The planet "Midgard" is located more than 800 light-years from the outer end of the spiral arm of the planet "Andromeda", the capital of the Interstellar Federation of the Immortals. The planet's name is derived from the Norse mythological Atrium (igar), the "Mercury" of the Perseus Spiral Arm interstellar world. Nearly ninety percent of its surface area is covered by the ocean, and the limited land mass is divided into numerous islands.

The biosphere of the planet Midgard is a special one of the Perseus Spiral Arm interstellar ones. Her atmosphere has a high concentration of oxygen, making it not very suitable for direct human habitation. Both plants and animals here are incredibly large and heavy. When humans first set foot here, they were amazed to find that there was a terrifying overlord in the sky, a strange bird with a body length of more than ten meters - a huge insect that flies by spewing hot gas, and the plains are often dormant giant tortoises the size of hills, they have a magical "turtle breath**" - they can survive for hundreds of years just by breathing air! There are also super giant whales in the deep sea with a body length of more than 1,000 meters!

In order to protect the peculiar ecology, human countries signed the "Atrium Planetary Environment Convention" from the day the planet was developed, restricting human colonization activities here. So the population here is very small, and it has remained around one million. But the planet is the largest producer of hydrogen in the entire Perseus Commonwealth. Huge amounts of seawater can be converted into large quantities of hydrogen and hydrogen isotopes, providing a strong impetus for life and production in the interstellar age.

Today, the planet is surrounded by a terrifying smell of war and death, and an unidentified armed fleet is plundering all the ships that pass in its path. They quickly routed the weakened Federal National Guard cruisers, intercepted all civilian ships that came into view, drove away their crews, looted available supplies and energy, and then blew up the flying ships completely.

At first, it was thought that some remnants of the interstellar pirates had taken advantage of the war between the Federation and the Empire to resurrect their lives, but soon, the "pirates" used international radio to declare that they were the Senate under the command of the famous commander Colonel Jiang Ziyue and the regular army under the rule of the Roman people.

In this way, Jiang Ziyue and his "Zheng He" fleet became the first imperial fleet to invade the territory of the Federation since 89.

Seeing that the enemy force was unstoppable, the local government of the planet "Midgard" immediately declared the planet undefended after the defeat of the Federal National Guard fleet, and accepted the "peaceful stationing" of the new Roman fleet.

The sudden appearance of the Emperor Fleet in the interstellar space behind the Immortal Interstellar Federation, coupled with the news that the interstellar planets are "vulnerable" to attack, quickly crushed the nerves of the people and leaders of the Federation. The threat of aggression and the fear of fall permeated the atmosphere of the entire planet "Andromeda", the capital of the Federation.

Federal President Song Ting's first reaction to the report was to immediately order Defense Minister Eric ? Feng? The five-star general of Bloomberg mobilized all his forces to defend "Andromeda". Although Bloomberg and his old partner, Admiral Lepnin, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, were convinced that the opponent's sneak attack on the planet "Midgard" must be a ploy, they still followed the president's order and sent a notification ship to the border space of the 135th parallel to mobilize Vice Admiral Zhou Jiande to return to the capital planet, and at the same time make the Sixth Fleet ready for battle.

Zhou Jiande and his Eighth Fleet actually set off early in the morning to defend the planet "Andromeda". When he received the appearance of a large "pirate" fleet on the planet "Midgard", he decisively ordered the fleet to turn around and go straight to the capital. Although this kind of arbitrary decision is very scrupulous for many professional soldiers, and near the center of the border, the imperial ** "Charlemagne" detachment is looking at the enemy, but he still overwhelms the opinions of his subordinates, abandons the original mission of defending the enemy from the country, and even the planet "Egil" is ready to abandon it. The general gave only one explanation to his subordinates: "Now I can only give up the car to protect the commander." ”

Looking down at the vast sea of stars from above the Milky Way (this standard is based on the Earth's observation points, which is also the unified standard for drawing star maps in the Perseus spiral arm human world), looking down at the vast sea of stars, "Midgard" is located in the rear of the Perseus Star Federation, with "Andromeda" in front of her, and "Egil" in front of her. Jiang Ziyue and his "Zheng He" fleet directly attacked the planet "Midgard", just like the "rook" and the "general" in Chinese chess.

However, in Jiang Ziyue's eyes, it seems that it is enough to defeat the opponent. When the cruiser "Siegfried" flew close to the planet "Midgard", which was already within reach, he ordered: "Evacuate immediately." ”

His subordinates were puzzled by his order, because the plan he had given them was to capture the planet "Midgard", and this beautiful planet was now completely occupied by their field of vision, and it was within easy reach.

On the cruiser "Siegfried", the flagship of the "Zheng He" fleet, Captain Rudiger? Captain Natzmer disputed the prefect's temporary change of plans:

"Sir, the planet 'Midgard' is close at hand, and the enemy has completely given up resistance, so we give up so easily, and I think it's a little inappropriate."

Jiang Ziyue seemed to be prepared for his words, and said with a smile: "I think everyone is the same as me, they all hope to get through the addiction of the occupation army and take a good breath of the evil anger of the occupation of our country's territory." However, I must also tell you that we are not here to raid the city. The Senate and the Roman people gave us the task of pinning down the enemy's main forces. Now that we've reached our goal, it's time to stop. ”

"But sir, the brothers are gearing up before going on the expedition, hoping that this battle can avenge the invasion of our country last year."

"Revenge?" Jiang Ziyue asked rhetorically, "Is your revenge to invade a planet in the Immortal Federation?" ”

Natzmer hastened to explain, "No, sir, we all want to be able to teach the arrogant Federalists a hard lesson. We also know that the people here belong to the people of Rome under the Senate. ”

Jiang Ziyue said in a stern tone: "You tell the brothers on my behalf, I will lead them to fight a bitter war of annihilation in the Federation, and teach those belligerent Federation dogs a good lesson." But not now, now we must retreat, retreat to the point where even the enemy is afraid. ”

Natzmer hesitated for a moment, then replied resolutely, "Understood, sir. ”

A fleet of more than 1,600 Neo-Roman cruisers and more than 400 supply ships quickly disappeared into the depths of the universe, leaving behind the panicked people of the Commonwealth on the planet "Midgard".

During the Spring Festival of this year, the people of the Federation spent it in panic. Although the danger of the fall of the planet "Midgard" was lifted, the Eighth Fleet of the Wehrmacht returned to defend the planet "Andromeda", and the "Charlemagne" detachment of the Imperial Central Fleet immediately crossed the border space and approached the planet "Egil" in a big way, making the situation still critical. In the distant extraterrestrial space, around the interstellar planet "Yi", the emperor **, who has the advantage of troops, has launched a strong attack, and the Ninth Fleet of the Wehrmacht is in danger, and the Tenth Fleet of the Federal National Guard is rushing to support.

"The 'easy' planet can be lost, but the fleet that disappeared after the attack on the 'Midgard' planet is the most worrying." President Song Tingrong directly expressed his doubts.

Bloomberg gave his partner a disappointed look, then explained to his superior: "Sir, that fleet is all composed of cruisers, and invading our country can only carry forward the mission of attack, and it is difficult to capture our strategic points. ”

Lepnin also hurriedly added: "Yes, sir. The last time our reconnaissance ships found the enemy's cruiser fleet was six hundred light-years below the silver surface. From the analysis of the detected data, the enemy should be preparing to make a detour below the silver surface to return to the mainland. ”

"That doesn't mean that the enemy won't be able to come back at any time." Song Tingrong was still worried.

"The Eighth Fleet has arrived, and with the addition of the Sixth Fleet, our troops can completely crush the enemy's cruisers. Even if there is only the Sixth Fleet, it will be able to block the attack of the enemy cruiser. So, sir, rest assured, 'Andromeda' will be very safe. The only plan now is to immediately let the Eighth Fleet return to 'Egil' to block the attack of the enemy's 'Charlemagne' squadron, and let the Seventh Fleet also reinforce the 'Yi' star field. ”

In the face of Bloomberg's bold suggestion, Song Tingrong shouted in horror: "You are going to give up the two planets of 'Andromoda' and 'Aegis' to the enemy!" ”

If the battle is carried out according to Bloomberg's suggestion, the planet "Andromda", the political, economic and cultural center of the Interstellar Federation, will be only defended by the weak Sixth Fleet, and the planet "Aegis", the military center, will become an empty city. But the five-star general is very confident in his judgment and ideas.

He confidently said to Song Tingrong, who had never been a soldier: "The current situation is very clear, the enemy army has poured out, and is determined to recapture the interstellar planet 'Yi'. The actions taken against our homeland are only aimed at containing the strength of our troops. As long as we boldly put aside our concerns about the important planets such as 'Andromeda' and 'Aegis', and concentrate our efforts on crushing the enemy's attack on the 'Yi' planet, we can not only defend the local important places and the 'Yi' planet, but also severely damage the enemy's main force and regain the strategic initiative. ”

A grand but adventurous strategic blueprint unfolds before the people's elected elite.

Lepnin wasted no time in annotating this blueprint, and said excitedly: "Sir, although it is a bit risky, this is a golden opportunity, a good opportunity to decide the outcome of a war!" ”

Song Tingrong looked at the two subordinates with wide eyes, and said with some trembling: "This kind of trick of putting up an empty city plan and then making a desperate bet has been seen a lot in the history of the Chinese. ”

"But Sir, Field Marshal Badenbrock, who now commanded the war of the new Roman Empire, was a white-eyed racist. She didn't bother to study the wisdom of the yellow race. Lepnin reminded.

"I wouldn't agree with such a risky act." Song Tingrong denied loudly, and his expression had become more calm. Then he explained his thoughts: "Perhaps from a purely military point of view, such an approach is very clever, but the political risk is greater than the loss of the 'easy' planet, and the people of the Federation simply cannot afford it." ”

He also did not forget to add confidently: "What's more, the strength of the Ninth Fleet plus the Tenth Fleet is no worse than the enemy's two fleets, as long as they fight bravely, I don't believe that the armies of the free world will lose to the lackeys of **ism!" ”

Bloomberg was about to continue, but was stopped by Lepnin on the side.

The Federation's war policy was ultimately presented according to Song Tingrong's will. In the direction of the interstellar planet "Yi", which is of the greatest significance to the officers, the Ninth Fleet of the Wehrmacht and the Tenth Fleet of the National Guard will meet in the "Yi" star field to fight the two detachments of the emperor's "Alexander" and "Attila". The reorganized Seventh Fleet was to defend against a "possible" attack by its opponents on the planet "Aegis". It was only out of respect for the veterans and other factors that Song Tingrong made some concessions, and according to some of Bloomberg's suggestions, he ordered the Eighth Fleet to go to the planet "Egil" again to stop the invasion of the emperor's "Charlemagne" fleet.

In the eyes of military leaders such as Bloomberg and Lepnin, such a deployment would only put the federal military in a more passive position.

After the new order was issued, in the office of the Minister of Defense, where only two commanders remained, Bloomberg said to Lepnin with emotion: "Leonid, I really miss the days under the leadership of His Excellency Milhouse. ”

Lepnin looked very calm, and analyzed: "Eric, didn't you hear the chief say that the political risk is greater than the loss of the 'Yi' star field? The loss of the 'easy' planet is not a problem for many voters, and a wandering planet in far-flung exospace is not attractive to politicians. What's more, Dai Yunong's 'Qi Long' team has been quite sure that this interstellar planet has thinking and technological power beyond our human beings, and it may be very disadvantageous for us to provoke it again. ”

"Didn't you think we could make a breakthrough in military science and technology through the study of the 'easy' planet? Why did you retreat so quickly? Bloomberg was puzzled.

"Think of the fourth, fifth, and seventh fleets, and the fate of the thirteenth fleet." Lepnin reminded that "our starfleet is clearly no match for the 'easy' star. If we don't even have the ability to control it, how can we carry out effective research from it? In the same way, for the new Roman Empire, it is impossible for them to defeat the 'Yi' star, and it is impossible to directly obtain any technological breakthroughs from it. Astronomers have determined that Yi will eventually pass through the border space of the 135th parallel, and then leave the Perseus spiral arm and fly towards the center of the Milky Way. Of course, this process will take nearly 10 million years. ”

"I hope that by then, our human world will no longer be divided over it." The old five-star Admiral Bloomberg had an innocent expression like a child at this time.

"The scramble for the interstellar planet 'Yi' is nothing more than a pretext for our war. Eric, think about it decades ago, before the discovery of the 'Yi' star, we had already fought with the emperor ** in a bloody river. Don't forget, the Perseus Spiral Arm Star is still floating with countless human flesh and battleship wreckage. We humans are creatures of war by nature! ”

Lepnin's tone was full of sensuality. A few months of teaching career has given him a lot of scholarly feelings, and a little less ruthlessness of a soldier.

In response to the sentiment of his comrades, Bloomberg smiled bitterly and said: "You and I are soldiers after all, real war creatures, and now we don't have time to sigh about history." Far away in the deep space outside the department, the life and death of the brothers are still in our hands. ”

"I had long thought that the president would make such an unwise decision. If you want to keep everything, you will only end up with nothing. ”

Repnin suddenly turned his tone and said with a serious expression: "Eric, based on my concerns about the president's decision, I have to seriously violate federal law. After learning of the enemy's attack on the planet 'Midgard', I privately dispatched a notification ship in the name of the president and ordered the Ninth Fleet to abandon the defense of the 'Yi' field and withdraw the main force to the planet 'Aegis', leaving only a small group of cruisers for formal resistance. The group of notification ships just sent did not go to the 'easy' planet, but flew to 'Aegis'. ”

"What?!" Bloomberg cried out, opened his mouth wide and glared at Lepnin to his feet. Soon, he reacted and asked loudly: "So, after the enemy started attacking, you also lied about the deployment of part of our army?" ”

"Yes." Lepnin nodded in response, "The enemy has now successfully recaptured Planet Yi, while the Ninth Fleet and the Tenth Fleet of the National Guard are both stationed intact on Planet 'Aegis'. ”

Bloomberg's emotions immediately burst into flames, shouting: "Leonid? Mikhailovich, do you know what the consequences of your actions will be? ”

"I'm ready to spend the rest of my life in prison." Lepnin was very calm, but he still went on to defend: "Although I surrendered the interstellar planet 'Yi' to the emperor, I also saved the vitality of our army. ”

"No!" Bloomberg roared, "Your actions will only put the Bundesteam and Wehrmacht in greater danger!" ”

As soon as he finished speaking, Mr. Bloomberg left his office in a rage and went straight to the president's office. Although as the Minister of Defense, he can directly discuss the military plan with the president in his office, but at this time he still can't wait to meet President Song Tingrong. Maybe it's because he doesn't want to be in the same room with his lawbreakers anymore, or maybe he's hell-bent on convincing a militarily idiotic president.

General Lepnin, who remained in the office of the Minister of Defense, calmly walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window. He is well aware of his future fate, but he always believes that his decisions and actions are the wisest choice in the current situation.

Through the transparent glass, the general looked up at the starry night sky. The countless stars, like the eyes of countless people, were looking down at him with anticipation.