Age of Cosmic Exploration

Chapter 460: Yes, this is the Final Battle

"Because space wars, or rather space wars involving level 2 space civilizations and above, have these few key points, and they are the combination of super long distance and close distance combat models. This means that super long distance attacks can only happen during the initial and end stages of the war. The rest of the time, the possibility of close distance combat is much higher than long distance or super long distance combat…

"At the same time, we should have paid focus to the enemy forces' movement as the creator's particle covered the battlefield. During battle, it is very possible for ambushes to appear because the ECS system is something that both sides are unable to dissect, or rather, hiding inside the layer of creator's particle is something we cannot crack. Be it ourselves or the enemies, waiting patiently inside the layer of creator's particle during the middle stages of a war could very well lead to a surprise victory…"

Humanity was a creature of war. The history of humanity is the history of war, or simply put, human history was written by war, be it on Old Earth or after humanity had entered space. The technological advancements in space always served the military and war before serving the people.

Similarly, the research into war strategies of a level 2 space civilization had started at least two decades ago. In fact, there were many famous writings on this. For example, Guang Zhen's "The effect of creator's particle and ECS System on war" and "Ambush for level 2 space civilization and above" written by another strategist. These were main courses for soldiers who joined the Barracks.

In central command, when everyone found out about the ambush, the first thing that crossed their minds was the ambush strategies mentioned in these writings. In fact, the reason they had decided to conduct an ambush there was because they were inspired by the strategies in those writings, but who would have known they would get ambushed by the enemy first?

This AI fleet's combat formula had always been straight-forward, which was to overwhelm via numbers and give relentless pursuit to the target closest to them. They didn't show any signs of having a strategist mind. It was because of this that when humanity came up with their strategy, they used this data as reference. Even though someone had brought up the possibility of the AI being more sinister than they perceived, before the discussion could begin, the shot of Energy Storm near the second defense line had ended this conversation. Everyone believed fully that this AI fleet was one that only knew how to follow strict programming.

Therefore, this ambush was like a lighting bolt in the middle of the day, stunning everyone into disbelief. So this AI also knew tactics like setting up an ambush. They… were not dumb.

"The real dumb ones are us humans! If we always use our previous experience to predict our enemy's actions, we'll never learn. Damn, this is all my fault!"

Yao Yuan slammed his fist on the metallic table, and there were instantly bloody cuts on his fist. Barbie, who stood behind him, immediately screamed, "Get the medical unit over here… Chancellor, calm down, we're in a crucial time. If you lose your footing, it's really over for us humans!"

"But what about them?!" Yao Yuan growled angrily at Barbie. Several seconds later, he took a deep breath and apologized to her. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have vented at you… but what about those people from the vanguard unit? It is because of my carelessness that they're caught in this state. I believe the AI fleet sent out this ambush unit before they moved towards the the second defense line. After the fleet intercepts the vanguard unit, the main AI fleet will be able to head towards the City of Light Moon without resistance…"

This time, Ren Tao, who had been silent, suddenly said, "But this is also an opportunity…"

"Opportunity?" Yao Yuan roared with anger as he glared at Ren Tao. There was a deep, murderous intent in his eyes, and he said chillingly, "You said this is an opportunity? Do you know how many people are in the vanguard unit? There are 200,000 people, including the Defense Unit soldiers and civilians. There are also six full Black Star units and two great scientists. They're now caught in a crisis, and you tell me this is an opportunity? Do you… want to die?"

Ren Tao scoffed with condescension. "You want to kill me? In what name? The singular voting power of the Chancellor? Or libel? If you want to kill me, then do it quick. If you won't, then listen carefully…

"We all understand the importance of the vanguard unit, you don't have to repeat it so many times. I have to knock this into your head: the situation the vanguard unit is in now is not your fault, don't be such a saint and take on all the responsibility. Sending out the vanguard unit and setting up this ambush circle was the decision of the entire strategy department. If there's a party that's wrong in this matter, it'll be all of us and not only just yourself.

"Humanity is a civilization, a race, not your personal f*cking toy, and this is not a war game in your head!"

Yao Yuan stared at Ren Tao, who was as angry as a lion, with a stunned expression. This was the first time he had seen Ren Tao so angry. This man who had always been so quiet and kept to himself was so fearless at this moment. Other than fury, there was something else that Yao Yuan spotted in his eyes, something that wasn't there before… courage.

Ren Tao took several deep breaths before continuing viciously, "Where have you lost your cool and calm head? Where happened to your courage that could sacrifice even yourself? Now… after sacrificing them, we might save even more people and even the whole of humanity! So where the f*ck is your courage?! Do you remember this one sentence that you said? I've forgotten the exact words, but the meaning was, if necessary, you would sacrifice anyone to trade for the continuity of human civilization, and that anyone includes yourself. You've been following that philosophy. We all have eyes, we can see your sacrifice and selflessness, or do you think the role of the Chancellor just fell on your head? Do you really f*cking think we're all slaves without brains? That we all like to put a god above our heads to pray towards it day in and day out?

"It's because of you! It's because you're Yao Yuan! It's because of your bravery and sacrifice, your leadership and hard work, that humanity is still alive today! Now, you wish to give up just because you've suddenly found your morality or simply because you unwilling to let your soldier friends go? You're going to give up on all of us just like that?!"

Yao Yuan slowly recuperated from his daze. He stood up slowly and walked to stand before Ren Tao. Everyone was scared for the man's life, but Yao Yuan merely patted Ren Tao lightly on his shoulders. "I understand, I see it now… Yes, it is as you've said, things should be that way. Since I can be sacrificed… then if necessary, they must be sacrificed as well, but you've forgotten one thing. This sacrifice cannot be undone…

"I must use this AI fleet as an accompaniment to this sacrifice, no, that's not enough…"

Yao Yuan didn't say the rest but promised it internally. "Ol' Wong, Liu Bai, Ebon, everyone… please wait for me. After everything here is over, I'll be joining you in a bit."

"Give out the order. No fleet is allowed to move, stay where they are. The ambush plan is going to continue as usual!

"Stop anyone, any ship from leaving this ambush circle. Anyone who does will be executed as a human traitor…

"Do not allow anyone to use any ships or devices to save or contact the vanguard unit, or they will be executed as a human traitor…"

Yao Yuan continued to give several orders and then he told everyone present, "When we're one hour from the fleet reaching the ambush circle, wake up all the sleeping workers and soldiers. Start the last maintenance of all the weapons and equipment. Get the 16 Black Star units to start preparing, aim the Gravity Cannons at the designated coordinates, have the AI conduct one last simulated war…

"This is the final battle!"

Following Yao Yuan's orders, the ambush circle started to mobilize, be it the Defense Unit or the Black Star Troopers, they prepared for the war silently. In fact, almost everyone knew about the ambush threatening the vanguard unit, and they knew they would receive news of the fall of the vanguard unit soon…

Everyone was silent, but the sadness and fury in their eyes were obvious. There had never been such a moment where there was merely fighting, combat, and death in these people's minds. There was fire, the fire of revenge burning through everyone's soul…

This is our home! We've been chased out of our home twice already! We've been forced to run like cowards twice already! This time… no matter what…

During preparation, a technician soldier suddenly asked a Black Star Trooper, "Sir, I'm sorry, but this battle… is the final battle already?"

The trooper was stunned before replying with a smile, "This battle…

"Yes, it's the final battle!"