He marked parameters on the screen.
"Speed must reach at least 1.8 times that of a standard cruiser.
The passive detection array must use the most advanced quantum gradient analyzer and broad-spectrum harmonic receiver.
The hull interior must reserve space to carry at least fifty small passive detection buoys."
Wu Tao frowned at the design sketch.
"This configuration... has almost no self-defense capability.
Once detected, it becomes a sitting duck.
And regarding passive detection buoys - most mainstream versions are active now. The detection range and accuracy of passive ones are..."
"I want them passive."
Qin Beiwang interrupted him.
"The buoys don't need communication devices or energy cores.
Use long half-life isotope batteries to ensure they can operate for over three months.
They only need to float silently in deep space, monitoring passing starship engine signatures, gravitational disturbances, spatial curvature changes, then store the data."
"But without communication devices, how do we retrieve the data?"
"No retrieval needed."
Qin Beiwang said.
"When our reconnaissance ship passes by next time, the buoys will transmit the stored data package via directional laser beam.
Single transmission, then self-destruct.
The entire process is completely passive, emitting no detectable signals."
Wu Tao's eyes widened.
"You're planning to... deploy a silent surveillance network?"
"Correct."
Qin Beiwang continued drawing the second starship type.
"Second type: large supply ship.
Not ordinary transport vessels - I want rapid supply platforms that can keep up with fleet maneuvers.
Equipped with modular repair bays for emergency repairs of damaged ships on the battlefield.
Also need fuel refinement systems capable of collecting and refining fusion fuel from asteroids or gas giants."
He added several modules to the supply ship sketch.
"These ships themselves don't need combat capability, but must have the highest level of mobility.
Their role is to extend the fleet's sustained combat duration, not to participate in battles."
Wu Tao quickly took notes, sweat beginning to form on his forehead.
"This... presents significant technical challenges.
Modular repairs require standardized interfaces, but our current ship models aren't unified yet..."
"Then unify them."
Qin Beiwang said calmly.
"Tell the shipyards all newly constructed ships must follow the new standard design.
Retrofit existing ships in batches."
"Yes..."
Wu Tao wiped his sweat.
"And the third type?"
Qin Beiwang remained silent for several seconds.
Then he drew a completely new ship type on the screen.
Larger than a battleship, with a massive, crater-like gun mount at the midsection of the hull.
"Planet-killer ship." The moment he spoke these words, everyone on the bridge froze.
"Not an actual planet-killer!"
Qin Beiwang explained.
"It's a planetary assault platform.
Equipped with one super-heavy orbital cannon, or... if technology permits, one miniaturized atmospheric ablation beam generator.
Its mission isn't to attack ships, but ground targets.
Orbital defense platforms, planetary fortresses, even surface command centers."
Wu Tao's face completely changed color.
"Lieutenant Colonel, this type of weapon... The Federation hasn't built new planet-killer ships for centuries.
According to the Valency-Kuiper Convention..."
"The convention only prohibits extermination strikes against habitable planets."
Qin Beiwang looked at the engineer.
"I'm not talking about targeting civilians.
But there are three Federation-controlled resource planets in the Elvira Star System, with mining bases, fuel refineries, and orbital shipyards.
If the war escalates, we need the capability to destroy those targets."
He paused, his voice lowering slightly.
"Besides, do you think the Empire doesn't possess similar weapons?"
Wu Tao opened his mouth but ultimately remained silent.
Qin Beiwang closed the design interface.
"Of these three ship types, the reconnaissance ship has the highest priority.
I want to see the first prototype within one month.
The supply ship can be extended to two months.
As for the planet-killer ship... proceed with conceptual design first. Construction will begin after technical verification is complete."
"Yes, sir."
Wu Tao stood at attention.
"I'll mobilize all resources."
"One more thing."
Qin Beiwang walked to the bridge's observation window, watching the new ships under construction in the shipyard outside.
"All new ships' AI systems must maintain current standards.
No upgrades, no increased autonomous authority. Understood?"
"Understood."
After Wu Tao left, only Qin Beiwang and Zhuang Zhixuan remained on the bridge.
Zhuang Zhixuan approached him and asked quietly.
"Lieutenant Colonel, those passive detection buoys... Are you planning to monitor the entire Elvira Star System?"
"More than that."
Qin Beiwang gazed into deep space.
"I want to monitor all potential combat zones.
Where the Imperial Fleet comes from, what course they take, where they assemble.
I don't want to wait until they're at our doorstep to find out."
Then, Qin Beiwang continued.
"Moreover, the best defense is a proactive offense!
Rather than letting them wreak havoc on our territory, we should bring the battlefield to theirs!"
Zhuang Zhixuan stared at Qin Beiwang in shock.
Connecting this with the previous special reconnaissance ship and supply ship, along with his recent words,
a terrifying thought suddenly emerged in Zhuang Zhixuan's mind.
She blurted out.
"Commander, could it be... you're planning to proactively attack the Savannah Star System?"
Qin Beiwang nodded.
"The Empire probably hates me to the bone. Their next offensive might involve more than just one fleet!
The scale and firepower will be greater and more intense than the Wells Sub-Fleet!"
She pulled up the latest border situation map, where the Savannah Star System direction was prominently marked.
"But what about the scale and timing of the proactive attack?
Our fleet is essentially still a newly established defense force. The soldiers need training time, the new ships need breaking-in period.
And regarding the Savannah direction..."
She zoomed in on the star chart, where the red markers representing the Imperial Fleet were unusually dense.
"The Obsidian Sub-fleet is a tough nut to crack. More crucially, recent hyperspace fluctuation monitoring and civilian cargo route anomaly reports all indicate the Empire is reinforcing that area.
They're clearly preparing for a large-scale operation, likely targeting our Elvira Star System or neighboring star domains."
She turned to face Qin Beiwang directly.
"Under these circumstances, wouldn't a proactive attack be too... risky given our current strength and condition?"
"Should we first consolidate the defensive line while accelerating the construction and training of these specialized vessels you just planned, waiting for a more opportune moment, or at least until clear reinforcements arrive in the warzone?"
Qin Bei Wang finally withdrew his gaze from the window and let it fall upon Zhuang ZhiXuan's face.
His expression remained calm, almost excessively so.
"Your analysis is correct.
The Empire's gathering at Savannah shows clear intent."
He walked toward the central tactical console and pulled up another set of data—a simulation of the Imperial border Fleet's activity patterns over the past six months, overlaying it with the real-time situation map in Zhuang ZhiXuan's hands.
"But look at their assembly pattern.
They're mobilizing in batches from different star domains, building echelons around Obsidian.
Final integration will take at least sixty to ninety more days.
This is when their forces are most dispersed and their chain of command is most vulnerable."