“This is interesting. If that’s the case, it’s time for us to make a move as well—let them face reality,” Sarah Kerrigan said with a smirk as she observed the Rikens joke of a public referendum.


    Suddenly, rms red across the Twin Star Defensive Zone. The Rikens scrambled into action, warship engines heating up and glowing red and blue, whilend-based and orbital cannons began charging.


    Under the watchful eyes of the Rikens, the Swarm’s Primordial forces steadily elerated. However, just as they approached the range of the Riken energy cannons, the entire formation abruptly turned, bypassing the defensive line and heading toward the rear.


    Panic swept through the Riken forces. The Swarm, breaking all conventions of fairness, had bypassed a head-on confrontation to nk them instead.


    The three Riken fleets scrambled tounch in pursuit, but just as they mobilized, another 20,000 Primordial bodiesunched from Izumo. Simultaneously, additionalnd-based electromaic cannons emerged from Izumo’s moons, significantly increasing the Swarm’s firepower and pressuring Rikenmanders into a strategic conundrum.


    Pursuing the nkers meant risking their defensive line. With 3,000 warships redeployed, the remaining firepower might not hold against the Swarm forces still at Izumo. Even if the line held, the cost would be devastating.


    Yet not pursuing the nkers would leave their homeworld and rear defenses vulnerable to encirclement or even destruction. If the homeworld fell, the troops stationed at the Twin Star Defensive Zone would face a simrly precarious situation.


    This nking maneuver was an almost unthinkable tactic in traditional interster warfare. Rival civilizations, typically close in technological capability and military strength, would risk being divided and conquered if they split their forces.


    The Twin Star Defensive System spanned over ten million kilometers—a significant distance but not insurmountable in the vastness of space. Its design aligned with the Riken homeworld’s defense zone and the third, Cloud Return, forming a coordinated line of mutual support.If the Swarm had tried such a tactic immediately after conquering Izumo, their divided forces might have been crushed by concentrated Riken fleets. Those warships could then return to assist the homeworld and eliminate any Swarm remnants.


    But the Swarm operated on an entirely different set of rules. Their unparalleled ability to mass-produce units had skewed the bnce of power so significantly that the Rikens could no longer rely on conventional strategies. Now, the Swarm could suppress the Riken’s mobile units at the Twin Star Defensive Zone while simultaneously deployingrge forces for gueri strikes.


    “What do we do, Admiral Heaton?” Hamis asked, his tone reflecting the dilemma they faced.


    Admiral Heaton, the same old general who had delivered the fiery warning to the parliament, was the highest-ranking officer of the Twin Star Defensive Zone and its de factomander. Previously, the military factions under hismand had often been divided, with each general representing their own interests. Heaton’s influence had been limited as a result.


    However, after the secret meeting at the second colony, his authority had be more explicit. His upromising stance had garnered greater support among the officers. Even the fleetmanders of the three main fleets now sought his counsel.


    “Pursuing with all fleets would leave our defenses dangerously thin,” Heaton said after a moment of contemtion. “However, sending just one fleet to shadow and harass the nkers could work. If they attack the homeworld, that fleet could at least serve as a diversion and buy us some time.”


    “I’ll take the task!” Hamis volunteered, exchanging nces with the other two fleetmanders, Alcer and Novaul. Both secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Though none would have refused such a dangerous mission if ordered, intelligent beings naturally seek to avoid unnecessary risks.


    With only around 1,000 warships, Hamis’s fleet was tasked with monitoring and harassing the Swarm’s 20,000-strong Primordial force. Even at a distance, their mission was akin to dancing on the edge of a de—an incredibly perilous undertaking.


    As Hamis prepared his fleet, Alcer and Novaul quietly gave thanks for not being chosen for such a treacherous mission.


    The Riken First Fleet, having departed the Twin Star Defensive Zone under a veil of obfuscation, was nevertheless spotted by the Swarm’s Observer Bugs. However, upon noting that the bulk of the Riken fleet remained in ce, the Swarm showed no further interest.


    Rikenmanders kept a close eye on the Swarm forces stationed at Izumo. Observing that the Swarm had made no overtly aggressive moves and merely maintained a posture of intimidation, they collectively exhaled in relief. Many were deeply anxious about the possibility of the Swarm taking advantage of the situation tounch a direct assault on the Twin Star Defensive Zone.


    In such a scenario, the ensuing chaos could result in heavy casualties. Particrly disconcerting for certain high-ranking officers was the knowledge of the devices imnted in their heads—a grim reminder of their precarious position.


    Meanwhile, the Swarm’s detached Primordial bodies force, having bypassed the Twin Star Defensive Zone, continued on its trajectory without heading directly for the Riken homeworld.


    “Where are they going?”


    The Swarm’s movements were anything but subtle, given that this was deep within Riken territory. Their path was easily tracked by massive monitoring equipment scattered across the defensive zones, not to mention the Riken First Fleet tailing them.


    “Perhaps they’re circling to attack the homeworld from the far side,” onemander spected. “If they attack directly, they’ll remain within range of our defensive lines. We’d still be able to provide some support.”


    Dayster, the Swarm forces approached the Riken homeworld’s defensive perimeter. Here, the Rikens were fully prepared. The homeworld, along with its two heavily armed satellites, was fortified with an overwhelming array ofnd-based and orbital cannons, a dense minefield of Smart Mines, and more. Despitecking a mobile fleet, the defenses here surpassed even the formidable Twin Star Defensive Zone.


    After all, this was the heart of the Riken civilization.


    Weapons were charged and ready, waiting to deliver a crushing blow should the Swarm enter range. But the Swarm force merely skirted the homeworld, continuing its steady march without turning to engage.


    “Their target isn’t the homeworld!”


    “We’ve been fooled again!”


    Again. And again.


    “Their target is Cloud Return!” rm spread through the ranks as the realization struck. As the Riken star system’s innermost, closest to the star, Cloud Return’s defenses were not as robust as those of the other two defensive zones. Moreover, it housed the third colony, where a significant Riken poption resided, furtherplicating any counteroffensive due to the risk of coteral damage.


    “Organize an evacuation immediately! If we act quickly, we can reduce civilian casualties!”@@novelbin@@


    Transport ships scrambled to ferryrge numbers of Rikens from Cloud Return to the homeworld. In their haste to maximize efficiency, the evacuees’ living conditions aboard the vessels were dire. Rikens were crammed into every avable inch of space; many could not even sit, let alone lie down, and had to stand on tiptoes. Weapons had been stripped from the ships to make room for passengers, leaving them defenseless should theye under attack.


    For many, abandoning the lives they had painstakingly built on Cloud Return was unbearable. Heartbroken Rikens wept openly in the overcrowdedpartments. Yet,pared to those left behind to await subsequent evacuation waves, these were the fortunate ones.


    Those who remained would have to wait for the second or even third round of evacuations. By then, however, it was feared that the Swarm would have already initiated their assault.