"Lord Dominic, it seems our fears were realized." Lynn's calm voice came through the communicator.
"Governor Kerry, you're right, we're surrounded by Orks, but it shouldn't cause any trouble."
Dominic remained calm. Although the enemy outnumbered his forces by a factor of two, their quality was on a completely different level.
The enemy not only lacked heavy battleships, but also had only a dozen or so cruisers.
Just as Dominic was preparing to command the fleet to break through, Lynn received another urgent communication.
It was sent by the commander who stayed behind on Carl II.
"Your Excellency, something terrible has happened!"
"A large number of Orks warships have been discovered on the side of Carl II Space Station!"
"There are approximately forty ships! Half belong to the Evil Sunz Clan, and half to the Blood Axe Clan! They are rapidly approaching the Carl II!"
Lynn looked at the message on the communicator, a knowing smile appearing on his lips.
"Really."
The fleet surrounding Duolidi was merely there to hold them back.
The real killing move was a sneak attack on Carl II.
Cut off their escape route and starve them out.
This tactic of feinting to the east while attacking the west, and besieging a point to strike reinforcements, is something those simple-minded Orks could never have come up with.
Lynn couldn't help but picture that shrewish Gretchin with the bright eyes in his mind.
Toothy.
There could be no one else but him.
"Looks like following me back then wasn't a waste of time after all." Lynn chuckled, a hint of admiration in his voice.
"It's not bad to come up with such a tactic."
"However, that's not enough." Lynn's eyes sharpened.
"Since you've taught me a lesson, I have to return the favor."
"Let me show you what real tactics are."
Lynn first sent a message to Dominic, telling him to focus on breaking through and not to worry about the rear.
He then opened another encrypted communication channel.
The communication was quickly established, and a young voice came from the communicator:
"Your Excellency, what are your orders?"
" Gus, some guests went to Carl II without saying hello," Lynn said casually.
"Take our men and handle this."
"Understood!" Gus's voice was firm.
"Okay." Lynn nodded. "Remember, it must be quick and decisive!"
"Yes, Your Excellency!"
Communication ended.
Lynn walked to the porthole and looked at the war-torn planet Dorito in the distance, his eyes deep.
Orks, humans, and Tzeentch and Nurgle lurking in the shadows.
All factions have been drawn into this war.
The chessboard of the Calixis System has been fully laid out.
And he will be the final player!
Meanwhile, on the supply line behind the Carl II Space Station.
Dozens of Imperium warships bearing the crossed grey flags of Brevis are rapidly assembling.
That's right, although Lynn himself traveled to Dorito aboard the Pinnacle Black Obsidian with the Tithe Fleet.
However, Brevis left the main force of his expeditionary fleet on the Carl II.
He guessed that the Orks were unlikely to engage in direct combat.
On the bridge of the Lunar-class Cruiser, Gus, dressed in black Power Armour, held a finely crafted Chainsword in his hand, his eyes resolute.
"Attention, all warships!" Gus shouted.
"Target: the Orks fleet flanking Carl II. Full speed ahead!"
"It's time to show those Imperial Navy guys what the power of Brevis is!"
At Gus's command, dozens of warships simultaneously started their engines and charged toward the mixed fleet of Evil Sunz and Blood Axes.
The moment the gray silhouette of the Brevis Expeditionary Fleet appeared behind the Carl II, Red Raven, the Blood Axe Clan chieftain, clenched his machete tightly.
He stood on the bridge of the " Blood Fang," looking at the points of light arranged in a standard wedge array on the holographic star map, and let out a bitter growl.
The warships were painted entirely with matte gray paint, and their crossed battle flags were clearly visible from space.
Each Lunar-class Cruiser has armor thickness far exceeding that of the Orks's cobbled-together warships made from scrap materials; its gun emplacements are meticulously laid out, and the glow of its energy shields gleams in the darkness.
Of the forty warships under his command, half were high-speed assault ships of the Evil Sunz Clan, as thin as tin cans.
The other half consisted of Blood Axes's raiding ships, with pitifully weak firepower, making them completely inept at head-on confrontations.
"Boss, they've spotted us and are closing in!" The lookout's voice trembled.
Red Raven closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
He could smell the pervasive odor of engine oil and the distinctive sweaty smell of the Orks in the air, and he could hear the chaotic breathing of his underlings.
He knew that Toothy's plan had come to an end here.
Those cunning shrimps had anticipated the sneak attack and had laid a trap for them.
"The tide has turned." Red Raven opened his eyes, his voice eerily calm.
He removed the necklace made of enemy skulls from his neck and casually tossed it to his personal guard.
"Tell all you lads, turn your cannons around and charge with me!"
Even if I die, I'll take a few shrimps down with me!
"Waaaaagh!"
The guards roared out the order.
The previously panicked Orks fleet instantly quieted down, then suddenly accelerated.
Forty Orks warships simultaneously changed direction, their engines spewing thick black smoke, and charged toward the Brevis Expeditionary Fleet like a swarm of moths drawn to a flame.
Meanwhile, the breakout battle over Duolidi was proceeding smoothly.
Dominic stood in the center of the bridge of the Gemstone. On the holographic star map, the green Imperial Fleet rolled slowly forward like a solid iron ball.
The surrounding red dots surged towards them like a tide, only to be shattered time and again by the iron ball.
"Third frigate on port, take evasive action and concentrate fire on the enemy cruiser's engines!"
"Battlecruiser formation, prepare for salvo! Target: enemy fleet directly ahead!"
"Maintain formation, do not pursue lone enemy ships. Our goal is to break through, not to annihilate them!"
Dominic's voice was calm and clear, and he issued commands precisely.
He was neither impatient for quick results nor panicked by being surrounded.
He commanded the fleet steadily, advancing step by step, as if he were not on the perilous orbit of the Orks planet, but on the Imperium homeland's parade ground.
In contrast, the Orks ' attack remained chaotic and disorganized.
The most resilient Goffs Fleet was almost completely wiped out in the last Battle of Carl II, and the remaining Bad Moons and Deathskulls Fleets were no match for the Tithe Fleet in terms of firepower.
Their low-fidelity Macro-cannon struck the Void Shield of the Imperium warships, producing only faint ripples.
Each salvo from the Imperial Fleet could severely damage or even sink a Orks warship.
Huge fireballs kept bursting in space—the light from the exploding Orks warships.
Broken wreckage and Orks corpses scattered everywhere, quickly swallowed by the cold space.
"Reporting, sir! The enemy's left flank fleet is showing signs of collapse!"
"Report! We have advanced 300,000 kilometers!"
"Report! Enemy losses have exceeded seventy ships!"
Good news kept coming in, and the officers on the bridge all wore relaxed smiles.
Dominic, however, remained calm.
He looked at the decreasing number of red dots on the holographic star map and said calmly:
"Don't be careless. Although the Orks are easily defeated, there are still many of them."
"Maintain formation and advance steadily."
The breakout battle lasted a full twelve hours.
As the stars rose over Dorito's horizon, the Orks fleet finally gave out.