
He was desperate too. Horus was clearly throwing a tantrum because he could not afford to lose.
"Lion, retreat. We cannot contend with Horus's trump card. Even if we commit our entire fleet, what would it change?"
"Returning to Terra and relying on Terra's defenses to strike back gives us the highest chance of victory."
"I don't believe his six thousand Vengeful Spirits can remain in the material universe without limit. Otherwise, what was he waiting for? If he had summoned these warships earlier, he would never have needed to go through all the trouble of rebelling. Not even the Great Crusade could have stopped an enemy like this."
Lox truly hoped the Lion would not remain stubborn. His contest with Horus had undoubtedly reached