Two months later.
At a top-secret intelligence receiving station buried deep beneath an asteroid, operated by the Federal Central Bureau (FCB).
The undercover agent codenamed "Pangolin," risking exposure, sent an astonishingly long, multi-layered encrypted hyperspace communication.
When this message was finally decoded layer by layer and appeared on the terminal of the duty supervisor, Fu Yizhou, this veteran intelligence officer known for his calm and steady demeanor suddenly had his pupils contract sharply. His fingers gripping the data pad turned slightly white from the force.
The content of the intelligence was clear and horrifying.
[Source: Pangolin (Credibility: Extremely High)]
[Subject: Large-Scale Imperial Navy Assembly and Mobilization]
[Location/Movement Pattern One: Outer Reaches of the Bushman Star System]
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Signs of large-scale Imperial Fleet assembly observed, numbers continuously increasing.
-
Identified units at or above the "Gong"-class fleet scale include:
· Gorgon Fleet (Gong-class)
· Capricorn Fleet (Gong-class)
· Lava Roar Fleet (Gong-class)
... (others pending verification)
[Location/Movement Pattern Two: Within the Opal Star Sector, towards the Savannah Star System]
-
Confirmed mobilization of an Imperial "Sequence Fleet"-level unit: the Pandora Fleet has departed its usual stationed star domain and is heading towards Savannah.
-
Accompanied by at least two or more unidentified Gong-class fleets.
Fu Yizhou's gaze was fixed on the words "Sequence Fleet" and "Pandora Fleet." A chill shot up his spine to the top of his head.
Sequence Fleet!
That was the true strategic pillar of the Imperial Navy, the ultimate sledgehammer used to decide the ownership of star systems or even entire star domains!
Its organizational standards were extremely stringent, with the terrifying adage, "No Sequence without One Hundred Thousand"—meaning its standard operational starship count started at a base unit of at least one hundred thousand vessels!
This didn't even include the far more numerous auxiliary vessels, fighter craft, and accompanying ground forces.
The Pandora Fleet was one of the most notoriously vicious among the Imperial Sequence Fleets, infamous for its cunning, brutality, and formidable assault capabilities.
And the Gorgon, Capricorn, Lava Roar...
These were also established, graded main fleets of the Empire, far from ordinary.
Such a scale of fleet mobilization and assembly towards Savannah in the Ten Stone Starfield...
This was no ordinary rotation or show of force!
Fu Yizhou's breathing grew heavy.
His mind instantly flashed to the glorious battle report of the Savannah Campaign, the young face of Qin Bei Wang, and that newly awarded, dazzlingly bright Planetary Medal.
The Empire... was seeking revenge!
And it was a strategic-level retaliation meant to pour out thunderous wrath, aimed at utterly erasing the humiliation!
The target was too clearly indicated—the Elvira Star System, and especially Qin Bei Wang and his Pluto Fleet, who had just performed a miracle there!
"Supervisor?"
An adjutant nearby noticed Fu Yizhou's instantly pale complexion and grave expression, tentatively asking.
Fu Yizhou snapped back to reality, slamming the data pad heavily onto the desk. His voice was slightly hoarse from urgency, yet carried an undeniable resolve.
"Red Top Secret! Immediately!"
"Transmit this intelligence, unchanged, with the highest priority, simultaneously to:"
"One, Federal Joint Staff Supreme Briefing Room!"
"Two, Wanshi Star Sector Theater Command, for General Wen Tingtao's personal attention!"
He practically roared:
"Adding my urgent assessment: The Empire is highly likely to launch a large-scale offensive in the Savannah direction in the short term, aimed at completely destroying our frontline main forces and reversing the strategic situation in this star domain!
The target may directly point to our 'Pluto' cluster!
Request the Supreme Command and Theater Command to immediately assess and respond with utmost urgency!"
"Yes, Director!"
The communications officer's face also changed, his fingers becoming a blur on the control console as he sent this intelligence—enough to cause an earthquake at the highest levels of the Federation—through the red encrypted channel leading to the center of power at maximum speed.
Fu Yizhou stood in place, watching the confirmation indicator for successful intelligence transmission light up, his heart still pounding violently.
He could almost see it—beyond the cold, deep starry sea, the engines of countless Imperial warships igniting with an eerie blue glow, like waking steel behemoths opening their eyes, forming an endless tide of death slowly turning toward Federation territory.
The calm was completely over.
Wanshi Star Sector Theater Command, main communications hub.
Young duty officer Lieutenant Feng Haoyu had just finished a routine communications check and was about to get up and stretch.
Suddenly, the highest-priority information receiving terminal before him emitted a glaring, urgent red flash, accompanied by a low, continuous beep representing the highest emergency level!
"Red Top Secret?"
Feng Haoyu's heart leaped, all drowsiness gone.
He quickly straightened up, verified his authority, and with slightly trembling fingers clicked to receive.
An information window popped up. The content wasn't long, but each line hit his nerves like a sledgehammer:
[FCB · Red Top Secret]
[Source: Pangolin]
[Content: Top Secret]
What made his scalp tingle was the prominent note at the end of the intelligence—[For Commander's Personal Attention · Immediate]!
A Red Top Secret requiring immediate, personal handling by the theater's supreme commander, General Wen Tingtao!
Feng Haoyu didn't dare delay for even a second. At the fastest speed, he fully exported this intelligence from the encrypted receiving terminal and stored it in a specially designed physical encrypted storage module.
"Chief! Chief Jiao!"
He almost ran to the neighboring communications chief's office, his voice carrying uncontrollable tension.
"Red Top Secret! For the Commander's personal attention! From FCB!"
Jiao Jinghui was reviewing a routine report when he heard this and looked up sharply.
Seeing Feng Haoyu's pale face and the black storage module in his hand representing the highest emergency level, his pupils contracted.
He immediately stood up, grabbed the module, not even asking for specific details—anything that could make a duty officer so flustered and marked as a Red Top Secret for the Commander's personal attention was definitely no small matter.
"Continue your duty, maintain strict discipline, do not mention this to anyone!"
Jiao Jinghui hastily threw out these words, clutching the storage module as he strode out of the office and sprinted toward the Theater Command's core command zone.
His heart was also pounding in his chest.
The last time he had to deliver Red Top Secret intelligence this urgently was during the most intense phase of the Savannah Campaign.
He passed through without obstruction along the way, but Jiao Jinghui could feel the surprised gazes of guards and officers along the route.
He had no time to explain, heading straight to Commander Wen Tingtao's office and speaking urgently to the adjutant at the door.
"Red Top Secret, FCB urgent intelligence, must be delivered to the Commander in person immediately!"
The adjutant saw it was Jiao Jinghui and noticed the black module in his hand along with his grave expression.
Not daring to delay, he immediately turned and knocked on the door to announce him, then signaled for Jiao Jinghui to enter.
Wen Tingtao was discussing defensive zone rotation matters with Chief of Staff Wen Shiheng. Seeing Jiao Jinghui barging in without an appointment, he frowned slightly.
But upon noticing the object in his hand and the expression on his face, he immediately realized something major had occurred.
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