Chapter 1 The Fifth Fleet's Bombardment

The Fifth Fleet, having received its orders, unleashed a barrage of laser fire. Humanity's preparations were thorough this time, with ample firepower. They retreated slowly while firing, and it took over an hour for the fleet to gradually disengage. Once they had created sufficient distance, the insectoids did not pursue. Numerous mother nests floated in space, and the giant insects returned to their nests. The mother nests contracted, as if entering a state of hibernation, forming a massive barrier before Kepler, and more mother nests continued to ascend, albeit at a less frantic pace.

Markum immediately convened a war council. This probing attack had provided an initial glimpse of the scale of the giant insectoids. It was no longer the simple, optimistic dimensional strike that many had envisioned. This engagement revealed that the insectoids also possessed a substantial army and had significantly evolved their space combat capabilities, a stark contrast to previous encounters.

"The mother nests are much larger, five or six times the size of the originals, and the species are becoming more specialized. Those that release energy balls are now distinct from those that transport them. Intelligence suggests there are several unknown abilities. This will be a tough fight."

"Judging by the results, their ability to withstand our firepower is also improving. The explosive drones we prepared this time packed a strong punch, but the damage they inflicted was only average, not meeting our expectations. I believe our opponent is no longer just a simple, lower life form."

The debate in the conference room was intense. The giant insectoids were prepared, and their scale was far beyond what humanity had estimated. For years, they had allowed humanity to establish bases on Kepler, while the insectoids themselves had been silently evolving and developing in underground nests that humanity could not reach. There was also the strong possibility of collusion between the Nemean civilization and human traitors. War was something to be fought if necessary, but not recklessly.

Given the insectoids' current scale and combat power, should humanity even fight this war?

"With their current size, even if we threw the entire fleet at them, we would have to pay a considerable price. Is it really necessary for us to cross the solar system for this battle?"

"The insectoids are evolving too quickly, and human traitors are on Kepler. If we don't eliminate them now with all our might, it will be a different story when they reach the solar system!"

"That's pure speculation, with no scientific basis. We can simply destroy the jump point. How could a bunch of bugs come from Kepler? If they could, they would have already! "

"Speculation? Perhaps that was true before we arrived at Kepler, but now that we're here, the facade has been torn down. You say they can't come, but can you guarantee that? And if they do come, what will we do? What will become of humanity? I believe we have no choice but to report to the Alliance. If we get bogged down in bureaucratic red tape, this campaign will end in a disastrous defeat for humanity!"

"Nonsense! Is humanity's fate for you to decide? Do you know what war means? Do you know how many people are on the entire fleet? This is humanity's vital force, not something you can do with as you please!"

The conference room erupted. Markum remained silent, as this expedition had been viewed with optimism overall, including by the higher-ups, and even more so by those below. This was the first time humanity had prepared such a powerful fleet. In the past, they had only been small-scale operations, and in terms of space technology, they had overwhelmed the insectoids. Over the years, countless studies and plans had been made for Kepler, all aimed at crushing them. Caution in tactics was just a figure of speech; deep down, no one believed they could not defeat these low-level silicon-based primitive creatures.

But now, the price of winning this war might be more than anyone could bear.

Markum tapped the table. "Gentlemen, we are facing not only the giant insectoids but also human traitors, as well as the Nemean civilization, about which we still lack sufficient information."

"Commander, the Nemean civilization is extinct. I don't think we should scare ourselves. The ruins on Earth prove that, and they are tens of thousands of years old. Although some traces have been found on Kepler, that doesn't prove anything. Human traitors are real, but are we, humanity's strongest force, going to be intimidated by some human cults? I wonder if some people have ulterior motives?"

Instantly, the entire conference room fell silent. The waters of Noah's Ark were deep. Some were involved, some were passive, and some even unknowingly benefited, as the tentacles of families like the Melaphis reached far and wide. Some normal interactions were included, but at this sensitive moment, things took on a different flavor.

Fighting... was inevitable, but once the war truly began, there would be no room for choice.

This matter still needed to be communicated to the Solar System Alliance Council. The enemy's preparations and scale differed from the plan. If war was to be waged, a new battle plan had to be formulated, and the consequences had to be borne. If they were to retreat, they had to guard against the possibility of the giant insectoids invading the solar system. Given the insectoids' ability to reproduce and survive, that would bring incalculable disaster to the solar system.

This was not something to be decided on a whim. They would definitely fight, but how they fought needed to be re-planned by everyone.

Markum was still somewhat concerned about the Nemean civilization. All indications suggested that the Nemean civilization had not been completely wiped out and was constantly interfering with the progress of human civilization in some way, even guiding humanity to discover Kepler.

"One of our great men once said, 'Dare to hypothesize, verify carefully.' Now, there is a possibility that this is the first time humanity has encountered an attack from a higher civilization, and the forms of attack are diverse, with force being only one of them," Wu Fa said.

The three generals in the conference room needed to make a judgment on the current situation. The discussions of the others were only to provide ideas. Ultimately, the three of them had to make the final decision.

Pang Pai, with a cigar in his mouth, his face filled with the Martian's unique ruthlessness and ferocity, said, "I don't agree with retreating. We've already come this far. Are we going to go back and wait for death without killing them?"

Having chosen to be a soldier, death was an attribute of the profession.

Markum nodded. "We definitely have to fight, but the strategy needs to be readjusted. Wu Fa, what are your thoughts?"

Wu Fa nodded. "Initially, our strategy was to assume that the main force was the giant insectoids, but now it is likely the Nemean civilization. If that's the case, these will be two different wars, and we must first find a way to determine that."

The art of war lies in unraveling the complex, finding clues in the chaos, and then deciding how to fight.

"We currently know nothing about the interior of Kepler. That strange mist is a bit eerie. Under normal circumstances, such a vast sea should not have this level of fog. It must be trying to hide something." Pang Pai's hoarse voice rang out, "And how is our base? We need to find a way to get in and see. Markum, have you already thought of something?"

Markum looked at the star chart with deep eyes. He had indeed made some preparations for various factors. He had also formed Li Hao's special operations team to deal with special situations. "The insectoids are at their most vigilant right now. Don't rush. This is a war of attrition. Notify all warships to prepare for long-term operations, and request supplies from the Alliance."

"Damn it, I'm not doing this. Wu Fa, you do it. They're too slow, making me feel like I'm going to embezzle." Pang Pai said.

War is about spending money and people. In a broad sense, it's for the safety of humanity, but not everyone agrees with this view. Some people also look at the cost-benefit ratio. This expedition has been launched, but how long will they continue to add supplies, and how will they fight? These are the questions that Markum and the others have to face.

"This is also worrying me. I'll go first." Wu Fa said. "First wave," he pointed out the key point, which was that this war would not be easy. He already knew how Markum planned to fight. They had to take turns putting on a thick face to ask for money and equipment.

Humanity's vast fleet was scattered in space, also in formation. The six fleets were divided into five space anchor points. The tAs Free Fleet, mainly for transportation, followed the Hanxing Fleet on the moon. The Fifth Fleet, as the vanguard, was still at the forefront, followed by Earth's Sixth Fleet. The two Martian fleets were scattered on the wings. If the strategy required it, they could launch a full-scale attack on Kepler to break through the insectoids' defenses. Their non-concentrated approach was clearly to prevent humans from entering Kepler.

Currently, based on Kepler, the insectoids have a certain supply advantage in close combat. In remote combat, the insectoids will not follow. For humanity, this war is not about entering Kepler, but about destroying the insectoids, otherwise, it is meaningless. Of course, humanity's advantage lies in the initiative to advance or retreat. Being too far from the solar system, the long supply line is also humanity's problem.

"We might have to compete to see who produces faster, us or the insectoids."

"This is going to be a showdown with the insectoids."

"We have superior forces. Let's take advantage of their lack of reaction and crush them with all our firepower, completely destroying them!"