Chapter 1240: Star Sea (45)
"KD00357, you have entered the launch trajectory. The electromagnetic launch sequence will activate in five seconds."
"AT Force Field activated, weapon systems charged and ready!"
"5, 4, 3..."
The cold mechanical voice rang in Wang Chen's ears. As the countdown ended, his entire body, along with the Combat Mech he piloted, was instantaneously ejected from the frigate by the force of the high-energy electromagnetic propulsion.
An incomparably powerful force pressed Wang Chen firmly against the cockpit seat, leaving him completely unable to move.
His vision went completely black; he could see nothing.
This visual blackness was an unavoidable phenomenon during electromagnetic launch for mechas. The pressure Wang Chen was enduring had already surpassed 9 G. Without the protection from the mecha unit and pilot suit, he would have been crushed into pulp.
Even so, such pressure was not something an ordinary person could withstand!
This is precisely why pilots must have extraordinarily strong physiques, and also why Body Skill and Combat Skills are foundational in the Mecha Combat Department courses.
The stronger the pilot's physical fitness, the higher their tolerance to such immense pressure.
Mere seconds later, Wang Chen's vision fully returned to normal.
Yet the mecha he piloted remained in hyper-speed launch mode, hurtling like a meteor toward the enemy battleship.
Wang Chen's gaze took in the vast and boundless starry expanse.
Ahead of him, enemy battleships were assuming a battle formation, their ship cannons emitting silent booms. Beams of high-energy particle bursts, carrying incredible destructive power, sliced through space indiscriminately, weaving deadly meshes.
Wang Chen and the other mechas ejected alongside him quickly encountered interception from the enemy escort ships.
Without hesitation, Wang Chen switched his mecha's control mode from fully automatic to semi-automatic, initiating large-scale maneuvers.
Space Fleet combat predominantly begins with long-range strikes, and deployment of carrier-based mechas signifies a transition into close-quarters combat.
Combat mechas armed with Super Wave Slashers can effectively pierce the outer force-field defenses of Space Battleships. Once on the battlefield, they inevitably become concentrated targets for the enemy.
This is the most dangerous moment.
A mecha located at Wang Chen's two o'clock was struck by a massive beam of high-energy particles. Its AT Force Field instantly shattered, exploding into a cloud of space fireworks.
But that pilot wasn't the only unlucky one!
Wang Chen's MK49 Eagle Mecha performed three swift and large evasive maneuvers, narrowly dodging several incoming particle streams. Immediately afterward, he faced an enemy intercepting mecha.
The enemy's mecha was painted in black and red, and Wang Chen instantly recognized it as the Alliance's PE03 Guardian Mecha.
These mechas belonged to the heavy-duty defense class. In terms of size, tonnage, armor, and firepower, they far surpassed Wang Chen's MK49.
However, the Guardian's mobility was significantly inferior to that of the Eagle.
The Guardian Mecha attacked first, raising its cannon to blast torrents of violent energy at Wang Chen's Eagle Mecha.
Not only that, the small laser cannons mounted on its shoulders began firing continuously.
Although laser cannons' power was not comparable to that of high-energy particle cannons and couldn't penetrate AT Force Field defenses, their concentrated strikes could deplete enemy mecha energy and interfere with the opponent's visuals.
Moreover, the main advantage of laser cannons was their speed. Once locked on target, they boasted high accuracy and hit rates.
If used effectively, the impact of laser cannons could not be underestimated!
Wang Chen was well aware of this and therefore kept the two PC6600 engines on his Eagle Mecha at full power, engaging in high-speed maneuvers while rapidly closing the distance to the enemy.
Realizing its multiple interception attempts had failed, the Alliance Mecha retreated backward, calling for reinforcements!
But by then, Wang Chen was already within 100 nautical miles of the Alliance Mecha.
In space, such a distance is almost equivalent to being face-to-face.
He abruptly raised his fully charged 150mm Super Particle Cannon, locked onto the target, and pulled the trigger.
The mecha cannon's barrel instantly erupted with brilliant light. A silver-white particle beam shot forth precisely, striking the evasive maneuvering Guardian.
In Wang Chen's eyes, its movement was far too slow!
The Guardian Mecha's chest immediately exploded into stunning fiery patterns—a dazzling spectacle created by high-energy particles clashing against the AT Force Field.
The Alliance's PE03 was pushed backward involuntarily by the immense energy impact.
Although its outer defenses hadn't been entirely destroyed, they clearly wouldn't withstand a second shot from the Super Particle Cannon.
When the AT Force Field is struck, its visibility decreases, becomes perforated, and is eventually destroyed.
This most common energy defense mechanism can be restored through charging, provided the generator isn't damaged.
But it takes time.
Wang Chen fired the Super Particle Cannon again.
This time, he predicted the trajectory of the enemy mecha's movement, leading the shot, resulting in another precise hit.
Trajectory prediction is a vital skill for any excellent pilot!
Although Wang Chen had limited mecha combat experience and hadn't undergone real battlefield tests, his exceptionally strong Divine Soul and spiritual power made adapting to such battles exceedingly straightforward.
The Guardian Mecha took another hit, completely losing its energy defense!
Wang Chen followed up with a third shot.
The MK49 Eagle Mecha's 150mm Super Particle Cannon, despite being of the most advanced model, required charging time. Under extreme conditions, its maximum fire rate was one shot every three seconds.
Wang Chen fired three shots consecutively, each perfectly timed to the weapon's limit, without wasting even 0.1 seconds!
And all three shots hit their mark.
The next instant, the Guardian Mecha exploded into space fireworks.
Having secured another victory, Wang Chen piloted his Eagle Mecha through the Void in a long, sweeping arc.
He then reversed his grip, drawing out the Super Wave Slasher mounted on his back, and delivered a heavy strike to the energy shield of an enemy Escort Ship.
This special weapon vibrates at 30,000 frequencies per second, generating superscale energy waves akin to a blade slicing through thick leather. Immediately, it tore open a small fissure in the Escort Ship's outer layer.
But behind Wang Chen, another Guardian Mecha emerged!
Unfazed, Wang Chen ignored the enemy behind him and transitioned his Super Wave Slasher from a vertical cut to a horizontal slash, slashing a cross-shaped breach forcibly into the layer.
Then he plunged inside.
A high-energy particle beam narrowly grazed past the mech's wing.
Though it didn't directly hit, the attack still slightly disrupted Wang Chen's movement.
The next instant, his Eagle Mecha was swarmed by concentrated fire from over a dozen close-defense cannons simultaneously.
"Your mech has been destroyed!"
The cold electronic voice resonated as Wang Chen's consciousness instantaneously disengaged from the virtual battlefield, returning to his physical body.
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Second chapter delivered.