Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high!-Chapter 947 - 665: Destruction

On the third day after the Black Steel Mine was breached, when Catherine contacted a dozen or so retired veterans and brought them with dozens of trustworthy personnel, Bai E and Catherine had basically completed the preparations for the expedition to the "Reef Star Domain".

The temporary management regulations had been promulgated, causing quite a stir in the two mining areas.

Abolishing slavery, distribution according to labor, establishing a self-defense force, centralized distribution of resources... Each clause impacted the miners' long-numbed nerves.

Although most miners in the basic mining area did not express themselves directly, Catherine noticed the private discussions and the changes in their eyes.

It was a quiet longing for "order" and "hope" after many years of silence.

While Bai E was inspecting the two small transport ships seized from the pirate warehouse and urgently repaired, Victor hurriedly came with news to report.

"Brother Bai... Someone wants to see you, from the neighboring Gray Ridge Mine area."

"What's the matter?" The forces on the Mine Star were mixed, even after investigation, Catherine couldn't figure out what forces were behind each mining area.

At least this Gray Ridge Mine area, they didn't know who was behind it.

"He said he would only say it after meeting you."

"Alright." Bai E put down the tool and followed Victor to meet the person from the Gray Ridge Mine area—

A middle-aged man with a decisive demeanor, carrying the aura of a soldier.

"Mr. Bai Er, I'm sent by Mr. Xing Zhuo." The person introduced himself immediately upon seeing Bai E, showing a form of sincerity.

"Xing Zhuo?" Bai E was not surprised.

He had talked about his plans to him, so it was normal for him to plant spies.

"What did he ask you to convey?"

"The above are the exact words of Mr. Xing Zhuo, I'm just reiterating them." The man imitated Xing Zhuo's tone, with a serious expression.

"Mr. Bai Er, it's me, Xing Zhuo. The highest council of the Peak Alliance has approved the cleansing operation against the Bug Race fleet. I will serve as the commander-in-chief of the joint fleet for this operation. The fleet is fully assembled and will officially set out in two days, targeting the residual Bug Race fleet near the last competition planet."

The man paused, and even the expectation and plea in his tone were vividly imitated, "I know you have your own plans, but the threat of the Bug Race is for all humanity. For this operation, the alliance mobilized the regular armed forces, with a scale far exceeding those 'envoy' starships from the last competition. But I still believe your experience and strength are indispensable. If you are willing to join the battle, the response ship I arranged is waiting in the orbit of the Mine Star. Please, consider it again."

After speaking, the man fell silent, waiting quietly for Bai E's response without saying another word.

Catherine was also listening quietly beside, looking at Bai E.

She knew Bai E's decision but also understood the pressure Xing Zhuo was under at the moment—

In that report, Xing Zhuo was the one who strongly emphasized Bai E's value and the Bug Race threat.

If this cleansing failed, his situation would become very difficult.

"Reply to him: I have something I must do. Wish them success in their battle."

In just a moment, Bai E made a decision.

The Bug Race was indeed humanity's great enemy, but those few insectoid biological ships were by no means the entirety of the Bug Race's power.

Letting the humans in the universe face it alone might indeed lead them to truly recognize the threat of this race... regardless of victory or defeat.

The message quickly returned.

Far away in a gathering starport of the Peak Alliance, Xing Zhuo stood on the bridge of the flagship "Glory of the Thousand Stars", looking at the dense, endless steel giant ships outside the window, feeling no inner confidence.

"He refused, as expected..." Xing Zhuo sighed with a bitter smile and pinched his brow.

Although anticipated, disappointment and unease surged like a tide.

He turned, looking at the insectoid fleet signals marked on the giant tactical star map behind him, the few grim icons seemingly staring at him with malice...

"Chief, all sub-fleet commanders have arrived, the last collaborative meeting before the war can begin." The adjutant quietly reminded at the side.

Xing Zhuo took a deep breath, suppressed the unease in his heart, and regained the authority of the commander-in-chief: "Let's go."

...

In the spacious flagship conference room, the atmosphere was completely different from the grim pre-battle scene outside the bridge.

On both sides of the long table sat senior officers from various member forces of the alliance, wearing neat uniforms decorated with different insignias, conversing in low voices, most with relaxed or somewhat indifferent expressions on their faces.

"Just a few biological warships, last time they only caught Xing Zhuo off guard."

"Indeed, what was that fleet last time? A competition fleet, just for show! Look at what we've brought this time, the seventh and ninth rapid response fleets, and the Thunder Hammer heavy assault ship group... A volley from the main cannons would turn those biological giant ships to dust!"

"Xing Zhuo is still frightened from last time, thinking of inviting that Bai E mech pilot? No matter how good he is, what role can individual force play in a fleet battle? Even the residual impact of a main ship gun barrage he can't withstand."

"I heard he refused the invitation of the three giants? Wise of him, if he came, he'd just be stealing credit. This time it's our military's time to shine."

Amid the discussions, Xing Zhuo walked in with his adjutant, the conference room slightly quieted.

Xing Zhuo sat in the main seat, skipped the pleasantries, and went straight to the point: "Gentlemen, the target intelligence has been shared. The Bug Race fleet consists of five biological giant ships, possessing powerful spiritual energy coordination, biomass cannon platforms, and internal defense systems. The last encounter showed they have highly intelligent tactics and adaptability. Our main force for this operation..."