"The unidentified extraterrestrial beings appearing near Jupiter's Great Red Spot are commonly known as ELS. They are currently moving toward the center of the solar system, but based on their current trajectory, the possibility of them reaching the Earth Sphere is almost non-existent. There is no need to be troubled by speculation or rumors. Citizens, please continue your lives as usual..."
"Well, well. Things have already reached this point, yet they're still being that optimistic. Is that really okay?" Lyle, who had just returned from patrol, mocked as he watched the new government's news broadcast.
Although there were still three months before the ELS would arrive in the Earth Sphere, they had detected them and made preparations in advance. Naturally, they couldn't set the final defensive line near Earth. The Promis Legion had advanced one-third of the distance toward the enemy, with two-thirds of the Federation fleet following closely behind to begin establishing a defensive line. The two decisive weapons—the Celestial Being and Genesis—were deployed at the very rear of the fleet, with the remaining third of the Federation fleet staying behind as guards.
"It can't be helped. If we suddenly told everyone that an alien civilization was attacking, the situation we finally stabilized would fall into chaos again," Neil said.
"I understand the logic, it's just... forget it. If Setsuna drops the ball, none of us will be able to stop them anyway. It won't matter whether we take measures or not," Lyle shrugged.
It was already a certainty that the ELS were attracted by Brain Quantum Waves. Aside from Earth, where else in the solar system were there Brain Quantum Waves to attract them? Therefore, they were bound to head for Earth.
The Promis Legion and the Federation fleet were Earth's first line of defense against the ELS, and also the last. If even they couldn't stop the ELS, the army remaining on Earth would have no chance. Measures or no measures, everyone would eventually be consumed and undergo assimilation.
"True. It all depends on Setsuna now." Neil looked up at the countdown in the corner of the screen. The bright red color stung his eyes and grated on his nerves.
...
At this moment on Earth, the arrival of the ELS had already caused unrest due to speculation and rumors. Otherwise, the new government wouldn't have held a press conference so quickly to calm the public.
While the citizens were temporarily pacified, the new government's parliament was in a state of total chaos. To them, the intelligence regarding the ELS was no secret. The Conservative Faction held onto the lucky hope that the ELS would bypass Earth and leave, while the Radical Faction directly demanded a continued buildup of armaments to strike first.
However, both ideas were equally ridiculous.
The Conservatives' thinking was mere self-consolation. After receiving so much intelligence, to still say such things—what else could it be but denial?
As for the Radicals' idea, it was amusing. Continue building up armaments? Was there even time? Most of the military forces were already deployed in space, preparing for a major battle. Did they really think the ELS were going to fight a war of attrition?
The meeting ended abruptly, and the Speaker of the new government returned to his office with his secretary, guards, and the Chief of Military Affairs.
"How are Yang Hui's preparations going?"
"The fleet has arrived at the designated sector. Using the Celestial Being's fleet as the primary vanguard strike force, our military has committed its entire space-faring combat strength to the central core positions. The remaining two-thirds of the forces, urgently transferred from the army, will serve as the rearguard, stationed in front of the Celestial Being and Genesis."
"Who is in charge of this operation?"
"According to information from Celestial Being, this operation will be commanded by Jonah Ibrahim Raybill, who belongs to Celestial Being."
"One of Celestial Being's people?"
"Yes. According to VEDA's calculations, this is the optimal choice."
"Does Yang Hui have any other operational plans?"
"Yes. Due to the ELS's characteristics of fusion and learning, Celestial Being has already deployed a bait fleet. Ural-class transport ships and fully loaded Gags will act as decoys to go ahead and be consumed by the ELS. The hope is to force the ELS to transform into forms we are familiar with before we engage them in combat."
"Is that... possible?"
"It's currently unclear, but it is indeed a very sound method."
Fighting a familiar enemy versus an unfamiliar one were two completely different matters. Although the various characteristics of the ELS had been grasped, who could guarantee they didn't have others?
Furthermore, the ELS's current method of attack was unknown. The preliminary hypothesis was direct contact for erosion. If that was the case, the enemy would be using a reckless, suicidal style of fighting.
As the saying goes, the tough fear the reckless, and the reckless fear those who don't value their lives. Moreover, the enemy's terrifying numbers could fully support all-out suicide tactics. How could humanity respond to such a way of fighting?
Therefore, forcing them to transform into familiar MAs, warships, or even MS would pull the initiative back toward their side, even if only slightly, to secure a greater chance of victory.
"Hmm... In that case, everything that can be done has been prepared."
"What if the ELS change course and bypass the absolute defense line?"
"Then Earth and humanity will certainly suffer catastrophic damage."
"Does that mean... we can only pray to God?"
"Wrong!" Seeing that someone was frustrated and discouraged, the Speaker spoke decisively. "Not to God. We must do it with our own hands!"
...
"How is the fleet deployment?" Yang Hui arrived at the main Command Room of the Celestial Being and asked Revil about the current situation.
"67% complete. I've handed command of the Federation fleet over to Lieutenant General Mannequin."
"No problem. You only need to handle the overall strategic direction. Kati will handle the rest."
"En. The bait fleet has already departed and will make contact with the ELS in three days. Are you sure this will work?" Revil asked. In war, the slightest bit of information or error could affect the outcome. He had to be concerned.
"After testing, there are no issues. Although they are just vegetative patients and a group of mindless Biological Terminals, the old man used nanomachines to forcibly activate their brains. It's enough to generate sufficient Brain Quantum Waves to attract them. And..."
"And what?"
"That Ural-class ship is also carrying a VEDA sub-terminal. While the ELS are performing their erosion, the old man wants to reverse-engineer information from the erosion process."
"What about the possibility of our own intelligence leaking?" Revil asked worriedly.
"It won't happen. The reason the ELS can obtain information is mainly through Brain Quantum Waves and a shared field of consciousness; their targets are humans or living organisms. VEDA's machinery is not within that scope. Furthermore, the old man has prepared a fail-safe. Just before it is completely eroded, he will trigger a self-destruct program to destroy the VEDA sub-terminal."
"Hmm..." Revil knew the risks involved. The ELS's learning ability was still a mystery. According to Yang Hui's description, half an hour after the T.N.T. Cannon's first shot took effect, the second shot no longer posed any threat to the large-scale ELS.
If the VEDA sub-terminal was eroded, even if the ELS couldn't directly extract data from it, what if they learned VEDA's structure and replicated an identical unit? Wouldn't they also have to consider the threat of electronic and cyber warfare?
"Electronic and cyber warfare..."
"Just leave that to the old man."
"I see."
Clearly, Yang Hui had considered the same problem. However, Revil had no suggestions regarding Yang Hui's decision. Their greatest weapon against electronic and cyber warfare was VEDA, and Aeolia Schenberg not only held VEDA's highest authority but had also merged with VEDA itself. Revil couldn't think of anyone better suited to counter the ELS's electronic attacks.
"This deployment..."
After carefully examining Revil's deployment, Yang Hui was a bit surprised, but he quickly understood the intention.
"In this battle, you are all baits—baits to open a path for Setsuna," Revil explained to Yang Hui.
Revil's deployment scattered all Innovators, Newtypes, and X-Rounders to the two flanks of the battle line. The center, aside from a few people with Brain Quantum Waves like Yang Hui, Yurin, Tieria, and Allelujah, consisted entirely of Naturals.
Yang Hui had indeed seen through Revil's intent. Since the ELS were attracted by Brain Quantum Waves, then fine—he would place some delicious "food" along the roadside. Would they eat it or not?
Furthermore, among the members on the two flanks with Brain Quantum Waves, there were top-tier individuals. For example, the left wing had Amuro, Lalah Sune, and Char, while the right wing had Flit and Jehart. They were all Brain Quantum Wave users who were not inferior to Yang Hui or Setsuna. The ELS would surely split their forces. This way, the pressure on the center would be much lower.
"The first wave of attack will be carried out by Genesis. The targets will be locked onto the two smaller ELS planets on the flanks. We don't aim to destroy them directly, but we must reduce the pressure on the flanking defense lines. After that, the T.N.T. Cannon..."
"Understood. I'll give you the signal."
Yang Hui and Revil had worked together for a long time and shared a mutual understanding. Yang Hui grasped his meaning without Revil having to say it explicitly.
Against the large ELS, any weapon could only be used effectively once. The second time, it would lose its effect. Therefore, both the T.N.T. Cannon and Genesis only had one chance to deal significant damage to the large ELS.
It was unknown how much damage the Gamma Ray Burst fired by Genesis would do. The best result would be to directly eliminate the two "satellites." If that happened, their chances of striking the main star would undoubtedly be much higher.
As for the T.N.T. Cannon, its destructive power was far inferior to Genesis, so it would be held as a trump card to open a path for the central assault force at the critical moment.
Leaving the Celestial Being, Yang Hui returned to the Rainbow Ship and found Setsuna.
After Setsuna became an Innovator, Yang Hui found that he had become even more silent. Unless one was a Brain Quantum Wave user who could read others' emotions, a Natural would have no idea what Setsuna was thinking.
"Still not used to it?" Yang Hui knew Setsuna was very anxious right now. It wasn't fear of the upcoming dialogue, but a vague premonition—a desire to see the truth clearly while constantly failing to find the answer.
"Yes... I can feel their existence. They want to say something to us, or perhaps... a summons?"