"...Based on current intelligence and the results of our unit's reorganization and training, it is determined that passive defense is disadvantageous in the Elvira Star System.
The Empire continues to reinforce its forces in the Savannah Star System, and their operational preparations are expected to peak within sixty to ninety days.
By then, we will face a consolidated enemy force with superior strength."
Qin Bei Wang's voice was steady, betraying no emotion, but the content of his words caused the generals present to lean forward slightly.
"Therefore, our unit plans to take the initiative and launch an offensive operation codenamed 'Dawn'."
That is, to actively attack deep into the Savannah Star System and launch a thunderous assault before the enemy completes its consolidation!"
In the briefing room, several generals gathered around the central star chart, their faces filled with disbelief.
The deputy chief of staff pointed at the red arrow on the chart that plunged directly from Elvira into Savannah, his voice strained.
"A single sub-fleet?
Penetrating deep into a star system currently being heavily reinforced by the Empire?
Does he even know how many forces are now assembled in Savannah?
Who does he think his newly established garrison fleet is going to strike?
This is simply... insane!"
"It is certainly audacious,"
another general in charge of intelligence pulled up the latest surveillance data.
"The number of Imperial Fleet ships in Savannah has increased by forty percent over the past week, and these aren't ragtag units—they are organized combat groups.
More troubling, we have just confirmed that the core assault force the Imperial High Command is deploying toward Savannah is the Obsidian Sub-fleet."
The mention of the name "Obsidian" seemed to make the air in the briefing room grow even heavier.
They were the true elite of the Empire's border fleets, with a distinguished combat record, well-equipped, and officers at the rank of captain and above were almost all veterans who had crawled out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood.
Their main force starships generally reached T4-Class, and there was even intelligence indicating they were equipped with several of the latest, most advanced T5-Class Battleships.
In comparison, the "Wells" Sub-fleet previously defeated by Qin Bei Wang was completely out of its league in terms of both equipment level and combat experience.
"What is the foundation of the Pluto Sub-Fleet?
Mostly new ships, and even more new recruits!
Even if Lieutenant Colonel Qin's personal abilities are exceptional, leading such a unit to actively charge into Savannah, which has Obsidian holding the fort and continuously swelling forces..."
Someone shook their head, leaving the latter half of the sentence unspoken, but the meaning was clear.
It was tantamount to suicide.
All eyes eventually turned to Theater Commander Admiral Wen Tingtao, who sat at the head of the table and had remained silent.
Wen Tingtao stared at the solitary red arrow on the star chart, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table.
His heart was a tumult of mixed emotions.
Shock was a certainty.
He had never seen such a... wild operational request.
A single fleet attacking a star system heavily garrisoned by enemy forces?
It was unheard of in his decades of military career.
The plan was so bold it bordered on recklessness, completely defying conventional military logic.
Fear was also real.
He feared this fleet, feared that its young commander Qin Bei Wang would crash headlong against the Empire's iron wall and be utterly annihilated.
This was no ordinary border skirmish—it was a direct assault on a strategic strongpoint the Empire was actively reinforcing.
Yet within this dread lingered a complex, indescribable emotion.
Truly Qin Qianfan's son, he thought. That reckless edge, the audacity to push the battlefield deep into enemy territory—it was… impressive.
It even stirred a faint nostalgia for the fiery courage of his own youth.
If they succeeded, even partially, it would tear an unexpected breach in the overall war situation, greatly relieving pressure on other fronts.
But reason swiftly crushed that flicker of sentiment.
The existence of the Obsidian Sub-fleet rendered any romantic notions hollow.
By any measure, Qin Bei Wang's fleet was at an absolute disadvantage.
"I can't let him do this."
Wen Tingtao finally spoke, his voice steady but resolute.
"This isn't bravery—it's recklessness. It's gambling with an entire fleet and countless lives.
Immediate orders!"
He turned to the communications chief, speaking faster now.
"Using the Theater Command's Highest Priority, contact the Elvira Star System Defense Command directly and attempt to establish a direct link with Lieutenant Colonel Qin Bei Wang's flagship.
Command: Cancel Dawn Operation. The Pluto Sub-Fleet is to cease all forward maneuvers immediately and return to its original defensive zone to await further orders.
Reiterate—this is an order, not a suggestion!"
"Yes, Commander!"
The communications chief turned at once to carry out the command.
The order was sent, but the unease in Wen Tingtao's heart did not ease.
He knew frontline commanders all too well—especially ones like Qin Bei Wang, who clearly possessed strong independent judgment and influential backing.
Sometimes their interpretation and execution of "orders" followed their own… rhythm.
A few minutes later, the communications chief returned, his expression grim.
"Report, Commander. The Elvira Star System Defense Command has responded.
They… they are unable to directly carry out your order."
"What do you mean?" Wen Tingtao frowned deeply.
"The Defense Command states that the main force of Lieutenant Colonel Qin Bei Wang's Pluto Sub-Fleet completed assembly and final resupply eight hours ago.
They have left the regular monitoring network and entered the planned radio-silent course."
Wen Tingtao froze, then a chill shot up his spine.
Eight hours ago… So, around the time he'd sent that seemingly deferential "request" to Theater Command—or shortly after—Qin Bei Wang had already set out.
That "request," in hindsight, looked more like a notification.
Or rather, a report of a fait accompli—procedurally flawless, yet effectively presenting them with a done deal.
He had left early.
Throwing himself and his entire fleet headlong into that enemy-infested starry abyss known as the Savannah Star System.
The briefing room fell deathly silent. Everyone understood what this meant.
The order could not be delivered. The operation could not be canceled.
That fleet, bearing both staggering ambition and immense risk, was already on its way—alone.
Now, all they could do was wait and pray that the arrogant young man could truly work a miracle… or at least bring some of them back alive.
The edge of the Savannah Star System, Langkawi Star Orbit, Seventh Starport.
The massive starport clung to a small, gray-brown asteroid like a metallic spiderweb.
At that moment, its outermost cargo berths were unusually busy.
Dozens of massive, clumsily shaped barges with mottled hulls were using faint thrusters to adjust their positions, slowly sliding into the berths.
Their size was staggering, with lengths generally exceeding three kilometers. Their bloated hulls, aside from a few dim navigation lights, showed almost none of the weaponry or sensitive equipment arrays typical of conventional starships.
On the work platforms beside the berths, several dockworkers in grimy overalls and simple breathing masks operated thick fuel lines to connect to the barge interfaces while looking up at these behemoths and whispering in their internal communication channel.
"Good heavens, this thing is huge... Never seen this model of barge before, have you?"
A young worker muttered.