The fighters quickly approached the experimental base. The 16 ships split into four squads, fanning out as they prepared to attack.
Floor 101, the center of the mountain, was a wide hall that served as the command center for the entire experimental base. All experimental reports were sent here, and the useful content was extracted and reported to superiors.
This data was undoubtedly all passed on to Gideon.
Only a small portion was reported. The tedious experimental records and massive data analysis were stored in the central computer in the main hall after use. This computer was not connected to the network; it was only for storage.
At this time, the highest commander left here was not an Imperial soldier, but an old man in a white robe.
"Professor, unknown ships detected approaching the base! They intend to attack!" a technician, also in a military uniform, stood up and said.
The man called "Professor" turned around and looked at the red dots projected on the large screen. These were the invading fighters, approaching rapidly.
"Scramble fighters to intercept! Fully activate the base's security facilities! Some bugs think they can take advantage of the chaos. Make sure they don't leave here alive!"
The Professor hurried to a console and began contacting the outside, wanting to report the situation to his superiors.
They had just recently damaged their only cruiser, which was still undergoing repairs. He feared they wouldn't be able to get strong support. Although the base's defensive force was sufficient, the Professor still felt panicked facing an unknown invasion.
If the enemy could find the base's location, they were definitely not ordinary pirates or a scattered faction. If they dared to attack, they must have backing.
Although the Professor appeared to be giving orders methodically, he was only feigning composure. This old man was just an obedient puppet Gideon had put in place to monitor the base. Although he held command authority, the base itself had no real mission other than occasionally reporting data.
With nothing to do, he enjoyed the power he had been given, coasting along, living comfortably.
But today's sudden attack sent his entire brain into a panic. After activating the base's automated defenses as per procedure, all he wanted to do was contact his superiors and call for reinforcements immediately!
He couldn't bear the responsibility for any losses!
"Report! Our communication system has been shut down! Control of the base facilities is gradually being taken over. The external wall security system will be paralyzed soon!"
"Hmm?!" The sudden bad news interrupted him. "What did you say? Quick! Regain control!"
"We're trying!" The technician quickly sat back down and operated his console. The more he worked, the more shocked he became. Who was invading the base's network?! It was so fast, like they were walking into their own home. It was too skilled. The Empire's highest-level firewall had been quietly breached at some point, and he hadn't even noticed! He only realized it when the enemy began taking control!
At this moment, Amir looked at his wristguard and smiled. The firewall was still so flimsy. Since it used a similar system, the program he had on his wristguard could easily crack it.
After that, he only needed a few simple operations to take over their entire system.
The only trouble was that many systems were not connected to the network, including the semi-independent combat droids, power, and valve controls. Amir couldn't hack them. Although their tech tree was weak in networking, their reliance on it was also small.
Otherwise, Amir could have taken control of the entire base in a short time and turned all the droids to his side.
But cutting off communications was enough.
Amir had lurked for a while. After Ahsoka began her attack, he cut the communications first.
"I can give you one more surprise." Amir smiled and shut down another system.
. . .
Ahsoka stared at the mountain and pressed the attack button, opening fire from maximum range. The TIE fighters on the base's summit landing pad were hit directly, exploding in a fireball. In an instant, the platform was swept clean.
"Everyone, watch the laser cannons on the cliff wall!" Ahsoka shouted.
The biggest threat to them was the base's external security system, which was spread all over the mountain—dozens of heavy laser cannons.
One could imagine how dense the fire would be once activated. This was their first hurdle. Only by avoiding these lasers could they land safely.
Just then, the laser cannons, which had begun to extend, suddenly lost power. Their barrels drooped helplessly toward the ground.
Ahsoka was overjoyed. It must be Amir and his team!
"Cover my landing!" Seeing her chance, Ahsoka flew straight for the highest platform. With no obstacles, they had to land as fast as possible. Stormtroopers and combat droids were already pouring out from inside the base. A group of pilots stared silently at the TIE fighter wreckage. The rest began firing at the sky.
But for the fighters that already owned the airspace, dealing with them was all too easy.
Two squads of fighters rapidly closed in on the base, turned, and a full 8 ships began a concentrated strafing run on the enemies on the platform. Red blaster bolts rained down like a sudden storm. The resisting stormtroopers and combat droids didn't last two seconds before they all fell.
Ahsoka and the troop transport behind her took the opportunity to hover over the landing pad.
Ahsoka, holding two lightsabers, and Veronica, carrying a large backpack, jumped from the ship. More than ten fully-equipped companions followed them.
Nearly twenty people disembarked from the two ships. They quickly found cover and unleashed their firepower on the endlessly emerging Imperial troops.
"Calling 'Fulcrum', two squads of TIEs have launched from the base's central hangar," Amir received the message through his comm.
"Squads 1 and 2, land. Remaining two squads, engage enemy fighters!"
After the order was given, six fighters began to look for an opportunity to land. Squads 1 and 2 included the troopships. Their mission was to breach the base.
Ahsoka seized her chance and rushed out from behind cover, her body low, exploding with astonishing speed. Her slender figure instantly closed in on a combat droid. Her lightsaber swung up, and the alloy shell that blasters couldn't penetrate was cut like butter.
In an instant, almost all attacks aimed at Ahsoka. But she didn't stop. She continued to swing her lightsabers, deflecting the blaster bolts that threatened her, and charged at the next droid.
Seeing this, Veronica and the others emerged from cover, laying down heavy fire to support Ahsoka, continuously pushing forward.
In just a moment, five combat droids were destroyed at Ahsoka's hands, and the enemy's defensive formation was easily broken by her alone.
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