Here in the Minoara system, things were different. The defense force was larger, yes, but more importantly, it had a commander worthy of his station—unlike the spineless Korvus. Helran’s calm, steady confidence carried weight even as every high-ranking Minotaur under him understood the truth: survival was unlikely.

Yet Helran never spoke of surviving. His focus remained fixed on two goals—inflicting maximum damage on the enemy, and formulating some plan to at least warn the colonies of this star system, to give them a chance to escape, or to send word to the Elder Council before it was too late.

And so, indirectly, every warrior under his command was prepared to give their life if it meant buying even a fragment of hope—whether in the form of a warning, or a chance for their clan to understand the enemy that had emerged suddenly from the endless dark of space.

“Good. I expect nothing less from you all.” Helran paused. The words he almost spoke hung heavy on his tongue, but he forced them back, shaking his head. There was no time for sentiment—only orders. And his warriors were ready to follow them.

“Vanguard Squadron—move on both left and right flanks. Frigates and destroyers will form your core and act as support as you advance on the enemy’s spearhead formation.

The roles of both flanks are critical. If we are to have even the smallest chance of inflicting damage on this unknown enemy, it begins with you.

As you move, position yourselves no more than three to four thousand meters ahead of the fortress main line. That is the optimal range for both frigates and destroyers on the flanks.

Your objectives are clear: engage the enemy, disrupt their screening elements, draw their fire, and reduce the pressure on the fortress and our central battle line.

The purpose of this maneuver is to buy time—time for the fortress’s shielding system to be repaired.

While you hold, search for weaknesses on enemy vessels. Any discovery must be reported immediately so we can exploit it.

The left and right vanguard flanks will be supported by squadrons of starfighters and gunships. They will provide cover and strike opportunities as you execute your assigned role.”

“They will provide the support you need, easing the burden that both flanks will face under the enemy’s relentless fire. If an opportunity arises, they will harass the enemy or press an advantage—but that is secondary. The primary duty of the fighter squadrons is to safeguard the left and right flanks, minimizing losses wherever possible.

Losses will come. That much is certain. But this is war, and sacrifice is the price we pay if we are to achieve our goal and have even a chance at victory in this sudden battle.

We are warriors. We do not fear death. You agree?” Helran demanded.

“That we do, Commander! We are a warrior race—our lives begin on the battlefield, and they will end on the battlefield. That is our glory, and we embrace it!”

Voices of captains, admirals, and officers rang out across the comm channels, each one firm, resolute, unshaken. There was no fear in them, no hesitation—only conviction and a burning spirit ready to give whatever was required to fulfill their commander’s will.

It was strange, almost surreal. Despite the dire situation, the Minotaurs’ voices carried not dread, but a kind of fierce excitement.

And in that moment, the difference between these warriors and those who had fallen at Granthor was as vast as the distance between earth and sky.

Here, under a capable and confident leader, their pride as warriors burned bright. Even in the face of overwhelming odds, they did not sink into despair or cling to survival. They stood ready to fight, and if need be, to die with purpose.

“Aye, Commander!” came the thunderous response across the comm channels of the Minotaur defense fleet. From frigates to destroyers, and even the squadrons of starfighters assigned to the operation, voices rang out as one. Warriors slammed their fists against their chests, shouting their acceptance of Helran’s command.

Within moments, Minotaur fighter pilots aboard four of the eight battle carriers were racing through the corridors, heading for the hangars by the fastest routes they could find. Across the fleet, every ship carrying starfighters saw the same sight: thousands of Minotaurs sprinting through steel corridors with urgency—but without panic.

[Minotaur Clan Battle Carrier – “Gorath-Class War Nest”]

General Profile

Length: 3.6 km

Width (at hangar bays): 750 m

Height: 400 m

Role: Heavy Fighter Carrier / Mobile Aerospace Fortress

[Operation Doctor-In]

The Goarth-class War Carrier is designed to unleash massive swarms of fighter jets, either to overwhelm or harass enemy fleets, all while maintaining distance from the battlefield itself.

[Hull and Armour]

Outer Hull: The Goarth-class features triple-layered armour plating forged from a specialized second-grade alloy known as Tauric Ferro-Composite.

-This dense, heat-resistant, and mildly magnetic alloy can absorb extreme thermal assaults while dispersing the impact of kinetic strikes.

-The result is a strong defensive balance, granting the vessel considerable resistance against both energy and kinetic weaponry.

[Shielding Systems]

-Equipped with a dual-layer, Tier-2 shielding system, the ship is capable of absorbing and deflecting sustained barrages from mid-class warships.

-While not impervious, the shielding ensures prolonged survival under heavy enemy fire.

[Defensive Focus]

Durability over speed: The Goarth-class emphasizes endurance and survivability, capable of withstanding repeated volleys from multiple medium-class warships simultaneously.

-Its role is to endure and persist while its carried fighters conduct the decisive strikes.

[Weapons Systems]

As a battle carrier, its armament is deliberately modest—focused on defense rather than offense.

(30 × Heavy-Class Wind-Defense Plasma Cannons)

-Positioned to intercept incoming bombers and torpedoes.

-Effective in short-to-medium range defensive engagements.

(200 × Rotary Flak Batteries)

-Advanced energy-based point-defense turrets with 360° coverage.

-Highly effective against enemy fighters, drones, and other small crafts.

[Hangar & Fighter Capacity]

Primary Role: Carrier — 70% of internal space dedicated to fighter bays, repair depots, and launch tubes.

Capacity: ~1,200 Fighters (standard wing formation is 300 fighters per deployment cycle).

[Launch System:]

Ventral Launch Bays (belly-side, 12 massive launch gates).

Catapult Racks: Fighters are launched in rapid succession (one every 2 seconds per bay).

Despite the sheer scale of it—more than two thousand ships, a massive fortress, and thousands of personnel mobilising at once—there was no chaos. The discipline was absolute. This was the order of soldiers trained for war.

The hangars roared with life as the Minotaurs reached their fighters—Ravager-class light starfighters. Sleek and predatory, their design echoed the shape of a curved “W,” with twin engines mounted at the rear. They were surprisingly elegant for the Minotaur race—almost bizarrely so—yet undeniably effective, built for speed and ferocity.

Pilots scrambled into their craft. Within a minute of Helran’s order, squadrons were powered up and ready for deployment. All this happened as the fortress’s layered shields strained under the Void Fleet’s relentless assault.

The six layers—sustained by the emergency system Helran had activated—had already cost one generator and drained enormous power. Yet the sacrifice had been worth it, buying just enough time to put his plan into motion.

Then, the inevitable came. The shields collapsed. All six layers of the fortress fell under the hammering fire.

But the Void Fleet did not press forward immediately. Ezra’s First Battle Fleet briefly ceased fire, recalibrating after the destruction.

Helran seized the moment. The Minotaur fleet, arranged in a semi-circle around the fortress, broke formation. Two strike groups split off—one to the left flank, the other to the right.

The strike groups were mainly composed of frigates and destroyers, soon joined by swarms of starfighters still pouring out from the fortress’s battle carriers and supporting ships.

To any outside observer—and even to Ezra and his crew—the sight was staggering. Thousands upon thousands of fighters launching in rapid succession, streaking across the void, looked less like ships and more like a storm of missiles unleashed by the Minotaur forces.

[Minotaur Frigate – “Talos-Class”]

General Profile

Length: 260 m

Width: 65 m

Height: 45 m

Role: Escort / Screening Vessel

Its primary role within the fleet is to screen and protect allied battlecruisers, carriers, and even destroyers from hostile threats such as enemy frigates, fighters, and corvette-class vessels.

[Hull & Defense]

-Armor:

The ship is reinforced with Tier-2 Ferro-Composite alloy plating, a specialized low-grade alloy known for its resilience against both heat and kinetic strikes. The armour is thickest around critical sections such as the engines and reactor housings, ensuring maximum protection where it matters most.

-Shields:

Equipped with a Tier-2 mid-grade energy shield, the system performs well against sustained fire from frigates, fighters, and corvette-class vessels of comparable tier. However, it is notably weaker against capital-class weaponry and can be quickly overwhelmed in such encounters.

[Weapons]

2 × Medium Plasma Cannons (Tier-2)

-Forward-mounted with high power output.

-Capable of breaching medium-class shielding systems within only a few concentrated volleys.

6 × Rotary Flak Batteries

-Point -defence systems optimised against fighters and torpedoes.

-Provides 360° defensive coverage in close-range engagements.

8 × Rapid Ion Batteries

-Short-range, high-rate-of-fire weapons.

-Highly effective at shredding corvettes and light craft, with concentrated fire capable of devastating small vessels in only a few strikes.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep