About 1,500 light-years away from the outer side of Perseus Spiral's arm, what had been an ethereal void in the radio telescope was nothing but the radiation background of the remnants of the Big Bang. But now, a planet with a diameter of nearly 20,000 kilometers is presented to the search for the "Antnest" task force.

"The computer doesn't have this planet in the star chart." In the multi-party call of the fleet, Jiang Ziyue asked Ulf Bernstein, the leader of the expedition.

"We met her once a year ago when we were looking for 'Antnest' based on the coordinates provided by the Kongyi Ju. Ulf Bernstein recalls, "There were no optical observations, judging by the spacecraft's gravitational detection system, it was just a comet in space. ”

"Comet? Is there such a big and perfect comet? The captain of the communication system asked questions, and his tone was a little sarcastic.

"At that time, the psychology of looking for 'Antnest' was too eager, and I missed this planet." Bernstein was ashamed to say, "Later, I went back and carefully studied the information, and I thought that this object should not be a comet, but probably an 'interstellar planet' that has never really been observed in history!" ”

"Interstellar planets, I've read about them." Jiang Ziyue's tone was quite excited.

Although he is a professional soldier, he is the commander of the starship force after all, and his understanding of the mysteries and wonders of the universe, just like the ancient sailors sailing on the ocean, is full of enthusiasm for everything on the sea, and can still stimulate his adrenaline.

"It is said that such interstellar planets do not need to orbit stars, but wander in the universe, or orbit certain galaxies."

"That's right. But this is only our theoretical speculation. "By the end of the twentieth century, we had already used computers to map out interstellar planets. But almost a thousand years have passed, and the exploration of interstellar planets has finally gained some eyebrows. ”

The professor's tone was excited, and the sight before him could well mean that there would be a major academic breakthrough, and astronomy would succeed in filling a gap.

"Major, do you know what I named this interstellar planet?"

"What?" Jiang Ziyue asked with interest.

"'Easy', 'easy' planet. The ease of the week. I think she will be like Zhou Yi and bring us the mystery of the infinite universe. This will be another landmark discovery in human astronomy. It's heartwarming to think that we can not only observe this first interstellar planet, but also land on it. Major, let's go. ”

Bernstein gushed endlessly, excited and excited about the new discovery.

However, Jiang Ziyue, who was the listener, was surprised by Bernstein's words, and his words full of emotion seemed to have little to do with "Antnest", the core of the "Cleopatra" operation.

So, he asked for an encrypted private call with the other party immediately.

"Major, do you have anything else to say?" Professor Ulf Bernstein's bewildered inquiry came from the headset.

"Professor, you just said that this is an interstellar planet. So is she related to 'Antnest'? ”

After a little thought, the other party replied, "It shouldn't matter." ”

"But the core of the 'Cleopatra' operation is the search for 'Antnest', how can it not matter?" Jiang Ziyue looked very incomprehensible.

"Major, I don't know about that." Bernstein explained, "The exploration of the planet Yi is a project of the Imperial Academy of Sciences, and because it may involve the most cutting-edge theories of cosmic science, and the location is too remote, it has specifically applied for a grant from the Senate and asked for military protection. ”

"So, it has nothing to do with the so-called 'Antnest'!" Jiang Ziyue was taken aback.

"Major, you don't know. After exploring 'Antnest' to no avail last year, the Academy of Sciences invited the Kongyi layman who provided the information for a talk. After that, the academicians agreed that the exploration of the so-called 'Antnest' that can master the universe should be abandoned in the short term, because we have not even been able to understand its specific meaning. The Senate affirmed our opinion, and I only said it when you asked today. ”

"But the Cleopatra plan says in black and white that it will 'assist the scientific expedition in the search for Antnest.'" Speaking of which, Jiang Ziyue believes that he has seen some truth about the matter.

"This time we are conducting a field trip to the interstellar planet 'Yi', and the project report submitted by the Academy of Sciences to the Senate is like this, and it is not about 'Antnest'." Bernstein deliberately emphasized the word "irrelevant", and in his eyes, "Antnest", which did not even understand the connotation, was really not credible.

"Does the planet Yi have anything to do with Antnest?"

"Huh." Bernstein was amused by Jiang Ziyue's attitude.

He did not know the specific content of the "Cleopatra" action plan, and thought that it was just a plan for the Senate to send a fleet to escort the expedition.

"It's not for nothing, she was accidentally discovered in our exploration of the 'Antneste' of nothingness. This should be in line with what you call 'relationship', Major. Bernstein replied to Jiang Ziyue in a mocking tone.

Now that the truth has been revealed, there is no scientific expedition to search for "Antnest" at all. But how did the so-called "Cleopatra" action plan put the core on "Antnest"? Why did even the Imperial Archon Wang Zeren announce in a high-profile manner that he would be sent to explore "Antnest"?

An expedition to an interstellar planet turned into a major search for "Antnest" in the eyes of the Senate and the Archons. Questions drifted into Jiang Ziyue's mind like snowflakes, making him feel puzzled.

Professor Ulf Bernstein did not pay much attention to the content of the orders received by the commanders. In his eyes, his scientific career would not have much to do with politics and the military.

So, he urged Major Jiang Ziyue, who had fallen into a myth, and said, "Commander, I suggest that we immediately launch a scientific expedition to get close to this interstellar planet. ”

"Okay, Professor." Jiang Ziyue had no choice but to agree.

Now that everything is going well, of course, we have to act step by step and let the scientists play to their best. As for the so-called "Antnest", it can only be put aside for the first time.

Fifty-one ships of various types, with the largest "Mount Olympus" as the core, arranged into a spherical array, flew at one-fifth of the speed of light to the mysterious interstellar planet "Yi" 1,500 astronomical units away.

Although the unmanned reconnaissance ship of the Bundeswehr was discovered half a month ago, in the next half a month, there was almost no trace of the other party. As a result, Jiang Ziyue was a little relaxed, and when he learned from Bernstein that this operation was just an expedition to the interstellar planet "Yi", he didn't feel much nervous in his heart.

Unbeknownst to him, the scheming General Nicholas Wolfensohn sent an unmanned reconnaissance ship, like a lingering ghost, followed them to the "Yi" star field.

The cunning unmanned reconnaissance ship hid in the void more than fifty astronomical units away, spying on their movements with the help of the constant gravitational waves. Since the other party is always in high-speed motion and is in a dense formation, it is not easy to find a spaceship with a fairly small mass and size at this distance.

Soon, Brigadier General Nicholas Wolfensohn, commander of the Union Tracking Fleet, who was tasked with tracking the Imperial Task Force, received a report.

"You say they're heading for a special celestial body?" Nicholas Wolfensohn asked Lieutenant Colonel Gunther Oswald, chief of staff, who had done intelligence analysis with him.

"Yes, judging by the data provided by the reconnaissance ship, that celestial object is most likely an interstellar planet."

"Interstellar planets?" Wolfensohn curled his thick eyebrows and said thoughtfully, "What used to exist only in our computers is now in the Milky Way?" Could it be that this particular planet is the so-called 'Antnest'? ”

"Judging by their state of action, they should enter the planet's synchronous orbit and low-Earth orbit to carry out close-up observation activities. I reckon their scientists will land on this planet as well. General, isn't this kind of posture just a confirmation from the side that this planet is 'Antnest'? ”

"That's a good word." Nicholas Wolfensohn nodded, but there was a suspicious glint in his eyes. "If this interstellar planet is the legendary 'Antnest,' Gunther, don't you think it's too easy to find it like this?"

"Moreover, the Imperial Army has only sent fifty-one ships! It's suspicious that there are so few troops. ”

"Sir, what do you mean......" Gunther Oswald looked at his commander with an approving expression on his face.

Nicholas Wolfensohn's suspicions are well founded. Whether it is for the Empire or the Federation, since it is believed that mastering "Antnest" can control the universe, it is really not enough to send more than fifty ships to explore such an important matter.

On the one hand, they make a high-profile claim to explore "Antnest", and on the other hand, they only send weak teams. There must be some ulterior conspiracy or other motive behind such a strange phenomenon.

"Either way, we're going to attack and take that planet." Brigadier General Nicholas Wolfensohn said categorically.

"Now we are 20,000 astronomical units away from that interstellar planet, and if we rush past it at the speed of Akuberi, the enemy is likely to have reached the planet's synchronous orbit, and may even have launched a landing operation." Gunther Oswald analyzed.

"This is the time I want. You can arrange that the last time all the attacking ships change their faster-than-light position is to be located on the outside of the planet's synchronous orbit. ”

"It's dangerous, sir." Lieutenant Colonel Gunther Oswald immediately objected to his superior's aggressive approach, "There is a considerable safety hazard in changing the speed of light within the effective gravitational force of the planet. ”

"The higher the risk, the greater the benefit." Nicholas Wolfensohn looked like a venture capitalist who was determined to win, "After changing to the speed of light, immediately arrange a funnel ship formation, and surround the enemy as much as possible." This time, we must catch them all. Do what you command, Gunther. ”

"Yes, sir."

"Yi", the lone interstellar star hanging outside the spiral arm of the Immortals, is occupying the field of vision of Jiang Ziyue and all the members of the Imperial Task Force with a very oppressive frontal at this time.

It's a strange planet, surrounded by a dense atmosphere full of hydrogen. At first glance, it looks like a gas planet, but its diameter is too small to fit the characteristics of a gas planet. In the comprehensive remote sensing of the scientific research ship, under the dense atmosphere, "Yi" has a hard rock shell.

Amazingly, although there is no stellar light, the surface temperature of "Yi" generally exceeds 10 degrees Celsius, and some areas of intense volcanic activity even reach 100 degrees. It is assumed that radiation from the planet's interior is the main source of its heat, and the dense hydrogen gas is the guarantee of its "high temperature".

The planet is almost perfectly "lying" on the plane of the galactic equator, which has been demarcated by humans, while the north pole of the axis of rotation is aligned with the center of the galaxy, moving at a speed of 350 kilometers per second from the direction of the outer spiral arm of the star in the Milky Way galaxy to the side of the galactic center.

Judging from the current state of orbit and velocity, she will eventually walk out of a high parabolic orbit around the center of the Milky Way in the Milky Way like a comet, and after passing through the center of the Milky Way with strong gravity, she will fly away from the Milky Way from the other side and into the depths of the universe.

However, in the process of making her way to the center of the galaxy, it is possible that she will be "hijacked" by a star after entering the spiral arms of each star, and will be included in orbit and accepted as its planet. Although its speed exceeds the speed of the Fourth Universe required to break away from the Milky Way, there is still a danger that it will be forcibly accepted as a "partial room" by some massive star overlord in the Immortal spiral arm in front of it.

There is almost no knowledge about the interstellar planet's past. Perhaps she is an ordinary planet in the outer spiral arm of the Milky Way, which was "expelled" or "stripped away" from the original star system due to some reasons such as the collision of celestial bodies.

Ulf Bernstein excitedly commanded four well-equipped scientific research ships, the "Ruler No. 9," the "Deep Space" No. 13, the "Quark" No. 5, and the "Vector" No. 3, in his own scientific research fleet, to enter the low-earth orbit of the "easy" planet and make remote sensing observations of the planet's surface.

Mei Ziyue commanded the remaining ships to surround the outer space of the synchronous orbit on the equator of the "Yi" planet in a dense spherical formation to escort the scientific expedition team's activities.

At about 9 o'clock on May 18, Ulf Bernstein and scientists unanimously decided to send a scientific expedition team to land on the planet "Yi" for field investigation.

But at this moment, bad news also came, and the reconnaissance ship once again discovered the Federation's unmanned reconnaissance ship.

Jiang Ziyue had to urgently contact Ulf Bernstein.

"Mr. Team Leader, I'm afraid we'll have to decide the time of the landing again. We found a Federation reconnaissance ship more than fifty astronomical units away. I reckon that the Federation's fleet will soon be killed. ”

"This planet is full of temptations, Major." Ulf Bernstein didn't care about Jiang Ziyue's warning.

In the face of scientific discoveries, scientists often lose their "minds", forget to sleep and eat, and ignore the dangers.

He said excitedly: "The first interstellar planet we discovered was actually a solid planet, and it also had an atmosphere, although the evidence is not sufficient, but it is quite close to a terrestrial planet." Do you know what we found on the remote sensing images? ”

Professor Ulf Bernstein was speechless with excitement. Judging from his stereoscopic imaging posture, Jiang Ziyue felt that this radiant interstellar physicist was likely to make some earth-shattering discoveries.

"Similar to the infrared band when a creature heats up!" The professor's voice in the intercom system suddenly rose much higher.

"This is a shocking discovery, although the scale is small, but it can still prove that the first interstellar planet we discovered existed in life!"

"Great, Professor, congratulations to you and your people!" Jiang Ziyue also happily congratulated Bernstein.

If it really is, as Ulf Bernstein said, it is a great scientific discovery for the new Roman Empire and the entire human world.

But Jiang Ziyue, as the commander of the task force, did not forget the threat that had emerged in the joy of scientific discovery.

He went on to say to Bernstein: "It is very likely that the fleets of the Federation are now on the way, and at any moment they will change to the speed of light and appear in front of us. Anyway, Professor, let's put off the landing for a while and leave this field for the time being. ”

Ulf Bernstein was surprised to hear him say this, and asked for a long time, "Just give up and leave?" ”

"No, Professor. I mean, evacuate for the time being, and wait until we figure out the size of the enemy. Jiang Ziyue explained, "If they only send a dozen or twenty warships, we can easily defeat them." If they send a fleet of hundreds of warships, then we will have to wait for reinforcements before we can counterattack. ”

"So, you have to give up on this planet first, no matter what?" Bernstein looked very sorry.

"No way, Professor. The situation is compelling. Jiang Ziyue said helplessly.

He could somewhat understand Bernstein's feelings, and it was really difficult for him to give up on a major scientific discovery that was about to be made for safety reasons.

"Major, I think if the Federation also wants to study this interstellar planet, we can negotiate with them about cooperative research." Ulf Bernstein, who is over half a hundred years old, seems to be a bit naïve at this time.

"I am a member of the Senate and the Roman Academy of People's Sciences, and I have the power to carry out academic exchanges and cooperation with scientists from other countries."

"Talking to the scientists on the other side about cooperation, we didn't get the authorization of the Senate, professor. And there can be no illusions about the Federation. Jiang Ziyue indirectly vetoed the words of Bernstein, who had a weak political consciousness.

And he is more worried that the Imperial scientific expedition team is carrying out the mission of investigating the interstellar planet "Yi", while the Federation fleet is probably coming for "Antnest", and regards the Empire's field survey of the interstellar planet as an exploration of "Antnest".

In this way, the Federation will inevitably send a large fleet. Combined with the fact that the federal reconnaissance ship was discovered more than half a month ago, it can be judged that now the other side has at least gathered more powerful forces than itself to fight.

Under Jiang Ziyue's reminder, Bernstein seemed to understand that scientific exchanges must be subordinated to political authority at this time, but he did not give up and made another suggestion: "Major Jiang, it is better to do this, you first command all the combat ships to evacuate first, and we, the researchers and scientific research ships, continue to stay here for investigation activities." In my experience with federal scientists, I don't think they will embarrass us. After all, the research we are doing here has nothing to do with the military.

Someone once said something hard to hear about scientists who tend to be a bunch of highly intelligent political idiots. Jiang Ziyue now finally realizes the reasonableness of this sentence. Ulf Bernstein was almost ignorant of politics.

Federal scientists and federal soldiers are two different things, and scientists are the highest wealth for any country. The arrival of the Federation fleet will naturally be courteous to Ulf Bernstein and his scientific team, but for Jiang Ziyue, as an Imperial soldier, he cannot let the scientists he protects fall into the hands of the enemy.

"Professor, I don't need to say anything more." Jiang Ziyue said resolutely, "My fleet and I have an unshirkable responsibility for the safety of you and your scientific expedition team. Now, Professor, please retract the decision to land, act immediately, leave first, enter the speed of light, and rendezvous at the first rendezvous point on the return voyage. ”

Sensing the resoluteness in the commander's tone, Bernstein had no choice but to give in and agree: "All right, Major. I will immediately give instructions to follow your advice and we will evacuate first. ”

"Thank you, Professor." Jiang Ziyue responded politely to the other party.

But at this moment, an aerospace plane carrying 11 members of the scientific expedition team broke away from the "Ruler" 9 and entered the atmosphere of the "Yi" planet.

"What's going on?" Jiang Ziyue hurriedly asked Bernstein.

Ulf Bernstein did not answer immediately, but rushed to ask the bridge crew about the situation.

"It's Chen Weiyin, Major." Bernstein replied, with a slightly excited look. "She was very excited about the landing and was determined to be the first to set foot on an interstellar planet......"

"But she did it without your and my permission!" Jiang Ziyue rudely interrupted Bernstein's words and quickly connected the call with Chen Weiyin.

"Please return to the research ship immediately, Dr. Chen Weiyin." Jiang Ziyue yelled eagerly at his ex-girlfriend.

"We're only 100,000 meters above the ground, Commander, and we'll soon be on the land of an interstellar planet." Chen Weiyin shouted with excitement, and her eyebrows were dancing in the space suit that was not covered with a protective helmet.

"I'll be right back. The fleets of the Federation may appear at any time, and the situation is dangerous. Come back soon! The anxious Jiang Ziyue's urging voice was quite loud. After all, this anxiety is not limited to the responsibility of an officer to a scientist.

"After we landed, after the initial survey, we went back immediately, and it was very short. Please give us a moment. Chen Weiyin did not intend to carry out the other party's orders.

Scientists always have their own ideas, they are not soldiers, and they do not have to be absolutely obedient to their superiors.

Jiang Ziyue, who knew the other party's temperament, knew that the woman in the radio communication was very willful and would not just return to the research ship. But just like six years ago, he always lacked the means and skills to deal with Chen Weiyin.

"It's all messed up!" Jiang Ziyue shouted angrily, and then turned to Ulf Bernstein and said, "Professor, you immediately lead the research ship to move closer to the supply fleet and prepare to evacuate." ”

"But, Chen Weiyin, they ......"

"I'll take care of it."

"Okay." Bernstein had no choice but to agree.

Jiang Ziyue connected the communication of the fleet again, and gave an order: "Captain Ernst Kinski, you lead the supply fleet and the scientific research fleet to get closer, evacuate first, and wait for us at the first scheduled assembly point on the return voyage." The other battleships shrank around the flagship, in a conical formation, in dense formation, covering the retreat of the expedition and the supply fleet. ”

In the outer space of the synchronous orbit of the planet "Yi", the new Roman Empire relict fleet quickly completed a new formation. Research ships and supply ships were grouped in formation, while other Imperial cruisers and reconnaissance and communications carriers lined up in a conical formation.

By 12 o'clock that day, the scientific expedition team led by Chen Weiyin had not yet returned.

In Jiang Ziyue's anxious urging, Chen Weiyin agreed to lead the team into the air.

At the same time, the scientific research supply formation was preparing to accelerate its departure from the "Yi" star field.

At that moment, the high-pitched screams of terror from the early warning sergeants spread through every corner of every Imperial ship.

"Enemy ships found, two million kilometers ahead!"

A large number of green and blue ship-shaped icons constantly appear on the stereoscopic images of almost all Imperial ships.

As the spatial fluctuations inspired by the Akuberi engine disappeared, one after another Perseus Star Federation warships emerged from the faster-than-light state and appeared in front of the Imperial Task Force with precision.

"Open all the cannon doors!" The captains of the Imperial Army anxiously and nervously urged their men to prepare for battle.

But they soon despaired of the coming battle.

Through the meticulous choreography of Lieutenant Colonel Gunther Oswald, the fleet's chief of staff, the ninety-nine warships were able to achieve faster-than-light speeds at a position of less than 3,000 kilometers from each other, allowing the Federation fleet to complete the formation extremely quickly.

When the Imperial warships received the gravitational waves generated by the other side, the Federation fleet had already formed a dense and huge funnel-shaped ship formation with the "Nimitz" and other twenty-nine battleships as the core.

The distance between the warships was only a little more than 200 kilometers, and all the warships made irregular spiral maneuvers. They each follow a spiral course with a random variation in diameter between ten and fifty kilometers, approaching their opponents at one-tenth of the speed of light.

The battle situation is also extremely beneficial for the Federation fleet.

The timing of their appearance was very clever, just in time for the opponent to be out of the outer space of the "easy" planetary synchronous orbit, just in time to combine the planet itself to flank the opponent.

Faced with the overwhelming and aggressive Federation fleet in terms of strength, the Imperial soldiers who were in an extremely disadvantageous position panicked.

Tension and fear permeated the bridges of every Imperial warship. In particular, the huge battleships that can already be clearly presented on the stereoscopic image, their huge and mighty images even more strongly oppress every officer and soldier of the Imperial cruisers.

The completely asymmetrical balance of forces, coupled with the extremely passive situation, made it seem that the Imperial soldiers could no longer see anything but defeat and destruction.