From cannon fodder to sweeping across thousands of stars.

Chapter 554: Look, this is how the Infinity is used
Under the simultaneous commands of Stoner and Bernelli, the warships of the 17th and 18th Fleets of the Federal Navy activated their attitude control nozzles at the bow and stern.

In the flashing blue light, these warships still maintained their high-speed raiding course, but adjusted their respective axes to point towards the huge "light ball" that was getting closer and closer.

By this time, Stoner and Benelli had realized that the 'Atlas Fleet' that was first discovered was a 'fake fleet' consisting of a large number of baits and a small number of warships.

Moreover, through the laser code identification of the warships that could not be tampered with, they also discovered that these small number of warships used as bait were actually warships of the Rubion Galaxy Garrison Fleet.

This indeed confirmed the fact that the garrison fleet of this galaxy had been completely wiped out, otherwise it would be impossible for even the battleships to be captured by others.
Therefore, the real enemy facing the two fleets is actually that huge "light ball".

Although under the interference of the 'visible light band jammer' and the radar wave cancellation device, the 17th and 18th fleets are now unable to determine how many warships are hidden in this 'light ball'.

However, based on the approximate volume of the "light ball", the two commanders of the Federal Navy fleet judged that even if it was filled, it would only be the size of a full fleet.

This also made them still judge at the last moment that the size of Atlas' fleet here was fluctuating around a full-strength fleet, so they gave up the plan to deploy formations for firing, and instead continued to choose to raid the field at high speed.

This was naturally a good thing for Randall and his men. After all, with the size of the Third Task Force, if they were to deploy their forces and engage in a firefight against two fully-strength fleets, they would have no chance of winning.

But if they want to cover the safe evacuation of the cargo fleet, they must prevent the two federal fleets from paying attention to them.
"How long will it take for the second wave of plasma torpedoes and anti-ship missiles to arrive?!"

On the Infinity, Randall, sitting in the captain's seat, asked as he looked at the Federation fleet approaching at high speed and beginning to adjust its axis and slightly loosen its formation.

He knew that the enemy had already started preparing for a salvo, and in every second that followed, the "light ball" he had set up might be hit by a salvo from the enemy.

As for the first wave of plasma torpedoes and heavy anti-ship missiles that had not been intercepted, in his plan they were originally intended to attract the enemy's attention and pull the air defense forces of the two federal fleets to the two wings of the formation.

Create enough space for the second wave of attack, which is used to deliver the "critical blow".

"Report! We have entered the 5000-kilometer attack range. The plasma torpedo and heavy anti-ship missile seekers have been turned on and locked onto the target!"

At the same time as the tactical information coordinator reported loudly, the shrill alarm sounded again on the bridges of the 17th and 18th Fleets of the Federal Navy.

"Warning! A large number of small targets have been detected in the rear hemisphere of the fleet! The distance is 5000 kilometers. Based on the characteristics, they are determined to be plasma torpedoes and heavy anti-ship missiles."

"Warning! Radar detected incoming target, turned on! Entering the acceleration sprint phase!"

When they heard the warning, Benelli and Stoner broke out in cold sweats almost at the same time, but in the next second they also breathed a sigh of relief and gave the same order.

"The remaining escort detachments behind the fleet begin organizing air defense operations! Other cruisers and battleship formations nearby are assisting simultaneously! This is the enemy's true killing intent, do your best to intercept it!"

Soon, several destroyer and escort detachments that were originally hidden behind the fleet gave up the plan to prepare for a salvo with the fleet, and instead quickly adjusted their positions, blocking the plasma torpedoes and the fleet and began to carry out air defense operations.

When the first wave of plasma torpedoes and heavy anti-ship missiles attacked from both wings, Stoner and Bernelli did not release all the air defense ships, but retained some as "reserve air defense forces."

As a result, they really waited for this moment. The attack of the Atlas combat fleet was not as simple as they imagined, but one link after another.

You never know if the attack you are experiencing now is paving the way for the next round of attacks.
Looking at the destroyers and frigates that quickly plugged the 'gap', as well as other surrounding warships that assisted in air defense, Stoner and Benelli, who had been a little nervous after hearing the warning, relaxed a little.

If these warships were not there to support them, it would not be long before these plasma torpedoes and heavy anti-ship missiles would come from the rear hemisphere of the fleet and cause huge damage.

On the other side, Randall was not so happy after seeing the images synthesized by the detection unit of the "Infinity".

After all, for the Third Task Force, this was the best opportunity to inflict casualties on the two federal fleets.
However, this 'rookie commander' who grew up quickly in battle reacted immediately and issued a new order.

"'Infinity' main guns are ready to fire, target - the anti-aircraft ships in the rear half of the enemy fleet! After completing the attack preparations, this ship will immediately jump out of the formation and begin the attack!"

At this point in time, no one came out to question Randall's orders.

Because everyone knows that every second counts, and all they have to do is to execute the fleet commander's orders with the highest efficiency.

The 'pre-loading' feature of the 'Infinity's' super-heavy purification beam generator once again played a key role here.

When the air observation team discovered that the Federation fleet had begun sporadic interceptions of plasma torpedoes, the Infinity's super-heavy purification beam generator had completed its sweep preparations.

Since Randall's previous order was "After completing the attack preparations, this ship will immediately jump out of the formation and start attacking!"

So the moment the Infinity's helmsman received the command "Main guns can attack!", he quickly announced "This ship will perform emergency maneuvers" and immediately activated all the attitude control nozzles arranged on the bottom deck of the Infinity and turned on "maximum thrust".

The effect of this was that Stoner and Bernelli in the Federation Fleet saw from the surveillance footage on the panoramic portholes that a huge super flagship suddenly rushed out from the top of the 'light ball', like a giant whale leaping out of the water!
Immediately afterwards, a light began to appear on the bow of the giant ship, and an alarm sounded on the bridge where the two were.

"Warning! High-energy reaction detected. Signature comparison completed! Identified as 'Atlas - Unknown Battleship' super-heavy purification beam irradiation!"

After the battle of Pyra IV, the main gun attack characteristics of the Infinity-class were included in the characteristic database of Federation battleships, and this was the first time that it was recognized by the ship's onboard control personality.

However, Stoner and Benelli could not care about these things at the moment. Their eyes were focused on the golden light visible to the naked eye on the bow of the "Infinity".

The next second, a surge of energy was released, and the golden purification beam, which was also a "near-light-speed" weapon, crossed a distance of nearly 2 kilometers in an instant and accurately hit the air defense fleet formation that had just formed behind the federal fleet. These "air defense operation groups" mainly composed of air defense destroyers and frigates had no chance of defense against the strafing of the super-heavy purification beam generator.

After being illuminated by the thick purification beam, almost entire ships were disintegrated one after another, and from time to time, the flames of the incompletely disintegrated superconducting battery stacks and fusion reactors being ignited could be seen.

Under the action of the attitude control nozzles of the Infinity, the super flagship slightly adjusted its axis, just as it did when the main gun was irradiated before, allowing the purification beam thousands of miles away to sweep across a huge area during the irradiation time, almost completely covering the entire "air defense operation group".

"Report! The casualties of the Second Destroyer Escort Detachment exceeded 70%! The commander of the detachment is organizing self-rescue and cannot continue air defense operations!"

"Report! The First Destroyer Squadron suffered over 40% casualties! The lead ship, the 'Kahn', was sunk, and the 'Fisher' is taking over command!"

"Report! The casualties of the Fifth Destroyer Squadron exceeded 50%! The commander of the detachment said that they will continue to organize air defense operations, but they need the assistance of surrounding warships to rescue the survivors!"

"Report."

On the bridges of the flagships of the 17th and 18th Fleets, 'good news keeps coming in'.

Neither Bernelli nor Stoner had expected that the opponent's super flagship would suddenly attack the "air defense operation group" behind the fleet from a distance of nearly 2 kilometers, and the accuracy and killing effect were so high.
Although destroyers and frigates do not play a high role in large-scale fleet battles, they are almost the same consumables as "toilet paper".

But in some cases, these small warships can still play many roles - for example, in the current air defense battle, these destroyers and frigates, which are more maneuverable and whose main armament is air defense weapons, have become somewhat irreplaceable.

So when they heard that this batch of reserve air defense forces had been severely damaged, the expressions on the faces of the two fleet commanders, Benelli and Stoner, became unhappy.

Especially when there are a large number of plasma torpedoes and heavy anti-ship missiles poking at the fleet's "chrysanthemum"
So Stoner immediately issued new instructions:
"Pass my order, the fifth and sixth cruiser squadrons at the rear of the fleet will join the air defense operation! All warship air defense commanders should set incoming plasma torpedoes and heavy anti-ship missiles as the highest priority targets!"

Benelli on the other side also issued similar orders, and the cruisers assigned to the mission in the two fleets immediately began to adjust their positions.

At the same time, the captain of the battleship also ordered the redistribution of energy circuits, temporarily reducing the energy supply of the main weapons, and then increasing the energy supply ratio of the attitude nozzles, anti-aircraft weapon groups and deflection field generators.

However, everyone, including Stoner and Benelli, seemed to have forgotten that the main gun of the Infinity was not only capable of firing one shot.——
If Randall were asked to categorize himself, he would classify himself as a "firepower commander" without hesitation, because in his opinion, the best way to win a fleet battle is to completely overwhelm the enemy in terms of firepower and power.

Therefore, when it comes to the use of the Infinity's super-heavy purification beam generator, he has always followed a principle - 'either don't use it, or maximize the damage in one go'.

This also made the main gun irradiation of the Infinity the same as before. After completing the first round of irradiation, the second and third rounds of irradiation were immediately carried out.
For the second round of irradiation, Randall still chose the "air defense operation group" at the rear of the federal fleet formation.

When the golden purification beam swept through, the three escort detachments that were originally responsible for air defense operations were basically wiped out.

Randall's idea was simple, which was to use the main gun of the Infinity to clear out the opponent's air defense forces, allowing plasma torpedoes and heavy anti-ship missile groups to more easily complete the breakthrough.

Because he knew that compared to using the Infinity to directly strafe the enemy fleet, the direct hits of plasma torpedoes and heavy anti-ship missiles could cause significantly more damage.

Moreover, this wave of plasma torpedoes is launched from the rear hemisphere of the enemy fleet, and the seeker will most likely lock onto the main propulsion array of the battleship first.

Whether it is a plasma torpedo or a plasma warhead of a heavy anti-ship missile, as long as it hits the plasma propulsion array of a warship, it will be a "grand fireworks".
In the third round of irradiation, Randall set his target on the cruiser squadron that the federal fleet had just replaced.

"You're here to fill in the air defense, right? Sorry, whoever dares to do the air defense will die. Gunnery officer! Aim at the enemy's cruiser squadron filling in the air defense, and open fire!"

As the golden purification beam swept across the space for the third time, Stoner and Bernelli's mentality completely changed after they heard the tactical information coordinator report that the "air defense operation group" in the rear had suffered heavy losses due to continuous attacks.

"It's this beam again. Are the elves really planning to interfere in human affairs?!"

On the flagship of the 17th Fleet, Benelli shouted excitedly.

"Damn it, is this the time to talk about this?" Even though Stoner was usually well-mannered, he cursed speechlessly at this moment:

"Let the rear fleet evade on its own. The torpedoes should be unstoppable. The main strike force in the front of the formation should start attacking the enemy fleet now. We can't just suffer a loss in silence!"

Under Stoner's order, the 18th Fleet led by him began to make adjustments first, and Benelli, who reacted quickly, followed suit and issued orders.

The warships at the rear of the entire federal fleet were suddenly in chaos. All the warships in the threat zone began to evade and released some HCPs to cooperate with the ship-borne air defense weapon units to begin a desperate terminal interception.

The battleship cluster at the front, mainly composed of battleships and heavy cruisers, began the final preparations before the salvo. The shipborne control personnel of each ship quickly assigned the targets to prevent uneven distribution of firepower.

On the other side, on the "Infinity", after the main guns completed firing and the super flagship switched to conventional combat mode, Randall issued a new order that completely confused the bridge officers.

"Pass my order, redistribute the energy circuits of the entire ship! Cut off the energy circuit of the main weapon group at the bow, and distribute it to the 'secondary weapons', 'deflection force field generator', and 'vector control unit' in the ratio of 2:4:4!"

Under the gaze of everyone, Randall said viciously:

"The Infinity is not the delicate princess hiding behind others! Returning safely to the naval port and becoming the 'Queen of the Dock' would be her greatest shame!"

(End of this chapter)