Battle start!"
At the same moment, the voice of the referee announcing the start of the battle rang out on the bridges of both Zero Blizzard and the T2 Bald Eagle-class Light Interstellar Cruiser.
In the duel arbitration zone, supporters of Zhang Haoran cheered excitedly.
"Come on, Young Master Zhang!"
"Young Master Zhang, take care of that presumptuous guy properly."
"I hope Zhao Chen can struggle a bit more. If the battle ends in just a few minutes, it would be such a waste for us who came all this way just to watch the show, right... hahaha."
These words came from Zhang Haoran's group of sycophants, who were completely convinced that victory in this starship duel belonged to Zhang Haoran.
Among the spectators was naturally Jiang Shasha.
She coldly watched the broadcast footage, which was transmitted by battlefield drones. They could see both starships departing from their respective "birthplaces," heading towards the enemy starship's direction. If both ships maintained their current course,
in ten minutes, both starships would enter each other's weapon firing range.
"Zhao Chen, this time you overestimated yourself. Being expelled is your own fault, don't blame me," Jiang Shasha thought inwardly.
In her heart, there was no suspense about this duel.
Is there any other possibility besides Zhang Haoran winning?
——————
Zero Blizzard · Bridge
"Maintain current course, cruising speed at 40 knots star speed," Vice Captain Charlotte said under Zhao Chen's authorization, now in charge of the battle deployment of this starship.
"40 knots star speed? Are you planning to play dumb?" Zhao Chen chuckled lightly at Charlotte.
Charlotte replied calmly, "I just don't want to waste time on boring things."
Zhao Chen was also bored at the moment, so he raised his hand and pulled up the data page of Zero Blizzard on the holographic projection.
[Zero Blizzard
Ship Type: Starship Cruiser (Interstellar Destroyer, Interstellar Battleship)
Tech Level: T2
Hull Armor Strength: 210 units - 270 units
Cruising Speed: 100 knots star speed
Warp Engine: Level 3 warp engine
Mass: 85,000 tons
Crew Size: 50
Starship Weapons: One T2 Heavy 1200mm Devil Crocodile Cannon (one shot per firing, 300 seconds interval)
Five T2 Medium Hyena Laser Cannons (one shot per firing, 180 seconds interval)
Thirty 130mm T2 Medium Close-Defense Turrets (two shots per firing, no interval)]
The three weapon types equipped on Zero Blizzard—the latter two are directly mounted on the hull, while the first one is a hidden design, a trick left by Zhao Chen.
"Can I roughly guess your battle plan?" Zhao Chen rubbed his chin and looked at Charlotte.
"You are the captain; you can revoke my command at any time. Here, your words are law," Vice Captain Charlotte said.
Zhao Chen raised his hand again and opened a somewhat simpler starship data page.
It was the opposing T2 Bald Eagle.
"The T2 Bald Eagle's weaponry mainly consists of three types: five T2 Medium 180mm rapid-fire cannons with a 10-second interval; then twenty 150mm T2 Medium quad close-defense cannons, firing four shots at once with no interval.
Its main weapon is a T2 Medium Bald Eagle Laser Main Cannon, one shot per firing, 210 seconds interval."
A light flashed in Zhao Chen's eyes: "First, our advantage lies in the fact that they have no idea about our starship's performance. Your order to maintain 40 knots star speed is meant to create an illusion for the opponent. Our starship's maximum speed is just over 40 knots star speed.
But when the real confrontation happens, we'll catch them off guard.
The five T2 Medium 180mm rapid-fire cannons on the T2 Bald Eagle are powerful, but their range is short.
The only real threat to us is their laser main cannon.
So when the time comes, we can seize the opportunity—when their laser main cannon fires, we suddenly accelerate to open distance and dodge their attacks.
The attack trajectory of the laser main cannon can be predicted, and the hit timing is enough for us to evade.
When the laser main cannon enters its charge and cooldown period, that's when we bully them."
Charlotte looked at Zhao Chen: "Your military academy education wasn't wasted. I've never seen a T2 starship reach 100 knots star speed.
That's why I previously rated Zero Blizzard as an 'unbeatable starship within T2 level.'"
Having roughly predicted the battle plan, Zhao Chen leisurely sat in the captain's chair, waiting for the show to begin.
Soon, Zero Blizzard and the T2 Bald Eagle appeared within each other's starship radar detection range.
Charlotte glanced at the time and muttered, "Ten forty-five."
At the same time, she set a countdown timer, and the holographic projection appeared between her and Zhao Chen.
[Countdown 10:00]
This girl was serious. She had told Zhao Chen the fight would end in ten minutes.
Meanwhile, the T2 Bald Eagle also made a move.
"Report, target detected. Target is moving towards our position at about 40 knots star speed," the radar officer reported.
"Full speed ahead, bombard that scrap starship!" Zhang Haoran said excitedly.
Vice Captain Wang Cheng glanced at Zhang Haoran. Normally, rushing full speed without knowing the enemy's starship performance is taboo in interstellar warfare.
But considering the opponent was just a student, that mismatched-looking starship did not look impressive; the weapons on the hull were nothing to be feared.
It probably posed no real threat.
Moreover, this T2 Bald Eagle had a top speed of 65 knots star speed; if any emergencies occurred, it could easily rely on high speed to adapt.
"Captain's order: Our ship will proceed full speed towards the target, all weapons on standby." Although this was Wang Cheng's direct order, he still gave Zhang Haoran face by using Zhang's name since he was working for him.
"Use our T2 laser main cannon. Once within attack range, fire a shot first and let them see the power difference between starships.
Hahaha… I bet Zhao Chen will be scared enough to fall off the captain's chair." Zhang Haoran seemed to already imagine Zhao Chen's ridiculous frightened expression.
"Understood." Vice Captain Wang Cheng had no objection to this plan, after all, this was a duel with a predetermined outcome.
Soon, both starships were about to enter maximum firing range.
Charlotte's eyes fixed on the starship radar map, as if waiting for something.
"Warning! Warning! Laser weapon attack detected!"
"Warning! Warning! Detected..."
"Warni—"
Zhao Chen noticed the slight upward curve of Charlotte's lips, and the ripples that appeared in her previously calm, still eyes.
"Full speed, turn right!" Vice Captain Charlotte barked sharply.