Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high!-Chapter 974 - 680: Reinforcements to the Frontlines (Part 2)

"Him? Alone? Even if he succeeded last time inside the Bug Race's ship, that was with a team and inside a single biological ship! Now we're on the front lines, facing five complete Bug Race bio-dreadnoughts! I've even heard that after devouring the Lorin Colony Star, they've manufactured another bio-dreadnought on-site... That's six now!"

"The Karian Federation is desperately clutching at straws! Pinning their hopes on an individual?"

"But at least he has experienced success against the Bug Race before. And we... do we have any?" Xing Zhuo's voice connected via remote communication, calm yet powerful, "The failure of the last coalition fleet has proven that conventional tactics are limited against the Bug Race. Before the technological weapons of the Divine Fragment are unveiled, Bai E is the only one we know of who has in-depth understanding and has achieved results against the Bug Race. The Karian Federation is willing to bet on him, so why not give them, and ourselves, a chance to observe and verify?"

He paused, his voice low: "Moreover... we have secretly sent a request for help to the Star Alliance. But due to the Star Alliance's bureaucratic processes and distance, reinforcements will take at least three months to arrive. So, who will hold back the Bugs during these three months? Our already demoralized fleet?"

The harsh reality left the council silent once again.

Finally, the presiding chairman knocked his gavel: "In that case... approve Xing Zhuo's proposal. Dispatch a small technical and intelligence support team to the Karian Federation in the name of observers from the Alliance, and closely monitor Bai E's actions there. We need to know just how effective his so-called 'method' will be against a structured Bug Race fleet's direct assault."

This is the maximum level of 'support' and 'observation' the Alliance can provide without the power to offer direct military assistance.

Essentially, they still have doubts about Bai E's role, but the desperate situation forces them to grasp at any possible straw.

The message quickly reached the ship carrying Bai E and his companions.

"The Alliance has approved the observer group, but they won't dispatch a fleet for support," Catherine reported to Bai E, with a hint of sarcasm in her tone, "They still can't swallow their pride, or rather... they dare not risk another fleet loss."

Bai E was unsurprised: "It's irrelevant. I wasn't counting on them anyway. The attitude of the Karian Federation is what's crucial."

"On the Karian side..." Catherine pulled up the latest communications, "They reaffirmed their commitment and have temporarily opened the secondary military command authority of the Capital Star 'Dawn City' to us. Their President wants to have a holographic meeting with you upon your arrival."

"Fine." Bai E nodded.

He needs to understand the Karian Federation's specific defensive power, planetary layout, and... the latest detailed movements of the Bug Race fleet.

"Additionally," Catherine added, "Xing Zhuo has passed on messages that, although the Alliance is officially only observing, the three major powers—especially the Thousand Stars Commerce Alliance and the Thunder Dragon Empire—are actually assembling a rapid response fleet in secret, deploying near the Karian Federation's Star Domain. Officially it's to 'prevent the situation from escalating,' but in reality... they might be waiting to see your performance before deciding whether to lend a helping hand, add insult to injury, or... swoop in to clean up the mess and take the spoils after you've both worn each other out."

The Black Beast snorted in derision: "The faces of such major powers haven't changed for hundreds of years."

Victor appeared somewhat anxious: "Brother Bai E, can we... really hold off those Bugs? I heard there are now six Bug Race bio-dreadnoughts..."

Bai E gazed out at the swiftly passing stars through the porthole, his expression calm yet sharp: "Whether we can hold them off, we'll only know after we try. But this time, we are not fighting alone. Behind us, we have a nation ready to give its all, under our feet is a planet of five billion lives unwilling to abandon their home. And moreover..."

He withdrew his gaze, looking at those in the cabin: "We are better prepared and more knowledgeable than last time. The Bug Race is not invincible; they have their weaknesses. My task is to find and exploit them."

His voice, while not impassioned, carried a reassuring determination. Catherine, Black Beast, Victor, and even the old veterans listening intently, felt their unease slightly diminish.

Indeed, following this man, how many miracles have they wrought?

From the desperate counterattack on the Mine Star to breaking the encirclement by the Huowali Fleet... this time, against the Bug Race, they still choose to believe.

The spaceship's engines roared at full capacity, slicing through the silent starry sky, like a blade piercing the Bug Race's shadow-covered Star Domain.

...

Meanwhile, on the Karian Capital Star "Dawn City," panic and hope entwined.

The government tried its best to maintain Order, but rumors about the tragedy of the Lorin Colony Star couldn't be contained.

The wealthy and powerful sought ways to flee, while ordinary people could only pray.

The military went into the highest state of alert, all Orbital Defense Platforms were charged, fleets assembled at the planet's outskirts, yet everyone knew that against those planet-devouring monsters, these defenses might be futile.

In the presidential office, the President of Karian looked solemnly at the star map, where the Bug Race signal continually approached.

He had just finished a difficult call with several Alliance councilors, receiving only vague promises and limited 'observation support.'

"Mr. President, Bai E's transport ship is expected to arrive at our outer post in one hour," the military advisor reported.

"Raise the reception to the highest level. No, I will personally go to the space station to welcome him," the President decided resolutely, "Also, notify all departments, they must unconditionally cooperate with Mr. Bai E's every reasonable request. This is our only hope for now, even if this hope looks similarly bleak."

He gazed out the window at the city's prosperous nightscape, its lights brilliant yet seemingly on the verge of being swallowed by endless darkness at any moment.

"May the ancestors bless Karian... bless humanity."

In the distant cosmos, the Bug Race fleet moved like six slowly advancing malignant tumors, unwaveringly along their course.

They seemed to sense something, as the Spiritual Energy vein patterns on their hulls flickered slightly, emitting an ever darker glow.

...

The spaceship accurately arrived one hour later.

Guided by the safe corridors provided by the Karian Federation, the spaceship crossed multiple security perimeters, finally docking at the largest Orbital Defense Platform— "Shield of Defense"—on the outskirts of Karian Capital Star "Dawn City."

The space station's docking hatch opened, revealing a grand honor guard of high specification, and at the forefront stood the President of Karian, dressed in a deep blue federal military ceremonial uniform, somber yet with a tinge of barely concealed anxiety.

He personally led military and political leaders to welcome, exceeding normal diplomatic protocol, more akin to an all-in bet of placing all hope on the arrivals amid desperation.

"Mr. Bai E, I am the President of the Karian Federation, Edwin Sol." The President stepped forward, extending his hand, his voice steady but with urgency in his eyes, "Thank you for extending your help in this time of crisis. The entire Karian Federation will remember your kindness."

Bai E shook his hand without excess formalities: "Mr. President, time is of the essence. I need to immediately understand the full defensive deployment of the Capital Star, the latest precise movements of the Bug Race fleet, and... the highest command authority."

"As you wish." President Edwin nodded without hesitation and gestured to the side, "Please follow me, the command center is ready. From now on, the secondary command authority of the Dawn City defense system, as well as the highest access to relevant intelligence systems, are open to you and your team. We have only one request—to protect our homeland at all costs."