Chapter 2, Shadows

This is a top-secret mission of the Alliance of Os.

General! Please give the order!

This is not acceptable

Ten seconds

"Who triggered the alarm?" Der frowned and said, "I hope this isn't your so-called routine drill." However, deep down, Der preferred to believe that this was just a routine drill alarm. Soon, he was disappointed.

What if they are not here to attack us?" Der raised his head suddenly and said

Five, four, three ... ...

Dulles Alliance Border, Red Matrix Galaxy Defense Forces, flagship Red Rose

They have gone mad," Der murmured, "or perhaps it is I who am mad

"Wait a moment, what are you going to do?" Derji almost jumped up

Derr was very dismissive of Fashier's concerns.

"Yes, General," Fashir said, standing beside Der. "The large-scale quantum wave interference is affecting the fleet, General."

Let us abandon those things, General, it is too dangerous

However, everything that followed was not right

We were attacked

Its arrival went unnoticed by human observation posts, quietly observing from a distance. Due to extremely advanced stealth technology, neither side engaged in combat detected its presence. Perhaps some humans had already discovered it, but the commander of this mysterious spacecraft believed that those who had traced their race had been eliminated in the recent battle. The destroyed human fleet had taken what they should not have taken, the "items." Now, under the clever interference of this unknown race, they mistakenly moved in front of another human fleet and were annihilated, and the "items" were destroyed along with them. Clearly, it was satisfied with this outcome, which aligned perfectly with their usual style. After observing for a while, the fleet began to migrate gracefully, moving cautiously and as discreetly as possible into the distance. The light from the matrix star inadvertently illuminated it; it was unlike any human vessel, emanating a faint blue glow, pulsating as if alive, shimmering, smooth and elegant, reaching the highest realm of the fusion of machinery and aesthetics, silently displaying itself like a work of art, lonely and proud, only the universe could attest to its existence, only eternity could coexist with it. Then, around it, a blue quantum field appeared, which, compared to the human quantum field, seemed like a child's ridiculous toy. It reached the highest realm of the fusion of machinery and aesthetics, silently displaying itself like a work of art, lonely and proud, only the universe could attest to its existence, only eternity could coexist with it. Then, around it, a blue quantum field appeared, which, compared to the human quantum field, seemed like a child's ridiculous toy. Passing through the quantum field, this mysterious spacecraft instantly vanished hundreds of light-years away, clearly far surpassing humanity's primitive and simple light-speed transportation technology.

Dare could not help but gasp in surprise

Is that so? Der Er had no choice but to gather his spirits and look at the information transmitted from the observation post

***

At the same time

"General," Fashir said, "if we do not act this way," he pointed at the fireball outside, "then it may be us who need rescuing now."

They are taking advantage of our psychology regarding *illustrated* books, General, make your decision quickly!

All of this has never been discovered by humanity. The victorious side is currently engulfed in a frenzy of triumph and a panic about the future. No one anticipated the profound impact its emergence would have on humanity.

Thus, the Kremala fleet arrived at this unnamed star system. Everything started off smoothly, and although those "cargoes" were somewhat unsettling, the Kremala fleet successfully completed the mission, carefully loading the "cargoes" onto the cargo ship

The quantum field disappears five thousand miles in front of my defense

"There is no time left," Fashier shook his head and said quickly, as if racing against time. "The best moment to strike the enemy is the instant the quantum field just disappears. The enemy ships lack the capability to establish an effective protective field; that is our only opportunity"

This is gambling, General! Fashir also began to feel anxious due to De'er's hesitation, raising his voice, "The Osman fleet is not here for sightseeing! Attack immediately, General!"

"I will go to a military court," Der stared at Fashir nervously.

Fashel let out a sigh of relief and immediately issued the command: "All hands, attention!" "Fire!" Fashel's hand came down.

General

The loudspeaker in the command room suddenly blared. De'er couldn't help but shudder. The debate ceased, and everyone in the command room instinctively looked up at the three-dimensional projector, which displayed images transmitted from the observation post. De'er was horrified to see a massive armed fleet; due to the effects of the quantum field, some of the main battleships appeared blurry and dark, making it almost difficult for him to breathe.

General, our artillery fire has no effect on them

General! It is either we die or they do; there are no other choices now

Dier's heart skipped a beat again

"General, please forgive me, this is a Level 1 combat alert." Fashir's expression remained unchanged, and his tone was very calm, as if he were as composed as during a drill

Furthermore, Mentelson's stern gaze seemed to penetrate through the screen. "We are mobilizing your fleet during the normal rotation period, with the aim of preventing the Dorrus Alliance from detecting the movements of the Klimara fleet. Therefore, the Klimara fleet must not disclose its whereabouts. If discovered by the Dorrus Alliance, it may be necessary to destroy the 'cargo' being carried."

General

Der did not speak, he simply watched. After a while, in the silence, he spoke: "Colonel Fashal, if their deaths were innocent, who will bear the responsibility for this?"

The front-facing three-dimensional screen is displaying a multitude of complex lines and parameters, densely packed and dazzling to the eyes. However, any soldier with a modicum of common sense can discern the situation. After not having looked at the diagrams and charts for long, Der's expression changed.

Distance

Let us maintain the current situation, General Der. It was as if in response to his thoughts, a piercing alarm sounded on the bridge, followed by the voice of the duty officer through the loudspeaker: "General Der, please report to the command room immediately"

They are coming for these things, the things we are transporting

If such a disturbance occurs one light-year away from the Red Matrix Galaxy, Der will be completely unconcerned, as it can only be a normal rotation of the Os Alliance. Even when this fleet threatens Der's defensive zone, he will have ample time to calmly recall personnel and establish a defensive posture. The critical issue now is that this fleet has directly utilized simple light-speed movement to arrive right under his nose, almost within reach.

"Heaven," De Er murmured, raising his eyes to the sky as if seeking the assistance of a mysterious power, lifting his hands, "Spare me, please," he said softly, "Spare me."

"Eliminate them, General," Fashir said, looking at Der. "Do we have any other options?"

No, it cannot be identified. Fashal continued to look at the screen, "It can only be Os's fleet, the armed fleet. Based on the quality, it should be the original fleet that disappeared in front of us, the Klimara fleet."

Twenty seconds

***

The observation post reported that the quantum field will disappear in thirty seconds

Wishing you good luck. Mentelson's slightly melancholic face disappeared from the communicator

The long alarm sounded throughout the Kriamara fleet. In less than a moment, the entire Kriamara fleet was thrown into chaos

All hands, attention! Emergency light-speed departure! Get away from this damned place!

"General," Fashir bent down, his tone becoming urgent, "General, it is evident that this is a surprise attack. If we hesitate, we will fall right into the enemy's trap. The intentions of the Os Alliance have become quite clear; they are deliberately disrupting our vision and will strike suddenly when we are at our most vulnerable and unguarded."

Fahriel immediately appeared before him

The highest commander of the Red Matrix Fleet, Admiral Der, was currently on the bridge of the flagship. The flagship, the Red Rose, was a simple light-speed vessel, weighing 70 million tons, of the Constitution class. The bridge was designed according to the Alliance's standard fleet specifications, featuring a massive transparent dome. Der shook his head and gazed outward. In the darkness, he could not see the conventional power warships evenly arrayed on either side of the flagship, nor could he see the frigates and countless small minesweepers distributed ahead, let alone the main battleships equipped with plasma railguns positioned behind. However, based on the flickering navigation lights, Der was still able to accurately determine their positions; the lights resembled stars in the sky, extending into the dim distance, forming a sea of lights. The lights were akin to glowing plankton in a dark ocean, somewhat mysterious yet not particularly beautiful. All the lights displayed white, unlike the usual alert configuration of two red and one white. It was rare to have such a leisurely moment amidst years of tense military readiness. Der received a report from the reconnaissance aircraft that the fleet of the Alliance of Os had suddenly withdrawn, disappearing from the view of the Red Matrix Fleet. Der reported the situation to the Alliance Military Committee, and aside from strengthening the duty of the forward observation posts, he comprehensively lowered the alert level, while most mid- to senior-level officers joyfully returned to take their vacations.

Oh my God," a staff officer whispered, "they have built a super-constitutional-class battleship

Deer suddenly collapsed, and once again the scene of a figure wrapped in a two-colored flag tumbling grotesquely in the cold, dark expanse of the universe appeared in his mind. It was so vivid, as if it were within reach. His hands fell limply, and he let out a heavy sigh

Dulles, December 8, 197

"The fleet," Der said, somewhat incredulously, "our fleet?"

Deer felt the sweat on his forehead trickling down his hands, "I need to report to the Military Committee". Deer’s throat was dry

Derrick shivered

"Fashel!" Der Gao shouted loudly

Attack, but may we not be punished

"I cannot allow this to happen," Der felt his head beginning to throb, his thoughts in disarray. "I cannot do this... I cannot open fire... This is equivalent to declaring war... War..." Der was momentarily at a loss for words, slumped in his seat, as the blow came too swiftly for him to accept.

"General, issue the order to rescue the survivors immediately." At this moment, Fashir seemed somewhat moved as well, "The battle is over"

The Klimalar fleet urgently withdrew from the defensive line where it was confronting the fleet of the Red Matrix star system and advanced into this region. It was a place that existed only on the star charts of the Alliance and had never been reached by any fleet. The Alliance was even too lazy to give this star system a name. Fortunately, the Klimalar fleet was only a few light-years away from this star system, and after a simple light-speed maneuver, the Klimalar fleet appeared in the space of the nameless star system.

General Klimara's sweat flowed down, his face ashen.

All fleet units, attention. Prepare for simultaneous cannon fire. Target locking has begun. The command from Fashir suddenly awakened Der.

After three volleys, Fashir ordered the cessation of the attack. At this moment, the front was already engulfed in a violent fireball, as the enemy ships, drawn together by mutual gravitational attraction, formed a mass that collapsed inward while simultaneously burning, resembling a supernova explosion. Typically, such a large fireball can burn for several months, serving as a dazzling grave for the defeated.

While De Er stood on the bridge admiring the scenery and lost in thought, the forward observation post detected an unusual quantum wave disturbance. A significant method for humanity to explore the universe is through simple light-speed transportation, which utilizes quantum fields to establish so-called channels, allowing objects moving within these channels to achieve simple light-speed. Large fleet units are equipped with devices to create quantum fields, enabling large-scale formation movement. However, upon reaching their destination, it is necessary to eliminate the quantum field to allow the moving objects to exit simple light-speed motion. This process generates quantum wave disturbances in the surrounding area, and conversely, the intensity of these disturbances can be used to infer the mass of the moving objects. In military applications, observation posts often detect potential quantum wave disturbances in the universe to gather intelligence on the movements of opposing fleets. The disturbance detected by the observation post now is precisely this type of quantum disturbance, and based on its intensity, any sensible military personnel would recognize it as a fully equipped mixed fleet of the Os Alliance's armed forces.

Quantum wave interference

January 9, 301 of the Aosi Calendar. Unknown Galaxy. Aosi Alliance, Admiral Klimara Fleet, Major General Klimara, Supreme Commander

Behind the second star of the Red Matrix Galaxy, quietly hidden, lies a spaceship.

Klimara's thoughts were in disarray, caught in a dilemma. If he did not abandon those "goods," then "they" would clearly not let him off easily. However, the death order from Mentor Song left him with no way out if he returned like this. Klimara gritted his teeth and issued the order:

What should we do, General

"Yes, Your Excellency. " Klimara's throat tightened, aware of the significance of this operation

When General Der appeared in the command room, he had already regained the calmness and authority of a professional soldier, at least on the surface. At this moment, the command room was in complete disarray, with staff members rushing about and various calls echoing as if facing a formidable enemy. Der did not expect that it would turn into this after he had been away for a short while

Increasingly more signs indicate that the hostile state between the two forces is beginning to ease. Der feels a sense of satisfaction with the current situation and even starts to believe that he can retire peacefully, eventually settling on an asteroid, where he can be buried in solid ground after death. The Alliance has a bad habit, which Der privately considers a bad habit, of launching fallen soldiers into the depths of space, allowing the universe to become their glorious resting place. Der once attended the funeral of a comrade when he was young, watching in horror as his comrade, draped in the Alliance's two-colored flag, was cast out from the flagship, drifting in the cold, dark void, slowly disappearing, surrounded by the flashes created by the flagship's salute. That scene was not solemn; rather, it was somewhat ridiculous, as the body spun comically in space, flipping like an acrobat, before vanishing into the darkness. Der felt himself starting to sweat, his mind filled with the image of himself drifting in space, wrapped in that ridiculous flag, shivering with fear. This image frequently appeared in Der's nightmares, leading him to vow never to die in a place without land, only to be discarded like garbage in space.

The battleship emitted a low, rumbling sound, which grew louder, resembling a swarm of bees in commotion. Suddenly, the sound ceased, and the battleship shook violently; with a loud bang, a beam of azure light, accompanied by countless bursting light points, shot forth into the distance. More and more beams converged, forming a torrent of light directed at the opposing fleet. When the light made contact with the unprotected hull of the enemy battleship, it lingered briefly before piercing through, like a sharp spear thrusting into the enemy's chest. The terrifying high heat melted everything in its path, and soon, a chain reaction of explosions filled the entire ship. The battleship, which usually appeared imposing, was now transformed into a sea of fire, burning fiercely and ejecting matter into outer space, seemingly including the charred and contorted bodies of those aboard. The enemy ships shattered, exploding like fragile eggs dropped to the ground, painting the entire sky red. Countless fireballs erupted in the horizon, scattering and forming terrifyingly large fireworks, blooming and fading, blooming again... The battleship, which usually appeared imposing, was now transformed into a sea of fire, burning fiercely and ejecting matter into outer space, seemingly including the charred and contorted bodies of those aboard. The enemy ships shattered, exploding like fragile eggs dropped to the ground, painting the entire sky red. Countless fireballs erupted in the horizon, scattering and forming terrifyingly large fireworks, blooming and fading, blooming again... fading... The unbalanced ships collided with one another, triggering a chain reaction, and soon the Red Matrix star system was filled with intense, blinding white light. Admiral Der looked on with a sense of sorrow at this massacre; without an energy field established, the enemy ships were destroyed without resistance, easily torn apart by high-energy ion cannons, followed by explosions. Der did not see any lifeboats escaping from within.

Kelimara saluted, feeling sweat beginning to bead again

General! They are about to open fire!

Indeed, when any object departs from simple light speed, there is a process of materialization in three-dimensional space. This process renders the fleet itself extremely vulnerable; it is not an exaggeration to say that even throwing a stone could potentially damage a warship. Therefore, in military strategy, fleets are typically not moved directly into the firing range of enemy artillery, thereby avoiding the complete exposure of their weaknesses to the dark muzzles of the opponent's guns

Fahriel discovered that everyone was looking at him

"Remember, General Klimara." The communicator displayed the white-haired figure of Menteerson, who appeared quite spirited as a military man. "You must ensure that the 'cargo' is delivered to the capital in a timely manner, even if it requires sacrificing the entire fleet. Be careful, very careful; we may have become involved in a rather sensitive incident. Your fleet is heading to a very dangerous area, so you must be fully mentally prepared." Be careful, very careful; we may have become involved in a rather sensitive incident. Your fleet is heading to a very dangerous area, so you must be fully mentally prepared.

Five thousand kilometers from our defensive front

Only a very few senior commanders of the Alliance of Os know the purpose of this special operation. The Chairman of the Supreme Military Council, Marshal Mentelson, personally briefed Klimara on the mission. Upon hearing this, sweat began to bead in the palm of Klimara's hand