More than 3,000 years ago, Cleopatra VII, the "Egyptian 'Cleopatra'", conquered Caesar, the hero of the ancient Roman Republic, who arrived in Alexandria, Egypt, with her "flower" snake of the Nile, and became Caesar's lover. (Full text reading, all in ωωω.1(6)κxS.Сom(1(6).文.学网)

More than 3,000 years later, the name "Cleopatra" was given more meanings, including becoming the code name for the exploration of Operation "Antnest" this time, commanded by Major Jiang Ziyue, a recipient of the Order of the Golden Caesar.

On April 30, 2918, all the ships of the Imperial Task Force Task Force IX for Operation Cleopatra gathered in the void.

It's more than a hundred light-years from the outside of Perseus Spiral Arm. The next action of the task force is to continue to fly forward, away from the Perseus spiral arm star. If they keep flying, they will eventually fly out of the galaxy and into the wider universe.

Although the principle of faster-than-light travel in and outside the Perseus spiral arm interstellar is unchanged, the astronomical environment is very different.

Traveling faster than light speed in the Perseus spiral arm interstellar space, because the distribution of space materials on the path has been recorded, it is a familiar road for astronauts. As long as conditions allow, the spacecraft can be in a faster-than-light state for long periods of time.

However, in the interstellar space beyond the Perseus spiral arm, the specific astronomical situation in space is only determined by previous long-term observations, and there is no sufficiently detailed on-site survey data. Therefore, the spaceship entering these strange spaces is like a ship entering an unknown sea in the age of sail, and the dangers and variables are difficult to determine.

For safety reasons, the faster-than-light state of the spacecraft is often limited to a short period of time when traveling faster-than-light in these unfamiliar spaces. Massively increase the number of safe nodes for spacecraft to move out of faster-than-light speeds in order to determine changes in the space ahead and around them. However, the distance is constant, shortening the spacecraft to enter the faster-than-light state and increasing the number of safe nodes means increasing the frequency of the spacecraft entering and exiting the faster-than-light speed.

From the point of view of machine maintenance, increasing the frequency of use is more serious than increasing the time of use. Moreover, this high-frequency faster-than-light entry and exit also puts forward higher requirements for the physical fitness of the astronauts in the spacecraft.

As a result, the task force rested here for three days to repair and maintain the 'sophisticated' starships and warships, as well as to give the crew a rest.

Jiang Ziyue's Ninth Task Force had a total of 51 ships, including 30 cruisers, five reconnaissance and communications carriers, 10 logistics supply ships, four scientific research ships, and one hospital ship, in addition to the flagship cruiser "Siegfried."

The 15,000-meter-long and 3-kilometer-diameter massive logistical supply ship "Olympus" unfolded her massive body and skeleton and turned into a makeshift space base, allowing multiple cruisers and research ships to dock around for supplies and maintenance, and also for soldiers to board and enter the center of her life.

The Olympus Life Centre is fully equipped with recreational facilities and even a bar, cinema and karaoke cabaret.

The officers and soldiers of the expedition enjoyed the comfort and tranquility of the "intermission" for a short time.

For a seemingly important date, the commander Jiang Ziyue, who has been very busy, also came to the bar of the "Olympus" life center at this time. For there is one thing that is of great significance to him personally, as is the execution of Operation Cleopatra.

"Sorry for being late." Jiang Ziyue floated down from the self-propelled pole and said to the young 'girl' who was already sitting at the table.

I saw that the other party shook his head and reproached him quite dissatisfiedly: "On your first date in six years, you were actually late!" ”

This person is none other than Chen Weiyin, one of the scientists of the so-called "Antnest" expedition and assistant to Professor Ulf Bernstein, the leader of the expedition.

Chen Weiyin was also Jiang Ziyue's first love in college.

It's a pity that "graduation says break up." This ancient admonition that has been passed down for nearly a thousand years is as applicable to her as Jiang Ziyue. In that youthful 'spring' era, they were full of innocence and ideals in love, but when they graduated, the two went their separate ways, and the flame of love was extinguished and turned to ashes.

Jiang Ziyue joined the Imperial Army, and after serving for a year, he was recommended to the Imperial Military Command Academy because of his outstanding performance, and since then he has embarked on the road of a professional soldier, and has been born and died on the dangerous imperial border.

After graduating, Chen Weiyin was admitted to the Institute of Astronomy of the "New Byzantine" United University and became a graduate student in interstellar physics. Since then, he has devoted himself to astronomical observation and academic research, and has been 'dealing' with lengthy numbers and complex formulas all day long. Now she is not yet twenty-eight years old, and she has already won the title of doctor, but for her, this is only the beginning of the climb to the top of her life.

"So I apologize first." Jiang Ziyue sat down and muttered, not showing a sense of shame.

"It's been six years, and this time has passed quite quickly."

"It's 'quite' fast." Chen Weiyin nodded and said, "But you don't seem to have changed much." ”

"Where?" Jiang Ziyue shouted, "Don't you think I've become mature and stable? ”

Chen Weiyin looked at the other party, then smiled slightly, and said, "The appearance is much more handsome, and with a shaved head, it looks a little cold." But the eyes are still so stupid. ”

"You're not the same, your hair is messy, and you look sloppy." Jiang Ziyue sneered at each other with his 'lips', "Look at your collar 'flowers', they haven't been played well, and both sides are asymmetrical." ”

At this moment, the waiter behind the bar in the distance shouted at them, "Hey, Major, would you like to have something with your doctor?" ”

"Just give me a bottle of tea or something else. In short, it should not contain the 'fine' of wine. Jiang Ziyue responded. Because the fleet may be in a situation at any time, as a commander, he cannot be stained with wine 'essence' when he is on duty.

Chen Weiyin shouted at the waiter: "Is there a second pot head?" ”

"I'm sorry, Doctor, but Imperial supply ships don't carry spirits. I'll give you a glass of wine, it's only twelve degrees, but the vintage is ok. The planet 'New African' was born in 2892. ”

"Whatever." Chen Weiyin replied boringly.

When her gaze moved from the bar back to the other side of the table, she found Jiang Ziyue staring at her with surprise.

"I didn't expect you to be too drunk?!" Jiang Ziyue exclaimed.

"No, no. I just think, after six years, when we meet again, I should borrow some wine 'essence' to burn the 'passion'. Chen Weiyin looked a little excited.

"'Passion'?" Jiang Ziyue asked puzzledly, "It seems that you were very conservative back then." ”

"Now I feel that it was because I was so conservative that I lost the most meaningful opportunity of my life." Chen Weiyin regretted it in his tone.

Hearing the other party say this, Jiang Ziyue felt very happy, but looking back on the past, he couldn't help but feel ridiculous and cute about his shyness and dullness at that time.

He laughed and said, "Now that I think about it, we really lacked 'excitement' at that time. Otherwise, our lives will definitely be better. ”

While speaking, Jiang Ziyue also 'revealed' a whimsical look.

"Not necessarily." Chen Weiyin immediately rejected the good idea of his former lover, "It may be even more caked." We're all going to get nowhere, and we're struggling on the edge of life with our hard-working children. ”

"Huh." Regarding the hypothetical thing, Jiang Ziyue had no choice but to smile. However, Chen Weiyin's words were very reasonable, and he also laughed and bowed his head in agreement.

'Female' people may lack reason in love, but they often behave quite calmly and even coldly after the flame of love has been extinguished.

"Major, orange juice and wine for you and your doctor." The waiter shouted from behind the bar and lifted a bottle of yellow orange juice and a bottle of red wine and nudged it expertly.

In the weightless space, two bottles of drinks spun and flew towards Jiang Ziyue's seat.

Jiang Ziyue easily raised his hand to catch them and put them on the table.

"That's interesting." Chen Weiyin felt very novel about this kind of "martial arts master"-like action. She doesn't have many opportunities to go to space, because a lot of work can be done in a research institute on the ground, and she doesn't like to travel around, so she is still a little unfamiliar with space life.

"That's how fun life is in space." Jiang Ziyue smiled and said, "Do you know how we drink water?" ”

"Didn't you take a water bottle and squeeze it into your mouth?" Chen Weiyin asked curiously.

"Nope. You watch. Jiang Ziyue said and lifted the bottle of orange juice and squeezed out the orange juice little by little in the space between him and Chen Weiyin.

Soon, in the small space between Jiang Ziyue and Chen Weiyin, an orange and yellow "pearl string" was formed. The orange juice in the weightless space floats in the air and forms a ball under the action of molecules, like a crystal yellow 'color' pearl.

Faced with this phenomenon, which has long been commonplace for most military personnel, Chen Weiyin, who is an interstellar physicist, is still quite surprised.

"Come, let's have a drink." Jiang Ziyue warmly invited.

Then he stretched out his head, wrapped his lips around the mouth of a carp, and sucked the nearest orange juice ball in the air into his mouth.

Chen Weiyin found that Jiang Ziyue's face was glowing with excitement and pride, but driven by novelty and beauty, she also learned from the other party's appearance and sucked up from the other end of the orange juice ball chain suspended in the air.

Soon the two of them absorbed the orange juice in the air, and then Chen Weiyin realized that her face was very close to Jiang Ziyue's face. Especially when the lips of both of them are almost together. And her former boyfriend has squinted his eyes, pouted his lips, and hung in front of him, with a look of enjoyment waiting for a 'kiss'.

At this moment, she finally understood that she had fallen into the trap of the other party. The man in front of him is no longer the stupid young man he was back then, but a big villain full of 'yin' tricks!

But six years later, rekindling the old relationship so casually, although this form of starting over is still quite unique, full of 'wave' comic mood, but after all, the relationship has long been faded.

Just when Chen Weiyin was also in the posture of being about to kiss Jiang Ziyue, but he was fighting contradictions in his heart, the waiter screamed from behind the bar: "Ladies and gentlemen, the bar is 70 degrees away, and a major enemy situation has been discovered!" ”

The people in the bar immediately 'shot' their eyes on it. Some soldiers even playfully whistled and even shouted heckling.

At this moment, Jiang Ziyue's "essence" concocted "wave" atmosphere has been destroyed.

Jiang Ziyue had no choice but to retract his head shyly, move his body and sit up straight.

Chen Weiyin also quickly retracted his head and glared at Jiang Ziyue in embarrassment.

The people around them immediately sighed in disappointment. Someone shouted, "Major, show your courage to go deep into the enemy line." ”

However, a bald 'female' officer sitting in the distance looked at the former lovers with a complicated expression.

Chen Weiyin said in a sarcastic tone: "Big villain, your 'yin' plan has completely failed." ”

"Oh, my Vivi." Jiang Ziyue smiled and called the nickname he used to call his 'girlfriend' back then, "I've found my feelings." I think we can start over. ”

"You're so direct." Chen Weiyin sighed and stuffed the tubular tip of the bottle containing wine into his mouth and sucked it in a big gulp.

"I don't think there's anything to be tactful about between the two of us." Jiang Ziyue looked at the former 'girlfriend' who drank violently and said.

More than 200 milliliters of wine were quickly drunk by her, but after all, wine is not as fast as white wine. So Chen Weiyin doesn't think that he can burn the 'passion' right now.

So, she yelled at the waiter behind the bar, "Waiter, bring me another bottle." ”

"Okay." The waiter happily took out the bottle of wine and threw it to Chen Weiyin.

This time, the bold 'female' doctor accurately grabbed the bottle that flew over.

"How so? We still lack 'excitement'. Chen Weiyin said regretfully.

"We didn't have 'excited' feelings in the past, and we didn't get along very well." Jiang Ziyue misses the days of his student days very much.

At that time, he was carefree, and war and death had nothing to do with him. In addition to reading, his mind is full of Chen Weiyin's image with long flowing hair. It's just that he doesn't understand now why Chen Weiyin, who used to be very quiet and doesn't like to talk, and is even a little autistic, can now open and close his mouth when he meets now.

So he asked, "Why do you always mention 'passion'?" ”

Chen Weiyin bit the mouth of the wine bottle that had just arrived, did not answer directly, but looked at her ex-boyfriend, and asked in a low voice: "After so many years, haven't you 'made' a new 'girlfriend'?" ”

Faced with this kind of problem, Jiang Ziyue instead 'revealed' a mischievous smile and said, "What would you think if I told you that I was married? ”

"Forget it, Ziyue." Chen Weiyin's face was full of disdain, "You are really not good at lying." Now the whole country knows you and knows that you are a bachelor. ”

"You know everything, and you ask?" Jiang Ziyue asked dissatisfiedly.

"You know what? In the past six years, I have carefully reflected on our relationship, and I have found that in the past, every time we were together, we would always count each other's differences. Chen Weiyin's tone was quite serious and serious.

"It's nothing." Jiang Ziyue said nonchalantly, "Many couples don't quarrel every day, but life is still enjoyable." ”

"But we're not husband and wife." Chen Weiyin said solemnly, "We don't even ...... I haven't even done that. ”

"So what's the matter, emotionally they are all husband and wife." Jiang Ziyue still looked relaxed, as if this was already the case.

"Don't you want to take advantage of me?" Chen Weiyin was already a little angry, "How did you become like this?" Taking advantage of your former 'girlfriend'? ”

When Jiang Ziyue said something more, the public address system sounded: "Major von Jiang Ziyue, please go to the bridge immediately." ”

So Jiang Ziyue could only get up helplessly, and while jumping to the self-propelled pole on his head, he said to Chen Weiyin: "I'm really sorry, I have to go." Next time, we'll have a good chat. ”

"Go ahead, big bad." Chen Weiyin smiled and said, "I hope you go back and reflect on it." ”

"It's not like you don't know me. We'll have more progress on our next date. Goodbye, Vivi. ”

Driven by the self-propelled pole, Jiang Ziyue left the bar with a smile and headed for the bridge of the "Mount Olympus".

After Jiang Ziyue left, the bald 'female' officer who had been staring at them from a distance also quickly got up, and without the help of a self-propelled pole, skillfully flew over and sat opposite Chen Weiyin.

"Hello, Dr. Chen, I'm Captain Lota Stoldt." She took the initiative to introduce herself to Chen Weiyin, "Can I talk to you about it?" ”

"Of course." The enthusiastic Chen Weiyin said happily and stretched out her right hand to shake hands with the other party. "Nice to meet you, Captain. Not sure how you want to start a conversation? ”

"Let's start with that man." Lota Staudet gestured in the direction of Jiang Ziyue's departure.

"Jiang Ziyue!" Chen Weiyin exclaimed in surprise.

As soon as Jiang Ziyue entered the bridge of the "Mount Olympus", the captain of the ship, Captain Ernst Quinski, could not wait to report: "Major, one of our unmanned reconnaissance ships has discovered a federal reconnaissance ship. In the direction of the Perseus spiral arm, the distance of fifteen astronomical units. ”

"When was the reconnaissance ship spotting the enemy ship? What model of enemy reconnaissance ship is it? ”

"Half an hour ago. Judging from the data displayed by the gravitational detection system, it should also be an unmanned reconnaissance ship. ”

"We've probably been discovered." Jiang Ziyue said worriedly.

Although no Bundeswehr combat ships have been found, the Commonwealth unmanned reconnaissance ships, like the Imperial Army, are usually carried by reconnaissance and communications carriers to accompany the fleet. The appearance of such reconnaissance ships indicates that the federal army has also sent a fleet to track down.

By detecting the course of the opponent when it enters the speed of light and the scale of the space 'wave' generated by the annihilation of positive and anti-matter, the unmanned reconnaissance ship can roughly estimate the target's flight destination and flight time beyond the speed of light.

This is because the unmanned reconnaissance ship can easily rush up to the 7th speed of the Akuberi as easily as the notification ship, so that the party sending out the reconnaissance can quickly obtain the information it needs to track down the enemy fleet.

"I think we should be able to get rid of the other side's tracking." Guinski said confidently.

"Complete secrecy is no longer possible." Jiang Ziyue shook his head and said, "Immediately convey my order to send a notification ship to the imperial capital, and say: The Federation's reconnaissance ship tracking has been discovered, and the 'Cleopatra' operation is likely to be exposed, and we will change the plan according to the situation, and ask the Senate to send reinforcements in case of trouble." ”

"Yes, sir." Guinski replied and then added: "Shall we immediately interrupt and recuperate?" ”

"No, there's no need to 'disrupt' our expedition just because we find the enemy's tracks. But inform everyone to return to their posts, armed with reconnaissance ships, closely monitor the airspace within thirty astronomical units, and must be ready for battle. Jiang Ziyue decisively gave an order, "Execute it immediately." I've got to go back to the flagship, too. ”

In a space of nearly 5,000 astronomical units from the Imperial Army's assembly point, a fleet of one hundred and twenty-three Bundeswehr warships was quietly stationed in space.

Ninety-nine warships of various types were arranged in a spherical battle formation, guarding twenty-four huge comprehensive supply ships and hospital ships in the spherical array.

They are much more powerful than the Imperial task force that the Bundeswehr is tracking. In addition to the cruisers, the Federation also used twenty-nine battleships this time, including the latest "Admiral" class to fight against the new "Commander" class battleships of the Imperial Army.

In the face of an enemy who was absolutely inferior in numbers, the commander of the fleet, Brigadier General Nicholas Wolfensohn, appeared quite relaxed. But in the eyes of his chief of staff, Lieutenant Colonel Gunther Oswald, this ease was already a blind enemy.

After receiving the news that the unmanned reconnaissance ship had encountered the enemy's reconnaissance ship, he rushed to the recreation room of the flagship "Nimitz" and reported to the energetic general who was playing with the officers: "Sir, my reconnaissance ship reports that when it encounters the enemy's reconnaissance ship, our actions are likely to be 'exposed.'" ”

"Gunther, don't be so nervous." General Wolfensohn said nonchalantly as he waved his golf club.

They were playing space golf, a simulated computer game. The entire game room is projected by holographic imaging to resemble a golf course on a planet, making players feel as if they are on a real golf course. By hitting a golf ball with a chip and sensor, the computer 'feels' the ball's landing point based on the player's movements, exertion and environmental factors.

This kind of game was invented as early as the end of the twentieth century, but for astronauts who have been in space for a long time, it can still fully spice up their boring life.

"It is the enemy who should be nervous." Wolfensohn continued, "The fruits of their hard work are likely to fall into our hands, and that's what they have to worry about. Let's see how I pull off this birdie. ”

After speaking, Wolfensohn pushed the ball into the "hole" with light and precise accuracy, winning warm applause from the surrounding officers.

Nicholas Wolfensohn has absolute self-confidence, with twice the strength of the enemy, he can swagger behind his opponent, and come to a "praying mantis catches cicadas, and yellow finches are behind".

"But, sir." Lieutenant Colonel Gunther Oswald still couldn't rest assured.

Having an advantage in confidence and strength is not the same as victory, it is only a condition to win.

"The commander of the opposing party is Major von Jiang Ziyue, who was ...... in last year's 'Taiji' planetary conflict."

"Alright, Gunther." Wolfensohn interrupted his men impatiently, "Don't keep mentioning anything to me about a pair of thirteens, not only did you destroy the flagship but also managed to escape." Commanding a warship is very different from commanding an entire fleet. If you are Jiang Ziyue now, what will you do in the face of our superior forces? ”

Oswald was asked. Although he has absolute confidence in his military talents, he can only think that it is best to face an enemy who is twice as superior as himself.

Wolfensohn looked at Oswald's embarrassed look when he was speechless, smiled slightly, and said, "If it weren't for the sake of 'Antnest', we could have pounced on them now and beat them all to powder." You can't be wrong with your prudence, but the enemy doesn't necessarily know what we're capable of. Even if you do? They had only one way, to escape. ”

Brigadier General Wolfensohn's tone was rather contemptuous. However, he then added: "Gunther, order the reconnaissance detachment to be cautious in the future, and not to 'expose' it until it is absolutely necessary. It's not a good thing to keep the enemy on guard. ”

"Yes, sir."

Oswald was somewhat convinced that excessive concern really did not help the victory. When he left the recreation room, he was indeed much more relaxed, but deep down he still had an ominous instinct.

On 1 May, the Ninth Task Force of the New Roman Empire was again deployed.

Ships docked around the supply ship "Mount Olympus" departed, and the huge supply ship folded its unfolded hull and skeleton and returned to its compact appearance.

Because when entering the faster-than-light state, the spatial "warp bubble" generated by the Akberi engine has a strong 'tidal' effect. The scale of the "warp bubble" caused by a large man like the "Olympus" can even "wave" to a range of tens of thousands of kilometers.

Therefore, if the spacecraft entering the superluminal speed get too close, it will cause the "chaos" and "chaos" of space "waves" and lead to accidents. Theoretically, intensively 'inducing' faster-than-light "warp bubbles" would lead to "space storms". However, no relevant experiments or phenomena have appeared so far, and it is speculated that the "space storm" will have unimaginable consequences due to the disorderly and sharp distortion of space.

The ships of the fleet can only get as far away from each other as possible before they dare to enter the speed of light, and then concentrate on formation after reaching their destination.

One by one, the ships accelerated away from the assembly airspace, entered the superluminal speed according to the predetermined route, and disappeared into the cosmic space outside the vast Perseus Spiral Arm one by one.

After nearly half a month of frequent faster-than-light entry and exit, the fleet finally completed its final assembly in a space about 1,500 light-years away from the outer side of the Perseus Spiral Arm.

In the holographic image, everyone saw a thousand astronomical units away, and in the vast void, there was a huge celestial body that was pitch black.