The plan was only partially successful, as the Kinokians didn't focus on the smaller fleet too much, guessing that it would run out of ammunition soon enough, while the main threat to their hold on this territory was the Pelozi fleet, which they kept bottled up.
-I'm sorry, your majesty, we barely made a dent in the enemy forces, and whatever fleet they send our way is way too small to make significant changes on the main front.
General Taylor apologized to Andrew after five hours of fighting.
The Lantean forces could not continue the harassment of enemy forces as the fighter count fell from over seven thousand to barely two, and the fleet only had 8% of its rockets and bombs available to rearm them.
-You did great, General, and the resupply ships are on their way.
The emperor said.
-Additionally, we came up with an idea that might have an even greater effect than our fleet joining this operation, and you should be seeing the results soon.
Andrew added.
As for your fleet performance, it was exemplary, and the lack of effect that we were hoping for can be attributed to the enemy numbers as well as their total disregard for their own losses.
Actually, I'm surprised that they didn't try to wipe your fleet out till now, since they have more than enough forces to overwhelm you.
-Your majesty, I think they are afraid of another volley of torpedoes coming out of the portal if they tried that, not to mention that they also learned that our fighters are nothing to scoff at.
This was the truth as over two hundred fighters swarmed one of the Kinokian barrleships and bombed it until it became scrap metal.
-Be that as it may, we are preparing another torpedo volley as we speak, to cover your retreat if it becomes necessary.
Andrew informed the general.
-I understand your majesty, but absent a truly powerful attack, I'd like to keep my forcess on this side of the portal.
Even if we can't do any significant damage to the enemy's main forces, we can apply psychological pressure by our presence alone.
-Agreed, and with the resupply, you should be able to hold positions quite easily.
Andrew agreed.
-Your majesty, two more portals are opening in this system.
The general said as soon as he saw the change on his tactical display.
-That should be the effect of our idea.
Andrew smiled.
-What is this idea?
Taylor asked, not understanding what was going on, and he very much doubted that Andrew would send two more fleets here.
-We sent the information through the merchants guild to the enemies of the Kinokians, stating that there is a chance for them to inflict a lot of damage upon our mutual enemy's fleets.
Andrew explained.
-As you can see, they decided that it was a good chance to weaken the Kinokians.
The moment the emperor finished explaining, two fleets started pouring out of the newly established portals.
-Predictably, the Kinokian forces rushed to intercept them, but were attacked before they could reach the portals.
Andrew ordered the general to move his fleet away from the event horizon, and soon, another three volleys of torpedoes rushed out of the portal, targeting the enemy forces, which were forced to intercept the attack or suffer heavy losses.
From the three thousand torpedoes, only 7% has reached the enemy vessels, but that was more than enough to inflict a lot of damage, and achieve the primary goal of this attack, which was to delay the enemy response to the new threat.
Ignoring the small Lantean fleet was the worst mistake that the Kinokians had made, and now they were paying for it, as the first ships coming out of the new portals were gigantic dreadnoughts and not much smaller battleships, which immediately tore into the Funganoids, decimating their interception forces, which were still in disarray after the Lanteans' attack.
After these behemoths, the new portals started spewing cruisers, destroyers, frigates, and corvettes by the hundreds, all of which joined the assault as soon as they activated their shields.
This forced the Kinokians to send two-thirds of the forces engaging the Pelozi fleet to fight the new enemies, which resulted in creating favorable conditions for General Taylor's forces to aid his allies.
Unfortunately, he had to wait for the resupply to finish and the rearming of his remaining fighters before he could do anything other than watch the space battle, which dwarfed anything he saw in the movies back on Earth.
-Andrew, the enemy stopped their attack, and the portal just closed.
Arien reported as soon as the portal vanished.
-Great, what's the status of your fleet?
The emperor asked.
-The status is green across the board; we just finished resupplying.
The admiral answered.
-Even better.
Leave the defensive lines and half of the elven forces to guard the system in case the enemy tries to attack it again, and get the rest back here.
You are going to reinforce General Taylor's forces.
-Andrew, I'm sending half of my fleet to assist as well.
Runir chimed in.
-What about taking over the remaining traitors' territories?
The emperor asked.
-It is almost done.
There are only about three hundred stations that need to be taken over, so half of my fleet and the ghost fleet are more than enough to deal with it.
-I'm sending half of my forces as well.
Giarna joined the conversation.
-Since my portal is used by the Pelozi, there is no need to keep my whole fleet here.
She added.
-Andrew, all the portals, except for the one used by the Pelozi, vanished.
Lanarine reported.
-Good.
Send half the forces from each fleet to General Taylor.
The rest is to remain in case the enemy tries to reactivate the portals.
The emperor ordered.
-General, you will have reinforcements soon.
-Thank you, your majesty.
The old general smiled, as this was exactly what he needed to do more than just sit there and take potshots at the enemy.
-You might also want to contact the newly arrived forcess and warn them that the Kinokians ceased their attack on the Lantean Empire, and they might start redirecting their forces to the system you are in.
-As you wish, your majesty.
The general answered and got to work.