Planet Master

On the Cerulean Planet, Federation HQ.

Information from the Federation Fleet came one after another. The entire HQ was shocked by the appearance of the Neurax Worms but they also prepared a way to contain the infestation.

Quarantine and elimination.

That was done by both the captain of the spaceships and the transcendents on board. They also sent additional information about the eggs of the Neurax Worms, which could invade the body and the host’s brain.

The scientific fleet was sent to specifically transport the carcasses and eggs of the Neurax Worms for study. As for the available scientific spaceship in the Federation Fleet, it was administering preliminary medication to prevent the Neurax Worm from drilling into the body.

At least with that, the curative method would make it harder for enemies to cause division on the Federation Fleet.

Charlene was analyzing the data from the scientific spaceships that were with the Federation Fleets. She realized that none of the Glings were affected; instead, it was those sentient beings who were affected.

“That’s interesting.” Charlene curled up her lips as she typed in on her hologram keyboard and entered the data she had read into the simulation in Second Life.

The data contained information about the change in the life stage of the Neurax Worm.

First, the Neurax Worm came from the egg which was at the micrometer size so it was truly hard to detect with the naked eye. Of course, with the transcendent energy empowering senses, it allowed the stronger ones to perceive it and even eliminate it.

Second, when it entered the body of the sentient being, it would hatch and find its way to the brain. Either it was instinct or the drive was still not known. But when it got to this stage, it became a bit harder to destroy since it moved in the body.

The scientists who sent her the data also developed an experimental medicine to slow down the movement of the Neurax Worm. It was effective for the early stage but became ineffective when the worm entered the middle and late stages.

Third, when the Neurax Worm reached the brain, it would start to burrow into the deepest part of the brain, affecting the host severely, causing a headache. This was already a middle stage of the Neurax Worm life cycle.

Fourth, this was when the Neurax Worm had almost to full control of the host’s brain and started to spread its influence to other parts of the body. At this moment, it would be better off to eliminate the host since the worm had already altered the nerve system of the host as well as started to lay more eggs.

Charlene read all of the data and frowned. Her finger tapped onto the desk repeatedly while thinking about the countermeasure that was stated at the end of the data.

She saw that the idea was good and she intended to develop the cure based on the preliminary medicine.

Then she closed the virtual keyboard and started to work on the cure in Second Life. Here, she could try all sorts of thing and it would not affect reality in a bad way. If she succeeded, then the effect on the Star Battle would be big and perhaps could end it sooner.

-

Six months had passed quickly. The medicine for the Neurax Worms had been developed enough to eliminate even the Neurax Worm in the middle stage of its life cycle.

But the battle in the Rift intensified and the Gling Fleet was suffering casualties. They did this because they knew that the Gling could recover given time quicker than the other races so they became the vanguard.

As for why the location of the battle did not change much, it was because the Rift was the strategic space for both the Federation and the enemy. It was even named area B7R.

The spacecraft SP-01 Silpheed became the main spacecraft for the space battle, achieving stellar results that even the Federation was surprised. They eliminated 5 spaceships and 313 enemy spacecraft. This showed that they were superior in terms of weaponry and technologically more advanced.

But it did not mean the Federation became complacent. Instead, they became more careful not to make the enemies desperate. Although they defended Area B7R fiercely but the Federation Fleet and the Gling Fleet did not attack the enemy’s star system.

Although there were plans to use the star as a potential weapon, in the end, the plans were rejected since it would destroy the surroundings in the process, something that the Federation and the enemy did not want.

But it ended things in a stalemate. The Federation and the Gling Fleet did not advance while the enemy took considerable damage to their fleet and had to recuperate. But they became wary as to what held those Federation was one of their races' advantages and that was diminishing with time.

“The Purification process is underway. Estimate completion time, three weeks and two days left.” The captain reported things to Ame since she looked like the one who handled the administrative works.

“Good. We have been here for far too long, dealing with the infestation from the Neurax Worm. I can’t believe that the enemy can coexist with such a race. I wonder what kind of civilization they are.” Ame replied with a serious tone.

Tatsumi on the other hand was sitting cross-legged in front of the chair of the captain. He looked like in the process of obtaining something important, so Ame erected a barrier that separated him from the rest of the bridge.

It did not mean he was idle; no, he was communicating with the Nafs in the Afterlife, seeking their cooperation.

“There have been casualties from the Neurax Worms in the past six months.” Kudungga had to admit that this time the casualties from this one race alone was slightly higher than those who died in battle. That was why most of the people in the Library of Consciousness paid attention to this.

“Fortunately, we have been researching the cure for the Neurax Worm. Sooner or later, we will be able to eliminate the Neurax Worms in our ranks.” Chi You said with a domineering manner.

“Don’t be careless. Although we have defeated the enemy from within and without, they are still a force to be reckoned with.” Goto warned.

Tatsumi only listened in since his task was to deliver intelligence from the people in the Afterlife back to the frontline. Although there was also a Quantum Entanglement Communication channel but it still did not report the very latest information.

Although with that alone, the load that Tatsumi had to bear was reduced significantly, so he only heard the key information that was not available to ordinary citizens.

After hearing the information needed to know, Tatsumi then returned to reality. He could feel that despite the distance, the connection between him and the Library of Consciousness was not diminished in the slightest.

Then he slowly dissipated the barrier that separated him from the bridge.

“As for the enemy planet, we will invade the nearest planet which is the closest to the Rift.” The captain said to Ame.

Ame nodded and realized with her mind scan that Tatsumi had returned and stood up.

As for the Rift, it followed the movement of the star system so there was no need for either side to worry.

“Have you heard something new?” Ame inquired.

“Of course. First, the latest medicine for the Neurax Worm can even treat the late stage symptom.” Tatsumi began and continued, “Second, we are to attack the nearest planet. Of course, try to minimize the civilian casualty as much as possible but beware that the enemy will take advantage of this to do something nasty.

“Third, and this is the most important part, there will be Interplanetary Missiles from the Fixed Planetary Fortress. This will be used against the fleet in the planet’s orbit and they will come in one hour. Thirty minutes is the time we need to go to the nearest planet. Get what I mean?” Tatsumi turned to look at the captain with his eyes blinking fast.

The captain sighed as he knew what kind of weapon Interplanetary Missiles really were. They were actually burst missiles designed to combat an enemy fleet. As for the method of sending those, it was through the Warp trail that the Federation and the Gling fleet left. Those trails led to the Rift which then appeared on the other side.

Now, the Federation and the Gling fleet needed to go to the nearest enemy planet to conquer it first.

“This is HQ, please launch an attack on the nearest planet before the Interplanetary Missiles are coming. I repeat, please launch an attack on the nearest planet before the Interplanetary Missiles are coming. The Interplanetary Missiles are coming, ETA, one hour.”

An announcement could be heard broadcast to every single Federation Fleet. As for the Gling fleet, the Queen received a similar order and transmitted it to the Right-hand Gling which was with the Federation Fleet.

“This means that we need to do things simultaneously. Conquering a territory as big as a planet while purifying our ranks should still be doable. Are you and your comrades ready?” Tatsumi asked for clarification.

“It’s fine. This is an important move that the HQ has made and the only thing that can break the deadlock.” The captain then repositioned his captain hat while his eyes glittered with an excitement from the depth of his being.

“Then let’s go! Deploy the Silpheeds!” the captain ordered.

-

Hatten and the pilots of the Silpheeds were deployed once again. This time, they were ordered to break through the Solont planet’s geostationary orbit along with the Gling’s Fleet.

The Gling was the vanguard, so of course they would go to the frontline first.

As for the Solont planet, that was the intelligence found out after learning the language of the enemy’s rodent.

Apparently, Solont was the main hub that connected with other planets for the spaceships. There was a large Starport there which was used as a base for their spaceship to dock, repair, refit, etc.

That was why the Federation decided to launch an attack on the Solont planet. This move would make sure that the enemy forces would be divided and unable to mount great resistance.

“Estimated Time Arrival for the Interplanetary Missiles…five…four…three…two…one…exiting the hyperdrive mode, now!”

An announcement was made in the communication channel and Hatten saw several large light circles behind him, which the missiles came out.

That was another way to utilize the Warp Technology and the Federation had mastered it. Now, the missiles were coming out and started to lock onto the spaceships of the enemy.

Hatten and the Silpheeds’ pilot then accelerated, going along with the missiles. As the missile increased its velocity, it also targeted enemy spaceships.

The enemy spaceships did not just stay silent and unmoving; they tried to move away from the missiles but found out that they were locked on and unable to avoid them.

Several large explosions could be seen from Hatten’s current position. Now that the missiles were hitting the target, it was the perfect timing for the Silpheeds to go in and deal a crushing blow.

Hatten then used the spacecraft’s missiles as well as the Vulcan gun to deal additional damage to the hull of the damaged spaceships.

He was not alone, as fifty of the Silpheeds also attacked the damaged spaceships simultaneously. The Gling biological spaceships also launched their Bio-Cannon, damaging the spaceships of the enemy further.

Finally, the Gling Biological Spaceships as well as the Silpheeds, penetrated the geostationary orbit of the Solont planet. The Federation Spaceships soon followed behind them.

“There is no more fierce resistance here.” Hatten said to the communication channel.

“Of course, most of them were decimated in the geostationary orbit by our fleets.” The squadron leader said with confidence.

“It means that we have to proceed to the next step, Orbital Bombardment.” The female Happy Squadron member commented.

“Right. We need to patrol the entire planet for potential threats.” The squadron leader said before he gave the location of the patrol to his squadron members.

Hatten was tasked to go to the dark side of the Solont planet and he sighed. He had better do it for not only himself but also the Federation.

And so, he, with his Silpheed, went to the dark side of the planet. There were some Gling biological spaceships and Federation spaceships following him.

He would become the scout who paved the way for the others.

Hatten kept his eyes on the sensors in his cockpit, searching for anything that could catch his eye if not a threat to him and the spaceships.

“There’s some ground to space weapons here!” Hatten reported the situation on his sensors to the following Federation spaceships as the Gling biological spaceship would take the damage.

As he said that, several ballistic missiles came in their direction. The Gling biological spaceship sent its units to intercept and destroy the ballistic missiles coming toward them.

Most of the ballistic missiles were just ordinary but when one Gling unit destroyed one particular warhead of the ballistic missiles, the explosion was large enough to even affect Hatten despite the far distance between him and the missile.

“Nuclear warhead! Missiles in the air, missiles in the air!” Hatten quickly tried to evade the missiles, fearing that one of them could be nuclear warheads.

This time, the Gling biological spaceships went into overdrive, producing units to intercept so many of the ballistic missiles. The Federation spaceships also helped, although their help was limited, but it was still a good assistance.

The other Gling biological spaceships then used their Bio-Cannon to launch Orbital Bombardment to the enemy’s missile silos as well as anti-space weaponry.

Then the Federation spaceships arrived at the Gling biological spaceships' location and finally assisted in the effort of intercepting the ballistic missiles as well as the Orbital Bombardment.

“The resistance is so fierce, even when we have eliminated so many of the enemy spaceships with the Interplanetary Missiles’ salvo.” Hatten commented. He decided to descend to the Solont planet to destroy the source of the problem so that he could be of help.

“Captain, permission to descend to the Solont planet.” Hatten asked the Happy Squadron leader for his action.

“Negative, Happy Four. You are not to descend. Wait until the order comes from the higher-up. I also have to deal with the ballistic missiles loaded with nuclear warheads.” The squadron leader said with a bit of annoyance.

“Damn! But I understand the logic behind it. Just hope that all we hit are the military installations.” Hatten clenched his fist into a ball. But he calmed himself quickly and only patrolled the exosphere and did not descend to the Solont planet.

Then the Orbital Bombardment proceeded in full, hitting the target accurately and neutralizing the threat on the planet’s surface.

The next step was obviously to occupy the planet. Whether the land on it or the sea and below the surface, all of it needed to be conquered for them to win the Star Battle.

“Send in the Space Marines! And we also needed to prepare to land too.” Tatsumi was already running toward the deployment pod where there were numerous pods for landing purposes.

“Those who resist just eliminate them. Those who don’t will be delegated to be under our rule.” Ame added.

They completely believed in the doctrine of no mercy to those who resisted and cease when there was no factor. Furthermore, they could not show mercy to the enemy during the Star Battle either which was already a kind of common sense for those who often participate in it.

The Federation Fleets were preparing to do a landing operation while the Gling Fleets were covering the outer perimeter from the Solont planet in case the reinforcement came. After the battle to break through the Solont planet’s geostationary orbit, the Gling suffered minimal damage and even then their regeneration made them recover shortly and their units were in the process of production.

Then the landing pods were deployed one by one, hitting the atmosphere of the Solont planet, causing great heat friction. But the pod was designed to withstand that kind of heat during entry.

On the landing site of the pods, a big cloud of smoke billowed out and covered the landing site. Then the door of the pod was kicked out by Tatsumi who had successfully landed. The landing pods were not intercepted since most of the interceptors were destroyed by the Orbital Bombardment.

Then Ame also got out from the pod and then scanned her surroundings using her mental scan.

Tatsumi already looked at the map of the entire Solont planet and knew that they were on the third continent. There were five continents in Solont planet and the others landed on the other continents or the third continent.

“We are in the third continent. The closest city is Aachen. Let’s go there and eliminate the remaining threat.” Tatsumi had prepared for the landing operation and stored things on his spatial storage bag. He then willed for an item to come out from there, a high-caliber pistol.

His style was actually a mix of ranged and melee attacks using a pistol and a blade.

Ame changed her Myriad Manifestation Umbrella to the form of a sniper rifle and positioned herself at the high ground.

Aachen was located at the center of the crater of a once-active volcanic mountain that went dormant.

While Ame went into her position, Tatsumi went closer to Aachen city while trying to conceal himself as much as possible. He went closer and realized that currently the city was under a curfew and there were many sentries on the highway leading to Aachen.

But as he waited, his fellow landers also started to gather in groups of two, three, four, and five and the numbers kept increasing. They planned to attack the weakened city and make it into the Federation’s territory in the enemy’s side.