Chapter 564: First Contact
After three months of rest and reorganization, the Confederation forces adjusted their formation and set out once more. Now, they were only 4 billion kilometers away from the Swarm’s positions. Even at their slowest pace, they would make contact with the Swarm within a month.
With a fleet of 3.5 billion ships, even though 40% were from outer-ring civilizations, this sheer number was enough to overwhelm the Swarm’s 4 billion units.
If it weren’t for the looming threat of the stellar bomb, this would have been an easy and enjoyable battle.
The Swarm forces, having barely moved from their positions, had already formed their battle lines. Their cannons were aimed at the approaching Confederation fleet, ready to unleash a barrage as soon as the enemy entered range.
A few days later, the Confederation fleet gradually reduced their propulsion power, diverting energy to their weapon systems. Weapons were preheated, and systems underwent final self-checks.
Since the Swarm had already formed their battle lines, any forces that advanced too far forward would inevitably face several rounds of concentrated fire. Even the Rashudia Race couldn’t withstand such a barrage.
Therefore, the Rashudia ships at the center of the fleet noticeably slowed down, allowing the mid-ring civilizations’ fleets on either side to catch up.
The first round of artillery fire was initiated by the Swarm. Over the years, the Swarm’s main cannons had increased in range, even slightly surpassing those of the Rashudia Race, which claimed to be the strongest mid-ring civilization.
But only slightly. Less than a minute after the Swarm opened fire, the Rashudia ships’ main cannons also fired. To the naked eye, the dark gray energy beams were barely visible in the void, but the immense energy they carried made them stand out vividly on radar.