BATTLE FOR STARS

But their vessel was only a mine layer, carrying neither important personnel nor valuable cargo—there was no reason for a Confederation ambush.

“I think we should turn around and prepare to leave,” Landon said. Whether or not it was a Confederation fleet, it was always best to be ready.

“7852, execute an immediate turn and prepare for full-speed retreat. Probes, advance at maximum speed to conduct detailed reconnaissance,” Oscar ordered the ship’s computer without delay. He knew the mine layer’s firepower was far too weak to confront a proper combat ship.

But within mere seconds, a clearer image appeared: two Confederation assault ships were rushing in from opposite flanking angles. They had clearly been lying in wait among the asteroids. Seeing this, Oscar didn’t hesitate for a moment and immediately commanded full-speed escape.

“This doesn’t look good,” Oscar muttered as he issued the orders to the crew. “Assault ships are always faster than us. Escape will be difficult. I’ve sent an emergency distress signal, but unless one of our fleets happens to be nearby, it’ll take too long for help to arrive…” He didn’t finish the sentence, but Landon already understood.

Landon remained silent, eyes fixed on the screen. Minutes later, the assault ships launched a swarm of carrier-based fighter drones, accelerating in pursuit of the fleeing mine layer.

Oscar kept urging his crew to perform their duties to the utmost, fully aware that the odds of escape were slim. Now was not the time to panic, yet when he glanced back, he noticed that Landon had been intently observing the 3D battlefield projection from the moment the alert had appeared.

“Notice anything?” Oscar asked, curiosity overcoming him.

“Something seems off,” Landon replied.

“What is it?”

“7852, display the flight paths of the enemy assault ships from the moment they were detected until now,” Landon instructed the computer.

Two curved diagonal lines appeared in the air. Oscar instantly saw the problem. “They’re not chasing us in a straight line. They’re splitting off to either side. Why?”

“I suspect the drones are pursuing us directly while the assault ships are flanking from both sides, preventing our escape,” Landon analyzed.

“Flanking to prevent escape? But that makes their route longer. If we go straight, they can’t catch us,” Oscar questioned, confused.

He understood that while the drones were fast, they weren’t designed for long-distance pursuit. They excelled in short-range strikes. Over long distances, their power output would decrease, and their speed would drop.

“Moreover, notice how the drones aren’t accelerating to strike speed—they’re trailing steadily behind us. If I’m correct, at least one more assault ship is hidden along our route. They’re herding us into a trap,” Landon explained.

“Why would they do that?”

“I think their goal isn’t to destroy our mine layer, but to capture it. The final capture will be carried out by a third assault ship. A sudden close-range strike leaves us no time to destroy critical equipment or data,” Landon continued.

“Critical data? The ship only carries mine deployment information, right?” Oscar asked.

“Exactly. If they can seize control of the mine data, this entire sector essentially becomes open to the Confederation. They would gain the ability to jump through space directly into the Empire’s secondary defenses.”

“Then we should destroy the data and computers immediately to prevent them from obtaining it,” Oscar said decisively. Military protocol dictated swift action, though hearing that the enemy intended only capture, not destruction, eased him slightly.

“Not yet. We might still have a chance,” Landon said slowly. Destroying the computers immediately would severely impact the mine layer’s command system. Manual operation could never match the efficiency of the computer.

“Really?”

“Possibly. I’ve realized that the drones chasing us directly are unmanned—no human pilots are involved,” Landon explained.

“Why?”

“Because all they need to do is herd us to a specific location. No human operator is necessary; remote control suffices. It’s the simplest method.”

“Oh… then what should we do?”

“7852, calculate when the drones will catch up to us along our current trajectory.”

“At the current speed and course, we’ll enter the drones’ attack range in 11 minutes and 52 seconds.”

“Of course, if we use shipboard guns and missiles to interfere, this time can be extended. However, I predict they’ll attempt a sneak attack before we enter that range. They intend to drive us to this exact location,” Landon said, pointing to a point on the 3D map.

“7852, calculate when the two assault ships will be at their furthest distance from us.”

“According to current projections, about 6 minutes and 15 seconds from now.”

Landon quickly calculated on his personal computer and issued a new command: “7852, in 5 minutes and 30 seconds, evenly release all space mines along our route, spacing them to cover a two-minute traversal window at current speed.”

“Understood. Executing.”

“These space mines are only meant to disrupt spatial jumps; they have no offensive capabilities. What good will they do? They’re so small—are you planning to hit the drones with them?” Oscar asked.

“Be patient. They’ll serve their purpose soon enough,” Landon said, withholding the explanation.

Time ticked by. The mine layer raced toward the predicted ambush zone. Landon checked the clock. “7852, now turn around, full-speed return!”

“You’re insane! Turning now will put us straight into the drones,” Oscar exclaimed.

“Perhaps this is our opportunity. Activate all deployed mines,” Landon said, issuing the new command.

The mine layer executed a rapid 180-degree turn in the starfield, charging toward the drone formation.

In an instant, countless mines activated. But instead of exploding, they emitted intense electromagnetic and magnetic interference.

“Distance to drone swarm: 100, 90, 80…” the computer continued its steady report in the cockpit.

Oscar stared, dumbfounded, as the mine layer rushed directly into the drones. Just before entering the attack zone, he closed his eyes.