A small Congo gold net appearing in a chapter, composed of hexagonal jiu zhi old and filthy material, would mean each node should connect to three other nodes, not six. Thus, splitting the net into an inner and outer layer in this chapter makes more sense: an outer net and three inner nets.
The gold net separated into inner and outer layers, enveloping the entire Golden Flame within them.
“I remember now!” Yang Ying exclaimed as the net formed, “These gold spheres are control devices for the Yue particles.”
Yang Ying recalled a review article he’d read recently in a cutting-edge science journal detailing the discovery and application process of these Yue particles.
Yue particles, or pseudo-electron particles, are not a single type; over a dozen particles fall under this category. Many of their properties resemble those of electrons, hence the name.
The history of Yue particle discovery is not long; the first type was discovered about twenty years ago. Its discoverer received the Nobel Prize that year.
Following that, other types of Yue particles, inspired by the first discovery, were found at a rate of almost one new type every two years.
Human technology is built upon electricity. Therefore, the Yue particles, with their electron-like properties, offered humanity immense hope. They possess many characteristics that electrons lack and present development prospects vastly different from electrons, one of which is defensive netting.
That review article contained several illustrations. One depicted a net-like device composed of nodes and flowing Yue particle streams, similar in structure to the gold net before them. However, that device resembled a soccer ball and was only the size of one, which is why Yang Ying hadn't recognized the nodes immediately upon seeing them.
“Good heavens, the fact that article was published in a cutting-edge science journal indicates that Yue particles are indeed the absolute forefront of current technology, and it also implies that other research organizations in the solar system are exploring applications for pseudo-electron particles. I always thought the latest achievement was that soccer-ball-sized device, but I never imagined the Kaiser Group had quietly turned it into a defensive net. It seems their research into pseudo-electron particles far surpasses that of other research institutions.”
“Moreover, this defensive net can already be called a shield. It marks a zero breakthrough in the history of warship shielding technology for humanity. The Kaiser Group cannot be underestimated.”
Yang Ying connected to Pol’s communication channel. He didn't have deep knowledge of Yue particles and needed to consult Pol’s brilliant mind.
“Pol, did you see that defensive net made of Yue particles?” Yang Ying asked directly.
“Of course I did,” Pol replied with a laugh. “I just gave Howard a warning earlier. But regrettably, the Ghost fighters failed to seize the opportunity. Now that the gold net is deployed, piercing it will be incredibly difficult.”
Pol was the head of the research division, someone who resembled a scientist more than a commander—specifically, the mad scientist type.
“You don't seem worried. Do you have a solution for this gold net?” Yang Ying inquired.
“No good solution, but there is a clumsy one,” Pol said, spreading his hands. “I know a bit about Yue particles. That gold net will discharge current at any metallic object that approaches it. That includes missiles or fighters.”
Yang Ying asked again, “Not even the Ghost fighters? Can’t they pass through the mesh openings to attack?”
“Impossible,” Pol shook his head. “Those Yue particle streams don't care about stealth. It’s similar to the principle of Psi Storm—it’s an area-of-effect attack. Don’t let the mesh openings fool you; as soon as a Ghost fighter passes through, it’ll be electrocuted dead.”
“Can we use Boron again?”
Pol continued shaking his head. “Those gold spheres are the nodes of the gold net; they can withstand immense voltage. The Boron strike was useless against them.”
Yang Ying fell silent for a long moment, then said, “The fighters can’t attack, and Boron won't work. Does your clumsy method involve using the Uranium-ray cannon to take down that Laureate-class battlecruiser?”
Pol adopted an exaggeratedly surprised expression. “My commander is indeed perceptive, guessing my clumsy method immediately! If I were to suggest something, it would have to be that. After all, the gold net only blocks metal, not Uranium rays.” He shrugged, and his tone suddenly shifted. “However, I’m not an expert in combat. Howard is different; he will surely come up with other methods.”
While the two were conversing, the twenty squadrons of Ghost fighters were on standby due to the presence of the dual-layered gold nets.
Since continued attack was known to be futile, further strikes would only be a waste of ammunition.
Fortunately, other than the Golden Flame, all the other disabled warships had been eliminated one by one, just as planned. The anti-ship missiles carried by the Ghost fighters had their power fully demonstrated in this engagement.
Soon, only one warship remained on the entire battlefield, the gleaming, gold-flamed Golden Flame battlecruiser encased in the gold net. The rest of the Laureate Fleet had been completely wiped out.
“It’s hard to take a bite out of a turtle shell?”
Howard stared at the Golden Flame on the screen, deep in thought. He tapped his index finger rhythmically against the armrest of his command chair—a small habit he indulged in when concentrating.
“Connect me to Pol,” he instructed the aide beside him.
Yang Ying was relaying orders when Pol’s voice cut in, “Well, well, speak of the devil, Howard is calling me. I’ll pull him into the channel too.”
A second later, Howard appeared on the holographic screen. Seeing Yang Ying already on the line, he snapped to attention and saluted. “Commander.”
Yang Ying nodded. “Carry on. Don't mind me.”
“Yes, sir.” Howard had also sought Pol’s input regarding the gold net. After extracting some clues, a look of understanding dawned on his face. “I see. I have a way to deal with that gold net.”
“Really?” Yang Ying exclaimed with pleasant surprise. “To devise a method so quickly after learning the properties of Yue particles—truly remarkable!”
“Don’t tell me you’re planning to have our three heavy cruisers engage that battlecruiser in a pure artillery duel?” Pol asked, his mind still stuck on destroying the Golden Flame using cannon fire.
“If you’re willing to go back there and fire a few Boron missiles to completely disable that warship again, then an artillery duel would certainly be feasible,” Howard said with a smile.
“Boron missiles? No problem. This time, each of our tech cores brought over a dozen Boron missiles; that should be plenty,” Pol stretched, working out his kinks and cracking his knuckles, looking ready to show off.
Seeing Pol eager, Howard immediately stopped him. “I was joking with you. I have another method!”
Pol shrugged it off. “I was joking with you too. That warship’s energy shielding won't be weak. If two Boron missiles don't destroy the key components, ten missiles will yield roughly the same result. Me going over there would be pointless!”
Howard laughed heartily and nodded. “Good. I’ll handle the warship first. We’ll chat again after the battle concludes.” He closed the communication link.
Yang Ying knew that both men maintained their optimism and could joke precisely because they felt supremely confident. He turned his gaze back to the physical image on the screen.
Since the physical image originated from observers capable of detecting cloaked entities, Yang Ying could see all fifty squadrons of Ghost fighters in their stealth configurations.
After about a minute, the Ghost fighters seemed to receive orders. They converged, positioning themselves about a hundred kilometers above the Golden Flame. Then, squadron by squadron, they lined up and began a downward dive!
During the descent, they launched anti-ship missiles, then veered away from their dive path, leaving fifty columns of missiles plunging straight down!
The missiles flew faster and faster, becoming more densely packed. By the end, they were almost touching, jostling as they hurtled toward the point directly below!
The sole target for these twelve hundred anti-ship missiles was the Yue particle emitter port on the warship’s dorsal side!
Yue particles, unlike the pure energy of light-sabers, continuously decay with use and must be replenished constantly from within the Golden Flame. The central part of the Golden Flame’s dorsal armor housed the Yue particle emitter port!
Howard had learned from Pol that this gold net had significant flaws, lagging far behind the Protoss plasma shields.
Protoss plasma shields offered excellent energy and physical defense. Moreover, any point struck on the shield yielded the same result; as long as the shield remained active, no attack could penetrate it.
But the gold net, as an early form of shielding, had many deficiencies. For instance, the gold net could be pierced. Although lightning could detonate the missiles, the fragments from the missiles could still pass through the gold net!
Furthermore, the energy exchange among the nodes was too cumbersome. When attacks were concentrated on a single point, the node's energy distribution flaw prevented it from delivering its full power output.
Frankly, the gold net defended through offense, making it not a true defensive barrier!
Destroying that emitter port with a concentrated barrage of missiles would bring the gold net to an end!
The missile barrage, composed of twelve hundred missiles, slammed into the gold net. The net only generated a few dozen lightning bolts, a stark contrast to the hundreds seen previously.
Lightning detonated the leading few missiles, and subsequently triggered several other missiles clustered near the exterior. However, the dense mass of missiles in the center successfully punched through the gold net’s defense, striking the dorsal emitter!
The golden electric net vanished without a trace.
“This battle is much easier than I imagined,” Yang Ying murmured, knowing the tide had turned. “There’s no challenge to it.”
Pol clearly agreed, stating happily, “If we possessed vastly superior technology yet had to fight a grueling battle to eliminate the enemy, that would only point to an incompetent commander. Is Howard an incompetent commander? Certainly not. Therefore, our easy victory was merely the expected outcome.”
As they spoke, the ventral hangar bay doors of the Golden Flame suddenly opened, unleashing a swarm of fighters that spilled out like bees from a honeycomb. They made no move to engage the Ghost fighters, instead scattering as if attempting to flee?
At that moment, the nearest Ghost fighters were still over a hundred kilometers away!