24: Chapter 24 Detecting Signals of a Space Battle! Discovering the Surrounded Mecha Warrior Ling Shuang!

The hundred-ship Star River Fleet stood in formation like a silver forest tide in the synchronous orbit of Grey Fire Planet.

The engines of the Blade-class Frigate glowed with a faint light, the planetary shield shimmered with a soft pale gold radiance, and the clouds over the blue home planet rolled and drifted. The equatorial industrial zone continued to roar—in the window period before the Federation delegation arrived in three days, the entire Empire was in its absolute safety period, at the peak of its military power, orderly, and exerting pressure over the entire Dead Zone.

On the top floor of the War Command Tower, the holographic deep space radar spread out, incorporating the airspace within 30 million kilometers around the No. 7 Dead Zone into a surveillance net with no blind spots. Emperor Chen Fan stood with his hands behind his back in front of the flagship-level command console, his black Dominator cloak hanging down like a waterfall. His aura as a Tier 1 Gene Warrior was as steady as an abyss, and his gaze swept calmly across the three information streams: fleet combat readiness data, planet transformation index, and Federation monitoring movements.

Major Hu Feng was fully focused on coordinating the fleet's defensive deployment. The hundred Blade-class Frigates were divided into four assault brigades: twenty for long-range reconnaissance, thirty to guard the home planet, and fifty as the standby Main Fleet, forming an interstellar combat matrix that integrated offense and defense. After 24 hours of full-load mass production, the Empire's fleet had an actual registered combat strength of 112 Blade-class Frigates, 64 mechas, and 39 auxiliary ships, possessing the real strength to dominate the border star sector.

Administrative Director Guo Shouyi was busy perfecting the Empire's structure. The five major departments of household registration, law, military industry, energy, and diplomacy had been officially established. One hundred thousand citizens lived and worked in peace, the ecosystem after the home planet's transformation was nearing perfection, and food, water, and energy were all infinitely self-sufficient.

Everything was moving steadily toward the goal of "welcoming the Federation delegation and officially stepping onto the interstellar stage."

No one expected that a sudden deep space anomaly would break this tranquility at this moment.

I. Emergency Alert! Intense Space Combat Signal Erupted!

[Beep—Beep—!!!]

[Remote deep space radar captured an abnormally high-energy signal!]

[Location: Edge of No. 7 Dead Zone · Meteor Belt Blind Spot · Coordinate X-729]

[Signal Type: Interstellar mecha melee + particle cannon crossfire + ship siege]

[Combat Strength: High-order war god mecha fluctuations, far exceeding conventional pirate equipment!]

[Signal Status: Surrounded, suppressed, continuously decaying, on the verge of total destruction!]

A sharp red alarm suddenly tore through the calm of the command cabin. The global radar screen instantly erupted with a cluster of dazzling combat lights!

In the center of the light cluster was an extremely faint yet sharp golden mecha signal—extremely high intensity, extremely high mobility, and extremely rare energy characteristics. It was clearly a Federation standard-issue high-order war god mecha!

Surrounding it was a dense circle of black stealth ships and mass-produced hunter mechas, numbering as many as 27 Blade-class Frigates and 40 hunter mechas, forming an airtight encirclement!

Artillery fire, missile locks, mecha encirclement, energy interference...

The golden signal in the center was weakening, dimming, and tottering at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Everyone in the command cabin turned pale.

"My Lord!" Major Hu Feng stepped forward, his eyes solemn. "It's a high-order mecha battle! The central signal is a Federation regular army war god mecha! The surrounding ones are... unidentified hunter fleets! Judging by the configuration, they aren't pirates or bandits, but more like... a professional interstellar assassination squad!"

Emperor Chen Fan's gaze was as sharp as a knife as it fell on the radar waveform.

He was too familiar with this kind of signal.

Federation standard-issue, war god rank, explosive solo combat power, yet overwhelmed by numbers and trapped in a desperate situation...

This wasn't an encounter; it was a targeted elimination and a kill order.

"Amplify the signal, analyze the mecha encoding, and extract the remaining sound waves," Emperor Chen Fan ordered in a deep voice.

[Analyzing...]

[Mecha Model: Federation · Ling Shuang-class war god mecha]

[Pilot Combat Rating: SS-Class Mecha War God]

[Pilot Identity Code: Commander Ling Shuang]

[Sound Wave Extraction: "...Stop chasing! Federation high-level rebels... you dare touch me..."]

[Signal Status: Armor ruptured, energy depleted, severely injured, losing control and falling!]

Commander Ling Shuang.

This name stirred a wave of low-voiced shock in the command cabin.

Even the old troops exiled to the Dead Zone had heard of this legend—Commander Ling Shuang, the youngest SS-Class Mecha War God in the Federation 7th Star Sector, a genius pilot with illustrious battle achievements. At a young age, she commanded an ace mecha brigade, was cold and arrogant, possessed unparalleled combat power, and had peerless beauty. She was the universally recognized mecha goddess of the Federation military.

Three months ago, she suddenly disappeared while investigating a high-level corruption and arms smuggling case, and the Federation publicly announced her as "KIA."

It turned out she wasn't KIA.

She was being hunted, targeted for elimination, and thrown into the No. 7 Dead Zone!

At this moment, she was piloting a damaged war god mecha in the meteor belt blind spot, being besieged to the brink of death by a professional hunter fleet!

II. Desperate Scene! Mecha War God Fighting in Blood!

Zero synchronized the deep space detection camera, projecting the tragic live situation inside the meteor belt onto the main screen.

As soon as the image appeared, the whole room held its breath.

In the center, a gilded white war god mecha was already covered in wounds.

Its left arm armor was shattered, the right leg pipeline was severed, the energy core on its chest was exposed and flickering, the particle sword was chipped, the shoulder cannon was scrapped, and the fuselage was covered in bullet holes and knife marks. The gold paint was stained dark red with blood.

Even so, this mecha was still fighting.

The body shuttled through the gaps in the meteorites like a ghost, breaking hunter mechas with its broken sword and smashing the bridge of a frigate with its broken fist. Every strike was of war god-level explosive power, and every maneuver was dancing on the edge of a blade.

Inside the mecha cockpit, a slender and stubborn figure was vaguely visible.

Commander Ling Shuang.

Her silver hair was stained with blood, her face was pale, blood overflowed from the corners of her mouth, and her combat suit was torn. It was clear she was already severely injured and at the end of her rope.

Yet her eyes were still as cold as frost, staring fixedly at the hunter fleet surrounding her.

"Commander Ling Shuang, give up the resistance."

The enemy flagship's voice of persuasion carried a cold mockery, spreading across the airspace through the public channel: "You investigated things you shouldn't have, touched interests you shouldn't have, and the Federation high command has already sentenced you to death. This is the No. 7 Dead Zone, a no-man's land. If you die, you die; no one will know. Surrender, and I'll give you a decent end."

"In your dreams."

Commander Ling Shuang's voice was cold, weak, yet carried an unyielding spirit: "Even if I die, I won't let you rebels dirty the Federation's blade."

"Stubborn!"

The hunter fleet commander shouted coldly: "Full firepower coverage! Crush her! Leave no trace!"

Boom—!!!

27 Blade-class Frigates fired their particle cannons simultaneously, 40 hunter mechas charged at the same time, missiles rained down, and artillery fire surged, completely submerging Commander Ling Shuang's war god mecha!

On the radar screen, that golden war god signal instantly plummeted to the critical point!

[Warning! Target mecha suffered a fatal blow!]

[Pilot vital signs: Rapidly failing!]

[Status: Severely injured and unconscious, mecha out of control, falling into the depths of the meteor belt!]

[11 minutes until total crash!]

A desperate situation!

A true desperate situation!

A generation of mecha war gods was about to die like this, unjustly and unknown, buried in the meteor belt of the Dead Zone where no one would know!

The atmosphere in the command cabin was oppressive to the extreme.

Major Hu Feng clenched his fists: "My Lord! Commander Ling Shuang is one of the few clean generals in the Federation military. She is investigating high-level rebels, not the Federation regular army! We..."

He stopped halfway through his sentence.

To intervene now was equivalent to directly interfering in the Federation's internal struggle, openly opposing rebel forces, and exposing the Empire's full combat strength ahead of time.

And in three days, the Federation delegation would arrive.

One wrong step would mean a diplomatic disaster and interstellar war.

Administrative Director Guo Shouyi also said in a low voice: "My Lord, the risk is too great. Once we send troops, the rebels behind the hunter fleet will definitely treat us as a thorn in their side and might even smear the Star River Empire to provoke our relationship with the Federation."

Everyone's gaze fell on Emperor Chen Fan.

To save, or not to save?

III. Emperor Chen Fan's Decision! The Empire's Fleet is Ready to Set Out!

Emperor Chen Fan watched the golden mecha falling on the screen, watching that war god signal that remained stubborn to the end, his eyes showing no hesitation at all.

Commander Ling Shuang.

SS-Class Mecha War God.

Hunted by rebels.

Unjustly and severely injured.

Waiting for death in a desperate situation.

This was no simple passerby.

This was a top-tier talent with combat power, prestige, justice, and future potential all in one.

More importantly—

She represented not the rebels hunting her, but the true regular forces, clean factions, and future allies within the Federation.

Saving her alone was worth more than a hundred ships and a thousand troops.

Emperor Chen Fan slowly raised his hand, his voice calm, majestic, and unquestionable, resounding through the entire command cabin:

"First, Commander Ling Shuang is investigating rebels, so it is righteous to save her. Second, she is an SS-Class Mecha War God, which is of great benefit to the Empire. Third, the hunter fleet is killing people on the edge of our Star River Empire territory, so we must fight for our dignity."

Three sentences settled the matter.

Major Hu Feng's eyes lit up fiercely!

Emperor Chen Fan pointed his finger at the radar coordinates and issued the first cross-star-sector expedition order since the Empire's founding:

"Order: The First Interstellar Assault Brigade, 25 Blade-class Frigates, load all ammunition and sortie at full speed! The mecha brigade, 12 Star River-01 models, accompany for escort and carry out aerial rescue! Target: Meteor belt X-729, expel the hunter fleet, save Commander Ling Shuang, and bring her back to the home planet! Remember, leave no survivors to interrogate, do not negotiate, do not engage. Those who dare to use force on the edge of our Star River territory—crush and kill them!"

"Subordinate obeys!"

Major Hu Feng accepted the order with a boom, his voice trembling with excitement!

This was the first battle since the hundred-ship fleet was formed!

The first battle was to save a Federation mecha war god!

The first battle was to head-on clash with an interstellar assassination squad!

IV. The Star River Fleet Sets Out! The Golden War God, I Will Save Her!

[Order confirmed! The First Interstellar Assault Brigade sets out!]

[25 Blade-class Frigates, formation complete!]

[12 Star River mecha brigade, launch complete!]

[Engines at full power! Superluminal advance! Target: Meteor belt!]

Boom—!!!

In orbit of Grey Fire Planet, 25 silvery-white Blade-class Frigates ignited simultaneously. The deep blue flames tore through the starry sky, forming a sharp wedge-shaped assault formation, like a drawn saber, killing straight toward the combat coordinates!

The hull was imprinted with the Star River Empire emblem, the main cannons charged with dazzling light, shields were fully activated, and the momentum was sky-high!

Only three minutes.

The Star River Fleet crossed millions of kilometers of airspace and suddenly appeared behind the hunter fleet!

At this moment, the hunter fleet inside the meteor belt was still delivering the final blow, preparing to completely crush Commander Ling Shuang's mecha. They never expected that—on the edge of such a Dead Zone, a hundred-ship-level regular fleet would suddenly strike!

"Alert! Unknown fleet detected in the rear!"

"Quantity... 25 ships! All are standard Blade-class Frigates!!!"

"Combat strength... far exceeding ours!!!"

The hunter fleet commander's scalp went numb instantly!

He turned his head abruptly, only to see a silver torrent of steel descending like a god, shrouding the entire airspace, with main cannons already locked onto every one of their ships!

The emblem on the bow was clearly visible—

Star River Empire.

"Who are you?!" the commander roared in shock. "This is an internal Federation matter, retreat immediately! Otherwise, bear the consequences!"

In the Star River Fleet command channel, Major Hu Feng's cold voice came through:

"This is the territory of the Star River Empire. You are killing people at our doorstep. Now, I pronounce: Total annihilation."

Every word was sharp, filled with murderous intent!

The next second.

[Full fleet volley!]

Boom—!!!

25 Blade-class Frigates fired simultaneously!

A torrent of particle cannons, a rain of missiles, and close-range artillery fire instantly formed a firepower net that destroyed the heavens and extinguished the earth, directly covering the 27 hunter ships!

There was no suspense.

There was no resistance.

The professional hunter team was like paper in front of the Star River Empire's regular mass-produced fleet!

One ship, two ships, five ships, ten ships...

The hunter fleet exploded one after another, fire lighting up the sky, fragments scattering!

The 40 hunter mechas didn't even have a chance to charge before they were instantly shredded by the mecha brigade!

The whole process took no more than 90 seconds.

27 hunter ships, all destroyed!

40 hunter mechas, all destroyed!

No survivors, no one escaped!

The Star River Fleet, Zero casualties, Zero damage, a complete victory!

V. Saving the Mecha War God! Commander Ling Shuang Unconscious, Falls into Emperor Chen Fan's Hands!

The moment the battle ended, the Star River mecha brigade immediately dived, steadily catching the falling golden war god mecha.

The mecha shell was severely broken, the cockpit was badly deformed, and the energy core was on the verge of extinguishing.

Inside the mecha, Commander Ling Shuang was unconscious, her silver hair stained with blood, her face as pale as paper, her breathing weak, and she was critically injured and in life-threatening condition.

But her clenched teeth, her tightly gripped control stick, and her body that still maintained a combat posture all spoke of this war god's stubbornness and unyielding spirit.

[Target rescued! Pilot Commander Ling Shuang: Severely injured and unconscious, life-threatening, in urgent need of special medical care!]

Major Hu Feng reported immediately: "My Lord! Successfully rescued Commander Ling Shuang! The war god mecha is intact, and she is still alive!"

Emperor Chen Fan stood by the command tower window, looking at the fleet returning from the distant starry sky, watching the golden mecha being escorted in the center, and spoke lightly:

"Bring her back to the home planet, activate the Empire's highest-level medical pod, and treat her with all our efforts. She cannot die. From today on, Commander Ling Shuang will be protected by our Star River Empire."

"Yes!"

The silver fleet escorted the golden war god mecha, slowly entering the Grey Fire Planet space elevator, and landed at the highest-level medical center in the Star River main city.

When the medical pod closed and the life support system was fully activated.

The entire Empire knew—

Their Emperor, on the border of the Federation, had saved that legendary mecha war god, Commander Ling Shuang.

And far away at the Federation 739 monitoring station, they happened to capture the tail end of this 90-second high-speed crushing battle.

The monitoring officer was dumbfounded: "Sir... the Star River Empire... just now in the meteor belt, wiped out an assassination fleet... and also saved a... high-order Federation mecha pilot?!"

The high-level border command was shaken again!

"It's Commander Ling Shuang?! She's not dead?!"

"She was saved by Emperor Chen Fan?!"

"A major event has happened! Commander Ling Shuang has evidence of high-level rebels! She fell into Emperor Chen Fan's hands, and the entire Federation border landscape is going to change!!"

Next Chapter Preview · Chapter 25: Commander Ling Shuang Hunted by the Federation! Severely Injured in a Desperate Situation! Emperor Chen Fan Takes Decisive Action! Commander Ling Shuang Recalls the Truth While Unconscious: She Discovered the Federation High-Level Smuggling Arms, Colluding with Rebels, and Framing Her! The Ones Hunting Her Were the Secret Fleet of the Federation Rebels! Commander Ling Shuang is Critically Injured, the Medical Pod Alarm is Blaring! The Rebel Main Fleet Receives the News, Pours Out, and Heads Straight for Grey Fire Planet to Demand the Person! Emperor Chen Fan Sneers: You dare to touch my people? A Hundred Ships Set Out, Head-On Clash with the Federation Rebel Main Fleet! One Battle, Shaking the Federation!