"Black Scale Type-2 units 5 through 10, fire! Yin-Yang forced disconnection, restart at low power in 30 seconds with priority to electromagnetic Overdrive!" Natarle spoke rapidly with crystal-clear articulation.
In that split second, five Black Scale Type-2 missiles launched from the dorsal spine.
They were instantly vaporized by incoming beams, but upon detonation, the shattered metal fragments dispersed into a dark mist.
The beams piercing through this fog rapidly dissipated as their energy was absorbed, revealing twinkling starlight within the haze that transformed into a shimmering white mist within moments. The remaining beams fell like gentle rain upon Black Tortoise's external armor before vanishing completely.
The slower missiles arrived moments later, only to find Black Tortoise had already relocated.
Without the Repulsion Field's interference, the missiles arced gracefully through space, relentlessly pursuing Black Tortoise's aft section.
Simultaneously, the fleet's beam cannons swept across the surrounding area, sealing off all forward escape routes.
Zhou Tianming's thoughts flashed—the engraved grooves on Feather Plumes' main body illuminated with a soft white glow as its thrusters flared crimson. Detaching from Black Tortoise's wings, it traced ten slender red trails across the cosmic void.
Meanwhile, Natarle's fingers traced a winding path across the small display to her right: "Black Scale Type-1 launch! Timed detonation at coordinates 117-578-1136."
"Black Scale Type-2 targeting forward sector! Bow external armor transformation! All crew brace for impact! Black Tortoise maximum speed charge!" After issuing commands, Natarle turned to Zhou Tianming and began, "I'm preparing—"
Without hesitation, Zhou Tianming stomped the pedal the instant orders came through, his right hand slamming the thruster to full power. The sudden acceleration pressed them into their seats as Black Tortoise's velocity surged.
Natrale found herself momentarily transfixed by his silhouette before snapping back to reality when Zhou Tianming, having completed the maneuver, finally asked, "What?"
Her lips curled slightly. "Nothing."
In the void, missiles danced like predators chasing their prey. Black Tortoise's automatic cannons fired rearward, detonating several warheads, yet more emerged from the explosions to continue pursuit.
Ahead, intersecting beams wove an inescapable net across space through relentless firing.
Just then, the Yin-Yang Pisces emblem on Black Tortoise's back began rotating anew. Electricity enveloped the hull as speed increased, gradually widening the gap with pursuing missiles. Black Scale Type-1 and Type-2 units launched sequentially—the Type-1 veered erratically sideways, dodging automatic cannon fire through impossible maneuvers before slipping between several spaceships and disappearing into the cosmos.
Simultaneously, Black Tortoise abandoned evasive maneuvers, charging directly toward a Nelson-class warship dead ahead.
Six emerald beams erupted from the Nelson's three twin-mounted beam cannons, closing the distance in an instant.
The bow of the Black Tortoise transformed into a conical ramming spike, while the [Black Scale Type-2] exploded into a cloud of black mist.
In just a breath, the black mist absorbed energy and turned white.
At that exact moment, the Black Tortoise charged through it, with white metal fragments adhering to the ramming spike. The two merged as they surged forward, splitting the green beam like a wave scattering in all directions.
"Impossible!" The captain of the Nelson paled, waving his arm frantically. "Evade!"
The next second, the Black Tortoise collided with the Nelson's bow. Upon impact, the white metal fragments lit up like tiny lightbulbs.
Boom! The fragments blasted through the bow, and the Black Tortoise plunged straight into the warship's core.
The Black and White Pisces on its back crackled with lightning, sending thick bolts coursing through the Nelson's interior. In moments, the air filled with the stench of charred flesh as explosions erupted across the entire vessel.
Amid the flames, the Black Tortoise burst out, its external armor battered, and veered sharply toward the remaining spaceships.
Its momentum was unstoppable, like a wolf among sheep. Though the other ships knew they could overwhelm it by swarming, fear drove them to retreat instead.
Their once-impenetrable encirclement tore apart from within.
Meanwhile, in the dark cosmic space, ten crimson threads wove dazzling trajectories. Blood-red beams seemed to materialize from the void, piercing through the ships in multiple spots.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Explosions rippled across their hulls.
"Where is this attack coming from?!"
The captains of the ships screamed in panic, drenched in sweat.
But the [Feather Plumes], as floating weapons, were too fast and small for radar detection. In the chaos of battle, they were invisible to the naked eye.
Under Zhou Tianming's control, the [Feather Plumes] darted freely like a school of fish in the ocean.
Missiles aimed at the Black Tortoise were detonated mid-flight by red beams that appeared out of nowhere. They weaved around the "big fish," tearing at its claws and flesh.
As time passed, [Yin-Yang] recovered, and the Repulsion Field reactivated. The Black Tortoise advanced as if facing no resistance.
The fleet could no longer hold formation, scattering in disarray.
Yet in that instant, they sealed their own doom.
[Yin-Yang] projected a massive bolt of lightning that arced over the fleet, striking an invisible wall ahead and spreading outward.
The fleet flew into it moments later. They laughed, relieved—until blood poured from their orifices, and they died.
One by one, the spaceships fell silent, drifting lifelessly into the distance.
Total victory!
The [Feather Plumes] returned, trailing long crimson tails, and settled lightly on the Black Tortoise's wings, folding in.
Inside the Black Tortoise, Zhou Tianming marveled, "I never thought [Black Scale] could be used like this."
"Humans are fragile. Even a single sweep of such intense microwaves would leave them incapacitated, if not dead."
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Natarle applauded, her face alight with triumph.
"It seems I need to develop countermeasures. This time, the enemy actually forced [Yin-Yang] to overload and shut down. Didn't expect that move."
"Your Black Tortoise is too famous—it's natural for others to counter it. Don't underestimate them."
He nodded.
This incident served as a wake-up call. He had been too dismissive of others.
He couldn't let his Black Tortoise end up like a raid boss, studied and defeated in one go.
Beep! Beep! Beep!
A sharp alarm blared.
"Lock-on signals detected! Multiple ships approaching!" White Rabbit warned.
Both of them tensed instantly, bracing for battle.
In the distance, a sword-shaped Agamemnon-class warship approached rapidly, flanked by three Nelson-class vessels and dozens of Drake-class ships. Unlike the previous ragtag fleet, Natarle immediately recognized this as the regular Space Force of the Council of Nations.
"Communication signal incoming. Shall we accept?"
The two exchanged glances. Zhou Tianming unbuckled his helmet and safety harness, floating over to Natarle's side. "Switch places. Stay hidden."
Understanding his intent, Natarle took the pilot's seat and donned the helmet to conceal her face.
"Accept."
A window appeared ahead, revealing a middle-aged captain in a white military uniform and cap.
"Greetings. Your reputation precedes you, King of the Wastes. Your prowess lives up to its name."
"Flattery won't get you far," Zhou Tianming cut straight to the point. "What do you want?"
Shaking his head, the captain replied, "We're an envoy from the Eurasian Federation, en route to Mars for an inspection. We detected combat nearby and came to see if anyone needed assistance. Since the battle is over, we'll be on our way."
"Safe travels."
"Your blessing is appreciated."
As the communication ended, Zhou Tianming narrowed his eyes. "White Rabbit, keep a close watch. Attack immediately if they make any suspicious moves."
"Understood."
The two fleets flew off in opposite directions, eventually vanishing from sight.
On the bridge of the Eurasian Federation's Agamemnon-class warship, the vice-captain asked, "Aren't we making our move? They're weakened after the battle. This is our chance."
The middle-aged captain shook his head. "Our orders are to capture, not destroy. They're on high alert right now."
"Have someone Analyze the recent battle and update the Black Tortoise's armaments. Ideally, we should devise a countermeasure. If we strike, we must succeed in one attempt."
"Also," the captain added, "have intelligence look into whether Zhou Tianming has a fleet commander by his side. That battle didn't match his usual tactics—it felt more like one of our own captains' strategies."
The vice-captain bowed and began delegating tasks and issuing orders.
The captain sighed, his tone tinged with awe. "Now I understand why command is so invested. That level of power is truly monstrous."