Chapter 148: Over Half Destroyed

After two waves of attacks, nearly a thousand broodships lay in ruins. But the offensive was far from over. As the Mastodon's suicide drones plunged into the broodship cluster, two T3 Boxers finally unleashed their firepower, each launching a thousand missiles in a single volley, resembling a deadly meteor shower crashing down upon the insectoid fleet.

The explosions erupted in rapid succession, clearing a swath through the broodship cluster. Although the swarm retaliated with bio-plasma cannons, most of these were intercepted by the T4 Blade and Shield frigates, and the few that slipped through were absorbed by the Boxers' shields without causing any serious damage.

Feng Mo had stationed two T4 interceptor bio-ships as bodyguards beside the Boxers, providing high-level, near-impenetrable protection. With their rapid reload speed, the T3 Boxers were capable of launching three consecutive waves before the broodships reached close range, each wave blanketing the enemy cluster in destruction.

As three volleys of missiles rained down, hundreds more broodships were reduced to wreckage, while the drones created additional confusion. The broodship fleet's command vessel struggled to maintain order amidst the chaos.

Yet the sheer loss of numbers finally triggered a desperate reaction from the broodship flagship. The swarm's bio-fields surged as the remaining two thousand broodships directed their focus toward the drones, obliterating hundreds of them in a storm of bio-plasma. Then, the entire swarm turned its attention toward the two T3 Boxers.

Observing this shift on the radar, Feng Mo instructed Han Peipei, "Pull the Boxers back. There's no need to risk them further against the broodship fleet. Have the radar rescan the enemy numbers."

"Radar scan complete. Remaining broodship fleet: 1,970 ships. Of these, 43 are T4 broodships, 146 are T3, 978 are T2, and 803 are T1."

The original 4,000-plus broodships had been reduced to less than 2,000, a surprisingly effective result. Few fleets could match the Firestorm Fleet's unique assets: missile destroyers, stealth bombers, and quasi-T5 carriers.

Most fleets stationed on the second defense line were primarily T4 fleets with few specialized ships, let alone quasi-T5 flagships. Special-class starships were expensive and typically beyond the financial reach of standard fleets, with annual military funding barely covering operational costs. Any gains from missions had to be shared with the crew as incentives, leaving little for reinvestment in fleet upgrades.

The Boxers, following orders, turned and withdrew without hesitation. Though limited to T3 missiles, each volley of a thousand projectiles was devastating. These Boxers were designed not for single combat but as essential strategic weapons for mass destruction.

Once the Firestorm Fleet regrouped, Feng Mo simply waited for the broodships to close in. Half an hour later, a dense field of red dots lit up the radar—a swarm closing in on Z043.

"The Hurricane's main and auxiliary cannons, charge up! Prepare the ten T4 Kangaroo frigates' main and auxiliary cannons as well."

With these commands, the Hurricane emitted a radiant glow, joined by smaller glimmers from ten accompanying ships.

"Radar, initiate targeting system and lock onto all T4 broodships in range. Fire!"

At Feng Mo's order, hundreds of beams shot forth toward the swarm. Without pausing to assess the damage, he issued the next command:

"Two Boxers, fire two thousand more missiles! Launch!"

"The Hurricane's quasi-T5 star destroyer cannon, commence charging. Radar, identify the flagship's location and report."

As he issued commands, Feng Mo glanced at the radar display. Hundreds of beams and a thousand missiles struck the broodship cluster, igniting chain explosions that spread throughout the swarm.

The Firestorm Fleet, in a defensive stance, had torn apart the broodship cluster in successive bombardments, yet the flagship remained hidden. Each broodship cluster contained a command vessel responsible for directing the swarm, and it needed to be found.

Despite their swarm tactics, the insectoid species posed a unique threat to the Federation. With their seemingly endless production capability, as long as their primary hive remained intact and supplied with resources, the broodships could be reproduced in vast numbers.

Insectoids also proved resilient in ground battles. A single insectoid soldier was a formidable opponent, difficult for even a level-one gene warrior to defeat without weapons. Once a planet was surrounded by broodships, swarms would descend, often leaving no survivors. This was why the Federation treated the insectoids as a dire threat.

"Commander, radar has locked onto the flagship's position. Awaiting orders!"

Feng Mo looked at the display and identified the distinct bio-ship that stood out from the others—a T4 vessel in dark gray rather than the usual green, and only about the size of a standard T2 broodship. This was the elusive command vessel, the nerve center of the swarm.

With the flagship located, the Firestorm Fleet was ready

to strike at the heart of the enemy formation.

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