Starting from the Planetary Governor Chapter 816: Chapter 447, Iron Horse Sea Battle

The naval battle on the Xiahang I-3 had not truly erupted.

The commander of the United Fleet knew it was impossible to fight, so they certainly didn't force a confrontation. They simply detached from the planet's orbit and fled with their tails between their legs.

anwhile, that ghastly Retribution-class Battleship did not pursue them.

It only approached Xiahang I-3, bombarded the surface with a few cannon rounds, then deployed transport ships that landed on the ground.

Soon, these transport ships returned to it. Imdiately afterward, the battleship left the planet's orbit and set off into the distance.

The unnerved ships of the Alliance Navy had also co to their senses by this ti.

This battleship was probably belonging to the rebel battle group that had appeared on the planet. Its ergence into the planet's orbit was likely just to retrieve the battle group.

It seed this battle group did not wish to occupy the planet.

They must have realized that with their strength, even with a battleship at their disposal, they could not realistically confront the Alliance head-on, especially not achieve victory on the ground.

So what was their purpose in causing trouble?

Considering the events that had occurred before, it was probably to lure the official Phoenix to co.

And they indeed succeeded.

They tricked two Phoenix Squads into landing on the surface and falling into their clutches.

What did they want with the official Phoenix?

It was likely for the Gene Seed.

Having received intelligence from the front lines, Gu Hang had made this assessnt.

Even the identities of these individuals, Gu Hang had surmised, and he felt it was highly probable he was not mistaken: the stain of the Phoenix, that rebel force known as 'Ashen Deceased.'

After learning of this force from a few Phoenix deserters from Sydney Blaywins, Gu Hang felt that these fellows would eventually cause trouble for the Alliance.

The reputation of the Alliance was growing, and the Phoenix were becoming increasingly known as the news of the Alliance's resurgence spread.

That traitorous leader nad Zhong Jihua had an extraordinary pursuit of the Phoenix's lineage. His causing trouble was almost inevitable.

However, his timing couldn't have been worse. The Alliance was currently mostly preoccupied with the frontline battle against the Green Skins. A sudden fire in the backyard would definitely cause chaos.

Perhaps, Zhong Jihua had chosen this mont deliberately.

But Gu Hang was not entirely unguarded.

Since the war with the Green Skins had begun, Gu Hang had been very cautious with his use of Interstellar Warriors. He had not blindly thrown his most elite forces into the frontline battles because of their intensity.

On one hand, the ti had not yet co.

On the other hand, it was Gu Hang's need to keep the Phoenix prepared for necessary defense.

Instead of allowing these elite warriors to be depleted in direct combat, it was better to conserve their strength for a critical strike when necessary.

Only, that necessary mont to strike had not erged yet, and the event Gu Hang had been guarding against had occurred first.

It seed Yelisia would not be able to co to pick him up, nor could she imdiately move north to participate in the Temir campaign.

Even Gu Hang himself would now have to personally visit Iron Horse.

The situation in the Iron Horse Sector definitely needed resolving.

The relationship between this rebel force and the Phoenix was sothing Gu Hang could not ignore;

At the sa ti, Gu Hang could not allow that suspected 'Ashen Deceased' rebel force to create turmoil in his rear.

They had roughly two to three hundred Mutinous Interstellar Warriors, they worshipped the Evil God, and they also had a battleship; being able to operate this battleship ant they had at least a few hundred thousand people on board...

In head-on combat, excluding the battleship, this rebel group was not up to par; but considering the battleship and the risks of them possibly collaborating with separatist forces on many planets, if Gu Hang did not solve them, his rear would be thrown into utter chaos.

Of course, he would not go alone.

With a single ssage, he contacted Matins.

...

A month later, Iron Horse Sector, Iron Dong II Star System.

There were three Star Realm Tunnels connected to this star system, leading to Tie Dong III, Tie Dong I, and Border Horse Sector's Border Horse IV.

The "Wraith Spike" was moving towards the jump point toward Border Horse IV.

Or rather, it was fleeing.

It was being chased by the human United Fleet.

Although the battleship was formidable, the Retribution-class had a flaw that simply couldn't be compensated for: it was slow and not agile enough.

Despite its ferocious firepower, thick armor, and very high energy level Void Shield making it the most abundantly employed flagship in Empire battles, capable of being an absolute core of attack and defense in large Fleet battles, it also required a large number of cooperating escort ships to ensure its protection.

But now, there was no such group alongside "Wraith Spike."

Hence, they did not dare engage directly with the United Fleet.

Over the past month, there had always been so smaller ships tailing them, monitoring their movents. Whenever they tried to turn around to fight, these smaller ships, taking advantage of their speed and agility, would imdiately scatter; as soon as they turned back, the ships would follow again.

The leader of 'Ashen Deceased,' Zhong Jihua, was incredibly irritated.

He even ordered that after performing one Star Realm jump, the ship should stop at the other side's jump threadIdx

to prepare for an ambush against the following small ships.