The group moved swiftly, with Andrew following behind Chen Gu, continually observing him. Finally, he couldn't resist asking, "Your Excellency, are you really an 'Idol Actor'?"

Chen Gu replied helplessly, "It's me. I didn't want to reveal my identity because I knew you would find it hard to believe."

"I believe!" Andrew became noticeably excited. "In the last major battle, my troops defeated those disgusting bugs all thanks to your tactical manual! If it weren't for your tactical guidance, I'm afraid we would have been completely wiped out!"

Chen Gu felt gratified. He and Institute 745 had developed the tactical manual, which was constantly being expanded. However, the situation on the battlefield changed in the blink of an eye, and warriors faced different opponents and combat environments. Therefore, it was impossible to guarantee that front-line soldiers would always find the perfect "tactic" for every situation.

However, even if it was only partially successful, it represented a tremendous victory.

Andrew's troops were clearly beneficiaries of this tactical research.

During their brief conversation, Chen Gu and Carlos arrived at the command cabin. Bai Xianya and Bai Yunpeng were waiting for them via video communication.

Bai Yunpeng smiled and spread his arms. "At last, our tactical genius, Idol Actor, and Director of Institute 745, Chen Gu! Hello!"

Chen Gu had no time for pleasantries and said, "I propose that Andrew continues to command the battle, while I provide military advice as a staff officer."

Changing commanders right before a battle is a major taboo in military strategy. Moreover, Chen Gu was unfamiliar with the transport ship and would find it difficult to command smoothly and efficiently.

Andrew clearly had great faith in Chen Gu and would undoubtedly accept any suggestions he made. Therefore, it seemed better for Chen Gu to defer command to Andrew.

As for Bai Yunpeng, his main purpose in offering command authority to Chen Gu was to demonstrate a gesture of complete trust.

After Chen Gu made his suggestion, Bai Yunpeng considered it for a moment and then said, "Although you are young, your considerations are more comprehensive. We accept your proposal."

Then, Bai Yunpeng added, "Your situation is very dangerous. Nearby, only a small fleet of six main warships, currently near Witch Star, is rushing to support you."

"However, current intelligence indicates the Alien Insect Race forces are massive, and that support fleet is no match for them. Our next support fleet will take seven hours to assemble and another six hours to reach you. This means you must hold out for at least thirteen hours!"

It didn't seem like a long time, but this was a space war where situations changed in an instant.

To say nothing of other threats, if those three hundred Space Wolves alone caught up and boarded the transport ship, the battle would be over in less than half an hour.

"Now, your mission is to hold out!"

After thinking for a moment, Chen Gu asked, "I'd like to know the transport ship's original intended retreat destination."

Andrew glanced at Bai Yunpeng, who nodded. "Director Chen's security clearance far exceeds yours. You can tell him everything you know."

With Chen Gu's identity confirmed, his status with the Bureau of Mystic Security meant the military had almost no doubts about him.

Andrew tapped the air, and a star map materialized before him. He then selected and enlarged a desolate planet. "The Swan Star System, Planet 62N-41, military designation JM662. It's one of the key defensive points planned by the military for the Swan Star System's second line of defense. It has substantial defensive installations and conceals four star-based ground-to-orbit cannons. Those are super-high concentration energy cannons—one shot can instantly kill a Sky-Stepping Dragon Bug."

"Once we get there, we can abandon ship and land. We can rely on the solid fortifications and the star-based ground-to-orbit cannons to engage the Insect Race fleet and hold out for reinforcements."

Chen Gu frowned and asked, "Is there an army guarding the place?"

"No. This support base has been sealed since its completion. It's impossible to access it without military authorization."

"Besides this support base, are there any other facilities?"

"As far as I know, there are none."

The Insect Race would specifically target such a support base? Chen Gu wondered. Indeed, the base has great strategic value, but it seems unnecessary to launch a large-scale military operation specifically against it.

"Regardless, we cannot play into the Insect Race's strategic intentions. We must change our destination immediately. We won't land for now; we'll engage them in the Star Sea... If worst comes to worst, we'll make an emergency landing on any uninhabited planet and continue the fight there!"

"Alright!" Andrew had just agreed when a combat staff officer beside him reported, "Colonel, our fighter craft and the Space Wolves have started to clash!"

In the Star Sea, the sixteen space fighters and eight Star Armor that had been deployed were already engaging the insect swarm.

The space fighters were twenty meters long, and the Star Armor stood sixteen meters tall. They were more agile than the Space Wolves but few in number. Furthermore, compared to the equipment on a main battleship, these fighters and Mecha were older models.

The space fighters, flying in a suitable combat formation, swept over several Space Wolves. Their missiles struck true, instantly tearing three Space Wolves apart and eliciting cheers in the command cabin.

The Star Armor, coordinating and providing mutual cover, employed more diverse attacks and a variety of weapons. They quickly dispatched another four Space Wolves, striking first to gain the upper hand.

But soon, a row of chambers opened on a Giant Bubble-Fly Insect positioned behind the swarm. A dense, ferocious mass of smaller insects flew out.

These creatures were seventy to eighty meters long, resembling a hybrid of spiders and scorpions, with eight giant, sharp limb-blades. Far more agile than the Space Wolves, they were a species the Alien Insect Race had evolved specifically to counter Star Armor: the Sky-Hunting Spider Insects.

They formed a vast, dark cloud in the Star Sea, swiftly pouncing on the space fighters and Star Armor. Their overwhelming numbers quickly engulfed the human forces. A combat staff officer, receiving continuous feedback from the monitoring devices, reported with a heavy heart, "Lost one space fighter! Lost one Star Armor! Lost a second space fighter..."

And that group of Space Wolves was steadily catching up.

Andrew clenched his teeth. "How many more Star Armor do we have?"

The combat staff quickly tallied the numbers. "A total of three hundred forty-seven Star Armor were being transported back for repairs. Of those, one hundred ninety are still combat-capable. But, Colonel... we don't have that many Mecha pilots."

"How many do we have?"

"We have thirty-one in total."

Andrew slammed his fist on the control console before him. "I'm a Mecha pilot too..."

His staff members were startled and hurriedly came forward to restrain him. "Colonel, calm down! We haven't reached the desperate point where the commander himself needs to enter the battlefield."

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