Starting from the Planetary Governor

Chapter 1066: Chapter 581, Furyflame Annihilation

The two battle groups stationed in the Phantom Moon Star System spent their days in constant anxiety.

They were acutely aware that, regardless of what the Alliance’s next move might be, they would soon be the first targets to be dealt with.

They weren’t strong, but not weak either—counting the Alfonso battlecruiser that fled here, they had three giant ships, about two thousand Interstellar Warriors, along with a fleet carrying potentially millions of Mortal Auxiliary Army and Princess Legion soldiers. This force could be evaluated as on par with the Star Realm Army.

Theoretically, this was a power capable of conquering an entire Star Domain.

If they weren’t dealt with, the backyard could catch fire at any moment.

In their fear, the original ruling class of Phantom Moon Star began to hatch some ideas.

They sought intermediaries to probe the two battle groups, attempting to “discuss” the possibility of surrender… no, of “reinstating the rightful order.”

After all, they were all humans, not some Aliens;

They all revered The Emperor, not any heretical deviants;

It was merely because Humphrey Paolo, that ambitious provocateur, deceived everyone into thinking those on Holy Terra were all villains that they were led into pursuing independence.

Recognize Humphrey Paolo as a traitor, reacknowledge Holy Terra, and accept the Alliance’s rule…

Would this allow them to reintegrate into the Empire?

Of course, it wouldn’t be without penalties.

The price for betrayal would have to be reckoned with.

But no matter how steep that cost might be, could it be worse than fighting a near-hopeless war against the Alliance, suffering massive casualties and losses, and then facing yet another reckoning from the Alliance afterward?

If that were to happen, no member of Phantom Moon Star’s ruling class could hope to remain in their position. Indeed, the number of survivors might not even be significant.

They wanted to surrender—even unconditionally, they’d accept it.

But they clearly didn’t have the authority to decide such matters; they had to consult with Adler Politos.

Since the arrival of Furyflame and the New World Torch, all military power on this planet had been taken over by them.

Which was entirely reasonable.

More accurately, Phantom Moon Star’s native military force—those billion or so Native Defense Forces—might as well be dismissed. The real value of Phantom Moon Star lay in its relatively complete planetary defense system. While not particularly powerful, it had everything it was supposed to, which was already commendable.

In comparison, the most reliable forces were the two battle groups themselves and the armies and fleets they brought along.

The local elites, wishing to surrender, certainly couldn’t have the final say.

They’d have to persuade the Interstellar Warriors.

And the outcome of this persuasion was Politos killing them all.

After realizing these Phantom Moon natives were unreliable, Politos initiated a major cleansing.

He purged the upper echelons, promoted select members of the middle ranks, and pulled trustworthy personnel from the Princess Legion and Battle Group Auxiliary Army to fill critical positions.

With powerful forces backing them and the residual intimidation left by the cleansing, they were able to firmly grip the entire planet.

After all, Politos didn’t need to worry about long-term governance; short-term strict control would be sufficient.

Subsequently, he redeployed large land forces from the Starport, Star Fortress, and ships to the planet’s surface.

After unloading the ground forces, the lighter Fury Fleet departed the orbital region of the Phantom Moon Star System and ventured into deep space.

They wouldn’t leave the star system, but the vastness of a star system’s void space offered plenty of room for maneuver. They would hide, provide external support when the Alliance attacked Phantom Moon, or swiftly escape if the Alliance tried to pursue them…

Of course, there were significant risks involved, such as the fact that the Retribution-class Battleship lacked the mobility for such operations.

It wouldn’t be deployed recklessly.

Fast destroyers and cruisers would undertake the mission—harassing the Alliance’s assault fleet. If the Alliance ships showed any signs of turning around to deal with them, these nimble vessels would retreat.

If left unchecked, they’d return to resume harassment; if chased, the scattered Fury Fleet vessels would hardly be easy to pursue. Whenever separated, the fear would persist: what if the enemy had a battlecruiser, a combat barge, or a battleship hidden in the void, ready to strike at any isolated Alliance ship?

Of course, all of this sounded elegant, but in reality, it was merely a response born of helplessness.

To put it bluntly, Politos had already recognized the situation clearly.

There was no escape for him, and a conventional defense held no chance of success. While the Alliance might not be able to muster all its forces against him instantly, given a few months for them to repair their ships—combined with Gu Hang’s exaggerated, inconceivable Spiritual Energy power, and the formidable combat strength demonstrated by the Phoenix and Blood Shark—even Phantom Moon, with its complete orbital defense system, wouldn’t stand a chance.

He himself had considered surrendering.

Just as the local elites on Phantom Moon thought, the two sides weren’t completely locked in a life-or-death struggle. They weren’t Aliens, nor had they succumbed to Chaos.

However, after careful deliberation, Politos abandoned this notion.

It wasn’t for any other reason; if preserving the battle groups was possible, he was willing to sacrifice everything and do whatever it took.

But he believed that surrender wouldn’t preserve his battle groups.

He could swear that if he surrendered, he’d guarantee never to stand against the Alliance in the future.

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