"Battle begin!"
At the same moment, the bridge of the Zero Blizzard and the T2 White Eagle-class Light Interstellar Cruiser both echoed with the referee's voice announcing the start of the battle.
In the Combat Arbitration Zone, those supporting Zhang Haoran cheered excitedly.
"Go, Young Master Zhang!"
"Young Master Zhang, teach that overconfident guy a lesson."
"I hope that Zhao Chen can struggle a bit longer. If the battle ends in just a few minutes, it would be such a waste of our trip here just to watch the show, wouldn't it... Hahahaha."
Those speaking were Zhang Haoran's so-called friends, who firmly believed that victory in this Starship Duel belonged to Zhang Haoran.
Among the spectators was, naturally, Jiang Shasha.
She watched the broadcasted video feed coldly, transmitted via Battlefield Drones. It showed both starships departing from their respective Spawn Points and beginning to advance toward the enemy starship's direction. If both maintained their current courses, their starships would enter each other's Weapon Range in ten minutes.
"Zhao Chen, this time it's your own overconfidence. Being expelled is the consequence of your own actions. Don't blame me," Jiang Shasha thought to herself.
In her mind, there was no suspense in this duel.
Aside from Zhang Haoran's victory, was there any other possibility?
——————
Zero Blizzard · Bridge
"Maintaining current heading, speed holding at 40 Knots Stellar Speed," Deputy Captain Charlotte reported, now responsible for the starship's combat deployment under Zhao Chen's authorization.
"40 Knots Stellar Speed. You're planning to Play the Pig to Eat the Elephant," Zhao Chen chuckled, looking at Deputy Captain Charlotte.
Deputy Captain Charlotte replied calmly, "I simply don't wish to waste time on trivial matters."
Bored for the moment, Zhao Chen raised his hand and summoned the Zero Blizzard's data page via Holographic Projection.
[Zero Blizzard
Starship Type: Starship Cruiser (Stellar Destroyer, Interstellar Battleship)
Technology Level: T2
Hull Armor Strength: 210 Units - 270 Units
Cruising Speed: 100 Knots Stellar Speed
Warp Drive: Level Three Warp Drive
Mass: 85,000 Tons
Crew Complement: 50
Starship Weapons: One T2 Heavy 1200mm Devil Crocodile Cannon (One Shot per Salvo, Cooldown Time 300 Seconds)
Five T2 Medium Hyena Laser Cannons (One Shot per Salvo, Cooldown Time 180 Seconds)
Thirty 130mm T2 Medium Point Defense Turrets (Two Shots per Salvo, No Cooldown Time)]
Of the three weapon systems equipped on the Zero Blizzard, the latter two were mounted directly on the Ship Hull's surface, while the first featured a Concealed Design—a precaution Zhao Chen had taken.
"Can I roughly guess your battle plan?" Zhao Chen rubbed his chin, looking at Deputy Captain Charlotte.
"You are the Captain. You can revoke my Command Authority at any time. Here, your word is Divine Decree," Deputy Captain Charlotte stated.
Zhao Chen raised his hand again, opening another, somewhat simpler, starship data file.
It was for the opposing T2 White Eagle-class Light Interstellar Cruiser.
"The T2 White Eagle's armament primarily consists of three types: five T2 Medium 180mm Rapid-fire Cannons with a Cooldown Time of 10 Seconds; followed by twenty 150mm T2 Medium Quadruple Point Defense Cannons, firing Four Shots per Salvo with No Cooldown Time."
Its main weapon is a T2 Medium White Eagle Laser Main Cannon, firing one shot per salvo with a cooldown time of 210 seconds."
Zhao Chen's eyes gleamed with excitement: "First, our advantage lies in the fact that they have no understanding of our starship's performance. By ordering us to maintain a speed of 40 knots stellar speed earlier, you intended to create the illusion that our starship's maximum speed is only around 40 knots.
But when the real confrontation begins, we'll catch them by surprise.
The five T2 Medium 180mm Rapid-fire Cannons on the T2 White Eagle are powerful, but their firing range is limited.
The only real threat to us is their laser main cannon.
So, when the time comes, we can seize the opportunity. When the enemy fires their laser main cannon, we'll suddenly accelerate to increase the distance and evade their attack.
The attack trajectory of the laser main cannon is predictable, and the time to impact is sufficient for us to dodge.
Once that laser main cannon enters its charging and cooldown period, it'll be our turn to dominate them."
Deputy Captain Charlotte looked at Zhao Chen: "Your time at the Military Academy wasn't wasted. I've never seen a T2 starship capable of reaching 100 knots stellar speed.
That's why I previously described this Zero Blizzard as an 'invincible starship within the T2 class.'"
Having roughly predicted the combat plan, Zhao Chen leisurely sat back in the captain's chair, waiting for the show to begin.
Soon, the Zero Blizzard and the T2 White Eagle-class Light Interstellar Cruiser appeared within each other's starship radar monitoring range.
Deputy Captain Charlotte glanced at the time and muttered, "Ten forty-five."
Simultaneously, she set up a countdown, projecting it as a holographic display between herself and Zhao Chen.
[Countdown 10:00]
This girl is taking it seriously—she really meant it when she told Zhao Chen they'd end the battle in ten minutes.
Meanwhile, on the other side, the T2 White Eagle-class Light Interstellar Cruiser also sprang into action.
"Report, target detected. The target is approaching our position at approximately 40 knots stellar speed," the radar officer reported.
"Full speed ahead! Bombard that piece of junk starship!" Zhang Haoran exclaimed excitedly.
Deputy Captain Wang Cheng glanced sideways at Zhang Haoran. In principle, advancing at full speed without understanding the enemy starship's performance was a major taboo on the interstellar battlefield.
But considering their opponent was just a student and that neither-fish-nor-fowl starship didn't look impressive at all—with weapons on its hull that were hardly worth mentioning—it likely posed little threat.
Moreover, this T2 White Eagle-class Light Interstellar Cruiser boasted a high speed of up to 65 knots stellar speed. If any unexpected situation arose, they could rely on their high speed to improvise.
"Captain's orders: our ship will proceed toward the target at full speed. All weapons are to enter standby status." Although Wang Cheng issued the command directly, he still gave Zhang Haoran face by attributing it to him—after all, he was working for the man.
"Use our T2 laser main cannon. Once we're within firing range, fire a shot first to let them witness the difference in strength between starships.
Hahaha... I bet Zhao Chen will be so scared he'll fall right out of his captain's chair." Zhang Haoran seemed to already envision Zhao Chen's ridiculous, terrified expression.
"Yes." Deputy Captain Wang Cheng had no objections to this arrangement, as this was merely a duel with a predetermined outcome.
Soon, both starships were about to enter the maximum firing range.
Deputy Captain Charlotte stared intently at the starship radar star map, as if waiting for something.
"Warning! Warning! Laser weapon attack detected!"
"Warning! Warning! Laser weapon attack detected!"
"Warning! Warning! Laser weapon attack detected!"
Zhao Chen noticed the slight upward curve of Deputy Captain Charlotte's lips and the ripple that appeared in her previously stagnant eyes.
"Full speed right turn!" Deputy Captain Charlotte commanded sharply.