Chapter 510: Chapter 300, Battle for Command Authority_2

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Although it could not be said that the entire Planetary Defense Army was incompetent, there were indeed formidable units, but those were exceptions. Generally speaking, their combat effectiveness was far inferior to that of the Star Realm Army.

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Moreover, on battlefields where the Star Realm Army was needed for support, it meant that the planet was already in serious trouble and the local Planetary Defense Forces had been unable to resolve the issue. In such cases, with their higher status, stronger strength, and the identity of saviors, the Star Realm Army could easily become the more dominant party.

Strictly speaking, there was no hierarchical relationship between the two forces. However, according to some military regulations of the Empire, the Star Realm Army indeed had the right to take command of the local planetary forces “when necessary.”

Although Yan Fangxu also held a position as a commander in the Star Realm Army, it was clear that the scale of the Rage Bear Legion, as well as Yan Fangxu’s rank of colonel, were far behind Cai Minjin, a bona fide Imperial Major General.

When the other party was determined to seize command, Yan Fangxu really had no good solution.

If it wasn’t for the need for the help of the Star Realm Army, then it would be easier to handle; just ignore them. But if you really wanted to take control, then you would have to see if you could manage it.

But the key issue was that they were actually asking for the Star Realm Army’s assistance, right?

Yan Fangxu had already tried to persuade the other side twice and even revised his battle plan multiple times. If you want to accelerate, then let’s accelerate, but using the Alliance Army as cannon fodder and to clear mines, that’s not acceptable.

Previously, Gu Hang, Yan Fangxu, had been quite optimistic, hoping that after the arrival of the Star Realm Army, they could leave the main difficult battles to them. But it now seemed that they had been too hopeful; the others just wanted to pick the ripe fruits.

So, abandoning illusions, since everyone’s life mattered, I didn’t plan to sacrifice you to defuse bombs. Why couldn’t we just fight this battle fairly and normally, and get it finished quickly?

The General Cai Minjin’s message was, no.

“Stop wasting my time with those useless papers.” Cai Minjin said, “Starting from tomorrow, I demand that all reconnaissance troops must set out; four days later, a full-scale offensive must begin.”

At this point, Yan Fangxu had given up on conventional methods. He said, “Sorry, General Cai, your order conflicts with another one I have received, and I cannot execute it.”

Cai Minjin’s fierce eyes narrowed: “What do you mean? On this planet, militarily, is there anyone whose orders carry more weight than mine? Is it your governor? A brigadier general who isn’t even here, what qualifications does he have to command the troops?”

While speaking, he saw that Yan Fangxu still had something to say and simply waved him off, interrupting: “Under the Imperial Wartime Act, I now formally request that you transfer all command of the troops to my headquarters. Do you understand me?”

As he spoke, he even pulled out a handgun.

He didn’t voice his threat, but his actions were quite clear.

When necessary, he had the authority to execute officers two ranks below his.

Yan Fangxu, a colonel, fell precisely within that category.

Yan Fangxu spread his hands and, indeed, said no more.

And it was at that moment that a sudden disturbance could be heard from outside.

Following that, the curtain to the makeshift headquarters was flung open.

Cai Minjin furrowed his brow.

This place had already been taken over by his guard squad, and no one could approach without orders.

His gaze returned to Yan Fangxu.

Was this colonel causing trouble?

Did he really think I wouldn’t dare to kill?

Under his fierce gaze, Yan Fangxu remained silent.

You’re not letting me talk, right?

Moments later, the curtain was suddenly swept aside.

A towering figure, clad in crimson Terminator Power Armor with its head bowed, stepped inside.

Cai Minjin stood up in surprise, even forgetting to put away his gun.

What did he see?

A starfighter!

In his thirty-year military career, he had only fought alongside a starfighter once—and even calling it ‘fighting alongside’ was a stretch; during that time, he could only be considered a distant observer of their gallant figure on the battlefield.

That there were starfighters on Rage Owl Star was not exactly a secret; Gu Hang hadn’t deliberately concealed anything.

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However, after all, Rage Owl Star currently has very little communication with the outside world; the Starport has just been built and is still a very small port; there aren’t many interstellar travelers; the Star Language Tower, which is used for interstellar communication, only exists in Revival City within Gu Hang’s governor office…

Given the isolated environment, some well-informed individuals might know a thing or two, but for those who do not pay attention to Rage Owl Star at all, like Cai Minjin, he was truly unaware that there were starfighters active on the planet!

“General Cai?”

Cai Minjin subconsciously crossed his arms and performed the Sky Eagle Salute, responding, “Yes… Yes, I am Cai Minjin, Major General of the Dragonhawk 3rd Legion 4th Corps. May I ask who you are…”

“Phoenix Battle Group, Battle Group Commander, Martins Salas.”

Martins also identified himself, then stated, “I have taken over the command of this battle.”

He succinctly notified Cai Minjin.

And General Cai had nothing to say.

As he had previously mentioned in the Imperial wartime code of conduct, high-ranking officers of the Star Realm Army have the power, at crucial times, to command officers of lower rank from different systems and unify the command of the Planetary Defense Forces of an entire planet, ensuring that all Imperial Army forces can have unified command in the face of powerful enemies, to avoid confusion.

And in this hierarchy clearly defined, a commander of a Starfighter Battle Group sits very high in the order of things.

Within the hierarchy of the Star Realm Army, at least an admiral is needed to make suggestions; to contend on equal footing, one would need to produce the rank of a full general; and to command a battle group during wartime, one would need to be a Marshal of the Star Realm Army.

Of course, rules are dead, people are alive.

In a real battle situation, where multiple types of forces and systems work together, who takes charge is usually a matter of discussion. One’s high status alone does not translate into real command authority without actual troops to command.

But the current situation was obviously not like this.

Earlier, Cai Minjin could ignore Yan Fangxu because he had enough strength at his command. Three hundred thousand troops, plus the estimated seven hundred thousand arriving tomorrow at Rage Owl Star’s Starport, amounting to a million in total, were his confidence.

He could act unbridled, having this confidence and the support of both legal and high position.

But now, that was not possible.

The local forces of Rage Owl Star combined with the Rage Bear Legion also numbered hundreds of thousands, and then there was the appearance of this person wearing Terminator Armor, along with a huge physique, which was certainly not a fake starfighter…

Now, Cai Minjin couldn’t be sure of his victory, neither in terms of position nor in terms of strength.

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The appearance of Martins was, of course, Yan Fangxu’s doing.

Or rather Gu Hang’s doing.

Before leaving Rage Owl Star, he had contemplated the issue of military command, fearing that the incoming Star Realm forces would overshadow the local command.

Therefore, before his departure, he had a long discussion with Martins and Yan Fangxu.

And now, it really came into play.

With Martins leading thirty starfighters, firmly in control of the situation, there were no more ripples in the matter.

The joint command center was successfully established, and Cai Minjin honestly merged his own staff with the staff of the Alliance Army, beginning preparations for the battle.

He ceased causing trouble.

Although he had never heard of the “Phoenix” before, when thirty starfighters stood before him like thirty grand and solemn statues, he didn’t dare make a sound.

But Yan Fangxu and Martins did not engage in any acts of personal vendetta either.

In fact, they fully considered Cai Minjin’s desire to finish the war quickly—which also aligned with the needs of the Rage Owl Star Alliance—and based on Yan Fangxu’s previous plans, they devised new strategies.

A few days later, the fires of war reignited in the West Desert Region.

Six hundred thousand troops of the human alliance marched westward, mightily.

At the same time, the remaining 700,000 of Cai Minjin’s 4th Corps arrived, and they orderly disembarked from the Starport, expected to move to the front line of the Western Front battlefield within two to three weeks.

By then, the number of the human alliance forces would directly surpass 1.3 million.

The war indeed had to be fought swiftly, for sustaining such a massive army’s supply lines posed a severe challenge to the logistics system of the Alliance.