This one's in the bag

"Advisor Beta, what's going on?" Ning Zhiyuan asked in surprise.

"Deflector Shields provide effective protection against energy weapons. They've also vented their ship interiors into vacuum, limiting the damage from Red Lasers. I recommend prioritizing their reactors or propulsion systems," Beta replied.

Something seemed to occur to Ning Zhiyuan, and he hurriedly asked, "Aren't you an AI? Can't you hack into their network and forcibly disable their warships?"

"I'm sorry, but that falls outside my responsibilities. I will never actively participate in your wars, nor will I actively harm any organic being."

Beta's answer was cold.

Its computational assistance merely guided the ships' attacks toward the enemy vessels' engines and power systems. It was never intended to hurt anyone.

This was a principled AI, with its own code that it refused to abandon.

Ning Zhiyuan frowned, then opened his Wristband to check the notes Xi Yan had written for him.

[Once they get close, use Flak Cannons to attack their Deflector Shields, then use Red Lasers to prioritize their engines or reactors. If they close in and concentrate their fire, turn around and run. Start kiting them. They can't catch us...]

Good. That's the plan!

Energy weapons were good at breaking armor, while kinetic weapons were good at breaking shields. That was the distinction between different weapon types.

Flak Cannons had 25% shield penetration and a 100% bonus to shield damage, but dealt 75% less damage to armor; Red Lasers had a 50% bonus to armor damage and a 25% bonus to direct hull damage, but dealt 50% less damage to shields.

Of course, there were also the superior penetrating weapons, such as Disruptors, Cloud Lightning, and Arc Emitters, which had 100% shield and armor penetration. But those were clearly beyond what humanity could field at present.

As for weapons with both dual penetration and dual damage bonuses? The world of Stellaris had none for now.

The Galactic Throne continued firing its Red Lasers. The two searing beams refracted back and forth through Shoigu's fleet. Though they rarely destroyed enemy ships, they could at least drain considerable amounts of Deflector Shield energy.

The Left and Right Protector Ships screening either side of the Galactic Throne weren't sitting idle, either. Their six S-Slot Nuclear Missile launchers fired as though missiles cost nothing.

At this distance, the Nuclear Missiles' hit rate improved considerably, and they actually dealt impressive damage. Many missiles slammed headfirst into unlucky enemy ships the moment they left their launch tubes, blossoming into dazzling explosions.

Each hit consumed a massive amount of Deflector Shield energy.

S Slot weapons were much larger than ordinary weapons, and their size advantage was now on full display.

Farther out, the second and third formations of Shoigu's fleet were locked in a fierce battle with Veronica's fleet. With roughly equal numbers, both sides kept hurling Space Torpedoes at each other.

But with one side defending and the other attacking, Shoigu's fleet ultimately held the advantage. Even though Veronica's fleet fought to the death without retreating, many of its ships were still destroyed. Soon, amid the constant exchanges of explosions, Shoigu's fleet gradually tore open the defensive line.

Both sides silently exchanged torpedo fire. Neither mentioned surrender.

After today, the victors would settle accounts with the defeated once and for all. That was why both sides had resolved to fight to the death without retreating.

"Excellent! Their frontal defenses have been breached!"

After overseeing the battle for so long, Alexei sprang to his feet and stared eagerly at the live battlefield feed.

"Second formation, attack the remaining ships in Veronica's fleet! Third formation, launch a direct attack on the Galactic Throne!"

Alexei knew the power of Red Lasers very well, so he gave a decisive order. "Overload the Deflector Shields! Hold out against their fire and attack once you're close!"

"Space Torpedoes deal tremendous damage to large targets. As long as we get close, their defeat is certain! Hmph, Corvettes? They're still no match for my small warships!"

[That's right, Space Torpedoes. Anything in the torpedo category deals tremendous damage to large warships, so once the enemy approaches, we must put some distance between us. Don't worry. Our range exceeds theirs!]

"The Marshal's notes make sense!" While helping the three Corvettes calculate trajectories and bearings, Beta found a moment to speak. "Honestly, his thinking on space warfare is incredibly advanced. Where did he learn it?"

"Your Interstellar Human Military Junta really struck gold!"

"So we just have to follow his instructions?"

Ning Zhiyuan simply stopped thinking for himself and fought according to Xi Yan's instructions.

"Remnants of Veronica's fleet, you don't need to hold the line. Scatter your formation and evade their attacks!"

"Left and Right Protector Ships, stay where you are and exchange Nuclear Missile fire with the enemy. Take out as many ships as you can."

"Galactic Throne, charge the engines and stand by to advance at full speed! Load the Flak Cannons and wait until they're closer to fire!"

Ning Zhiyuan hurriedly issued his orders, watching nervously as Shoigu's fleet broke through the frontal defensive formation and swarmed toward the Galactic Throne.

There were still thirty-six warships on the battlefield. They had already destroyed forty-four through various means.

"But no matter what, it's thirty-six against three. I still have the advantage!"

Sweat had broken out on Alexei's palms. He watched the battlefield intently as his fleet, now reduced to less than half its original strength, wiped out Veronica's ships one by one.

Only when the last small enemy sublight vessel went dead in the water did his clenched hands relax.

"Good, good. I still have half my fleet. Those three huge, lumbering Corvettes will be as good as finished once my ships surround them."

Alexei exhaled softly through his nose and continued issuing orders. "Launch an all-out assault! Begin surrounding the enemy Corvettes!"

Take out the Corvettes, then make a few simple repairs and put the fleet back together. Make sure I still have enough strength to keep the Ring World intimidated...

Something had clearly happened to the two generals on the Ring World.

Damn Xi Yan. I hadn't seen him for a while, and now he'd become this cold-blooded. If that's the kind of Marshal he is, I, Alexei Shoigu, might as well take his place!

Once the battle was over, he would be the head of the Empire's military. Naturally, he could then become the new Marshal.

Alexei felt he had it in the bag.

He even had Xi Yan to thank for this. If Xi Yan hadn't suddenly lost his mind and started a civil war, how would such an immense windfall ever have fallen into his lap?

It's in the bag! This time, I really do have the advantage!

I think I've got it in the bag, too!

Ning Zhiyuan braced himself against the warship's control console and exhaled softly as he watched the enemy fleet on the radar move from the front toward the flanks to surround him.

Veronica's fleet had now been wiped out. These three Corvettes were all he had left to command.

But commanding Corvettes was his old specialty. Ning Zhiyuan could finally start micromanaging.

Then let's shift the Red Laser Emitter 5° to the right. (Just kidding.)

"Left and Right Protector Ships, use your size to block their attacks and force the enemy to approach from the front!"

The attitude-control thrusters throughout the Left and Right Protector Ships began making fine adjustments. The entire warships swayed slightly, forcing the enemy ships attacking from either flank to target them first.

Nuclear Missiles kept launching, each hit producing an enormous explosion. Although their hit rate was low, any missile that struck dealt tremendous damage.

These little sublight fishing boats couldn't withstand S Slot Nuclear Missiles.

"Stop attacking the Left and Right Protector Ships! Prioritize attacking the Galactic Throne through the middle!" As Alexei watched his losses mount, he began to worry.

But as long as we sink the Galactic Throne and the enemy loses its flagship, everything will turn out fine!

The Left and Right Protector Ships had shields in every defensive slot. Space Torpedoes from the Sublight Warships had already blasted large breaches in their hulls, and everyone aboard fought back with their hearts in their mouths.

Then the attacking warships received Alexei's order, broke off their attacks, and surged toward the Galactic Throne together.

The crews immediately panicked.

The enemy's objective was clear. They intended to take down the Galactic Throne first, no matter the cost!

Protect the flagship!