Shadows of the Deep Space Chapter 1609 - 524: The Great Migration (Part 2)

With the Ice Crystal Blade clutched in his grip, Hayes lifted it to ward off the incoming strike.

Right at that instant, hordes of Imperial Army mechas from every angle rushed at Hayes, unleashing volleys of energy beams.

"My lord, we're here to support you!"

Witnessing this rush, Hayes swiftly evaded, yet a few beams still struck him. While they inflicted no real damage, they greatly disrupted his focus.

His eyes then sharpened, and his mouth barely parted.

"Zero Degree World!"

A chilling frost energy instantly emanated from the full frame of the Zero-degree Envoy mecha, expanding outward rapidly.

Sakari promptly guided his mecha backward, but the frosty energy still enveloped him completely.

Mechas in the vicinity, once engulfed by the frosty energy, halted sequentially, standing still as their pilots inside turned into frozen statues; not even their suits could hold back the chill.

Once out of the Zero Degree World, Sakari directed his mecha to test its limbs.

Crack!

Harsh grinding sounds kept coming from every joint of the mecha.

Right then, Hayes piloted the Zero-degree Envoy to abruptly materialize at Sakari’s left side, slashing downward with brutal force.

Caught off guard, Sakari hastily lifted his weapon in his right arm to parry, then used his left shoulder to reinforce the block.

Clang!

A shower of sparks erupted nonstop from the clashing armaments.

While Sakari clenched his jaw to endure the assault, ready to finely control the Blade of Death for a retaliation, he abruptly noticed his whole mecha seemed iced over, with its response time slowing down.

The slowdown wasn't drastic, but in battles among top fighters, it could prove deadly.

Sakari glared icily at the Zero-degree Envoy ahead. This machine posed even greater issues than anticipated.

Furthermore, he discerned Hayes' scheme; the fellow aimed to gradually exhaust him, buying time while leveraging the mecha's traits to sap his strength.

At the same time, the Dark Star Empire's mecha forces endured heavy losses.

Spiked barriers and strongholds fired salvos relentlessly, turning the bold advancing Dark Star Empire mecha ranks into easy marks.

Rumble!

Mecha by mecha got riddled with holes and detonated.

"Ah!"

Shrill cries kept resounding through the comms link.

Within the main command center of the Legendary Level Star Destroyer·Void.

Amie updated the Novkate Corps Commander.

"My lord, things look bad; the Federation's defense armaments are blasting too powerfully—we can't punch through at all."

"Damn it! Fire the anti-matter missiles and carve a way forward for me!"

Novkate pounded the armrest hard, issuing the command with venom.

"Yes!"

Amie responded without delay.

The hull's launch bays numbered 1 through 500,000 on the Legendary Level Star Destroyer·Void swung open anew.

Whoosh whoosh!

Missiles blanketed the heavens, swarming over the Federation's defense systems.

Right away, the Black Tide Fortress along with various defense installations fired off a huge wave of intercepting missiles.

Rumble~

Missiles filled the void detonated across the cosmos, creating a dazzling ribbon of stars.

In that instant, a pair of dark, near-lightspeed anti-matter missiles pierced the blasts, speeding straight into the defense array.

Boom~

Twin dark orbs crackling with lightning surged up, unleashing a horrifying blast that devoured every obstacle in its wake.

Instantly, a pair of massive gaps ripped open in the orb-shaped defense perimeter.

"Brothers, the barriers are down—advance!"

Dark Star Empire troops, fueled like by a rush of excitement, charged ahead with wild zeal.

In the core command hub of Black Tide Fortress.

Lu Mi's expression shifted a bit as he informed Qian Lin.

"A1 and A7 zones penetrated—the foes are pushing inside!"

"Surround them and seal those gaps no matter what!"

Qian Lin commanded right away.

"Yes!"

Lu Mi carried it out swiftly.

Across A1 and A7 sectors, squads from the Fourth Legion in Iron Guard and Green Wing mechas barreled toward the invading Dark Star Empire forces.

Troops on both sides collided fiercely.

Dark Star Empire warriors fought with fierce valor, cutting down Fourth Legion fighters one by one.

Yet the very next moment, a torrent of missiles poured from above.

Rumble!

Blasts threw the Dark Star Empire soldiers into total chaos, then thick clusters of mechas flooded in, unleashing frenzied barrages.

Rumble~

Dark Star Empire personnel dropped successively, as the gaps got plugged up fast again.

Moments later, fresh waves of reserve defenses rolled in, mending the openings.

Witnessing this, Dark Star Empire fighters ground their teeth in fury, yet felt powerless.

Though the Fourth Legion's fighting strength fell short of their own, the abundance of defense gear turned them into an unbreakable wall.

The battlefield's chaos soon locked into deadlock once more.

...

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Cosmic Army Headquarters.

Su Ming yawned widely while stretching, rising from his bunk and making for the washroom to clean up.

As he stepped out from the washroom.

Knock knock~

Raps came at the door.

"Come in."

Su Ming called out clearly.

The entrance swung open next, with Onite wheeling in a food trolley, his tone fawning.

"My lord, breakfast is ready for you!"

"Hmm."

Su Ming accepted without protest, moving to the couch.

Onite quickly arranged the lavish meal on the low table.

While munching, Su Ming asked Onite.

"Onite, what's the status of our legion's funds right now?"

"Nearly bankrupt!"

"Hmm?"

Su Ming eyed Onite with interest.

"The Federation's short on cash; lots of expense approvals are stalled— we're covering all payouts and such at premium levels from our pockets. Also, since our unit's gear is elite, with even newbie vets in Green Wing mechas, upkeep costs are sky-high."

Onite explained, face twisted in woe.

"Got it, that's clear."

Su Ming gave a small nod.