All the cosmic material excited by the eruption of this supernova, especially the large and fearso stellar fragnts that are more terrifying than nuclear bombs, had just struck the Richelieu escort ship. What hit were rely dium-to-small-sized fragnts, and Bai Zhongqi had just watched helplessly as a fragnt, possibly hundreds of kiloters in diater, passed less than ten thousand ters from the Sacred Falcon.
The sensors and computing systems of the Sacred Falcon were now operating at high speed, capturing every fragnt that could hit the ship and making displacent adjustnts accordingly.
At this mont, Zero was not panicking, even amidst the supernova explosion. As an AI bionic human with the strength of a Star Warrior master, he could survive in the universe without depending on life support systems, avoiding the dangers of the supernova explosion.
"Your Majesty, we can use a short-range space jump to avoid danger. If we reboot the warp engine and leave the space surface, these fragnts will not cause us any harm at all," Zero suggested to Bai Zhongqi.
But Bai Zhongqi's face was stern, and he shook his head firmly, saying, "No, if we leave like this, the Richelieu is done for. Nearly three hundred mbers of the Star Alliance Universe Army will perish in this unfamiliar galaxy. I absolutely cannot tolerate such an event occurring."
Bai Zhongqi continued, "We must conduct a rescue operation for the Richelieu. Have them launch the lifeboats, and the Sacred Falcon will activate guide mode to bring them all aboard this ship."
"Your Majesty, this is a very bad idea," Zero said candidly to Bai Zhongqi, "permit to offer a contrary opinion. If we guide the lifeboats, it will greatly delay our retreat. We could be hit by flying stellar debris at any mont during the rescue."
Bai Zhongqi remained resolute; he simply would not abandon the new mbers of the Star Alliance Universe Army because of the dangers ahead. He had led these people out on this strategic reconnaissance mission, and if he returned alone, he would not be able to justify it.
At this mont, the communication channel was not closed, and Chi Jia also heard the conversation between Bai Zhongqi and Zero very clearly. This first Earth-born captain of the Star Alliance, at this critical mont, decisively said, "Your Majesty, the mission of the Richelieu is to protect the Sacred Falcon. There is no reason to expose the Sacred Falcon to greater risks to rescue us. We will hold on. That is our mission."
In the flight cabin of the Richelieu, listening to the captain's conversation, Taschwe couldn't help but explode in anger, punching the interior wall of the vessel's chamber.
"How can he do this? He is asking all of us to go to our deaths."
Standing beside him was a pilot with strikingly handso features and silver hair, Diane from Moon Pond Star. At this mont, his hand was clenched tight around the amulet hanging from his neck, yet his expression was unusually calm. Diane slowly said, "The captain's decision is the right one. All of us together are not as important as the Chancellor, who still must lead Iridium Star and the Star Alliance, bearing the life and death of billions. To sacrifice for him is our mission."
Taschwe was so frightened that he was struggling to control himself; he thought of his daughter and everything he recognized, feeling death to be so terrifying.
He looked around; most of his comrades were equally afraid and uneasy, many also harbored grievances and anger, but even more of them had expressions of resigned acceptance of death.
Whether officers or soldiers, during their training, they had deeply understood one fact: the existence of the Universe Army was for the continuance of the Earth/Iridium Star civilization, and the leader of this civilization was clearly Bai Zhongqi. Thus, for their lofty mission, their sacrifice was deed necessary.
Chi Jia understood this principle. For him, as a burgeoning captain in the Universe Army, his life had just begun, with a promising career and glory ahead of him. Yet, Chi Jia had long been prepared for this mont. A soldier could fear death, but must face it resolutely when it was unavoidable.
The pilot from the navigation team, Jun Jiushao, gently set down her damaged equipnt. She might have been the most composed person aboard the ship, even more so than Captain Chi Jia, who had made the decision to sacrifice himself.
The beautiful female officer, who had been ethereal from a young age, had long beco indifferent to life and death. Even if she were to die now in this remote corner of the galaxy, Jun Jiushao would be content, knowing it was her choice, not soone else's appendage.
She glanced at her panicked comrades beside her, feeling sowhat sad. These comrades, who had gradually beco her new family, cared for her despite her icy deanor. Living together on the Richelieu, carrying out missions together, sharing fortunes and misfortunes, Jun Jiushao felt a warmth she had never experienced before. Whether it was the amiable but serious captain or the seemingly carefree Taschwe, or the complex and ticulous Huang Quan, these people had beco part of her life.
Jun Jiushao looked at the display screen and said to Chi Jia, "In 20 seconds, a 15-kiloter-wide asteroid fragnt will collide with the Richelieu."
Chi Jia, deeply troubled, knew this was the end. He opened the communications channel and spoke to the entire crew, "It's ti to say goodbye. I am glad to have served with you all. You are the best crew mbers in the Universe Army, and I am extrely honored to be one of you aboard the Richelieu. I regret not leading you to more honors, but you are the best."
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The crew mbers aboard the Richelieu looked desperate, so removing their hats, staring at the approaching massive asteroid fragnt, while others shed tears.
As the asteroid fragnt, traveling at extrely high speed, drew nearer, the Richelieu seed to be noticeably affected by its gravitational pull. Suddenly, a powerful beam of light was shot from the side, directly shattering the asteroid fragnt.
"It's the Sacred Falcon's particle beam cannon, hooray!" soone recognized the shot. The particle beam cannon, with its trendous destructive power, shattered the 15-kiloter asteroid fragnt in one strike. Though the large fragnt broke into many smaller pieces, and there were a few slightly bigger pieces, apart from the tiny fragnts that still hit the Richelieu causing trivial damage, none of the more threatening pieces ca close to the Richelieu.
Chancellor Bai Zhongqi's voice ca through the communication channel, "Are you trying to disobey orders? My command is, abandon ship, evacuate imdiately and board the Sacred Falcon! Every mont you waste increases the danger for everyone, now, hurry!"
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