Chapter 323: The Unexpected Reinforcements

Chapter 323: Chapter 323: The Unexpected Reinforcements

Zhao Chen admired this masterpiece of a scene.

After completing their ’interception mission,’ the five T3 Phantom Sting-class Light Interstellar Stealth Bombers swiftly withdrew from the battlefield.

Earlier, Charlotte had not assigned any combat tasks to these five T3 Phantom Sting-class Light Interstellar Stealth Bombers precisely because, in this battle, this type of starship was not suited for the usual decapitation tactics.

See that dark, swarming mass of the Zerg Swarm?

Forget whether these T3 Phantom Sting-class Light Interstellar Stealth Bombers could successfully infiltrate and cross the Zerg Swarm to reach their targets; even if they managed to stealthily sneak through, once the mission was completed and they had expended most of their offensive capabilities, would they be able to retreat?

Even with their full-coverage star shields, the T3 Phantom Sting-class Light Interstellar Stealth Bombers would likely be doomed.

Therefore, Charlotte had assigned them a special task early on.

When the third defense line collapsed and the interstellar fleet retreated to the fourth defense line, they would provide cover for the withdrawal.

Judging by the current situation, this task had been executed perfectly.

All starships had withdrawn to the fourth defense line, where they were reorganizing their combat formations.

Moreover, witnessing the astonishing bombing spectacle of the T3 Phantom Sting-class Light Interstellar Stealth Bombers had slightly dispelled the gloom in the hearts of the Stargate Garrison Fleet.

"Report. The five T2 Lion King-class Heavy Interstellar Missile Ships have completed resupply and are ready to provide fire support to the battlefield again!" The wolf girl Bai Xue reported eagerly to Zhao Chen and Charlotte.

"Await my attack command," Charlotte said.

Although the Swarm had suffered this wave of interception from the T3 Phantom Sting-class Light Interstellar Stealth Bombers, their offensive momentum had not been significantly affected. After all, the sheer size of the Zerg Fleet was right there.

So far, the damage inflicted on them was less than 5%, merely slowing down their pace of destroying the Stargate.

At this moment, the Eldest Son of Morton proactively contacted Zhao Chen.

"Commander... it is an honor to fight alongside you here.

The formidable combat capability of your fleet has left us in awe.

But we all know very well that the Morton Stargate cannot hold out any longer.

This fourth defense line can only hold for another half an hour at most. By then, the condition of my starships will be such that we cannot establish a fifth defense line."

The Eldest Son of Morton said with a bitter smile, "Although we ultimately lost the Stargate, no matter what, the people of the Stellar Glory Empire will know in the future that here, the Morton Fleet held out for nearly two hours!

The Morton Star System has no cowards!"

Zhao Chen looked at him, knowing he had more to say.

"Once again, thank you for your support. I have also learned from my subordinates about your identity and your past heroic legend.

Galaxy Lord of the Fierce Dragon Star System, Viscount Zhao Chen.

You once led a single starship straight into Zerg-controlled territory to rescue the Two-Academy Fleet.

You and your fleet should not perish here with us.

Later, my fleet will cover your retreat. The Stargate will also reserve its final passage capacity. Please, Viscount Zhao Chen... leave!"

Seeing that Zhao Chen was about to speak, the Eldest Son of Morton placed his hand over his heart and said solemnly, "Please, Viscount, grant me this final wish!"

Zhao Chen looked at the young man before him and smiled.

He had witnessed the dark side of the Stellar Glory Empire—the deceit among its people, the betrayals among nobles, and the ugliness of a prince leading the shadowy slave trade.

Yet, within the Stellar Glory Empire, there was also a brighter side, noble offspring like this who fought bravely and remained true to their mission.

"I’d like to grant your wish, but I don’t want to bear the stigma of being a deserter.

Besides, who says we can’t hold this Stargate?" Zhao Chen shrugged.

The eldest son of Morton appeared anxious, never expecting Lord Zhao Chen to be so ’stubborn.’

This time, it was the eldest son of Morton who was interrupted.

Zhao Chen raised his hand, signaling for the eldest son of Morton to wait for what he would say next: "My fleet will continue fighting here for half an hour.

If, after half an hour, there is still no turning point in this battle,

I will lead my fleet away.

Will that satisfy you?"

Half an hour...

The eldest son of Morton thought it over and nodded.

"What’s your name?" Zhao Chen asked with interest, looking at the young man.

Until now, he had only known this young man was the eldest son of the lord of the Morton Star System, but he didn’t know his name.

"Xu Yifan," the young man replied somewhat shyly.

"Xu Yifan, son of Count Morton. I’ll remember you," Zhao Chen said with a smile, ending the communication.

Secretary Officer Lilith spoke beside Zhao Chen: "The Xu family of the Morton Star System is one of the largest families in the North Wind Star Domain, largely because they control the resource-rich Morton Star System.

The Xu family essentially holds half the resource lifeline of the North Wind Star Domain.

But during this Zerg Crisis, the head of the Xu family—Count Xu, the father of this young master—perished.

The Xu family’s direct fleet was reduced to less than a tenth.

It’s likely... after this crisis, many other forces will set their sights on the Xu family’s assets."

Zhao Chen remained silent, turning his gaze to the ongoing battle.

Soon, a second starship from the Fierce Dragon Fleet was lost—another T2 Black Rhino-class Interstellar Heavy Assault Frigate.

Targeted by a T4 Hunter-class Leviathan, its starship armor severely damaged, the captain urgently ordered an evacuation.

Fortunately, all twenty crew members evacuated before the starship exploded.

Under the cover of T3 Phoenix-class Starfighters, they safely retreated to the T3 Andromeda-class Interstellar Medical Ship.

Zhao Chen crossed his hands, resting them against his mouth, silently watching the battle.

Time passed minute by minute.

Starships from the defending fleet continued to suffer damage and fall.

Although reinforcements kept arriving through the Stargate during this time,

most were T2 Starships and T1 Interstellar Warships, and their rate of arrival couldn’t keep up with the rate of losses.

The original Imperial Army fleet stationed here, once three hundred starships strong, was now reduced to fewer than a hundred.

Of the ten T3 interstellar warships, only three remained, fighting on.

The flagship of the Imperial Fleet had long since been lost, with command authority transferred to the deputy fleet commander.

The entire situation seemed to declare that the fall of the Morton Stargate was only a matter of time.

The fourth defense line was now hanging by a thread.

Everything at this point was nothing more than a desperate struggle.

As if guided by some inexplicable intuition.

Zhao Chen turned his gaze toward the Stargate.

At that moment, a series of distinctive starships emerged from the Stargate, appearing in the docking area ahead.

On each of these starships, a golden character "Chu" was prominently displayed!

Ten ships... thirty ships... fifty ships... one hundred ships... three hundred ships...

Whoosh!

A massive starship stood towering among them.

Every soldier in the Stellar Glory Empire would undoubtedly recognize this type of starship!

The North Wind God-class Heavy Interstellar Battleship!