Chapter 1342 - Entering the Combat Zone (1/2)

While the ship captains were busy communicating with others, officers like Jiang Fei and Alexis would have nothing to do until they were in the combat zone.

“Fei, when we arrive in the combat zone, you must put yourself above others during the battle. Do not act beyond your limits,” Sarila advised Jiang Fei.

“I know,” Jiang Fei replied.

He knew the hazardous conditions of war and would not do something stupid like charging to the front lines.

Like Sarila, Jiang Fei joined the Valsalrian Army to protect Earth. He would not do anything that could potentially end his life before the safety of Earth was assured.

“Captain, broadcast shipwide coms,” said Alexis.

“Aye, commander. Ship broadcast is open,” replied the captain after tapping a few buttons on his console.

Alexis walked towards the captain’s seat where the mic and camera were situated.

“Attention to all members of the 7th Fleet, 13th Division. You are not to act of your own accord. You are not to accept any missions or commands unless it comes from me. You are not to accept any communication requests from other parties!” said Alexis, establishing his three forbidden orders. It was to ensure that all soldiers would listen to and obey only his commands.

After Alexis was done with his shipwide broadcast, the captain turned off the coms and returned to cooperating with the other ship captains.

“What’s wrong?” Jiang Fei probed when he noticed Alexis letting out a deep sigh when he was done speaking.

“Let me ask you something,” said Alexis as he turned to Jiang Fei and gestured for him to sit down.

“Do you think I overdid it back there?” he asked.

“Ehm… I’m not sure how to respond to that, sir,” replied Jiang Fei.

In truth, he did think that Alexis had done something redundant. The soldiers under his banner had been loyal to only him. Even without those three forbidden orders, they would only listen to Alexis.

“So you say, but I don’t blame you for thinking that. I believe this is your maiden battle. Know this, in the combat zone, signal and communication disruption is normal.

In situations when communications with me have failed, other ships will have to listen to and obey the commands of other Fleet Commanders. Orders from these other commanders must be obeyed, and they usually send my soldiers to the front as fodder,” explained Alexis.

“But if the soldiers obey your orders down to the letter, they would not be able to act of their own accord. What if they were to be destroyed by the enemy?” asked Jiang Fei.

“Calm down, boy. My troops are not as stupid as you think they are. They are able to be fluid in battle as the situation develops. Even without my orders, they will survive. That shipwide broadcast was a mere theatrical act for my soldiers to use against the other commanders in case they get captured and put on trial,” said Alexis.

“I am merely protecting my soldiers,” he added.

“I see,” Jiang Fei hummed.

Concurrently, Jiang Fei was just starting to learn how to tell whether commanders were being selfish or selfless, it was hard to distinguish between the two.

Fortunately, selfishness was only prominent among Fleet Commanders, not with soldiers. Otherwise, there might be a civil war between the soldiers themselves.

…

After three weeks on the Hypercruiser, the entire 13th Division had arrived approximately 0.5 lightyears away from the Dommix System.

“Commander, we have arrived on the outskirts of the battlefield,” said the captain.

“Engage all radar systems and deploy the Wayfinder,” ordered Alexis.

He didn’t want to proceed into the battlefield without first confirming the situation.

“Aye, commander!” acknowledged the captain and started to follow his commands.

Half an hour later, the captain returned with a report.

“Sir, the Wayfinder has been transmitting data and it seems the route into the battlefield is shrouded with a magnetic disruption field, like a thunderstorm, sir.”