Skyfire Avenue - Chapter 817

Chapter 817

Chapter 817: Breaking the Lines

Lan Qing was an outstanding commander . However, even with his lauded intelligence he simply couldn’t see a way to make an omelette without the need to break a few eggs . There was no better option, and victory would come with a gamble no matter the circumstances .

Lan Jue opened his mouth to reply but was silenced when his brother lifted a hand . “Admiral Kang Hui’s determinations are reasonable . But that can’t be our path . ” His tone was adamant . “We spent a lot of time and energy to save our Western brethren . We did not take them away, and instead promised we would keep them safe . If we go back on that promise now I can promise you it isn’t just the military that will suffer . The soldiers, and even I, will see victory as an impossible task . Yes, Angel was a trap – but we recognize its dangers and we can refuse to be cowed by them . We must protect this place . ”

Kang Hui sighed, trying to maintain control of his excitable mood . “Protect? How do you propose we do that? Even at full strength, with all of our soldiers, our chances of victory are slim . If we separate our forces how can we hope to defeat the aliens?”

Lan Qing’s response was measured . “I’ve ordered all the railguns we could spare from the three bastions to Angel’s surface . Most of them have already been installed on the surface . If we tried to salvage all seven planets then you would be right, protecting them would be a fool’s errand . But we are responsible for only one, and I’m confident we can keep these people safe . After all, if the aliens want to stop us they’ll need to focus their main force against the armada . If they are busy with us at the front, Angel will have far fewer concerns if the decide to split their own forces . ”

Kang Hui frowned . “It’s the best we can do for the moment, but I’m not confident that railguns alone will protect them from the aliens . If that was the case these planets wouldn’t have fallen so readily in the first place . ” Each of these worlds had to have had their own defensive installations prior to the aliens’ arrival . Clearly they proved insufficient .

Planetary defenses were a force to be reckoned with, but their disadvantage lay in their inflexibility . These creatures were particularly fast and used their advantage to overcome the deterrents .

Railguns were powerful and could be used at extreme range . However they were stationary, and cumbersome . Adding more didn’t ameliorate the problem . Any admiral knew this .

For railguns to have the best effect they needed to have an interstellar fleet tie up the enemy . If the enemy was kept at bay the railgun could pick them off from a distance . But that needed soldiers .

Kang Hui knew this, as did Lan Qing . When the Northern admiral heard Lan Qing’s plans he relaxed . Though Middle Heaven’s commander spoke with force and high authority, in the end they shared the same determination . There was nothing for it but to accept fate .

Lan Qing continued . “Planetary defenses alone aren’t enough to repel an enemy attack, but we have other assets we can leave behind to shore them up . We know that our Adepts are most effective in the fight against these monsters, their abilities are natural checks to their strength . We have seen that Star Division is particularly adept at doling out punishment, especially with the help of the Paragons . No less effective than an interstellar fleet, perhaps more . So I have decided to leave Skyfire Avenue’s mecha division behind to protect the planet and defend its installations . ”

Kang Hui’s eyes went wide with surprise . Even Hua Li couldn’t believe what he was hearing . “No, how would that work? It’s too dangerous – you’re leaving those soldiers right in the line of fire . Once they’re annihilated the cost to all of humanity’s collective adepts would be catastrophic!”

Lan Qing looked at Hua Li in surprise . He hadn’t expected such vocal opposition from him . Hua Li seemed strange to him, somehow .

“Admiral,” Poseidon’s leader continued, “I’m telling you the facts . Star Division is capable but their chances are slim to none against a large alien force . Besides we need these Paragons on the frontlines, otherwise how are we going to counter their generals? Unless you leave the Paragons here you leave Angel open to a sneak attack from the enemy . You see the contradiction . ”

Lan Qing smirked and looked at Lan Jue . “You tell him . ”

Lan Jue obliged . “It may seem like a contradiction, but we have a solution . We’ve already set up a large transference array on Angel’s surface . There’s another one here on Middle Heaven . So long as they don’t get too far apart we can use them to move resources . That is, we can put Star Division wherever they’re needed . After discussing it with Admiral Lan, we’ve decided this is the best course of action . The Paragons will be left on Angel to defend against a sneak attack, then will transfer to the front when they’re needed . ”

Kang Hui’s eyes sparkled at the prospect . “Can this really be done? If so that’s an effective way to break their lines . ” Kang Hui was also a wise commander, and recognized the worth of the strategy quickly . Indeed it was their best shot . Assuming several of the Paragons and Star Division remained behind, adding several fleets wouldn’t help much . The armada was free to engage at full strength .

Indeed there was no better option . However, it put a great deal of pressure on Star Division and the Paragons . They would more than likely be the crux of two major battles .

Hua Li looked at Lan Jue with some concern . “A battle on two fronts… do you think that’s too much for your people to handle?”

“Does it matter?” Lan Jue replied . “If we survive I’ll consider us blessed . There are no other choices, this is all we’ve got . I’ve already discussed it with the other Paragons and they’ve agreed . ”

Kang Hui nodded . “It’s the best way, even if it is difficult for our illustrious Paragons . Please keep yourselves safe . Without you we will not be able to achieve final victory . ”

Lan Jue smiled at him in response . “Don’t worry, I would like to keep breathing . ” No one laughed at him making light of the situation .

As this final, definitive battle neared a great pressure had settled on everyone’s heart . There was no leeway here; victory would be humanity’s greatest achievement, whereas defeat would spell their doom . If they lost here, mankind’s only course of action would be to flee, hiding in the deepest recesses of space and praying they can keep hidden from these new dark gods .

No one wanted to ponder that eventuality, but it lurked unbidden in the back of their minds nonetheless . They had to do their best, for everyone’s sake .

Kang Hui, Hua Li and the others left once the plan was hatched . Only Lan Jue and Lan Qing remained .

“A-Jue, have you thought enough about it? That plan is dangerous . ” His face betrayed hesitation once more .

Lan Jue smirked . “Dangerous? I don’t think so . In fact, I think if we handle it well we have a good chance at success . When the time comes it’s not just me, you’re going to need to work hard as well! I’m going to need you to provide me with the opportunity . ”

Lan Qing heaved a sigh, and his eyes hardened . He reached out and rested his hands on his little brother’s shoulders . “We don’t have any other choice!”

Lan Jue firmly nodded his head . “That’s right . No other choice . ”

ζ

When the allied armada began to move again, their stern engines were burning away from Angel, leaving the planet behind . Everyone was agitated .

This operation had garnered the attention of everyone, everywhere . When the aliens appeared in the North they had brought with them a cloud of panic and despair . Now, Lan Qing and his armada was bearing the hopes of billions deep into enemy territory .

Admiral Lan Qing had won victory over the aliens, and liberated their human victims . Under his leadership soldiers from each of the Alliances were chasing down a bruised foe . If they succeeded in wiping out the alien threat, mankind could rebuild . Humans multiplied quickly, and with today’s technology it would not take long for them to recover their former strength . Ten years, the experts said . A decade would be enough to repair the damage these monsters had wrought .

The governments of the East and North watched with bated breath .

Twelve fleets and three bastions departed from Angel . Officially, the planet they were vacating had enough railguns to qualify it as a hedgehog . Enough, they hoped, to protect it against a large alien force . The common folk trusted in their power, though others with military backgrounds pondered how effective they’d really be .

Even if they had misgivings no one would dare utter a word of doubt . The mission these allied forces were on would decide everyone’s fate, some sacrifices might be necessary . After all, the West was all but destroyed, and the soldiers who were risking their lives came mostly from the North and East . Their higher military authorities had everyone’s lives in their hands . Western brothers and sisters would have to secondary to the survival of the species .

And so, strangely, there was no opposition to Lan Qing’s tactical decisions – almost unheard of in modern history . No democratic representative attacked their choices on the front lines . They understood doing so would subject them to the ire of their constituents .