Chapter 287

Chapter 287

Vilar led the way, charging forward without a moment's hesitation.

Though not as formidable as the Grath members, who could take down a mech with a single blow, she was not alone. Tightly gripping her sword, her mental power poised to strike. The moment she hit the mech's cockpit, the others followed right behind, disabling the mech.

Vilar drew her sword and flipped onto the mech's shoulder.

Soon, all the commanders poured out of the command center, seamlessly joining the battle.

Outside, the Star Alliance announcer stammered with excitement, "We can see that Grath's command center is under attack, and now the commanders have joined the fight!"

"I just tuned in, and I'm already stunned. Does the host even know what they're saying? What's going on?"

"Damn, these are commanders? Are our commanders just that weak? My upperclassmen said not to take the Command Department seriously! I just started military academy this year, don't fool me..."

"I'm an academy graduate. Yesterday I told my juniors that in mecha combat, facing the Command Department is just free points..."

The main camera was still on Vilar.

She had barely reached the roof when she lunged at another incoming mech without hesitation. This time, attacking from above, she found it easier and aimed steadily at the cockpit, her mental power flowing through the blade as she struck. With a clean thrust to the chest, her mental power exploded with force in that instant.

The pilot inside lost control of the mech for a brief moment due to the sharp pain.

The others followed Vilar closely.

"Ouch, that looks painful, but I wonder—if the pilot just braced for it, wouldn't they avoid losing control? And if the mech's damage isn't high enough, there's no sensation, right? Or is their attack power like the Graths' in the first round, causing severe damage? But it doesn't look like it..."

"It's not just 'a bit painful.' Someone already analyzed that the Graths' attacks use mental power to disrupt the pilot. When the weapon penetrates deep into the cockpit, it's hard not to be affected. It's supposedly like taking a sword to the chest without being in the mech. Who can handle that? A one-second freeze is considered short."

Facts prove that even though it's difficult, with fast enough movements this tactic is entirely feasible—provided you have sufficient mental power and combat skills.

Of course, in the first round, when Baide dealt with mechs, he often didn't use mental power; he relied purely on physical strength. Theoretically, the pain inside the mech would be dulled, not as intense as pain from mental power, but the results seemed similar—either way, they were on the ground within a second.

"Any experts care to explain how to avoid this type of attack? Can it be eliminated technically?"

"It can't be avoided. As long as you use mental power to pilot a mech, there's no way around it. Unless you give up piloting mechs. As for technical elimination, this isn't a full-dive virtual world; pain can't be blocked. And when a mech is severely damaged, the pain feedback is actually a warning. My advice is to know when to give in."

"Actually, we don't need to worry too much. Normally, it's rare to have so many A-levels going without mechs and charging in head-on. This tactic is useful but dangerous and costly."

"Anyway, with that many A-levels, if I were a commander, I wouldn't waste them like that. I'd rather bench them before the match and bring in others."

...

Ye He opened a light screen, showing several small points marked in red—meaning those bases were under attack.

"It's started."

Ye He connected his mental power to the command center, taking over the massive data stream.

The deputy beside him rushed over again, "Sir, we've received two distress calls. They need immediate handling, and more are expected."

"Mm, I see."

The deputy only then noticed that Ye He had linked his mental power to the command center. He sighed in relief, realizing he had been worrying needlessly.

With mental power connected to the command center, Ye He would be the first to receive all intelligence and could respond to all situations immediately.

In fact, Ye He even had time to correct slightly off-target orders from his subordinates.

Ye Mo was beside Ye He, watching the light screen anxiously. Another base turned red. "One more. Why so many all of a sudden..."

Ye He glanced at him. This was to be expected—now was a good time to attack, either right after arriving or now that some forces were diverted.

"Because they think we're an easy target."

Humans are like that—very straightforward. An individual's actions might take some effort to decipher, but at the group level, they're surprisingly direct.

No different from any other creature.

Ye He had no particular emotion about it, not even anger. The weaker side gets bitten first—that's how nature works.

What Grath needs to do is make others remember that Grath is not a lamb to be slaughtered, but a fearsome lion with sharp fangs and claws.

They should catch a whiff from a distance and retreat warily.

Data on the light screen kept flowing.

In unseen places, intelligence continued to flow in.

Ye He remained calm, integrating information from each base and coordinating assistance.

Another base changed color. Personnel came and went in the command center.

"Base 9 has insufficient medical resources. Have the seriously injured withdraw."

"Those unable to move have already withdrawn."

"Base 2 is at a stalemate. The command center was destroyed, so command is temporarily handed over to the main ship. Remote auxiliary support needed... ah, never mind. Put it on hold. Commander Ye He has intervened."

Ye Mo sat still for a few seconds, then couldn't help but stand up.

Ye He didn't even turn his head. "Sit down."

Ye Mo spoke, "But, brother—"

Ye He cut him off, gentle but firm. "Don't rush. I will use you, but the time isn't right yet."

In this battle, at least for now, he would not involve Ye Mo in human-to-human combat.

Human combat was completely different from fighting Zerg.

Whether from the perspective of Ye Mo's older brother or as his commander, Ye He would make the same judgment.

Ye Mo wasn't incapable of fighting humans. If someone aimed guns at him or those he cared about, Ye He wouldn't worry—Ye Mo would raise his sword and take their lives without hesitation.

But in this context, Ye He believed Ye Mo wasn't ready yet.

...

Gu Yixiao was in charge of Base 4 and Base 6.

He was personally at Base 4, sitting at the conference table in the command center, with many people gathered around him.

Each had a light screen in front of them.

Someone suddenly let out a long breath and reported to Gu Yixiao, "Base 2 has stabilized for now. They've canceled their distress call. Ye He is currently providing remote auxiliary command."

Gu Yixiao's eyes were fixed on the screen. He canceled the previous aid plan, feeling much less pressure. Their side was also under attack, no less tense than Vilar's side, but at least everything was still manageable. "I see."

"That was close. When the command center was attacked, I thought Base 2 wouldn't hold. Ye He is really good. I remember he topped the list in the last drills."

Gu Yixiao nodded as well, saying, "Not bad."

Maybe feeling a bit more relaxed, someone even joked, "With Corps Commander Vilar's combat power unleashed, how could they not hold? Everyone knows the Corps Commander is the strongest fighter. What's the big deal about bringing the command center to battle?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, he realized something was off.

Most of the people around the conference table gave him an odd look, then lowered their heads to focus on their work.

A few slower to catch on were still staring at him in shock.

Gu Yixiao smiled slightly. "Then you'd better hope that doesn't happen here."

"No, no, I meant—"

Gu Yixiao raised his voice a little, cutting him off, and said to everyone, "Alright, focus."

Grath's perspective had just switched here two minutes ago. The audience, which had been tense, relaxed a lot.

"Haha, is this a newbie this year?"

"Technically, he's not wrong. The command center is full of WarGreymons, except for Gu Yixiao."

"Gu Yixiao polite version: You'd better hope that doesn't happen here. Impolite version: How do you want to die?"

"If he weren't under Gu Yixiao, he wouldn't die so horribly."

"Honestly, I feel safest with Commander Gu's side. With his command, there's definitely no problem."

Gu Yixiao suddenly frowned. "Are there any fleets left to dispatch?"

One person looked up. "No, same as before, Chief Commander."

When Vilar sent out alerts to the surrounding area, they had already checked once. They really couldn't spare any troops.

Gu Yixiao immediately said, "Request reinforcements from the rear and surrounding areas. The fleets currently in combat should be prepared, make sure they have enough fuel. Fleets low on fuel should rotate back to base to refuel."

Then he looked up. "The forward scouts report encountering insectoids. The lure failed. They are heading this way, very close, within the alert range. Even without enemies, this number would take us a while to handle."

Gu Yixiao stood up, looking at the others. "Unfortunately, we also need to prepare for battle. I'll temporarily delegate some command authority. Be ready to hand over command in an emergency."

"Damn, what bad luck."

"I'm starting to get nervous. Should we just forget about this score?"

"But we still have zero points."

...

Ye He turned to look at Ye Mo.

Ye Mo, who had been restless, immediately sat up straight, hands obediently on his knees, looking back at Ye He.

Ye He looked at him and said, "Prince Cyril Grass."

His tone was formal. The Graths had no specific military ranks; the surname Grath itself determined their position in the military.

Ye Mo instinctively stood up, staring intently at Ye He.

Ye He continued, "The front line is about to face insectoid interference. I hope you can lead the Sixth Fleet to clear them out. Can you handle this mission?"

Ye Mo straightened his back, trying to appear reliable. "Yes, I can!"

Ye He nodded. "Go, Ye Mo."

Before the words were out of his mouth, Ye Mo had already turned and hurried out. All Ye He heard was, "I'm off, Brother!"

Ye He withdrew his gaze. At times like this, Ye Mo was especially like a Grath—naturally timid, yet at times incredibly brave.

Perhaps it was because he hadn't spent as much time with Ye Mo recently as he did when they were younger. Ye Mo had quietly grown into someone a little unfamiliar to him, no longer the child hiding behind a vase with a stuffed toy.

But sometimes, Ye He wished Ye Mo were more timid, especially at moments like this.

Then he would have a reason to keep Ye Mo in a safer place.

It was a very immature thought, Ye He chided himself.