Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high! Chapter 1097 - 743: Demon Awakening! (2)

One of the primary goals of the United Fleet was the eradication of Helen's suspected advanced industrial and research sites, which were potentially incorporating Intelligent Mechanical Technology.

Notwithstanding robust defenses and dispersed strategic placements, numerous vital factories, docking facilities, and laboratories ignited, releasing dense plumes of smoke under incessant orbital barrages and surgically precise assaults.

The forces tasked with ground-based anti-air defense and overall security sustained extensive casualties.

"Sir! The 'Sky Dome' shield's energy reserves are at a mere 37%! Generators seven, nine, and twelve have suffered overload and damage!" Catherine's voice was strained and urgent within the command center. "Only three orbital defense platforms retain basic operational firepower! The 'Sharp Blade' frigate has been lost! 'Thorn' is critically damaged and must withdraw from combat!"

Inside his Mecha's cockpit, Bai E absorbed the unfolding battle reports with a composed demeanor while skillfully evading heavy incoming fire.

He could distinctly sense the immense strain exerted upon the battlefield.

Individual bravery offers minimal impact in a cosmic conflict of planetary scale, particularly when one's faction faces an overwhelming disadvantage.

He exerted his absolute maximum, managing to secure a small sector of airspace and forestall the complete disintegration of the defense line, yet the overall tide of the battle remained unfavorable.

"Transmit orders for the 'Thorn's' crew to abandon ship and utilize escape pods for return to the surface." Bai E's voice resonated through the encrypted channel, maintaining its steadiness but tinged with a discernible gravity. "Direct all ground contingents to prepare for urban combat engagement and subterranean defensive operations once the shield inevitably fails. Helen, what is the status of the key personnel and data transfer?"

Helen's reply was swift, punctuated by the cacophony of shrill explosions and blaring alarms in the background: "The majority of the core team and the 'Divine Fragment' analysis data have been successfully relocated to deep subterranean shelters. However, certain large-scale equipment and production lines... will not be able to be moved."

Then, an astonishing shift took place!

A gunner operating the main cannon aboard the 'Shield', a frigate of the 'New Thorn Flower'-class, suddenly discovered his control interface rendered completely unresponsive.

Despite his every effort, the turret's rotation, targeting acquisition, and charging sequence remained outside his command. Instead, with an astonishingly precise velocity far exceeding his personal capabilities, it autonomously acquired a target on a distant maneuvering enemy destroyer, and then... unleashed its main armament!

A beam of dark gold energy, discharged at an acute and unexpected trajectory, narrowly missed the edge of a friendly 'Dawn's Edge' Mecha, impacting with absolute precision upon the jet exhaust port of that very destroyer!

A catastrophic explosion rippled through the destroyer's aft section.

The gunner stood in a state of bewildered shock, a reaction mirrored by his comrade beside him.

On the bridge, the helmsman gazed in horror as the ship's thrusters appeared to act with independent volition, executing a complex series of evasive maneuvers that defied his understanding. These movements perfectly sidestepped several incoming plasma cannon blasts while simultaneously positioning the vessel for an optimal broadside attack.

"Report from 'Shield'! The warship... the warship's systems are out of control! It's fighting autonomously!" The captain's voice, laden with sheer terror and disbelief, crackled across the fleet's communications network.

Almost instantaneously, analogous phenomena began erupting throughout the New Bauhinia encampment!

One frigate, sluggishly moving due to prior damage, suddenly surged forward with inexplicable speed, charging into the enemy formation with a nearly suicidal audacity. Just moments before being obliterated by concentrated enemy fire, it discharged all its remaining munitions and secondary artillery rounds towards a cruiser's command tower, sowing considerable disarray.

On the ground, several 'Dawn's Edge' model Mechas, previously immobilized by pilot incapacitation or system malfunctions, abruptly powered back to life. With movements that were somewhat rough yet undeniably purposeful, they advanced toward the most intense combat zones, utilizing their damaged chassis as bulwarks to absorb critical enemy attacks directed at allied units.

Even more unnervingly, the energy cores and conduits within the destroyed and partially ruined friendly vessels and Mechas began to emit peculiar, rhythmic, faint pulses of light, as if conveying some form of communication.

"What is unfolding?! Why are our ships and Mechas moving of their own accord?!"

"Could it be a viral intrusion? Electronic warfare initiated by the Star Alliance?!"

"No! This level of autonomous control... it surpasses the skills of even our finest Mech Pilots and captains!"

"Urgent report! All ground-based intelligent machinery production lines and automated defense turrets have been activated! No command signals have been received! They are independently targeting enemy units within operational range!"

Confusion, dread, and utter disbelief cascaded through the New Bauhinia communication channels.

While already grappling with a formidable external adversary, their own armaments and vehicles had now inexplicably "come alive," no longer fully adhering to direct orders!

This development was nothing short of adding severe insult to profound injury!

Yet, with haste, Helen stationed in the command center, alongside certain technical specialists, their minds connecting the bizarre spectacle before them with their profound knowledge of intelligent mechanical systems, arrived at a chilling realization.

"This flawless, beyond-human precision in coordination... the relentless operation despite hardware failures... the immediate, comprehensive battlefield awareness and the calculation of the best possible strategy..." Helen's countenance drained of color. She recollected the reserved demeanor of Bai E when incorporating intelligent machinery on Mine Star, the fearsome legend of the "Electronic Demon," and her own previous firm belief that "these artificial intelligences are truly willing partners."

"Could it be... is it truly that?" Helen's voice quivered, "The Electronic Demon? It... didn't perish? Or perhaps... it reawakened during our extensive deployment, integration, and widespread networking of intelligent mechanical technology? Or maybe... it was perpetually 'confined' within the fundamental programming of the intelligent machinery network, patiently awaiting this very moment?"