Bohr, who served as the commander of the Science Sphere Corps within the Tech Ball Unit, was the undisputed authority on high technology within the base.

“You wish to join this fight as well, Bohr?” Yang Ying understood clearly that technology was the foremost productive force, and simultaneously, the primary combat strength. While the Tech Balls were primarily research facilities, they also possessed considerable combat support capabilities.

“Yes. I trust that bringing our Tech Ball Corps will save the Commander a great deal of trouble in completely annihilating the two fleets.” Bohr presented his case with confidence.

He produced a document: “This is the Scientific Research Department’s analysis report on the current warships in the Solar System, along with an estimated capability report for the Tech Balls on the battlefield. It is for the Commander’s reference.”

Yang Ying took the document and glanced through it. He then looked up with a quiet astonishment, asking, “Are you certain?” What was written in the file exceeded his expectations.

“Certainly certain. This report was written from beginning to end adhering to the rigorous spirit of scientific research,” Bohr affirmed.

Yang Ying handed the document to Kalia beside him. Kalia took a few minutes to read it, then told Yang Ying, “I approve.”

Yang Ying nodded and said, “Since that is the case, it is settled. Your Tech Ball Corps will join us.”

Bohr’s objective achieved, he appeared immensely pleased. He snapped a salute and called out loudly, “Thank you, Commander!” Then, as if his body had become lighter, he moved away quickly.

After walking a few paces, he remembered he hadn't properly bid farewell. He turned back and said, “Commander, I must go inform the others in the Tech Ball Corps.”

“Go, go.” Yang Ying knew that the ways of thinking for these researchers were different from ordinary people; they were often careless in everyday matters but displayed meticulousness and rigor only when conducting experiments.

Two days later, an Observer detected the whereabouts of a Laurel Fleet. Yang Ying then led the fully prepared fleet out from the base.

This fleet consisted of three Heavy Cruisers, twenty-four Valkyrie Warships, six Tech Balls, and twelve Support Warships converted from commercial transport vessels.

Each Heavy Cruiser and Support Warship carried ten squadrons of Ghost fighters internally, bringing the total number of Ghost fighters in the fleet to one hundred and fifty squadrons—one thousand eight hundred aircraft!

Since there was no gravity in space, fighter take-offs did not require long flight decks; any vessel with a sufficiently large hangar bay and a hatch for aircraft to enter and exit space could serve as an aircraft carrier.

The interior of such a hangar bay was usually kept vacuum-sealed, requiring pilots and ground crew within to wear spacesuits.

On the other side, the Caesar Mercenary Group had acted quickly. The Laurel Fleet detected by the Observer had reached a location only a day’s journey from Gray Port, where they had paused their advance.

After setting out, Yang Ying’s fleet sent an Observer ahead to scout the path. During the transit, they carefully skirted around other vessels, heading directly toward the Laurel Fleet.

At midnight, ten hours later, Yang Ying’s fleet secretly arrived in airspace less than two million kilometers from the Laurel Fleet. At this distance, a strike by the Ghost fighters would require less than an hour to reach the Laurel Fleet’s station.

“They must be waiting for the other Laurel Fleet here. This should be their designated rendezvous point, and the other fleet is probably not far, given they have been waiting here for over twenty-four hours.”

Yang Ying was currently situated on the bridge of a Heavy Cruiser, though this was not the flagship; the flagship was another Heavy Cruiser where Major General Howard was stationed. The commander for this engagement was Major General Howard.

As a Battlecruiser commander, Howard possessed not only the skill to command individual warships but also extensive knowledge of fleet command. This was the moment for him to shine.

A full complement of Battlecruiser crew was also aboard Yang Ying’s Heavy Cruiser, and beside him was a Battlecruiser Captain with the rank of Brigadier General serving as an analyst, allowing him to stay constantly updated on the battlefield changes.

This Brigadier General and Major General Howard were both Battlecruiser Captains, possessing equal knowledge and command capability. Should Howard’s flagship encounter trouble, the Brigadier General would assume command.

However, such an eventuality was unlikely.

Because the three Heavy Cruisers served as a mere formality—a showpiece for the Trant Mercenary Group to the outside world—their combat effectiveness was quite mediocre. If even they were drawn into the fray, Yang Ying’s side would be perilously close to defeat.

Yang Ying observed the radar screen on the bridge. Over a dozen faint dots were moving across the screen, one of which was clearly heading toward their fleet.

“What is that?” Yang Ying asked, pointing at the dot.

A staff officer responded, “Based on signal analysis, it appears to be an unmanned reconnaissance drone, the newest model produced by the Caesar Group.”

“It seems this Laurel Fleet’s defensive perimeter is quite tight. Are they patrolling with drones out this far, perhaps fearing a surprise attack?” Yang Ying murmured to himself.

“I believe so too,” the Brigadier General Captain agreed. “Analyzing famous battles within the Asteroid Belt, surprise attacks and ambushes account for many encounters. The terrain in the Belt is exceptionally favorable for ambushes. If a fleet’s movements are leaked, they face the constant danger of being trapped. Furthermore, ambushes are highly disadvantageous for the ambushed party. The Caesar Mercenary Group has extensive battle experience; they wouldn't overlook something like that.”

“Continue,” Yang Ying instructed. This was a learning opportunity for him. Possessing the memory capacity of a Psionicist greatly enhanced his learning ability; he wasn't afraid of learning too much—anything absorbed was stored perfectly in his mind.

“Yes, Commander,” the Brigadier General continued. “The Caesar Mercenary Group’s technology ranks among the best in the Solar System, arguably slightly superior even to the military. Their reconnaissance equipment, integrated into these drones, incorporates several detection modes, providing nearly all-around protection for the fleet. Consequently, the Caesar Mercenary Group has suffered the fewest successful ambushes in the Asteroid Belt and maintains the highest success rate when ambushing enemies.”

“Can they detect our stealth technology?” Yang Ying inquired.

“No. Regarding this matter, the three of us Battlecruiser Captains consulted Colonel Bohr specifically. According to him, our stealth technology conceals virtually all signatures. It can only be detected by reconnaissance equipment sensitive to a few specific particle types. Current Solar System technology cannot produce such detection equipment, so our Ghost fighters remain safe.” The Brigadier General’s reply reassured Yang Ying.

While the two were speaking, the drone gradually approached them, soon maneuvering around the fleet, even skimming past within a few kilometers of the vessels. Any standard detection equipment could easily cover this range!

Dozens of warships of various sizes, lacking stealth capabilities, were present; they could easily have been spotted by the drone. Yet, Yang Ying showed no concern, continuing his conversation with the Brigadier General Captain, seemingly oblivious to the drone’s proximity.

He trusted Major General Howard to handle this small aircraft with ease.

Indeed, the drone passed by them without registering any anomaly, flying straight ahead until it gradually vanished into the starscape.

Yang Ying watched the radar screen and smiled. “I knew it.”

He could even deduce how the drone had been neutralized from its behavior—this was clearly the work of the Tech Ball Corps.

The computers within the Tech Balls were specifically designed for electronic and information warfare, possessing computational power superior to the shipboard computers of a Laurel-class Battlecruiser. Silently taking control of a small aircraft through hacking was a trivial task for them.

Meanwhile, aboard the flagship, Major General Howard’s expression was severe as he asked, “Has the deployment of Observers around the battlefield been completed?”

“Not yet, Commander. The remaining three will be finished in ten minutes,” a staff officer replied.

“Has the location of the other Laurel Fleet been determined?” Howard immediately followed up, not wasting a single second.

“Not yet.” Before the second staff officer could finish, he suddenly raised his hand and exclaimed, “Wait a moment, we’ve found it! The Tech Ball Corps just intercepted a transmission from the enemy Battlecruiser ‘Golden Flame’! After decrypting the content, it shows that the fleet led by the other Laurel-class Battlecruiser, ‘Iron Hammer,’ is heading here at full speed from Sector 73, six hours distant.”

“Six hours is sufficient. Immediately dispatch one Observer to Sector 73 to track that fleet’s tail!” Howard commanded.

“Yes!” The officer immediately began operating the controls. An Observer from the standby reserve near the fleet launched and flew toward Sector 73.

“Next, open the public channel and prepare for a fleet-wide broadcast.” Howard glanced at the clock displayed on the bridge wall, took a deep breath.

“Public channel opened,” a staff officer announced.

At that moment, on the bridges of all warships in the fleet, the main screens displayed the image from the flagship’s bridge. Major General Howard sat in his command chair and addressed the entire fleet: “This is Howard! It is now 00:50 hours. I announce that the operation officially commences!”

“Aye!” the personnel on the bridges responded.

In another bridge, Yang Ying saw the image of Howard giving the command and smiled faintly. “It’s starting!”

Howard continued on the screen: “I order the Tech Ball Corps to deploy now. The First Escort Flotilla is to provide protection for the Tech Ball Corps!”

“Yes,” Bohr responded.

“Yes!” Kalia replied.

The six Tech Balls immediately detached from the fleet, flying toward the designated airspace, followed by the twelve escort vessels which broke formation to surround the Tech Balls protectively.

Howard continued: “I order the Ghost Fighter Corps, from the First Squadron to the Fiftieth Squadron, to form the first strike wave. Deploy now!”

“Yes!” Quentin responded.

Instantly, the ventral hatches of the three Heavy Cruisers and the two other Support Warships opened. Fifty squadrons—a total of six hundred Ghost fighters—flew out one after another, each squadron forming a V-shape echelon, heading toward the objective airspace.

For more novels, visit storyread.net.