Chapter 99: Stepping Stones for the Plan
The enemy was scattering their ships, attempting to encircle us.
At first glance, it seemed like a coordinated maneuver, but Ares realized that the enemy’s movements were driven by panic, resulting in a chaotic dispersal rather than a strategic formation.
If they had been acting in unison, their attack timing and individual advances wouldn’t have been so disjointed.
"Maintain a tight defensive formation. Their sporadic attacks won’t break our shields."
The *Ellis*’s shield output was extraordinary.
The four massive shield units created a high-density defensive barrier capable of withstanding even a fleet’s concentrated firepower at maximum output.
Of course, the shields weren’t invincible. Sustained attacks would eventually breach them, and their energy wasn’t infinite.
The same applied to the rest of the fleet, including the *Lachesis*, under the *Ellis*’s protection.
By synchronizing their shields, they shared density and output, extending their duration. But even then, their power wasn’t limitless.
However, the enemy’s poorly timed attacks meant that their energy consumption from firing was outpaced by our shield regeneration.
Had the enemy concentrated their firepower, the outcome might have been different. But doing so would have meant facing the *Ellis*’s forward firepower head-on.
"Their mistake was warping directly in front of us."
Ares muttered as he tracked a lone destroyer charging forward.
The distance was still 3 million kilometers—out of firing range—but the destroyer was advancing at full speed.
Three other destroyers began accelerating to follow it.
At this point, any semblance of formation was gone. While destroyers were highly mobile, charging alone into a densely packed enemy fleet was reckless.
"Target that charging destroyer. Be wary of any desperate warp attempts. If they resort to a suicide charge, we’re in trouble."
At the same time, reports came in that Vertol’s *Forseti* was deploying mines on another front.
Ares followed suit, ordering mines to be laid.
Obstacles were the bane of warp travel. In the vastness of space, such tactics were less effective, but in the confined space of a battlefield, creating obstacles was easy.
If anyone could still warp under these conditions, they were either incredibly skilled or using unmanned ships.
"Once the distance closes to 1 million kilometers, we’ll start firing warning shots. Until then, rely on torpedoes and mines. All ships, listen up—stay calm, and we’ll come out unscathed. Acting recklessly like that will get you killed. Remember, we’re a fleet. Each ship has its role. Solo actions are for special ops ships only."
***
"Well, it’s started."
On the *Lilyou*, positioned at the rear, Delan was growing restless.
It was still too early to launch the fighters. The distance to the enemy was too great, and the approaching ships were mostly destroyers. Using the *Urania* fighters now would be wasteful, as concentrated firepower could easily pick them off.
The real problem was his own crew. The *Lilyou*’s crew was oddly aggressive and eager for battle, likely influenced by the marines, particularly Adel and her squad. But that wasn’t the only reason.
"Again?"
The communication came from the hangar.
It was undoubtedly the fighter pilots. Since the battle began, messages like "Let us sortie!" and "When’s our turn?" had been flooding in.
Ignoring them wasn’t an option, so Delan had to respond each time.
"This is the first bridge."
'We can’t wait any longer! The enemy’s here!'
Francesca, despite being a well-put-together beauty, was shouting excitedly. Somehow, she and Adel had hit it off, and their wild energy was rubbing off on each other.
Why Delan was stuck managing these wildcards was beyond him.
Actually, why did all his subordinates have to be such oddballs?
"Not yet. Timing is crucial for launching fighters. Besides, your fighters have limited range and combat endurance. And we’re aiming for the big targets. Remember, the *Lilyou* will take down the enemy battleships. The main act comes last to claim the glory. Do that, and you might get better fighters, maybe even more of them. I might even get a proper carrier."
Dangling this carrot quickly calmed them down.
'Captain! Does that mean we marines will get our chance too?'
Adel chimed in.
With boarding crafts at their disposal, it was inevitable.
"Of course. We want to capture one of the battleships if possible. Commander Lilian has made that clear. The fighters will cripple the enemy’s mobility, and you marines will board and secure the ship. That’ll be a major achievement."
This was more than enough bait.
They responded with satisfied smiles and enthusiastic "Roger that!"
After ending the communication, Delan let out a small sigh.
"Well, to do that, we need to win this skirmish first."
All he could do was watch and wait.
There was also the possibility that the enemy would launch their own fighters.
"In fighter combat, shields might as well not exist. Casualties are inevitable."
Fighters weren’t expendable. They were expensive, and so were their pilots. In terms of pure value, they were as precious as battleships. Yet, their defensive capabilities were minimal, and skill was the ultimate determinant of victory or death.
"Sigh... Why couldn’t Albero have ended up here?"
Thinking of the wild bunch, Delan remembered the quiet fighter pilot from the *Tiberius*. The man had been a skilled pilot and leader, contributing greatly during their drifting ordeal.
Now, he was stationed with Earth’s air defense force.
If only he were here, the fighter squadron might have been a bit more manageable.
"Ah, well. If we pull off a big win here, maybe I can get him transferred."
That’s why the *Lilyou* was holding back.
Timing was everything. It wasn’t their moment yet.
"So, I’m counting on you, Lilian. I’ve bet everything on you."
***
The battlefield moved forward, carrying the ambitions of each side.
Countless massive ships advanced through the void of space, intercepting incoming torpedoes while charging their heavy particle cannons and closing the distance.
A million kilometers—an unimaginable distance to the human eye—was practically point-blank for warships.
At that range, heavy particle cannons could hit their mark. Even if the beams weakened and were blocked by shields, the sheer fact that the attacks could reach their targets was a psychological blow.
But sadly, only battleships, heavy cruisers, or specialized artillery ships had the firepower to do so.
And the Sixth Fleet had several such ships.
The *Ellis* was one, though it relied on solid projectiles, an exception to the rule.
The *Forseti*, *Lachesis*, and *Tiberius* began their bombardment.
Dark beams of energy erupted into the void, like shadows in the darkness of space.
The sensation of thunderous noise in the silent cosmos, the vibrations of the ship with each cannon blast, and the eerie glow of heavy particle beams—it all stirred both fear and fighting spirit.
This was humanity’s first official large-scale fleet battle against an intelligent alien species. It was undeniably a historic moment.
The fact that most of the soldiers in this war were teenagers under twenty only added to the surreal nature of it all.
Even the fleet’s commander was just nineteen. It was like something out of a story.
Everyone thought so, even Lilian herself.
"The *Ellis* will advance straight ahead. We’ll take on the two enemy battleships. Stella!"
"Yes. The unmanned fleet is ready."
"Good! Drive a wedge into the enemy! We’ll suppress those pesky cruisers!"
The battlefield shifted.
Under the command of a young girl.