Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high!-Chapter 976 - 681: War Begins! (Part 2)

"Third, organize a special strike team." Bai E looked at Catherine and the Black Beast, "I need a rapid response unit composed of the most elite mech pilots and spiritual ability users, equipped with high-mobility assault vehicles. Once the Bug Race's massive ship approaches a certain distance, or our harassment tactics create a brief opportunity, execute a boarding operation to infiltrate the enemy ship for sabotage. This is the riskiest mission, but it's also a potential way to achieve key victories."

"Fourth, intelligence and psychological warfare." Bai E concluded, "Comprehensively monitor every subtle movement of the Bug Race's fleet, record and analyze any energy fluctuations, shape changes, or speed adjustments. At the same time, internally unify the propaganda, emphasizing that we have new defensive strategies and 'expert' guidance to stabilize both military and civilian morale. Panic can sometimes be more terrifying than the enemy itself."

He remembered that back on the planet, the Bug Race had types that could disguise as humans; Bai E needed to eliminate the possibility of internal infiltration.

A series of clear, specific, and highly targeted commands issued from Bai E's mouth not only slightly alleviated the doubts in General Aleksey's eyes but also invigorated President Edwin.

This reputed Legendary Mechanic was not just brave; his understanding of the Bug Race and rapid grasp of the defense system demonstrated true strategic insight and command ability.

"Immediately adjust according to Mr. Bai Er's plan!" President Edwin decisively ordered.

"Yes!" General Aleksey's response was much more straightforward this time. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Whether they fully agreed or not, at least the other side provided a plan different from the past, and it sounded feasible.

In dire situations, having a plan is better than sitting idly by waiting for death.

The entire defense machinery of the Karian Federation began operating at unprecedented efficiency and with a fresh perspective under Bai E's takeover and adjustments.

The fleet and platforms in orbit started maneuvering and changing formations, while the ground shield control center recalculated energy allocation plans. The selection and equipping of elite units were carried out overnight.

Bai E stood in front of the large porthole of the command center, gazing at the beautiful blue planet outside and the six approaching specks of light in the distant starry sky, representing destruction.

Taking over the defense was merely the first step.

The real test would come in a matter of days.

He must fully integrate his understanding of the Bug Race, past combat experience, and the defensive forces of the Karian Federation into a net strong enough to temporarily halt the tide of death within this limited time.

For the fifty billion beings on this planet and for the future of himself and the Bauhinia, this battle was not to be lost.

...

Five days passed in the blink of an eye.

The Bug Race's fleet, for some unknown reason, arrived at the planetary system's orbit two hours earlier than predicted.

The defense system surrounding the Karian Capital Star "Dawn City" had been completely adjusted according to Bai E's deployment.

The four orbital defense platforms and the home defense fleet formed a multi-layered, staggered dynamic defense mesh, like a metal porcupine covered in spikes, quietly waiting for the enemy to arrive.

On the planet's surface, the "Sky Dome" shield system was in standby activation mode, and the lights of the global air defense array flickered like stars in the night.

Over fifty billion people, most had entered underground shelters, while a few soldiers and technicians remaining at their posts held their breath, waiting.

Panic had not been entirely eliminated, but the series of clear instructions and professional posture demonstrated by Bai E after taking over defense had instilled some confidence.

Inside the command center, on the large tactical screen, the six specks of light representing the Bug Race's massive ships had crossed the Kuiper Belt, entering the planetary orbit range of the system.

Their vast spiritual energy field, like an invisible tide, had already covered ahead, interfering with long-range detection and communication and bringing a nauseating oppressive feeling full of malice.

"They're here." General Aleksey's voice broke the silence of the command center, carrying a subtle trembling.

No matter how much preparation was done in advance, when destruction truly approached, the fear stemming from instinct was still hard to completely suppress.

Bai E stood in front of the main control console, his gaze calmly fixed on the screen.

Through the perception of the "Insect Race Killer," he could more clearly see the sinister outlines of the six massive ships.

They were larger and more terrifying than the Bug Race mothership previously encountered near the competition planet.

The thick, writhing chitin armor covered the ships, with surfaces densely packed with dark blue or ghastly green biomass turrets, their barrels resembling living eyes, gleaming with ominous light.

Numerous thick, tentacle-like or flagellum-like biological structures extended from the ship's surface, slowly swaying in the vacuum as if sensing the surrounding space.

Some areas were covered with thick, translucent biomass mats within which numerous smaller Bug Race units seemed to be writhing or hatching.

The spiritual energy fluctuations emitted by the entire fleet were no longer relatively restrained, as in the last encounter, hinting at "capturing" and "testing," but rather pure, naked hunger and malice meant to devour everything!

"Stronger than last time... and more complete," Bai E muttered softly.

Having devoured the Lorin Colony Star, they gained more biomass and energy, not only replenishing their losses but potentially stimulating new evolution.

The Bug Race fleet in front of him appeared more like a moving, armed-to-the-teeth living nest cluster.

"All units, enter combat state level one according to the established plan."

Bai E's voice was transmitted throughout the entire defense system via an encrypted channel, "Remember, our goal is to disrupt, delay, and weaken, to seek out weaknesses. Do not engage head-on; maintain mobility and execute harassment tactics."

"Understood!" The command officers of each defense platform and fleet responded in unison.

The Bug Race fleet began to accelerate.

They too seemed to sense the assembled defensive force on the planet ahead, but their ravenous malice showed no sign of diminishing; instead, it burned even fiercer.

For them, the planet ahead was just another morsel of delicious flesh waiting to be devoured.

"Entering firing range!" the observer reported loudly.

"Orbital defense platforms, first round of interference shooting, target: enemy fleet's spiritual coordination nodes and external sensory organs, open fire!" Bai E ordered.

The main cannon arrays of the four defense platforms simultaneously glowed with dazzling radiance, but what was fired was not heavy plasma clusters aimed at maximum destructive power but precisely modulated high-frequency pulse energy beams and interference barrages.

These attacks, like raindrops, poured onto the Bug Race fleet, aiming not to penetrate the thick biological armor but to interfere with its internal spiritual network coordination, disrupt its turret aiming and charging rhythms, and obscure some of its senses.

Almost simultaneously, the biomass turrets of the Bug Race fleet spewed out dark blue plasma torrents and corrosive acid shells.

However, under the influence of interference shots, the accuracy and synchronicity of their first broadside were noticeably reduced. Most of the attacks were pre-emptively avoided by the Karian fleet and defense platforms or intercepted by the point-defense systems, with only a few brushing against the shields, creating ripples.

"It's working!" an officer shouted excitedly.

Previously, when facing the Bug Race fleet, human firepower tended to be more like tickling, hardly causing any real trouble, much less disrupting their attack rhythm.

"Stay focused! Fleet maneuvers, execute established tactics, target: suspected weak points in the massive ship's thrusters and energy lines, attack!" Bai E continued to command calmly.

Several small formations, composed of a cruiser and several fast destroyers, darted from the main fleet formation like agile fish, rapidly and irregularly approaching the sides and rear of the Bug Race's massive ships.

Rather than seeking face-to-face artillery battles, they utilized their speed advantage, launching high-speed armor-piercing missiles or precise plasma slicing shots during the Bug Race's cumbersome turns and aim pauses, targeting those areas suspected of being energy transport nodes or thruster nozzles.