The collective operation of the First Spiral Arm's veteran schemers unfolded abruptly. Liu Hai observed silently throughout, absorbing their combat experience and intel about the Katon Fleet bit by bit.
To these seasoned operators, this unexpected situation was just another routine day. Despite Butcher's apparent panic among the Pioneers, there was no real life-threatening danger—only the thrill of hooking a big fish.
They had operated in that Star Region for so long that they had countless ways to shake off Katon Fleet pursuits when things went south.
When lives were genuinely at stake, they wouldn't scream over comms—they'd send a full-channel distress call instead.
Midway through the First Spiral Arm, within an asteroid belt.
Hundreds of modified ships, trailing kilometer-long engine flares, raced deeper into the asteroid field. Their Ship Cannons swiveled backward, firing relentlessly as volleys of energy beams from the pursuing fleet lit up the void behind them, blanketing the fleeing Pioneer Fleet.
Asteroids along the path were pulverized one after another, as the Katon Fleet carved out a several-light-second-wide channel through the belt in their relentless chase.
The cat-and-mouse chase continued, with the fleeing fleet sporadically deploying Space Mines. Every so often, explosions bloomed against the shields of the pursuing warships.
Watching the live feed broadcasted through the comms, the Pioneers kept their eyes locked on the pursuing fleet.
"Speed up! They're trying to flank and cut us off!"
"Butcher, what the hell did you do to piss them off so badly?"
"No idea! I just ambushed a small fleet—nothing special. Their firepower was weak, but their defenses were insane. We couldn't even take out half in two hours. When I spotted reinforcements closing in, I booked it immediately."
Butcher was baffled, wondering if he'd accidentally ambushed someone important in the Katon Fleet. Otherwise, why the relentless pursuit? Normally, they'd break off once the chase entered an asteroid belt. Today was different—they'd followed deep inside and showed no signs of stopping.
"Could it be… they're deliberately feeding us targets?" One of the veteran Pioneers, eyes gleaming, voiced his suspicion slowly.
"Maybe they're turning the tables on us—luring us into gathering for an ambush. There might already be a massive Katon Fleet surrounding this sector."
"Damn it, Moron! Don't scare me like that!"
"That actually makes sense. Their behavior is way too abnormal this time. Chasing this deep into the belt? They're not afraid of an ambush?"
"No rush. If they're turning the tables, we'll play along. Scalpel, it's your time to shine." Moron grinned—a wicked smile.
The Pioneer codenamed Scalpel remained utterly composed. "My fleet will reach the designated Star Region shortly. Hand me command authority. I'll take over."
"Those nearby, don't rush in yet. Hold at this position. And activate all detectors around the asteroid belt. This time, we're feasting."
"Looking for me, Old Mo? If you want fish, come to Old Mo! Hahaha!"
Liu Hai stared at the faceless figures in the channel who only went by codenames. Their messages sent chills down his spine—the more he read, the less they seemed like normal humans. They probably had a few screws loose.
Two hours later, both fleets had advanced one light-hour into the asteroid belt. The density and mass of the asteroids had skyrocketed. Though they could still be shattered by a single warship cannon blast, debris now lingered in their wake.
"We're here, we're here!"
"No rush. Let them push in a bit further. Fighter jets on both flanks, seal the passage. All fleets, prepare to engage."
"Deploy space anchors. Activate high-frequency communication jamming. Fighter swarm, switch to annihilation mode. Defense systems online. Weapons free—let's make chaos their new normal!"
"Woo-hoo! Let's go!"
"Take them down!"
...
The channel erupted into the frenzied, incomprehensible battle cries of the Pioneers, sounding like a pack of lunatics. From the asteroid field, countless gun barrels emerged like hidden vipers. Behind the Katon Fleet, tens of thousands of fighter jets suddenly materialized from the asteroid belt, sealing off the freshly carved passage before dispersing to charge at the enemy.
The clash was imminent. The Katon Fleet, however, was no pushover—or perhaps they'd come prepared. Their warships swiftly pivoted their firepower, beams of light lancing out to obliterate the asteroid-disguised gun emplacements.
Simultaneously, the fleet launched its own swarm of fighters, surging toward the enemy's rear formation. The two fighter swarms clashed violently in the narrow passage, their autocannon fire lighting up the asteroids like a meteor shower, at times outshining even the warships' volleys.
The Katon Fleet maintained relentless, overlapping barrages, ensuring constant suppression. Against the asteroid belt's hidden artillery, they advanced with disciplined covering fire, keeping pace with Butcher's fleet.
"Interesting! They're really clinging to Butcher's tail, huh?" Scalpel mused as he watched the projection.
"Time to show them what real skill looks like!"
The Katon Fleet—over five thousand warships strong—seemed utterly unfazed by the ambush. Even their motherships at the fleet's core advanced boldly, escorted by fewer than thirty warships.
But such overconfidence couldn't save them.
Scalpel synced his consciousness with the central control core, assuming absolute command over all armed forces in the asteroid belt. Every artillery position answered to his will.
The first concentrated barrage halted the Katon Fleet in its tracks. Then, like spring rain carried by the wind, pinpoint strikes infiltrated their formation, shattering their cohesion in moments.
The arriving fighter swarm descended like locusts. Paired with increasingly precise artillery fire, the Katon Fleet found itself unable to pinpoint effective counterattacks.
As the fleet drowned in the fighter swarm's tsunami, the Pioneer Fleet finally revealed itself from the asteroid belt's depths. Under Scalpel's command, coordinated warship salvos—augmented by harassment from space mines and missiles—created brief but critical gaps in the Katon Fleet's firepower.
The outcome was already decided. By the time the Katon Fleet regrouped, their formation had been dismantled, with obstructed sightlines reducing their counterfire to sporadic, pitiful attempts.
Liu Hai also witnessed why that Pioneer was codenamed Scalpel. Manipulating the battlefield with surgical precision, every move was exact and elegant, yet each strike hit the enemy's vital points. Like unraveling silk from a cocoon, he dismantled the Katon Fleet's formation piece by piece until it was utterly shattered.
Unfortunately, just as the Katon Fleet was on the verge of annihilation, dozens of energy beams swept across the asteroid belt, clearing the outer asteroids and creating a void spanning over a dozen light-seconds.
"Damn it, they actually had a backup plan."
"Let's retreat. These gains are enough for now—no need to get bogged down."
"Fall back. We'll settle the score next time. Playing mind games with us? They must not know how four people end up with six group chats."
"Huh!?? Who are you talking about?"
-Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there
patreon.com/LegendaryTL
Thanks!