During the stretch that Zhao Chen and the others were out of contact, the Owl Dragon System had suffered, from every direction, the assault of some dozens of hive-race fleets — the large ones reaching 2,000 or 3,000, the small ones 300 to 500.
The total came to near 30,000!
"30,000 again! Over on our side there were 100,000 bug-swarm, half of which we wiped out — and I never thought there'd be 30,000 more over there. Just how much bug-swarm does Qin Xiaotian have in hand!" Zhao Ruyue said, knitting her brows.
"Then how stands the Owl Dragon System's battle now? Should we hurry straight back to support them!" Zhao Wan'er, beside her, said in worry.
Lilith answered: "By the battle-word sent back so far, the fighting is still going on. But the situation is fairly favorable. Shen Bing has led the Owl Dragon Third Legion in valiant battle; relying on the six T3 Storm Fortress-class large star-ports completed earlier in the Owl Dragon System, and the unbroken combat-material supply from the interstellar-industrial-ship fleet-group— —she's pinned down the momentum of the hive-race fleet's assault. At present the fighting is contained to several local battlefields — Storm Fortress No.2, Storm Fortress No.3, the zone north of the interstellar-industrial-ship fleet-group's station. The Owl Dragon Third Legion's loss-rate has reached 20% so far; fortunately, because there are ample combat resources to draw on, Shen Bing's interstellar warships can launch attacks without a care. As of now they've consumed 30 billion star coins' worth of combat resources. They've wiped out over 20,000 hive-race fleet. Besides, some planets suffered hive-race-spore air raids, but no city has fallen; the situation is still under control, and losses aren't very great," Lilith said.
Hearing all Lilith recounted, everyone let out a breath.
Fortunate the Owl Dragon System had all along been ground Zhao Chen built; its military facilities there were most complete, and with the Owl Dragon Third Legion garrisoning it, though it faced 30,000 bug-swarm—
—after all, the high-grade Hive Motherships were few, the top-tier combat power lacking, so the ferocity of the fighting was in fact below that of a true hive-race fleet.
"Though the Owl Dragon System's situation isn't in danger, we can't take it lightly either. Lilith, relay a command to the Owl Dragon System — arrange a batch of T4 Lucent-class Interstellar Jump-Ships to bring interstellar supply ships and interstellar industrial ships over here. So our two legion-fleets can finish resting and repairing fast, and return to the Owl Dragon System. Chitong, tally up the interstellar warships of the Owl Dragon First and Second Legions that are in sound combat condition, muster them into a temporary task-force, and return first to the Owl Dragon System to take part in the defense, and cut down the Owl Dragon System's losses," Zhao Chen said.
Command after command was relayed; besides, some other questions and response-plans were discussed.
The two Owl Dragon Legion fleets, having just rested a while, sprang into motion once more.
Chitong, Lilith, and the others all went off to arrange the work; Zhao Wan'er looked at her sister with reluctance, but wearing the clothes she wore, Zhao Wan'er knew where her duty lay, and left the meeting room at a brisk step.
"Wan'er truly has grown up." Zhao Ruyue gazed at her sister's departing back, and sighed with feeling.
She walked over beside Zhao Chen, looked at her brother, and asked: "And us? Do you need our help?"
Zhao Chen said: "The bug-swarm in the Owl Dragon System isn't much; since the bug-swarm on our side has withdrawn, that means Qin Xiaotian likely won't launch another large-scale operation. The Owl Dragon System alone we can still settle. Your Imperial Princess Fleet-Group, sister, stays on garrison here, charged with cleaning up the battlefield and reorganizing your fleet-group — but don't take it lightly either; put out more interstellar scout-ships and interstellar patrol fleets. What happened before must not happen again."
Zhao Ruyue nodded, looking at her matured brother: "Then the Owl Dragon System — I leave it to you, my lord Lord."
"Also, tally the interstellar warships your Imperial Princess Fleet-Group lost this time into a report and give it to Lilith; Lilith will settle the fleet-replenishment plan with the Northern Goose Group as soon as possible. And of course, this still goes through the military-aid loan process." Zhao Chen winked at Zhao Ruyue.
Zhao Ruyue naturally knew her brother's meaning; she said, half-laughing: "You're our Princess's great creditor now. Not only has that 300 billion-star-coin little coffer of hers been moved into your pocket— —now in your pocket there are several of her IOUs besides."
Zhao Chen shrugged: "Sister, ours is a small-margin business too; there's a whole crowd at home waiting for your brother to feed them. So on this front, even one's own brother and sister must keep clear accounts!"
Zhao Ruyue blinked, and jabbed an elbow at her brother's chest — and, say what you would, it was quite firm.
"And what if it's your own daughter-in-law?"
Zhao Chen froze.
"I happen to know our Princess quite admires you now — the more so after this recent stretch of further study aboard the Goddess Academy-class Starship; her admiration for you has grown past all bounds. In her bedroom she's even set out no few of your merchandise-products to worship. Before, I could go into her bedroom as I pleased; now she won't even let me in. And she's forever sounding me out for word of you. I've seen it clear — our little princess has feelings for you. How about it — are you interested?" Zhao Ruyue looked at her brother with an ambiguous gaze.
Zhao Chen rolled his eyes, at once stepped back, and said firm and unwavering: "That abacus of hers — I can hear it clicking all the way from the Imperial Capital Star! Don't imagine this way she can wriggle out of the debt! These military-aid loans, come the day, not a coin short — and interest besides! Not a single copper less!"
Trying to hustle me!
No chance!
Zhao Chen wore the very picture of a man on whom neither soft nor hard would work.
Zhao Ruyue shot her brother an eye-roll; this brother of hers was one great oblivious blockhead, not the least tender toward women.
So fine a tall tree as Qin Xiaolei, and he wouldn't lean on it.
Building this Owl Dragon Legion these years, top to bottom so many women soldiers, and he'd of all things not turned out a single sister-in-law for her.
The Owl Dragon System was a great estate; there had to be an heir, no?
Because of this Blue-Crystal Star-Port affair, this thought had arisen in Zhao Ruyue, and after she went back it only grew heavier.
She resolved: since her brother wouldn't catch on, then she, as the elder sister, would naturally have to give the matter a push.
The Zhao family's line could not be allowed to end!
……
The Chu-family legion.
Because of the message Zhao Chen had sent a day before, the Chu-family legion fleet-group had all along been at Tier-1 combat readiness.
Chu Changhe paced back and forth on his own bridge, his face none too good.
Because of the message Zhao Chen had sent, he hadn't rested properly these 24 hours.
At this moment, he'd realized Zhao Chen's importance too.
Zhao Chen's being out of contact for 24 hours left him more unquiet in heart and mind than facing an enemy host 20 times his own number.
Now it seemed there were the Chu-family legion, the Owl Dragon Legion, the Imperial Princess Fleet, and the North Wind legion.
But in truth, the core of it all was one man only.
Zhao Chen!
Lose Zhao Chen, and this seemingly solid alliance system would collapse in an instant.