News of the Zerg attack on the Water Lily Star System in the Azure Star Domain gradually began to spread throughout the Stellar Glory Empire.
This was because the Azure Star Domain had mobilized the entire domain's Imperial Army to deal with this Interstellar Zerg crisis.
A situation where one Level 3 Cosmic Zerg Nest and four Level 2 Cosmic Zerg Nests simultaneously appeared in a single star system had not occurred for nearly a thousand years!
If such a crisis were not brought under control, it could very likely lead not only to the fall of the entire affected star system but also to attacks by the Swarm on surrounding star systems, spreading like a plague.
Starlight Central Star Domain · Imperial Capital Star System · A certain Space Starport
A massive T4 Interstellar Warship was docked at the starport, with dozens of adjacent berths all sealed off. Even if empty, no starships were permitted to dock in them.
Outside the starport, a corps-level interstellar fleet stood guard.
On the hull paint scheme of that T4 Interstellar Warship, besides the emblems of the Galactic Alliance and the Stellar Glory Empire, there was a crown-like golden emblem at the rear.
That was the Royal Crest of the Stellar Glory Empire!
The Royal Crest was divided into three types: the Golden Royal Crest, the Silver Royal Crest, and the Bronze Royal Crest, representing three different tiers within the royal family.
According to unofficial statistics, the Golden Royal Crest had appeared on only a mere five interstellar warships!
Because to display the Golden Royal Crest, one not only needed to be a member of the royal family but also required permission from the Emperor of the Starlight Empire!
On the starship's bridge, a young woman sat in the captain's chair crafted from crystal. She wore a golden gauze dress, her face delicate and charming, possessing a gentle, refined beauty. At a single glance, one could be certain she would undoubtedly become a peerless beauty in the future.
The entire bridge was decorated in a very feminine style, and all personnel on the bridge were uniformly female crew members, each possessing looks that would undoubtedly make them the class beauties at any academy.
"Sister Yue, I heard your younger sister was also in the Two-Academy Fleet caught in the disaster this time," the young woman said, looking at the female officer standing with her back to her. Though only a silhouette was visible, it showcased an impressive figure.
Paired with the white women's military uniform with gold trim, different from the Imperial Army's, it further accentuated the striking figure of its wearer.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I have already asked my friend to try and arrange a rescue," the female officer replied. However, if one looked into her beautiful eyes at that moment, they would definitely notice her distracted expression.
"I know your heart must be yearning to fly to that Azure Star Domain right now. Over the years, although you haven't directly intervened in your family's affairs in that star system, your heart has always been there.
Your younger sister is also one of your most beloved relatives.
Also, I heard your younger brother, in full view of everyone at the North Star Starship Military Academy, piloted a T3 interstellar warship and, taking Governor Chu He's daughter, rushed to the Water Lily Star System in the Azure Star Domain to rescue people," the young woman said.
Hearing that her younger brother had also gone, and that he possessed a T3 interstellar warship and was with Governor Chu He's daughter...
These unbelievable pieces of news, one after another, were completely unexpected for this female officer.
She had heard her younger brother had handled matters in the Fierce Dragon Star System and realized he was maturing, but she hadn't expected his growth to be so rapid.
Not only did he possess a T3 interstellar warship, but he also had a connection with Governor Chu He's daughter.
"Sister Yue, I know you're worried about your family. Here's what I'll do: I'll specially authorize you to lead one of my personal guard fleets to reinforce the Water Lily Star System," the girl said with a blink.
The female officer's expression was hesitant, clearly conflicted and troubled.
"I know you're concerned about my safety, but don't forget this is the Imperial Capital Star System. I still have nine personal guard fleets here—nothing can possibly happen to me.
Moreover, the sudden appearance of a Level 3 Cosmic Bug Nest and four Level 2 Cosmic Zerg Nests in a single star system feels... off to me.
While you're rescuing your younger siblings, take the opportunity to investigate this thoroughly for me," the girl added.
The female officer straightened her posture and said gratefully, "Thank you, Your Highness!"
After finalizing some details, the female officer left the bridge.
Anyone paying close attention would notice her steps were noticeably quicker than usual.
...
Azure Star Domain · Water Lily Star System
"Warning! Warning! Starship under heavy attack!"
"Warning! Warning! Stellar Shield Energy Value remaining at 85%... 83%... 81%..."
The originally green numbers quickly turned yellow, and due to the rapid decline, red warning indicators began flashing.
79%... 77%... 75%... 74%...
A few moments later, the two green beams of Biological Plasma Cannon fire finally dissipated. The star shield remained intact, steadfastly positioned at the front of the T3 Blizzard-class Light Interstellar Battlecruiser.
Ironically, the two Biological Plasma Cannon attacks had inadvertently struck some Zerg units.
When Hive Motherships launched assaults, they paid no heed to potential friendly fire among their own Zerg units—they simply executed the most direct and effective attacks.
Ultimately, after enduring the attacks from these two T3 Nest Motherships, the Stellar Shield Energy Value displayed before Zhao Chen stabilized at '63%'.
Just two shots had depleted nearly one-fifth of the T3 Blizzard-class Light Interstellar Battlecruiser's star shield energy.
If the professors and instructors in the hangar had witnessed this, they would have been utterly astonished.
For an ordinary T3 interstellar warship, taking such an attack head-on with its star shield would typically result in at least a 30% loss under favorable conditions, and up to 50% under worse circumstances.
Two such shots would be enough to shatter the star shield defenses of most T3 interstellar warships.
Yet for this particular T3 interstellar warship, it had only consumed one-fifth of its shield energy!
This alone spoke volumes about the advanced nature of the starship shield defense system installed on this vessel.
"Warning! Warning! Warning! Multiple energy attacks locked onto our ship detected!" Another warning sounded.
This time, it was from the T2 Hive Motherships and T1 Hive Motherships in the enemy fleet.
Deputy Captain Charlotte remained expressionless as she swiftly operated the interface before her, ultimately calculating the approximate attack trajectories of all incoming assaults.
"Adjust the star shield to / position!"
"Acknowledged! Star shield position adjusted to / area!" The crew member promptly adjusted the shield's positioning.
"Deploy Close Defense Cannons for dense firepower interception in these designated areas. Secondary cannons, open fire immediately toward these sixteen directions. Launch four Blizzard Light Stellar Missiles each toward these four positions," Charlotte commanded, marking one attack zone after another.
Her instructions were so detailed they were nothing short of breathtaking.
Zhao Chen watched Deputy Captain Charlotte's retreating figure, thinking to himself that this purchased deputy captain was truly worth every penny!
At this moment, the biological plasma cannons from the T1 Hive Motherships and T2 Hive Motherships were already closing in on the T3 Blizzard-class Light Interstellar Battlecruiser.
A large portion of them were intercepted by the star shield, with bursts of light appearing on its surface from the impacts.
However, due to their sheer numbers, some managed to evade the star shield's defensive zones.
This was when Charlotte's deployments proved their effectiveness.
Stellar missiles launched! Secondary cannons opened fire! Close defense cannons carried out firepower interception!