"As for Lieutenant Colonel Qin Bei Wang..." Lancaster looked at the overly youthful face on the screen. "He may lack experience, but he has connections, courage, and has just achieved an unexpected victory. Opponents at such times are often the most dangerous. They themselves may not know what they're capable of, or they might try to replicate their fluke success. We cannot give him any opportunity, cannot allow him to create another surprise. Even if the possibility is only one percent."
He turned to Isabella, his tone becoming serious. "Grand General Strauss is personally monitoring this battle. What he wants is not just a victory, but an exemplary annihilation battle - a performance worthy of being written into textbooks, demonstrating the Empire's absolute power and precise coordination. This relates to the overall strategic deployment in the Opal Star Domain, and even affects resource allocation at higher levels. So, set aside your contempt, Colonel Marlow."
Lancaster's final words carried undeniable pressure. "If any of us three makes a mistake in this matter, holds back the operation, causing even the slightest imperfection... the Grand General's wrath is probably something none of us would want to bear. Remember, we are gathered here not to prove we can win, but to ensure we win flawlessly, win in a way that leaves no room for criticism."
The bridge fell silent, with only the low hum of equipment remaining. Isabella Marlow remained silent for a moment before turning her gaze back to the data screen. Though her expression remained unchanged, the previous obvious skepticism had been reined in. Zane Barrett clicked his tongue, rubbed the scar on his face, the recklessness in his eyes fading to be replaced with seriousness.
Aboard the Iron Curtain Fleet's flagship, the "Blood Thorn" Battleship. In the cold gray bridge, Isabella Marlow stood alone before the massive observation window. Outside was the monotonous view of sub-light speed navigation. Though the meeting had ended, the frustration in her heart hadn't dissipated. Her fingers tapped impatiently against the alloy window frame.
"The front line has been deadlocked for four months, just when we were about to break through the Celtic Nebula defensive line... yet they pulled our entire Iron Curtain Fleet to a place like this," she murmured to herself, a trace of irritation flashing across her stern face. Dealing with a rookie fleet, in her view, was no different from using a sledgehammer to crush ants - purely a waste of her elite forces skilled in defense and attrition warfare.
But Lancaster's words, especially the part about Grand General Strauss's will, forced her to suppress this dissatisfaction. "Order all ships," she commanded her adjutant without turning around. "Maintain course, continue moving toward the Savannah Star System as planned. Upon reaching the preset coordinates, enter full-band silence. Without my direct command, no ship is to deactivate camouflage or initiate active detection."
"Yes, Commander." She could only follow orders for now, though she still believed this was entirely overkill.
At the Empire's 17th Monitoring Station in the Savannah Star System, a piercing alarm suddenly sounded. "Report! Jump signal detected! Intensity... confirmed to be battleship class!"
"Coordinates: L-7, N-12, S-22! Three points appearing simultaneously!"
The monitoring officer's voice rose in astonishment.
The information reached the Obsidian Fleet's flagship "Impregnable Bastion" within seconds.
Bridge of the "Impregnable Bastion".
Ryan Lancaster stared at the three isolated yet glaring red markers on the tactical screen.
His typically composed face showed clear astonishment for the first time.
"Direct warp?
Dropping battleships right at our doorstep without any preliminary reconnaissance?"
He could hardly believe his eyes.
This violated the most fundamental tactical principles.
The brief chaos period after warp was when ships were most vulnerable. Any experienced commander would choose safer entry methods, or at least send small craft to scout ahead.
"Is he overconfident... or just a reckless madman?"
Lancaster instantly tensed.
Qin Beiwang's boldness exceeded his expectations.
But the shock lasted less than two seconds before Lancaster's eyes sharpened like blades again.
"Order: Amethyst, Sapphire, Emerald, Ruby, Jade, and Peridot fleets deploy immediately!
Proceed to these three warp points!
Remember - harass them, maintain contact, but don't engage decisively yet. Determine if there are follow-up warp forces!"
He spoke rapidly, his mind racing.
"All directly subordinate fleets, assume first-level combat readiness! Engine preheating, prepare for rapid advance toward my designated coordinates!
I need to know whether these three battleships are bait or the vanguard of his main force!"
Either way, Qin Beiwang's reckless entry method presented an excellent opportunity for encirclement and annihilation.
If there were only these three ships, they would devour them.
If the main force followed closely, his six sub-fleets could buy time for the main force to complete the encirclement.
"Contact the Gorgon!"
Lancaster immediately followed up.
"Inform Colonel Barrett: Federation Fleet has appeared prematurely, with anomalous scale and method.
Order Bloodblade units that have reached Savannah to immediately rally to my position and prepare for combat!
Remaining fleets accelerate approach!"
Camouflaged barge "Gorgon".
Zane Barrett was supervising the departure of the last genuine transport ship from its berth when he received the message.
He stared at the words on the encrypted communication screen, his rugged face first showing surprise, then breaking into a fierce grin.
"Ha! Coming right to our door? Got some guts!"
He slammed the control console.
"Now this is more like it!
Always sneaking around with reconnaissance behind our backs was getting damn annoying!"
But then he looked at his fleet's real-time status list, and his smile faded somewhat.
"Damn it, only three fleets have arrived? The rest are still eating dust en route!"
He immediately roared.
"Transmit orders!
All arrived units, including camouflaged ships, immediately drop camouflage and activate combat systems!
Proceed at maximum speed to the rally point provided by Lancaster according to predetermined plans!
Tell those slowpokes behind to get their asses over here at top speed!
The prize is already at our doorstep!"
He felt both excited about the battle's early arrival and somewhat sobered by Qin Beiwang's nearly suicidal opening move.
This kid was either incredibly stupid... or hiding something they hadn't yet discerned.
Suddenly, the previously tranquil fringes of the Savannah Star System were stirred by hidden undercurrents.
Like stones cast into a calm lake, three Federation Battleships triggered a swift and fierce chain reaction from the Empire.
The Hunting Net was rapidly closing in from all directions toward those three conspicuous points of light.
Savannah Star System, Empire's 17th Monitoring Station.
A piercing alarm, like a rooster being choked, abruptly ceased the moment it reached its peak.