The Mech Touch novel Chapter 7556

Chapter 7556: Excessive Energy Concentration Concerns

The lack of intelligence remained an unsolvable problem for the time being.

They could only formulate plans and contingencies based on well-reasoned guesswork at best. They all made a number of assumptions that placed a healthy amount of respect on the enemy.

For example, they assumed that the Red Cabal had stationed at least a dozen phase lords in this star system, of which at least two of them may be greater phase lords.

They also did not dare to underestimate the individual combat power of the highest-ranking deathborn leader.

The First Sword Mark III alone might not be able to cope with such a powerful and exotic opponent. The Riot Mark III needed to get involved as well in order to prevent any accidents.

With every allocation of key assets and forces, the reserves remaining in the hands of the Saint Commander dwindled.

This was not a good development, because nobody knew whether their adversaries had more cards up their sleeve.

A bigger reverse provided a greater safety margin. By thinning it out so soon, the Saint Commander had much fewer options at her disposal.

At worst, Casella may have to deprive some forces of their strength in order to prioritize more important goals!

Nobody wanted to end up in this situation, but they had little choice. The combined fleet was almost completely isolated in the Hypeh-Tekas System. It was only due to the critical threat of a cooperation between the Red Cabal and the deathborn race from Messier 87 that they refused to turn around without a fight.

After the less-than-productive final briefing came to an end, everyone proceeded to make their final preparations before commencing battle.

Ves hung back to exchange a few words to Casella and a couple of other important leaders.

"If... if you have to make a choice between ruining the plans of the aliens and the survival of our fleet, which would you prioritize?" He softly asked.

The Casella Ingvar’s domain field became a little more volatile in response to his difficult question. Her eyes grew sharper as she pinned him with a judgmental stare.

"I do not believe in binary decisions. Reality is always more open and nuanced than what the best models describe. The difference between a mortal commander and an ace commander is that when they are both presented with a set of bad options, the former becomes all too easily resigned to choose between one of them, while the latter will use her will and determination to forcefully carve out a brand-new pathway towards victory. I do not lose. I must not lose. I will not lose. To contemplate loss outside of contingency planning is the first step to the road of defeat. You may question our odds, but I do not have the obligation to accept your math. Human will can transcend any limitations."

What an answer.

Ves shouldn’t have expected anything less from the most formidable commander of the Larkinson Clan.

Though he felt concerned that her optimistic attitude may one day break against the unassailable wall of reality, he still found it encouraging to fight under her command.

In his opinion, a commander that would do anything to seek victory under the bleakest of circumstances was generally better than one who had already given up the fight before it had run its course.

Of course, there were always exceptions.

If the disparity of strength became too lopsided, then a forceful stand would only lead to total annihilation.

A commander needed to possess enough discernment to recognize such situations.

This had direct implications for the upcoming battle. Even if their gambit succeeded and they managed to get rid of most of the deathborn, the drastically altered environment may still make it dangerous to fight outside of Casella’s Command Field.

"I am sure we will be able to cope with this situation." Ves spoke with slightly greater confidence. "I can do a lot with an abundance of life energy. It certainly beats the alternative. All of my living mechs will also fare a lot better in such an environment."

They exchanged a few more opinions before going their separate ways. Time was short and they needed to head over to their stations in time.

Ves only lingered for another minute to say goodbye to his wife and kids before he went down to the hangar bay in order to board his shuttle.

Once he arrived at the Armitage, he took a deep breath before he finally unfolded his true body.

He readily surrendered his control to his alter ego.

"Finally." The Dark Apostle spoke as he curled his arm with an anticipatory grin. "I have been waiting too long for this. Do you know how much I have endured your tedious planning and design work? All of that preparation and effort is nice and all, but what will truly win us this battle is grit and courage. You are lucky that I can still hold myself back. I would have turned crazy if you dragged this show on for any longer."

Ves’ other personality clearly complained about the additional months spent inside the System Space.

The passage of time in realspace hadn’t been affected by this act, but it had definitely prolonged their subjective passage of time!

"Don’t worry." Blinky emerged from the Ascended Giant’s head. "We have done everything we could. No more preparations. No more delays. We are ready to enter the field."

"I hope so." The Dark Apostle grumbled as he prepared to don his raiment.