Chapter 114 Multi-Route Development
If it were in the empty universe, how could the results be so disappointing?
Just as the "Free Democratic Federation" evacuated the asteroid group, the Imperial Fleet was also evacuating on the other side.
"Our losses this time are not small. A "Cobra-class" destroyer and a "Firestorm-class" escort ship were paralyzed, the engines were severely damaged, and they lost the ability to move on their own. We can only let the "Iron Slave" mining boat push them back to the star field where Star No. 1 is located. It will take at least half a year to repair them."
The Imperial warships have the ability to repair themselves.
Of course, this self-repair does not refer to the metaphysics of warships self-repair.
Rather, the warships have equipment, manpower and materials to repair warships.
This is the advantage of large ships, which can hold a lot of things.
Of course, compared with repairing in the dock, the speed of self-repair is much slower.
It may take at least half a year, or as long as one year or two years.
What Ralph said made Li Meng realize one thing.
Although the Imperial warships are not easy to be destroyed, one or two of them were paralyzed in one battle.
If he fights a few more battles, will he have no ships to use?
Thinking of this, Li Meng showed a thoughtful look on his face.
Well, it is very likely...
The opponent is a small boat, or a smaller drone, and the mass production speed is definitely faster than the construction speed of the imperial battleships.
Although there is a time gap, it is not necessarily a loss in the battle of consumption.
But the time gap is far away in the S-01888 star system, 22 light years away from the S-01919 star system.
If the round trip goes smoothly, it will take at least one and a half months.
The damaged battleships cannot return to the S-01888 star system in time for repair.
Is the S-01888 star system important, or the S-01919 star system important?
Of course, the latter is more important.
The former is like a rich mine in the novice village. Although it is rich and important, it is only for novices.
And the S-01919 star system is the real rich mine outside the novice village, which is mouth-watering.
In addition, there is a habitable planet and a natural barrier of asteroids scattered across the sky.
Li Meng couldn't think of any reason to give up the S-01919 star system, the best choice for the base camp.
Thinking of this, Li Meng stood up.
"Ralph, I'll leave this to you. After this defeat, the other side should not invade in a short time. I have to go back to the S-01888 star system. I can return in a month at least, and half a year at most. Tell Sandra this news, so that they don't worry."
Ralph was about to respond, and a golden, soft, and holy light suddenly emerged.
A pair of huge golden halos stretched out from behind the "king".
Above his head, the space twisted and turned into a purple-red vortex.
The light wings waved, and the "king" flew into the sky and rushed into the subspace crack.
As the "king" disappeared, the subspace crack also collapsed rapidly and disappeared.
...
S-01931 star system.
In the "Wings of Freedom" space.
In the thirteen-member council room...
"You chose the people, Speaker of the Council, you must take the responsibility for the failure..."
"If failure is not punished, who will care about the property of the Federation in the future, who will care about the expensive clones?"
Sitting on the main seat, Elro narrowed his eyes and had no expression on his face.
He had just received the news of the defeat, and the twelve people hurriedly convened a meeting.
As the Speaker of the Council, the minority obeys the majority, and he can't delay the meeting.
Elro said expressionlessly: "Even if you have to take responsibility, it will be after the war."
"Why, you still want to protect him? He must be responsible for this failure. Let someone else be the fleet commander. I already have a candidate."
"Humph, you are quick-witted. I also have a candidate. Should I listen to you or me?"
"Changing generals on the battlefield is a taboo, and this failure is not necessarily the fault of Captain Rex."
"Right or wrong is not important. What is important is the result of the defeat."
A failure caused the councilors to fall into a quarrel.
They quarreled for their own interests and for the new fleet commander.
"Everyone, be quiet, please listen to me..."
In the end, it was Elro who ended the quarrel among the members.
After all, he is the Speaker of the Parliament, and after all, he is the elder who established the "Free Democratic Federation".
The members still have to give him some face.
Seeing that the meeting room was quiet, Elro said solemnly: "I believe you also know the process of this defeat. No matter who it is, it is not necessarily better than the commander of the Rex Fleet in such an environment. The environment of the S-01919 star system is indeed not suitable for drone group operations. For the unknown "Warhammer" forces, the asteroids scattered throughout the star system are a natural barrier, and it is difficult for us to break through."
"Speaker of the Parliament, what do you mean? We have spent so much effort, you are not going to tell me to give up?"
"Give up? Now is not the time to give up. I will never agree."
"I don't believe there is anything that the "Free Democratic Federation" can't get. Let's fight with them and see who can outlast whom..."
Waving his hand slightly, Elro said calmly: "Everyone, please be patient and listen to me."
Everyone fell silent again.
Elro said again: "S-01919 star system is a good place. We naturally can't give up. Since we can't rush in, we can lure them out. We can send "Charger-class" mining ships to mine on the edge of the star system. If they can bear it, then we will put aside the dispute and jointly develop. If they can't bear it, then it's just what we want. In the empty universe outside, drone swarms can play a greater advantage."
At this point, Elro paused and continued: "Although habitable planets are important, they are not indispensable. Large ecological space stations can also replace habitable planets, and rare minerals are the most important things."
Can habitable planets be replaced in ecological space?
Everyone present knows the importance of habitable planets.
But they also know that now is not the time to think about habitable planets.
Since the speaker of the parliament has given them a way out, they naturally have to know how to do it.
"I think it's feasible. With trade coins, technology can be unlocked faster. With more advanced technology, there will be more powerful warships. With stronger warships, the "Free Democratic Federation" can be invincible and go further."
"After this large-scale warship battle, the disadvantages of the drone route have also emerged. Facing giant ships, it is difficult for drone swarms to completely destroy enemy ships. They can only paralyze enemy ships. If they win, it's fine. Once they fail, the opponent has almost no losses and only needs time to repair."
"This is indeed a problem. I have also discovered this. It's better to develop on two fronts, with drones as the main force and large ships and cannons as the auxiliary force. There is no anti-front line. Once the drone-carrying ship is approached by the enemy, it will suffer a catastrophic disaster."
The war in the S-01919 star system reminded the thirteen senators.
In future interstellar wars, drones alone are not enough. The limitations are too great.