Chapter 553: The Same Old Story

"Stoner, why do you think they did this?"

Major General Bernelli, who was sitting in the captain's seat, asked in confusion. At this time, he had already put on his cabin suit and fixed himself on the chair.

In fact, after discovering the huge "light ball" that suddenly appeared, the 17th and 18th fleets issued an order of "full combat readiness" to prevent emergencies that could not be responded to in time.

"Maybe they want to hide the real number of their fleets?" Stoner replied:

"Through this method, we really can't judge the number of warships on the opposite side, but what's the point? Generally speaking, when the strength of our fleet is weaker than that of the enemy, this method will be used to make the enemy unclear about their true strength."

"Wait!"

Stoner's words made Bernard suddenly realize something and interrupted the former's speech.

"Could it be that the commander of the Atlas fleet chose to conceal the true number of the fleet for this reason?!"

"But no matter what, they have annihilated the garrison fleet of this galaxy, and in terms of quantity, it is at least a standard fleet?"

Stoner was a little hesitant to make a conclusion at this time. Although his experience and skills in fleet command were higher than that of the younger new commander, Benelli, his overall style was relatively conservative.

"Who knows? Maybe they adopted some kind of surprise attack tactics? What's more, the strength of the galaxy garrison fleet is just like that~"

Benelli, the young fleet commander, felt that he might have caught the truth, and the whole person suddenly became excited.

"Think about it, although the Atlas Group has rapidly expanded its strength during this period, it takes time to manufacture or purchase warships, and to train crew members.

The Navy Intelligence Department has never believed that they can quickly expand the fleet in such a short period of time, so the size of the Atlas manned combat fleet has always been judged to be no more than three standard fleets.

As for the three defected unmanned fleets, according to the intelligence received before, they should still be in the process of jumping, so they will not appear in the Rubion galaxy for the time being.

Based on the above points, plus the situation of the warships that the Atlas Group needs to deploy in other areas, I personally think that in the Rubion galaxy, the opponent's fleet size is at most a standard fleet, or even less!!!"

Stoner must admit at this moment that the analysis of this junior is not unreasonable, but his cautious character has penetrated into his bones after all, so he still put forward another guess.

"Bernelli, is there a possibility that the other commander wants you to think so, so that you will launch an attack without hesitation, and then be ambushed by their hidden superior forces?"

"This probability is too small! How can a mere commander of a corporate fleet be so well-prepared?!

Believe me, it is time to attack boldly to maximize the results!"

Bernelli's tone was a little unnatural, because he knew that the situation Stoner mentioned was possible.

But this proud naval fleet commander did not think that a fleet commander of a private enterprise could do this.

In terms of strategy and tactical arrangements, he is better than his own fleet commander who graduated from a formal school?

What an international joke.

"Since the probability is not zero, it means that this situation is very likely to happen, Major General Bernelli. We can't gamble with the 17th and 18th main fleets."

Stoner added the military rank when addressing Bernelli, which means that he was very serious and serious when he said this.

It also means that he does not agree with Bernelli's risky plan.

According to Marshal Trafalgar's instructions before the two fleets set out, the 17th and 18th fleets must agree with both fleet commanders before making major decisions.

So as long as Stoner disagrees with Benelli's plan, the latter cannot let the fleet launch an attack - even if only the 17th fleet attacks alone.

After hearing Stoner's words, Benelli was stunned for a moment, then sighed and said resignedly:

"Then what do you say, Rear Admiral Stoner."

"Continue to implement the current combat plan, first pass the field at high speed to see the situation, if it is really as you guessed, it's not too late for us to turn back and set up the formation to launch an attack, right?"

——

"Report, the Federation Fleet has not changed its formation yet. According to the calculation results of the shipborne control personality, the Federation Fleet should still plan to conduct armed reconnaissance while passing the field at high speed!"

On the bridge of the 'Infinity', after hearing the report of the tactical information coordinator, Randall, who also changed into the cabin uniform in the captain's seat, nodded.

"Received, all ships continue to maintain the current status. By the way, where are the plasma torpedoes and anti-ship missiles flying?

"Report to the captain, the first batch of plasma torpedoes and anti-ship missiles launched at the enemy fleet have approached their left and right hemispheres and are about to enter the final impact range!

The second batch of plasma torpedoes that bypassed Rubion V have now completed three-quarters of the bypass path. According to calculations, they will successfully launch an attack from the side and rear of the left hemisphere of the enemy fleet!"

So far, Randall has heard good news from the tactical information coordinator and other bridge officers that "everything went well", but he is still a little panicked.

After all, the fleet that the Federation came to kill was more than twice the size of the Third Task Force. As long as the battle was normal, even with the "Infinity" in charge, the Third Task Force would definitely not escape the fate of being annihilated.

Maybe it would even offer the "first kill" of the Infinity-class super flagship.

So Randall didn't want this to happen anyway, which was why he racked his brains to figure out the opponent.

Time passed by in this somewhat anxious atmosphere. As the distance between the two fleets got closer and closer, the Federation Fleet was the first to discover the fleet that was closer in front of them, which seemed to be just a bait.

This guess was answered after several battleships executed the flagship's order and used the bow heavy particle cannon for "diffusion irradiation".

Those baits equipped with corner reflectors obviously couldn't withstand the metal jets swept by the heavy particle cannon, even if they were irradiated in the diffusion mode.

So soon, the detection results of the superconducting quantum interference magnetic measurement system of these battleships were transmitted back to the two flagships.

"Large areas of chaotic magnetic field and plasma ripples?"

"It is suspected that the main thruster exploded, causing the magnetic field in the target area to be chaotic!"

The results of the superconducting quantum interference magnetic measurement system and the judgment made by the system based on the characteristics made the two fleet commanders laugh.

"How long has it been since the feature database and result judgment logic tree of this system were updated? It turned out to be such a funny conclusion"

Major General Bernelli complained speechlessly, because a serious warship, even the smallest frigate, could not be blown up by the diffusion irradiation of the heavy particle cannon.

So it is obvious that the opponent's bait was detonated.

"It's been a long time since I updated, but now is not the time to worry about it. At least we know that there are a lot of baits mixed in this fleet in front of us."

Major General Stoner habitually wanted to touch his chin, but was blocked by the mask of the cabin suit. He withdrew his hand somewhat awkwardly, and then continued:

"Then we have a new problem now. What is the scale of Atlas' fleet?"

"Who cares? I say we should launch an attack now! I still stick to my point of view just now. The number of the enemy's warships is definitely not large!"

Major General Benelli became excited again because he found that the current situation seemed to confirm his previous conjecture.

To be honest, at this time, Stoner was actually a little shaken in his heart, and began to feel that now might be a good opportunity to annihilate the enemy fleet.

But just as he had this idea in his mind, the alarm suddenly sounded on the bridge.

"Warning! A large number of unidentified units are detected approaching the two wings of the fleet quickly! According to feature comparison, they are identified as plasma torpedoes and heavy anti-ship missiles! The total number is 3326!"

"I knew it! It's not that simple!"

Stoner wanted to stand up excitedly, but he was pressed back by the captain's seat belt. However, he continued to order with a wave of his hand:

"The fleet is ready to carry out air defense operations. The fourth and fifth destroyer escort detachments move to the outside of the formation!"

At the same time, Bernelli on the flagship of the 17th Fleet also issued almost the same order.

This time, the destroyers and frigates in the two fleets finally showed their serious fleet air defense capabilities.

After a large number of destroyers and frigates moved to the periphery of the fleet, they immediately used their large number of rapid-fire weapons and anti-aircraft missiles to support the fleet's air defense network.

Thanks to Amber's previous ability to break into the fleet and tear open the air defense network alone.

Coupled with the combat data obtained by the Enterprise Combined Fleet after its "failure" outside the A. Bawa. Ku Fortress, the Federal Navy Fleet greatly raised the priority of the fleet's air defense after a certain point in time.

Not only did it improve the air defense weapon configuration of destroyers and frigates, and upgrade the air search radar (mainly used to detect small targets such as torpedoes, missiles, and HCP), but it also greatly increased the authority of the air defense commander, allowing this position to mobilize more resources to support the battle after the fleet enters air defense operations.

"Attention everyone, prepare to intercept!"

The voice of Kyle Stone, the air defense commander of the 17th Fleet, was transmitted to every warship responsible for air defense operations through the communication channel.

His voice was calm and firm, as if the thousands of targets that were attacked were under his control.

"Just like the usual training, follow the plan and don't let the opponent's torpedoes and anti-ship missiles break through the air defense network!"

At the same time, the huge holographic projection screen in front of him began to show the trajectory of the enemy's weapons, and dense red light spots were moving rapidly towards their own position.

As his order was issued, the air defense system of the 17th Fleet was activated instantly, and an invisible air defense firepower network was built in the maneuvers of a large number of destroyers and frigates.

These small air defense ships that moved to the outside of the fleet quickly adjusted their positions and soon formed the first line of defense.

The first to launch the attack was the air high-energy laser defense array that had just been installed on the ship. This weapon derived from the high-energy laser turret gave up its anti-ship combat capability and began to specialize in air defense operations.

"Phoenix, 45 degrees to the port side, 8,000 kilometers away, multi-target locking mode!"

On the Haiyan-class destroyer "Phoenix", a young female officer reported loudly at the air weapons officer's position. Although her voice was a little trembling, it was still clear and powerful.

"Target confirmed, start attack!" Her superior, who was also the destroyer's air defense staff, responded immediately.

Then beams of slender red light beams cut through the void, lighting up clusters of blue-white fireballs in the deep sky further away. These were the characteristics of intercepted plasma torpedoes and anti-ship missiles equipped with plasma warheads. .

A large number of air defense combat ships, organized by the fleet air defense commander, launched attacks on the targets coming from both wings.

Countless slender and hot beams of light are intertwined like a web, forming a gorgeous but deadly barrier in the void. Each hit is accompanied by a short and strong flash, burning through and detonating targets that try to cross the defense line. .

However, not all threats can be addressed so easily.

The stealth plasma torpedoes currently installed on a large scale in the Atlas Combat Fleet have greatly improved their warhead defense capabilities in previous upgrades. They cannot be directly destroyed by just one or two high-energy laser irradiations.

The stealth plasma torpedo, which uses a stealth configuration and special coating, was originally designed to break through conventional air defense means. Air defense ships have already spent a lot of effort to discover these 'little cuties', coupled with laser defense. The damage effect of the array was not as good as the air defense commander imagined.

Therefore, after several rounds of interceptions, there are still a large number of targets tenaciously approaching the core area of ​​the fleet.

At this time, the second line of anti-air defense that responded quickly also joined the battle, that is, the charged particle cannons equipped on these destroyers and frigates, as well as the electromagnetic reconnection cannons on the deeper cruisers that had completed their disassembly.

The lethality of point-to-point irradiation by charged particle cannons is naturally higher than that of laser defense arrays, and the high kinetic energy damage caused by cruiser-driven electromagnetic reconnection cannons after launching special anti-air programmed warheads is very important to plasma. Torpedoes are the most deadly.

"This long-distance strike tactic of the Atlas Combat Fleet is indeed as threatening as the rumors say."

On the flagship of the Eighteenth Fleet, Major General Stoner, who was closely watching the anti-aircraft combat situation, could not help but sigh in a low voice.

Although the main fleet of the Federation Navy has greatly improved its air defense capabilities, and the effect is very significant, it is still a bit difficult to face Atlas's unreasonable 'full bomb launch' attack.

In this moment, nearly 30 plasma torpedoes and anti-ship missiles had broken through the air defense network, and successfully caused the 18th Fleet to lose one heavy cruiser, three light cruisers, seven destroyers and frigates.

This is not because the fleet's air defense firepower is not strong enough, but mainly because the angles of these attacks launched from the flanks are too tricky, making it impossible for many air defense combat ships to use all anti-air defense weapons.

Only Serena, a high-level shipboard control personality created by Lilith, can calculate such an attack path.

If we switch to the regular attack mode of other fleets, we will definitely not be able to achieve this effect.

However, as the first wave of plasma torpedoes and heavy anti-ship missiles attacking from both wings of the Federation fleet were intercepted, Major General Stoner could not help but reveal a sneer on his face.

"Hmph, it's just a change of soup without changing the medicine. We have to thank Atlas for prompting our fleet to improve its air defense capabilities~"

Then he waved his hand and ordered in a deep voice:

"Attention, the entire fleet, keep the course normal line unchanged, prepare to adjust the main gun firing axis, and open all gun doors on each ship! Prepare to fire a salvo!"