Chapter 44: Annihilating the Flame Raiders

"Sever the towing beams connecting us to the T2 Black Bears," Ai Er commanded, her eyes flashing with a steely resolve. "Escort ships, engage in close-quarters combat with the enemy starships. Storm and the three T3 Mantis-class destroyers, proceed with the decapitation mission!"

Her cold gaze fixed on the sole remaining T3 battlecruiser of the enemy, Ai Er's order was decisive. This final strike required a full-on charge into the heart of the enemy fleet, where the only remaining resistance was concentrated. The battered left and right flanks of the Flame Raiders had lost all will to fight and were easy pickings for the T2 Black Bears.

The Storm and the T3 Mantis-class destroyers pushed forward, their shields absorbing the brunt of enemy fire as they tore through the opposition, backed by shock missiles and heavy cannon fire. In close-range combat, the superiority of their advanced ship systems became even more apparent.

"Commander, the Storm's main and auxiliary cannons are locked onto the enemy's T3 flagship," a crew member reported.

"Fire!" Ai Er ordered without hesitation.

The Storm's main cannons, fully charged, unleashed a brilliant burst of energy. The beams struck the enemy flagship, a heavily modified T3 battlecruiser. Although its shields were formidable, the patchwork armor was inconsistent, with some sections far weaker than others.

The combined firepower of the Storm's cannons instantly drained the enemy's shields, and the turbo laser beams pierced a critical weak spot in the hull. It wasn't mere luck; Feng Mo's natural talent for precision played a crucial role, making what seemed like coincidences feel inevitable.

The blast hit the munitions storage, setting off a chain reaction. The energy buildup from the full-capacity ammunition stores, which hadn't been used since the battle began, made the explosion catastrophic. The T3 flagship erupted in a series of violent detonations, the fires consuming its interior even though the vacuum of space prevented flames from spreading externally.

"Storm's shields are down to 32%, and our weapon reserves are at 57%," reported Laika from Ai Er's side. "The other three T3 Mantis-class destroyers are in similar condition."

Ai Er's bold decapitation strategy had succeeded, shattering the Flame Raiders' final line of resistance. Meanwhile, Feng Mo watched the enemy flagship's fiery destruction, a pained expression on his face.

"Please don't let the leader die," he muttered. "If he does, we might lose the chance to secure that magnetic field control treasure."

Feng Mo had never doubted the Storm Fleet's victory or Ai Er's command. His primary concern was the mysterious object that could control magnetic fields. That was what he truly coveted.

"Wind Tianyi, take the mecha squad now and capture any survivors from that T3 flagship," Feng Mo finally spoke, breaking his usual silence during the battle.

Ai Er's eyes widened with realization. She had been so focused on the fight that she'd forgotten the importance of that object. Embarrassed, she quickly adjusted her orders.

"T3 Mantis-class destroyers, assist the escort ships in mopping up the enemy remnants. Storm, hold position," Ai Er commanded.

Meanwhile, the ten T2 Black Bears unleashed their deadly claws once more, tearing through the remaining enemy ships. The Flame Raiders hadn't expected this level of ferocity. The T2 Black Bears rammed and shredded enemy vessels with ruthless efficiency, proving they weren't interested in a suicidal last stand—only in sending their opponents to oblivion.

As the T2 Black Bears dominated the battlefield, Feng Mo's attention remained fixed on the enemy flagship. He exhaled in relief when the mecha squad returned, escorting a defeated and shackled Flame Raiders' leader.

Wind Tianyi led the captive to Feng Mo, subtly shaking his head to indicate that they hadn't found the treasure yet.

"Do you want to live or die?" Feng Mo asked the defeated leader calmly.

The enemy leader, his face pale with despair, managed a weak reply. "What's the deal if I live? And what if I choose death?"

Feng Mo's lips curled into a smile. "If you choose life, I'll let you go. If you choose death, I'll throw you into the void. Make your choice."

The leader laughed bitterly. "I know what you want. It's the device that controls the magnetic field, isn't it? You think I'll give it to you? Dream on!"

"Take him away, Tianyi," Feng Mo ordered. "Make him talk. Use whatever methods you need."

"Understood, clan leader. I've observed many interrogation techniques used by our specialists. I'll apply everything I've learned," Wind Tianyi replied ominously, putting psychological pressure on the captive.

Faced with the prospect of brutal interrogation, the enemy leader's courage crumbled. As soon as he was dragged to the airlock, he broke down and pleaded.

"I'll talk! I'll tell you everything! Just spare me!" he begged. "The secret isn't some device. It's one of the asteroids in this belt!"

"One of the asteroids?" Feng Mo's interest was piqued.

"Yes," the leader explained, trembling. "That asteroid emits a powerful biological magnetic field. I suspect it's some sort of living entity, like a dormant hive mother. It releases these waves subconsciously, and a single laser shot will silence it for about three minutes. I don't know why, but it just does."

"A living asteroid, afraid of light... How fascinating," Feng Mo mused, intrigued.

Most asteroids only carried weak magnetic fields, barely affecting anything above a T2 starship. But this one emitted biological waves strong enough to disrupt even T4 systems. This discovery was extraordinary.

"Take us to this asteroid," Feng Mo ordered. "After that, I'll decide whether to let you live."

Grasping at the chance to survive, the leader eagerly complied, directing the Storm through the asteroid belt. After fifteen minutes, they reached a massive, dark asteroid. The area pulsed with magnetic energy, rendering all radar and electronic systems useless.

"This is a treasure," Feng Mo realized, already planning to use this place as a hidden base for future T4 starship construction. However, that would need careful consideration and time.

"Ai Er, fire a shot at the asteroid," he instructed.

Ai Er ordered the auxiliary cannons to fire. The laser beam struck the asteroid, and instantly, the magnetic field dissipated. Yet, despite the powerful laser, the asteroid showed no visible damage. It seemed protected by an invisible membrane, repelling light-based attacks without suffering harm.

"Amazing," Feng Mo murmured, noting the asteroid's location on his star map as the radar briefly came back online.

"Let's head back," he finally s

aid. "Time to check on the battlefield and see how the cleanup is going."