Skyfire Avenue - Chapter 738

Chapter 738

Chapter 738: Landing

His execution proved effective . They were exchanging fire, but the humans were clearly in a superior position . The aliens’ tightly knit formations worked against them . While their proximity to the human planets prevented Capital ship fire, it also prevented them from using their own advantages .

Crack! A turtle-aliens shielding could no longer hold up to the sustained fire and fractured . The squishy creature below was swiftly reduced to mangled flesh . Its twinkling vital crystal appeared, but was quickly swallowed up by another monster nearby .

Where there was one others soon followed . Before long the defensive line began to collapse . The alien forces were being slowly pushed back as they realized they couldn’t stand up to the human fleets .

For each meter they retreated the human fighters inwardly cheered . Under Kang Hui’s orders they pressed forward, maintaining optimal distance and never letting up .

The universe was on fire, a sea of angry light . Streamers of lethal energy were exchanged back and forth across a dark backdrop . For the first time in the history of their conflict, mankind was overpowering their enemies . So far things were going according to plan .

However, the aliens wouldn’t be so easily defeated . Under the cover of defensive-type creatures they continued to retreat behind the planet they knew their prey wouldn’t harm . Clearly they understood the mindset of the humans, they wouldn’t attack their own .

Kang Hui smirked coolly . Trying to draw them in deep? Not likely .

As the planet came within firing distance Kang Hui gave the order to hold . Ground teams were to prepare for landing .

He was more careful now after the bitter lessons he’d learned before . He wouldn’t easily give the enemy an opportunity to make a fool of him again . Kang Hui knew that the creatures wouldn’t retreat so easily unless they were clearly being beaten . It had to be a diversion, that was the only explanation . Since they didn’t know where the three home worlds were, there was always a chance they could show up when the humans were most vulnerable – like chasing the aliens deeper into their territory . He wasn’t going to allow that to happen .

They had to stick to the plan . Recapturing the human planets was their first priority, then they could go about exterminating the enemy .

“Admiral, ground teams are ready to move at your order . ”

“Give them cover fire, clear out whatever’s in their path . ” Kang Hui coldly commanded .

Lan Jue had received the order back on Zeus-1 . Prepare for incursion!

“What do you think?” The Wine Master asked . They were provided the most up-to-date information . They knew that so far humans have suffered no casualties, while more than a thousand aliens had met their end . However, no vital crystals were left behind . They were all swept up and kept from the hands of their killers .

Lan Jue shook his head . “We’ve only just started, it’s hard to say . We’ll have to wait and see what develops . So far it looks like our strategy is paying off . Get ready, soon it’ll be our turn . ”

“Mh . ” The Wine Master nodded . One by one the other Paragons rose from their meditations . Their eyes burned, they were fighting on behalf of their species .

“Zeus-1 . Zeus-1, this is Middle Heaven . ”

“This is Zeus-1, go on . ” Su Xiaosu was manning the controls and quickly responded to the hails .

“The incursion has begun, engage!” Majesty was also hearing the same command .

“Received, operation is a go!” She confirmed .

She rose to her feet and faced Lan Jue . Star Division’s commander nodded .

Zeus-1 was on the move, closing in on its target planet . With Majesty, they were responsible for the largest of the four worlds, Monteux . Obviously Paragons would be more effective on the largest planet, the North believed . The hardest task was delegated to the team with the highest chance of success .

Zeus-1 and Majesty closed ranks, and flew wing to wing toward Monteux . Behind them were ten more large transport ships bearing the markings of the Bloodiron Khans . Indeed, An Lun’s mighty adept army would provide aid for the mission . Monteux’s recovery had the lowest chance of failure, especially since Lan Qing was sending in his best people .

His faith wasn’t just in his own people, but in Star Division as well . He believed in Lan Jue’s command . His little brother would make sure their losses were kept as low as possible .

Zeus-1 pulled to the fore . A hail of cover fire kept them from being harassed by enemies on the way in . However, that air support would end once they hit the planet’s atmosphere . They had to be ready for a fierce battle once they reached the surface . The only backup they would be able to rely on was low-flying patrol ships or the odd battleship . Anything larger than that wasn’t going to risk friendly fire .

This presented a problem, but with the North in such a precarious position at home everyone agreed to manage best they could . Nothing was more important than saving their beleaguered compatriots .

As they closed in Lan Jue’s eyes blazed . This would be a true test of Star Division’s capabilities . Behind him the Paragons had risen to their feet and gathered . They stood in silent support of the young commander .

“Let me go!” The Pharmacist called . There was a brutality smoldering in her typically calm face .

Lan Jue shot her a glance . He answered her with a nod . They needed to throw everything they had at this fight, and take advantage of every opportunity .

Lan Jue knew this was her way of apologizing for her actions . No one had spoken ill of her or chastised her actions, but her heart was filled with shame . Lan Jue was an important member of Skyfire Avenue, yet her actions had put him in mortal danger . If something had happened to him it would have been disastrous for everyone .

Lan Jue understood, and wouldn’t dare discourage her . He wanted to help clear her conscience .

She left, then the Wine Master spoke . “Do you want any of us to help her?”

Lan Jue smiled, and shook his head . “No need . She’s the Harbinger Fairy!”

The only Paragon still meditating was Jue Di . All the rest stood behind Lan Jue, watching Monteux grow larger outside the window .

It had used to be a beautiful and vibrant world, a treasure for the North . Although not as important as Luo, it had served as a center of economy and commerce . It was for this reasons Terminator had been stationed nearby . But the planet was different now . Its surface glimmered with a strangely beautiful purple hue . Sadly, it was a beauty rife with death and decay .

From high above they could see something on the surface, moving in surging waves . A host of aliens were waiting for them .

These weren’t manifestations of an infection, like what the progenitors created . These were true aliens . Evidently their strategy had always been to bring the fight to the surface and take advantage of their close-combat strengths .

Lan Jue knew from the briefings that the West and North were sending over thirty mecha divisions and scores of small warships to the other planets . They were manned by their finest converts and acquired Talents . Here, however, the fight would be hardest and backed by the fewest infantry . That was because they had Star Division .

Closer . Their cover fire started to taper off . Five hundred patrol ships and sixty battleships continued to keep the aliens at bay with secondary cannons . Many aliens were hiding in the hazy purple atmosphere of Monteux, waiting for their chance .

Blasts of caustic purple energy were cast into the incursion force, but Zeus-1 deftly avoided them all . Two patrol boats that had pulled ahead to clear the way were not so lucky . They knew the horror they were signing up for, but they volunteered to fight anyway .

When the human ships entered the atmosphere and began to shake, the aliens made their move . Wave after wave of purple blasts streaked past them . Ten patrol boats were instantly dissolved, until the corrosion reached their engine and caused them to explode .

Lan Jue scowled . The enemy was perversely clever, they didn’t engage the humans in open space instead attack them from the ground when they came in range . Without a doubt, what their telescopes had thought were humans were actually these monsters lying in wait . These evil bastards were smart .

Lan Jue saw the truth, but it was too late to change anything . His only option was to soldier on .

Just then a white light overtook their screens . At first it wasn’t intense, but it moved with incredible speed . It cut through the atmosphere like a hot knife through butter, and toward Monteux’s poisoned surface . Whatever purple energy came close was dissolved and dispersed .

“Admiral Lan Qing, call the patrol boats and battleships back from Monteux’s atmosphere . They’re dying in vain . Leave the incursion to us . ” Lan Jue called out .