Chapter 1 Ceres
　　Eight days later.

　　The outer space of Ceres.

　　Monsters of various breeds, covered in disgusting pustules, with scarlet eyes and grotesquely deformed bodies, swarmed in space like locusts.

　　Vortices and terrifying lightning flashed across the surface of the massive Ceres.

　　On the edge of the outer space, Star Destroyers and Level 5 battleships, along with mecha groups, were launching a frantic attack.

　　The patterns painted on these ships and mechas varied, representing different countries.

　　Missiles and beams of light rained down on the monster swarm.

　　Rumble~

　　Brilliant suns and fireworks rose continuously.

　　The densely packed monsters were reduced to ashes.

　　The next second, like a tide, the monsters surged forward, firing terrifying beams in return.

　　Soon, a rain of light bombarded the attacking ships and mechas.

　　From a distance, the energy barriers of the densely packed ships rippled, and the barriers of some weaker Level 5 ships shattered. The ships were instantly hit, and explosions erupted on their surfaces.

　　As for the mechas, they were entangled by the swarming monsters, forced into brutal hand-to-hand combat.

　　Screams and roars echoed through the public communication channel.

　　"Hold back these damned monsters!"

　　"Don't let them stop the fleet!"

　　......

　　On this chaotic battlefield, the allied fleet, led by the Star Destroyer Phantom Flower, supported by eight regular Star Destroyers in a triangular formation, aggressively pushed into the tide of monsters.

　　Inside the command room of the Star Destroyer Phantom Flower.

　　Tiya's brows were furrowed in a tight knot as she stared intently at the battlefield ahead.

　　The entire Star Destroyer Phantom Flower vibrated continuously.

　　Jiang Hanqiu reported the situation concisely.

　　"Number 37, Level 5 ship 'Jagged Tooth', sustained damage exceeding thirty-five percent."

　　"Mobile unit 172, nearly half sacrificed."

　　"The Lin Family's 8th unit of the Five Dragon Heads, collided with a V-type Lord-class bug: Ghost Face Aphid Cell Infection Body."

　　"Coordinates 28221, 18923, V-type Fortress-class, Qiju Zi (Kizumuchi) Cell Infection Body observed in area 1111."

　　......

　　Looking closely at the central control console, the holographic combat image displayed densely packed portraits and ship numbers. Every second, some turned red or black.

　　"How far have we penetrated? How far are we from Ceres? What is the charge level of the main gun?"

　　Tiya asked, trying her best to remain calm.

　　Jiang Hanqiu reported with gritted teeth: "Main gun charge level, thirty percent. We are currently seven million kilometers from Ceres. Penetration progress, thirty-two percent. Tiya, at this rate, we simply cannot penetrate..."

　　Before she could finish speaking.

　　Boom~

　　A terrifying beam of light cut through space and struck the Phantom Flower's energy barrier.

　　Light scattered everywhere.

　　The entire Phantom Flower shook violently.

　　A virtual prompt box popped up simultaneously.

　　"Warning, energy shield strength reduced to sixty percent."

　　......

　　Just then, the Star Destroyer Dragon's Roar, purchased jointly by the Five Dragon Heads and guarding the right side of the Star Destroyer Phantom Flower, sent a communication request.

　　After Tiya accepted the request, a somewhat blurred image of Xiao Qijin appeared.

　　He said to Tiya.

　　"Tiya, this is not going to work. We can't hold on on the right side. The enemy's firepower is too fierce, the Star Destroyer's energy barrier is about to shatter, and the escort troops have suffered heavy casualties."

　　"Then you have to persevere! Are you just going to give up?"

　　Tiya said with a very unpleasant expression.

　　"But..."

　　Xiao Qijin was sweating anxiously.

　　Just then, Jiang Hanqiu received a message and looked up to say, "Tiya, Lord Augulas has issued a new order, ordering all troops to retreat temporarily and abandon the attack plan!"

　　"Damn it, retreat!"

　　Tiya slammed her hand on the armrest, but she ultimately gave the order rationally.

　　"Yes!"

　　Everyone present answered through gritted teeth.

　　......

　　In space, the allied fleet began to retreat. About an hour later, they successfully withdrew.

　　At this time, the warp fortress sent a joint communication to all ships, conducting a virtual meeting.

　　Many officers and ship commanders from various countries who had linked in lowered their heads, covered in dust and dirt.

　　This was their third attempt to attack, and the result was still terrible.

　　Although all the allied support troops had not yet fully arrived, there were still some to come. However, the most advanced ships and elite combat personnel were already present.

　　Tiya's expression was exceptionally gloomy, and she remained silent with a cold face.

　　Augulas didn't know what to say for a moment. In fact, they had been here for over twenty hours. But they had made no progress, and instead suffered heavy casualties.

　　Moreover, the breakthrough point they had chosen was the weakest area, and so far no traces of VI-type monsters had been found, while many floated in other places.

　　Just then, a communication image linked in.

　　An officer with a stubbly face, looking somewhat haggard, wearing a GT Department uniform, saluted everyone.

　　"Latest news, the fleet from the First Breeding Ground has broken through, under the cover of personnel from the Royal Order."

　　Everyone was stunned to hear this.

　　Licarn, the Supreme Commander of the Yanas Kingdom, said in surprise.

　　"So fast."

　　......

　　"Did anyone follow them in?"

　　Augulas asked in a deep voice.

　　"Quite a few other ships tried to follow them in, but they all basically died. Only a small number of fleets succeeded in following, but I don't think they'll be any better off."

　　"I see, thank you for your hard work."

　　Augulas responded in a deep voice.

　　At this time, Tiya said, "The fleet from the First Breeding Ground has broken through. The situation is getting worse and worse. After all, the overall attacking force has been reduced by a large margin."

　　"I know."

　　Augulas had an increasing headache.

　　For a moment, everyone didn't know what to say.

　　"Now the situation is very clear. We simply cannot break through with our strength."

　　Tiya pointed out without hesitation.

　　Garay, the Supreme Commander of the Yamak Free State support, said with a very unpleasant expression, "Then are we just going to give up?"

　　"No, that's not what I mean. What I mean is, now is the time to abandon prejudice and discuss joint operations with the Imperial Army and the support forces from the Second Breeding Ground."

　　Tiya put forward her own opinion.

　　Hearing Tiya's words, Garay jumped up first, his face very ugly.

　　"No way, how could we cooperate with that bunch of barbarians?"

　　"Cooperating with the Second Breeding Ground troops is no problem, but cooperating with the Imperial Army, I don't think it's reliable."

　　Other allied commanders present spoke out in opposition, they were very repulsed from the bottom of their hearts.

　　At this time, Augulas pondered for a moment and said, "I think Tiya's suggestion is very good. Now is not the time to worry about face. You must know that our people are trapped on Ceres. Every minute we delay, their situation becomes more dangerous."