Chapter 134

  Iselhorn Fortress - the most important military stronghold of the Galactic Empire, located 6,200 light-years from the imperial capital star Othin. There is a young main-sequence star Yaltina, originally a lonely star without planets. Thirty years ago, an artificial planet with a diameter of sixty kilometers was built here, which is Iselhorn Fortress, as the base of the Galactic Empire, mainly based on its geographical importance.

  If viewed from the top of the galaxy, Iselorn's location is at the edge of the triangular region formed by the extension of the Galactic Empire's sphere of influence towards the Free Planets Alliance. This area is a "devil's triangle" in space travel, a "cosmic graveyard" that has caused many comrades to lose their lives since the founding of the Free Planets Alliance. This fact also satisfied the rulers of the empire, making them more determined to build a military stronghold to intimidate the alliance in this domain. Thus, Iselorn Fortress was born.

  Variable stars, red giants, abnormal gravitational fields... In the dense area of these celestial bodies, there is a narrow safe zone, and Iselrun sits at its center. The entire corridor is like an hourglass, with Iselrun Fortress in the middle. If you want to go from the Alliance to the Empire without passing through here, you can only take another route via the Federation of Fesha Autonomous Region, which is naturally not suitable for military operations. These two routes are also known as the "Iselrun Corridor" and the "Fesha Corridor".

  Ishiel Run and Fesya Corridor. Can't you find any other routes that connect the Alliance and the Empire besides these two? The rulers and military strategists of the Alliance have been trying their best to do so, but their intentions have been constantly thwarted due to the imperfections of the star chart and the tangible and intangible obstacles of the Empire and Fesya. As for Fesya, since it has its own value as a transit trading hub, it is naturally not willing to let the Alliance discover a "third corridor".

  Under various factors, the alliance's intention to invade the imperial domain evolved into a siege of Iselrune Fortress. In four and a half centuries, six large-scale sieges were conducted, each time being repelled, leaving behind the saying that "the corridor of Iselrune is paved with the corpses of rebel soldiers".

  Imperial Calendar 487, Space Calendar 796. The "Seventh Iserlohn Campaign" was about to be reenacted. This time, only half of the Allied fleet - the understrengthed 13th Fleet - would take the stage, with a new commander, Major General Yang Weili.

  At the same time, in the imperial capital of Oudin. "Finally got the troops supplemented! Wait a minute! What's going on with this list? Why are they all second-rate and thorny, useless troops?! Ah! Are you bastards from the Military Ministry treating my fleet like a garbage dump?!" Rudolf von Fafnir shouted loudly in front of the screen in the command room.

  At this moment, his fleet had just been replenished according to the number of imperial numbered fleets. However, more than half of the 12,000-strong fleet were composed of former defeated soldiers, local garrison troops and some problematic units from other fleets. It was clear that the Ministry of Military Affairs was thinking "putting garbage together and throwing it away in a distant place to fend for themselves!" This proposal was unanimously approved by several marshals, including Vice-Commander-in-Chief of the Space Fleet, Marshal Rostislav Kram. As a result, after this, there were constantly "garbage" thrown into his fleet's roster. By today, the Imperial 17th Fleet, which should have been fully manned with 12,300 ships according to its establishment, was finally formed into an enhanced fleet of 14,700 ships.

  As for the classification of warships, it is quite uniform, with not many old warships - this is completely to prevent this guy from shouting all the way to Odin's star. The main force of the entire fleet consists of 3,000 standard battleships of the 480-year type, 4,500 cruisers, 5,000 destroyers and 2,200 motherships, with the remaining 1,500 workships and 1,500 supply ships not counted as combat warships. There are also 1,000 strong assault landing ships and 200 medical ships. In terms of numbers alone, it is the largest among the Empire's eighteen regular fleets, but its combat effectiveness is not impressive - there are no high-speed warships, nor many new warships, and officers and soldiers at all levels are not capable, with most personnel being useless and worthless.

  Now, Fawkes has received orders to stay in the Xa Hien star system. "Damn it! One order and we're kicked into this godforsaken shithole of a star system!"

  Xia Heng Xing system is a star system that is roughly equidistant from Yishelun, Valhalla, and Aijianhezi star systems. It's a well-known rural area. The General Staff threw this fleet there, also with the idea of "out of sight, out of mind". Anyway, at least that star system will have no problem eating its fill.

  The Iselorn Fortress, located between the Galactic Empire and the Free Planets Alliance, is a region where the two major powers are vying for superiority.

  The Iscandar fortress has a diameter of sixty kilometers, with a thick layer of fluid metal on its surface. This is a massive artificial celestial body with a mass exceeding 100 trillion tons. Moreover, on this surface there is also the strongest firepower recognized in the universe - a giant cannon called "Thor's Hammer". As long as this fortress exists, it is impossible for the Allied Forces to enter the Galactic Empire.

  There were two Imperial Army generals in the fort of Ischerlun. One was the commander of the fort, General Thomas von Schuttk?ulen, and the other was the commander of the garrison fleet, General Hans Dietrich von Ject. Both men were over fifty years old and had tall figures, but Schuttk?ulen's build was slightly smaller than Ject's.

  The relationship between the two is not close, which is more of a personal factor than a tradition. In the same department, there are two commanders of the same rank, and if they don't conflict with each other, that's strange.

  The emotional opposition also extended to the soldiers under their command. In the eyes of the fortress defenders, the fleet was a shameless freeloader who would escape back to this safe place when there was danger outside, just like a prodigal son. And for the naval officers and men, the fortress defenders were nothing but cosmic moles hiding in their safe nests playing war games.

  The pride of the warrior who supported the unbreakable Iselrun fortress, and the fighting spirit that was united with the "rebel army", barely built a bridge between the two. In fact, although they despised and scolded each other, every time the Allied forces came to attack, they competed with each other for merit, often achieving considerable results.

  The military authorities also proposed several times to reform the organization, with the same person serving as both the fortress commander and the resident fleet commander, in order to unify the command system. However, each proposal was rejected. On the one hand, it was a major issue for senior officers because it reduced one commanding position; on the other hand, it was also because there had been no fatal cases of conflict between the two.

  May 14th.

  Schuttkal and Jackter, the two commanders, were in the meeting room. Originally a salon for high-ranking military officers, it was located equidistant from their offices and had been soundproofed for meetings. This was because neither of them liked to visit the other's quarters, and they couldn't just use TV communication within the same fortress.

  For the past two days, communication around Wusongkou has been disrupted, undoubtedly due to the approaching rebel army. However, there have been no attack actions. Today's meeting between the two is to discuss countermeasures for this situation, but their conversation had no constructive outcome.

  "You said there's an enemy coming and you want to launch a counterattack, but the location of the enemy is unknown. In that case, it's impossible to fight! Launching a counterattack would be a waste of effort."

  Schuetz countered with this, and Jack brought up a counterargument.

  "So that's why I want to go out and take a look, to find out where the enemy is hiding. If this rebellion army comes to attack, shouldn't they mobilize an even larger force?"

  To what Jack had said, Schutte nodded confidently.

  "So this time they will still be repelled, the rebel army has come six times and been repelled six times. If they come again this time, it's just a matter of changing six to seven."

  "This fortress is really too great."

  The fleet commander's words had a hidden meaning: "This is not because you are capable!"

  "In short, the enemy's approach is a fact. We should send out the fleet to scout and take a look."

  "But since I don't know where it is, there's no way to investigate, so let's just wait and see for now!"

  Just as their conversation was going around in circles, a call came through from the communications room. On the circuit, they received a strange transmission. The interference was intense and the communication was intermittent, making it difficult to discern the situation.

  "...To convey important liaison matters from the Imperial capital, a Brumaire-class light cruiser was dispatched to Iserlohn, but was attacked by the enemy in the corridor and is now fleeing, requesting rescue by Iserlohn..."

  The two commanders looked at each other face to face.

  "Although I don't know what position it is in the corridor, it's no good not to attack." Jack spat out these words from his thick throat.

  "But is this good?"

  "What does it mean? My subordinates are different from those space moles who only care about safety."

  "What does this mean again?"

  Two people appeared in the joint combat conference room with unpleasant expressions. Jack gave orders to his staff for the fleet to attack, and when explaining the reason, Shutek looked at the general situation briefly.

  As Jack's speech came to an end, one of his aides stood up from their seat.

  "Please wait a moment, sir."

  "Is it Colonel Oberstein......"

  Jack's voice was saying, but there was no good feeling in his tone. He disliked this new staff officer. The half-white hair, the lack of blood color on his face, and the fake eyes that occasionally emitted an unusual glow, all made him look askance, as if he were a man drawn by yin energy.

  "Do you have any opinions?"

  As for the officer's tone of disdain, at least on the surface, Colonel Oberstein did not seem to mind.

  "Yes."

  "Alright! Tell me about it."

  Jack urged him with an impatient tone.

  "Well, I've said it, I think this is a trap."

  "Trap?"

  "Yes, the enemy's goal is to lure our fleet out of Izverin. We should hold back for now and see how things develop."

  "Are you saying that as soon as we make a move, the enemy will ambush us and once the battle starts, we'll lose?" Jack sneered.

  "That's not what I meant..."

  "What does that even mean! As soldiers, fighting is our duty! Shouldn't we be advancing to attack the enemy before demanding safety for ourselves? Not to mention abandoning friendly forces in danger, what kind of behavior is that?"

  On the one hand, it was a rebuttal to Oberstein, and on the other hand, it was also a deliberate show of disdain for Schtukov's mocking gaze from the sidelines. Moreover, Jack was originally that kind of general who would charge into battle at the sight of the enemy, so having him wait in the fortress for the enemy was not in line with his personality. Furthermore, in his mind, this approach itself had lost the value of being a military commander.

  "How is it? Jack Tector, your staff's words also make some sense. Whether enemy or friend, not knowing the exact position is quite dangerous. Let's wait a little longer and see how it goes?"

  "It's better not to mention it, but the opinion put forward by Scherkow, who was standing beside him, determined the situation, and Jack's determination to attack became even more resolute. 'No, we'll set out with the entire fleet in an hour!'"

  Jack gave the order.

  Before long, a fleet of 15,000 warships large and small set sail from the port of Izuru.

  Shutek Kaho gazed at the scene on the display screen of the exit port control in the command room of the fortress. The warship, which lay like a giant tower, and the streamlined destroyer, etc., were departing into space in an orderly manner, creating a truly magnificent spectacle.

  "Hmph! Better go suffer for a bit and then come back."

  Schutte cursed in his mouth. Words like "go die" and "eat a defeat" he wouldn't even say when joking around. In this regard, he still had some restraint.

  Six hours later, another communication was received. It was from the Brummer light cruiser, saying that they had barely reached the fortress area but were still being pursued by rebel troops and requested gunfire cover - the above content was heard from the noise.

  On the one hand, I was preparing to provide cover fire, on the other hand, I felt annoyed in my heart. Where is this incompetent guy Jackte? It's okay to talk big, but can't even accomplish a small task like rescuing isolated friendly forces?

  "The silhouette of a ship appeared on the screen!"

  The report has arrived. As Commander Shutek Hauran orders the image to be enlarged.

  Only the light cruiser Brummer was seen, staggering towards the fortress like a drunken man. Behind it, many points of light could be seen, which must have been the enemy.

  "Prepare for bombardment!"

  Schutte gave the order.

  But just as they were about to enter the range of the fortress's main guns, the Allied ships suddenly stopped and hesitated at the invisible boundary line. They only turned back and left after confirming that the light cruiser HMS Bremen had accepted the guidance signal from the fortress control room and slowly entered the port.

  "What a clever guy, he knows he can't beat us!"

  The soldiers of the empire burst out laughing. The sense of unity between the power of the fortress and their own power filled them psychologically.

  After entering the port, the Bremen light cruiser, which was suspended in mid-air by a magnetic field, looked quite dismal.

  Just by looking at the exterior, you can see over a dozen damaged areas. In the cracks of the outer shell, white buffering materials are exposed like an animal's intestines, and the number of fine cracks is so numerous that it seems impossible to count even with the fingers and toes of 100 soldiers.

  A nuclear-powered vehicle loaded with fully armed troops approached. They were not garrison soldiers, but belonged to the fleet commander, so they felt sympathetic when they saw this situation.

  The hatch of the light cruiser opened, and a young officer with a white bandage on his head appeared. Although he was a handsome man, his pale face was stained with dry red and black bloodstains.

  "I am Captain von Laken, commander of the ship. I wish to pay my respects to the fortress commandant."

  This is obviously the imperial lingua franca.

  "I understand. But what's going on outside the fort?"

  One of the officers present asked the question that was on everyone's mind, and Major Larken sighed sorrowfully.

  "We're not entirely sure either, since we came from Odin. But it seems like your fleet has been annihilated."

  Gazing gloomily at those who swallowed a mouthful of water, as if they had been hit by a blunt instrument and were stunned like wooden chickens, Major Lakken almost shouted in despair.

  "It seems the rebels have thought of some unimaginable way to get through the corridors. This is not just a matter of Iselrun Fortress, but also concerns the survival of the Empire. Take me to see the Commander quickly!"

  This was immediately accepted.

  In the command room, General Shutekau stood up straight when he saw the five light cruiser officers surrounded by guards entering the room.

  "I am General von Schr?tter-Kristelli. Explain the situation quickly, what's going on?"

  The commander-in-chief approached with large strides, saying in a voice that was louder than necessary. If it's true what the report just said, and the rebel army has found a way to get through the corridor, then the existence of Fort Ischer is very questionable. In fact, it's essential to come up with a countermeasure against the rebel army's actions.

  Because the Iserlohn Fortress couldn't be moved, a fleet had to be stationed there. But that impulsive and reckless Yang!... Just thinking about it made Schenkopp's mood worse than ever.

  "It's like this..."

  Major Laken's voice gradually weakened in comparison, and Schutte naturally leaned his upper body closer to his face.

  "That's how it is! Shutekko, you've become our prisoner!"

  Everything was happening in a flash, but the momentary freeze was quickly dissolved in the sharp cries of the guards, who drew their pistols as Major Lakken's wrist had already encircled Shuttek's throat and pressed a gun made of composite materials that didn't react to metal detectors against his temple.

  "You scoundrel..."

  The face of Commander Remura, which was already bright red, grew even redder.

  "You're in cahoots with those traitors! How dare you be so brazen..."

  "Let me introduce myself, I am Colonel Shinoda of the 'Thistle Knights' corps. Now both hands are not free, but there's no way to take off my disguise to greet you." The colonel smiled boldly and calmly. "To be able to do so smoothly, to be honest, I didn't think it would be possible! Even specially forged an ID, and yet they didn't even check... No matter how solid the system is, it still depends on how people use it, consider this a good lesson for you."

  "Who is it a lesson for?"

  With a gritting sound, Rem's handgun aimed at Shuttkrafter and Schnitzel.

  "You want to use him as a hostage, don't treat Imperial soldiers like you traitors, Commander. His honor is more important than life and death! But he won't be a shield to protect your lives!"

  "Commander, you seem perplexed by their overly high evaluation of you!"

  The loud jeering of the vanguard, Buro, gave a signal to one of his four subordinates who were holding their ground. The subordinate took out a palm-sized circular object from under his Imperial Army uniform. This was also made of composite materials.

  "Got it? This is where Jie's particle generator happened."

  At first, the spacious interior seemed to have passed through an electric current. Every person on the Empire side trembled involuntarily as if they had been electrocuted. They understood what the Jie Fuzi particle generator meant.

  Jevons particles are a chemical substance named after their inventor, Karl Jevons. As an applied chemist, Jevons invented this substance for planetary-scale mining or civil engineering, its main property being able to produce reactions in certain quantities of heat or energy and ignite explosive simulations within a controllable range. However, regardless of the field of industrial technology, humans still divert it to military purposes.

  The face of Rem's school was shrouded in darkness. The energy beam-emitting handgun could no longer be used, and firing it would mean mutual destruction. Once the Gespenst particles in the air were ignited by the beam, everyone in the room would be reduced to ashes in an instant.

  "China, China school..."

  One of the guards let out a helpless cry. Remmeltz Middle School could only look at General Schteckenhauer with empty eyes, as if seeking help. After a brief loosening of his arms and two intense breaths, Commander Iselrunn surrendered.

  "You won. No way, I surrender."

  Xian Ke Bu secretly let out a sigh of relief in his heart.

  "Alright, everyone proceed with the planned action!"

  Kerberos' subordinates began to act according to their instructions. They modified the control computer's program, disabling various defense systems and then released sleeping gas throughout the fortress via the air conditioning system. The technicians hiding in the Bremerhaven light cruiser emerged one after another, perfectly executing the above tasks. In a situation where only a handful of people discovered it, the Iselhorn Fortress lost its original function as if its cells were invaded by cancer cells.

  Five hours later, the Imperial Army soldiers who woke up from their chaotic sleep found themselves disarmed and taken prisoner, stunned. The total number of Imperial Army personnel, including combat, communication, supply, medical, maintenance, control, technical and other personnel, was as many as 500,000 people. In addition, huge food factories and other facilities supported an environment with a population of over 1 million people, including the fleet, which showed the Empire's intention to build Iselrun into a de facto permanent fortress.

  But now, here, everywhere are the officers and men of the Thirteenth Fleet of the Allied Forces.

  In this way, the Iselhorn fortress, which had sucked the blood of hundreds of thousands of Allied soldiers like a vampire in the past, changed hands without shedding a single drop of blood.

  In a matter of mere hours, with the three salvos from Iselorn's main cannon "Mjolnir", the foolish Fortess-class dreadnought commander Jackt and his warship were reduced to cosmic dust.

  On May 16th, General Fawneil received the Imperial Military Report. "The Iselrun Fortress has been occupied by humans? I recall that the fortress commander is your uncle?"

  The Chief of Staff, Gustav von Schu?tckow, who was still immersed in astonishment, replied: "Yes, he is my uncle."

  "What was your uncle's IQ score back then? Was it over 60 points? How did he lose the fort so easily?"

  "I don't know how he lost it. But this defeated report from the officer doesn't show at all how the fortress was lost." Schuttkal said, filled with despair, because their family might be implicated by his uncle's actions.

  "Yes, indeed it can't be seen. Anyway, that's just how it was lost. This report has nothing except that we lost the fortress. How did they lose it? What method did the enemy use? Not a single word! And yet, it was only through the enemy's telegram that we found out that the enemy commander is a Major General named Yang Weili!" Fafnir knew exactly what method Yang used to capture the fortress, and he was still tongue-tied by the brain-dead halo that the main characters of this world carried. But... why bother saying it?

  "My goodness! It's actually possible to do it this way. The fortress commander and the fleet commander are all brain-dead! I used to think they were fairly normal, but as soon as they encounter someone with a main character identity, they immediately become such idiots. Hmph, haha. Tanaka, can you only come up with tactics like this for the main characters? Are you just waiting for them to come before me?" Fafnir (Hephaestus) thought to himself.