Chapter 153: War (Seeking Monthly Votes)

"Hongxian Federation?" Zhong Yun felt a shock in his heart when he heard the name.

No Davorian was a stranger to the name Hongxian Federation. It was an intermediate-level civilization closest to Davor, having attained intermediate-level civilization status a thousand years ago.

The history between the Hongxian Federation and Davor could be described as a tangled web of grievances and profound origins.

Their diplomatic interactions could be traced back seven hundred years, when an exploration team from the Hongxian Federation, already an intermediate civilization at the time, arrived at Davor's borders, initiating centuries of trade between the two nations.

The borders of the two countries were less than a hundred light-years apart. According to the laws of the Great Cosmic Federation, under the premise of voluntariness, two nations could establish a suzerain-vassal relationship.

One side needed resources for development, while the other needed advanced technology, and the two struck it off immediately. After applying to become suzerain and vassal states, a bidirectional wormhole passage was opened with the assistance of the Gean Empire.

The two countries entered a grand era of trade, with Davor trading raw materials like ores for high-tech products and technology from the Hongxian Federation. Both sides took what they needed.

This trade relationship was maintained until a hundred years ago. Davor's terrifying pace of development caused unease among the higher-ups of the Hongxian Federation. In less than six hundred years, Davor's national strength showed a trend of catching up.

Coupled with jealousy over Davor's uniquely advantageous geographical position—within a tiny ten-light-year radius, there were actually thirteen habitable natural stars.

(It was previously mentioned that Davor's sphere of influence was only 0.5 light-years, which was indeed a bit problematic and is now corrected to 10 light-years.)

One must know that the entire Hongxian Federation had only seven habitable stars, yet its sphere of influence approached one hundred light-years.

Had it not been for the highest decree of the Great Cosmic Federation—prohibiting intermediate civilizations from initiating wars against primary civilizations—the Hongxian Federation would never have let slip such a fat piece of meat.

More than a hundred years ago, the Hongxian Federation unilaterally ended their trade relationship, declaring a rupture between the two countries.

For the sake of their respective national interests, the two brother nations that had once stood shoulder to shoulder through thick and thin and developed hand in hand became strangers from then on.

As Davor's national strength continued to grow, friction between the two nations escalated daily. Especially after Davor was promoted to an intermediate-level civilization, the two countries reached an irreconcilable point.

Two tigers cannot share one mountain. Within this range of over a hundred light-years, there were actually two intermediate-level civilizations. For the sake of their future development space, neither country would ever tolerate the other's existence.

The higher-ups and visionary figures of both nations realized that one day, a war concerning the survival of their respective nations would erupt.

They just hadn't expected this day to arrive so soon.

Zhong Yun only felt bitterness in his mouth. Why did this war have to break out at this moment? If it were delayed by a few years, he might have had enough strength to help Davor win this war.

Right now, aside from this ship, the Mars, he didn't even have a single mecha.

Zhong Yun felt incomparably depressed and struck the armrest fiercely.

He had to do something.

Zhong Yun raised his head, an incomparably resolute light gleaming in his eyes. Davor had his parents, friends, and lover. That was his second home, and he could not let the flames of war destroy everything he held dear.

"What is the current battle situation ahead?" Zhong Yun asked with a solemn expression.

"The battle is nearing its end. The Hongxian Federation holds the advantage with seven warships remaining. Davor has two warships left. According to projections, the Davorian side cannot hold out for another two hours," Zero reported the battlefield situation.

Zhong Yun lowered his head and thought for a moment. "What price would the Mars have to pay to defeat the seven warships of the Hongxian Federation?"

Black light flickered in Zero's eyes. "The Mars is equipped with one thousand five hundred and seventy electromagnetic cannons of various sizes. The number of mechas is zero, and the number of space fighters is zero... Based on calculation results, the win rate of the Mars is less than sixty percent."

Zhong Yun drew in a sharp breath. The Mars was his most important asset, and twice when he encountered danger in the universe, it was entirely thanks to this ship that he turned peril into safety. Moreover, his round trips to Qiyun Star relied completely upon it.

If he were to lose the Mars, he truly could not imagine what would become of him.

Even as a layman, he could not fail to notice the special features of the Mars. Especially after understanding the ship's performance, he refused to believe Xiao Ling's nonsense that the Mars was bought. Not to mention whether Free Star had a spacecraft of this caliber for sale—even if it did, the price would definitely be an astronomical figure. Could the Xiao Ling of back then afford it?

A win rate of less than sixty percent? Zhong Yun immediately dismissed the idea of charging in frontally to save people and began racking his brains. "What about activating the stealth system? Will we be discovered if we approach?"

"During flight, the stealth effect of the Mars will be drastically weakened. The probability of approaching without being detected is less than twenty percent." Zero's words shattered his plan.

Zhong Yun rubbed the bridge of his nose, a flash of inspiration sparking in his mind as another idea occurred to him. He asked, "What if we remain completely stationary?"

"There is a ninety percent chance of not being detected."

Xiao Ling's words made his spirit perk up. "Can you find a way to contact that Davorian warship?"

"This will take a little time." Xiao Ling's black eyes flashed continuously.

Zhong Yun steadied his nerves and waited on the side. Although burning with anxiety, he did not dare to urge aloud. Those two Davorian warships were already in imminent danger; for every second delayed, countless Davorian soldiers might perish there.

After nearly two minutes, the black light in Xiao Ling's eyes stopped. "Done."

A panoramic video appeared before Zhong Yun, displaying an officer in crisp blue military uniform with graying hair. Upon seeing the young Zhong Yun, a trace of surprise flashed in his eyes, though his face maintained its composure. "Your Excellency has forcefully connected to our warship; I wonder what instruction you have."

The elderly officer spoke in a resounding voice, using the universal cosmic language.

"Are you the captain?" Zhong Yun asked in the Davorian language, having no time for pleasantries.

Hearing the Davorian language, the elderly officer raised his brow and looked deeply at Zhong Yun. "Indeed."

"Captain, Your Excellency, I harbor no malice. The situation is currently critical. If you trust me, please break through toward coordinates xxxx.xxxx.xxxx. Time is short, please make a decision as soon as possible," Zhong Yun said very seriously.

In the background behind the old man, countless personnel in blue military uniforms could be seen bustling about. The old captain furrowed his brows deeply, clearly caught in a difficult deliberation.

Zhong Yun felt extremely anxious, wishing he could grab the man by the neck and tell him, "I bear you no malice." Unfortunately, the other party's thoughts were not so easily influenced by him.

"Captain, the fighter unit is running out of support," the anxious voice of the old captain's executive officer rang out.

The captain tightened his expression and raised his head. "Hear my command: order the mecha unit to provide cover and concentrate firepower. Our ship will prepare to break through toward coordinates xxxx.xxxx.xxxx. Also, notify the Songshan to follow our ship's actions."

After issuing the command, he looked deeply at the young man in the video whose expression had relaxed. *I hope this decision of mine is correct.*

The reason he hadn't chosen to break through earlier was that the enemy's speed was much higher than their own; even if they broke through, they would be quickly overtaken. Since they couldn't escape, it was better to fight to the death in hopes of taking down more enemies.

As for surrendering, this fleet commander had never once entertained the thought. As a soldier who had survived alongside Marshal Yang Tianlie fighting pirates fifty years ago, courage and blood boiling for a desperate fight were the things he lacked the least.

Yet, fighting to this point, he knew the situation was irreversible. The disparity in strength was far too vast; the enemy had seven warships, every single one of them more advanced than their own. The only reason they had managed to hold on until now was entirely thanks to the fearless and heroic dedication of the fighter pilots, who repelled wave after wave of enemies.

The enemy's seven ships did not directly participate in the fighting; instead, they formed a perimeter, surrounding Davor's two warships.

The enemy commander wanted to capture these two stubborn enemy ships cleanly and with minimal casualties. Going head-to-head with them was the most unwise choice. He was simply waiting for the enemy to reach the end of their rope and surrender.

In space warfare, it was extremely rare for one side to fight to the very last man. When at a disadvantage, surrendering was common practice. After all, one's own life was the most important thing.

However, the people of the Hongxian Federation underestimated the Davorians' determination to safeguard their homeland.

"Sir, the enemy's fighters have gathered in large numbers, and the mecha units have also sortayed. It seems they want to break through," a battlefield staff officer stood up, reporting the staff's findings.

"Break through?" The commander stroked the mustache at the corner of his lips and smiled. "They finally couldn't help but try to break through."

An enemy driven to the edge with their backs against the wall was the most troublesome kind for any commander. Although holding the advantage, securing victory often demanded a heavy price. No commander was willing to face such an adversary.

In such circumstances, leaving one side of the encirclement open was the most commonly used tactic by commanders, the purpose being to weaken the enemy's determination to fight to the death.

The commander of the Hongxian Federation had left a large gap in the encirclement precisely to lure the enemy into a breakout. Fleeing enemies were much easier to deal with; as long as they chased their tails, glorious results could be achieved without paying any heavy price.

Fighters and mechas led the charge ahead. Perhaps knowing this was their only chance of survival, Davor's fighter and mecha units erupted with unprecedented morale. Each of them disregarded their own safety, catching the blocking enemy off guard and quickly carving out a bloody path.

The two main warships also struck out, their massive main guns destroying over a dozen enemy fighters with every single volley.

With the Hongxian Federation deliberately holding back, Davor's two warships broke through the blockade after taking only two electromagnetic cannon hits, maximum thrusters engaged as they fled forward.

"Let's beat these stray dogs." The commander of the Hongxian Federation fleet seemed to have already seen the goddess of victory smiling upon him, and issued an order: "All forces, pursue!"

Seven main ships and countless fighters and mechas pursued the enemy, biting closely at the tails of those two warships.

"Captain, the rear-guard Fighter Group One has been completely wiped out."

"Captain, the stern of the Songshan took a direct hit, auxiliary power room completely destroyed."

"Mecha Group Two has been wiped out from the commander down."

Captain Davor's heart ached as if being sliced by knives; these were all such outstanding soldiers, yet now they were destined to sleep here forever.

"Captain, if this continues, I'm afraid... I'm afraid..." The chief of staff stood up, profound grief etched on his face, "...I'm afraid the entire fleet will be annihilated."

The captain looked at him, his gaze as cold and sharp as a blade, a formidable aura striking silent awe into everyone in the control room. "There is only a Zhang Haokun who dies in battle; there is no Zhang Haokun who surrenders."

"Prepare a mecha for me." Captain Zhang Haokun rose to his full height, iron-blooded passion surging across his aged yet upright face. "If you want to take my life, Zhang Haokun, then come and get it."