There was no time for them to be stunned. At that moment, the forty-eight-missile salvo, like a white reaper, arrived before their eyes in the blink of an eye with lightning speed.
Simultaneously, the Close-in Weapon Systems on the Drake-class ship and the three modified Transport Ships nearby also began firing, unleashing streams of orange-yellow barrage.
The automated computer systems swept the incoming missiles.
Countless explosions erupted all around.
Though it should have been an extremely chaotic scene, there was not a single sound, making it appear eerily bizarre.
In the silent cosmos, the fierce battle between both sides had just officially begun.
From the perspective of everyone on the Drake-class flagship, explosions were now occurring continuously near their Bridge.
The bright red flames even obstructed their vision.
If not for the reinforced glass itself having the effect of dampening the glare, they would likely have been blinded by the dazzling light.
But at that moment, everyone on the Bridge wished they didn't have to open their eyes.
After all, watching these explosions draw closer and closer, they felt their own demise approaching alongside them.
The silent cosmos offered no peace at this moment.
And dying here was something they had never anticipated.
"Give me some good news!"
The scar-faced youth, suppressing the fear in his heart, barked sharply at the Adjutant beside him.
The flames from the explosions illuminated his face one after another, as if it were on fire.
It seemed only a loud voice could mask his loss of composure.
Those explosions, if they occurred near the Bridge, might not pose too great a danger. But if they struck directly two or three times, or hit their reinforced glass head-on, a single hit would be enough to send them to meet their maker.
"50% of the missiles have been eliminated!"
The Adjutant reported, his ashen face finally easing slightly.
"According to the computer's calculations, we should be able to hold out!"
After all, given the current situation, it didn't seem difficult for them to defend against all of them.
Thinking this, the Adjutant didn't remain complacent for long, instead nervously looking at the scar-faced man.
His face, constantly flushed red by the flames outside the window, was filled with lingering fear and relief at having survived a close call.
"Leader, maybe we should retreat."
They were Blue Cosmos, but they didn't want to clash head-on with that suddenly appearing fleet either.
No intelligence, nothing at all, and appearing behind them like ghosts.
Their courage had long since been shattered.
They only wanted to leave this troubled place as soon as possible.
After all, this was just an ordinary opportunistic attack; they never intended to sacrifice their lives here.
Even if they were prepared to offer themselves for the Pure Blue Cosmos at any time, dying here without knowing why would be too frustrating.
As for the personnel who had infiltrated Mendel, they would have to find their own way out.
They were terrorists, after all; why worry about this or that?
They should have long been ready to shout for the Pure Blue Cosmos.
"...Retreat!"
Though unwilling, the leader was already like a startled bird.
With the Adjutant's words providing him an excuse, he quickly seized the opportunity and agreed.
There was no plan left; the most urgent thing now was to run.
As for revenge, it could wait until later.
Hearing the leader's words, everyone on the bridge breathed a sigh of relief.
They were all terrified, and being able to escape was already a blessing.
However, before they could prepare to retreat at full speed, twelve missiles approached the Blue Cosmos fleet from an unexpected angle below them, unseen by anyone.
There was no time to react before a series of massive tremors erupted from the four battleships.
The tremors turned the scar-faced leader's complexion ashen once again.
Although the flames before them had subsided, the unmistakable impact of the explosions made the scar-faced man's heart leap into his throat.
His hands gripping the armrests turned pale from the force.
"Report the damage!"
Seeing that the ship hadn't disintegrated, the scar-faced man let out a sigh of relief before shouting again.
"What about our missiles? Fire them! All at once!"
"Engines damaged! Power reduced by 53%!"
"The engines of the three escort ships are also damaged!"
As he spoke, the adjutant's face showed an expression of disbelief.
Could a single volley so coincidentally hit all their engines?
And right when they were about to flee.
It was as if their every move had been anticipated by the enemy—terrifying.
It was like watching predators in the animal kingdom toying with their prey, exhausting them until they gave up resistance.
The feeling that every move was within the enemy's grasp was so terrifying it made them tremble uncontrollably.
In fact, without the adrenaline coursing through them, they would have been paralyzed with fear.
Hearing this, the young man, who had just relaxed, felt his heart tighten again, caught in a state of suspense.
Panic completely overtook his face.
"Damage control, extinguish the fires! Full speed ahead!"
"Establish communication!"
In his haste, he didn't even specify who to contact.
But that wasn't necessary.
Soon, laser communication was aimed at the battleship behind them.
"This is the 23rd Special Operations Squad of the Atlantic Federation's Fourth Space Fleet. We demand that you cease all combat activities here immediately!"
"Otherwise, this will be considered an act of war against the Atlantic Federation!"
Mentioning the Atlantic Federation, though still gripped by fear, the scar-faced man felt a surge of pride and arrogance in his heart.
His reasoning was simple.
They couldn't escape now.
Only by revealing their identity could they make the enemy think twice.
As for the earlier attack, the scar-faced man believed they could easily explain it away as a mistake, assuming there were terrorists outside.
And their identity was genuine, at least enough to withstand scrutiny.
He was certain that Mendel's defenders wouldn't dare risk war with the Atlantic Federation.
They were the Atlantic Federation, after all.
The most powerful among the Council Nations and the strongest force in the world—who would dare attack them?
With this thought, the young man relaxed considerably, and even more arrogance surged within him.
"..."
However, they received no response from the other side. The communication seemed to have vanished into thin air.
Only the same silence remained, and the faint light in the distance flickered like fireflies in the cosmos.
"What's going on! Didn't they receive it!?"
The leader felt as if he had been insulted, and the Atlantic Federation had been insulted as well. But at this moment, he could not dwell on that. He could only turn to his adjutant and demand an answer.
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