"Admiral Scott!"
Armstrong's voice was low and measured, carrying a cold, analytical tone.
"Don't you think... this is too much of a coincidence?"
"Coincidence?"
Scott, panting heavily, looked over.
"We just dispatched the Claw and Angel fleets to search for that ghost fleet that annihilated Demon Claw."
Armstrong's finger traced two courses on the Star Chart, originating from the Stargate and moving away from the direction of Abuja.
"Almost the moment they moved beyond effective support range, Abuja came under a premeditated strike."
He lifted his head, his gaze sharp as a blade.
"Judging by the timing, the attackers clearly had a thorough understanding of our fleet movements.
They deliberately chose to strike during this window when our fleets were drawn away.
Moreover..."
He pulled up another set of data.
"The time for reinforcements sent directly from the Stargate to reach Abuja is far shorter than ordering Claw and Angel to turn back and assist.
This means, if we don't want to watch Abuja be destroyed with our own eyes,
we must divide forces again from the Star Gate Garrison, whose defenses are already somewhat weakened due to the departure of those two fleets."
Armstrong's speech grew slower and slower, each word seeming dredged from an ice cellar.
"One link after another.
Attack Demon Claw, lure and draw away our main fleet.
Strike at the opportune moment, precisely hitting our crucial logistics and Energy Hub.
Force us to continue pulling forces from our core defensive points...
This doesn't seem like a random raid or mere sabotage. It more closely resembles a meticulously designed, step-by-step, tightening chain of schemes."
He slowly let out a breath.
Even through the screen, one could see the rare gravity in his eyes and a barely perceptible flicker of dread.
"If my reasoning is correct...
Admiral Scott, the opponent we are facing this time,
the meticulousness of their planning, the depth of their calculations, the precision of their intelligence gathering and utilization—it's downright chilling."
Listening to Armstrong's analysis, the anger on Scott's face gradually gave way to a shadow.
He wasn't a fool, merely blinded by rage.
Now, having calmed down and combined with Armstrong's dissection, a chill also crept up his spine.
He stared fixedly at the icon for the Abuja Ring, his voice hoarse.
"It's too late to say all that now!
Armstrong, the reality is that Claw and Angel are beyond reach!
Even if we order them to return at full speed, by the time they arrive, the Abuja Stellar Ring will probably be nothing but debris!"
He pointed at the still-massive fleet markers around the Stargate, his tone carrying a do-or-die resolve.
"We must immediately draw two more Duke-class Fleets from the Stargate Defense Fleet and rush them to Abuja at top speed!
We must preserve it, at least its core parts!"
Scott's speech quickened as he listed the reasons Abuja must not be lost, each one weighty as a thousand pounds.
"First, energy!
Abuja is our front line fleet's most important Energy Supply and Transfer Station.
If it is completely destroyed, the sustained combat capability and maneuverability of our front line fleet will be severely diminished!"
"Second, transit and recuperation!
Without the Abuja Stellar Ring as a springboard and maintenance center..."
"Third, and most critical..."
Scott's voice dropped even lower, carrying a slight tremor.
"In the deep warehouses of the Abuja Stellar Ring, we have stored the extremely difficult-to-refine Zero-point Vacuum Energy Modules prepared for the next Stargate Hyperspace activation!
If these modules are destroyed or fall into enemy hands...
The next Stargate activation will be severely delayed, potentially even affecting the entire campaign schedule!
This is something General Strauss absolutely cannot allow!"
Armstrong remained silent.
Every word Scott said was true.
The strategic value of the Abuja Stellar Ring was far greater than that of a mere logistics station.
It was tied to the core node of the Empire's current campaign.
The operation of the Stargate.
Rationally, he was extremely reluctant to divide his forces again, weakening the Stargate's defenses.
The feeling of being led by the nose, having his defenses dismantled step by step, was utterly terrible.
But strategically speaking, the Abuja Stellar Ring could not be lost, at least not by being destroyed.
This was an open stratagem.
The opponent had calculated that they had no choice but to respond.
After several seconds of difficult deliberation, Admiral Armstrong finally gave a heavy nod, a flicker of exhaustion and resolve in his eyes.
"You are right, Admiral Scott.
The Abuja Stellar Ring must be saved."
"I agree to urgently dispatch the Priest and Steel Claw, two Duke-class Fleets, from the Stargate Defense Fleet to rush to the Abuja Stellar Ring."
His fingers tapped a few times on the Stargate defense chart, moving away two massive cursors.
"However, the Stargate defense level must be immediately raised to maximum!
All remaining fleets are to enter First-level Combat Readiness, reconnaissance forces are to advance, and the Early Warning Network is to be fully activated!
I have a very bad feeling..."
He looked at the glaring red light on the screen in the direction of Abuja.
"The attack on the Abuja Stellar Ring...
I fear... is not the end."
The orders, carrying a heavy price and deep unease, were swiftly issued.
Another breach was torn in the Stargate Defense Perimeter.
Two massive Imperial Fleets made an emergency turn, their engines overloading with light that tore through the darkness as they raced toward the burning Abuja Stellar Ring.
And as they departed.
Both Scott and Armstrong felt a shadow growing thicker in their hearts.
What was the next move of that Federation Commander lurking in the shadows?
Just as the Steel Claw and Priest Fleets set out.
Passive detection buoys hidden in remote corners detected their movement trajectories.
Soon, Qin Bei Wang's System Star Chart updated the Movement Patterns of these two fleets.
At that moment, the corner of his mouth lifted almost imperceptibly into a very faint curve.
It was not a smile of triumph.
It was more like the satisfaction of a chess player seeing an opponent finally make the move he had anticipated—the enjoyment of having everything under control!
No hesitation, no surprise.
As if this were merely the next line written in the script long ago.
Qin Bei Wang turned and faced the communication channel, his voice steady and clear, reaching the ears of every Commander in the fleet.
"All units, Phase One mission complete.
Now execute the disengagement order."
He paused, speaking unhurriedly to ensure every word was precise.
"The Tiankui Star Fleet, in coordination with the Directly Subordinate Fleet, is to disengage from the current Engagement zone."
"Proceed at full speed along the original course and assemble at Reserve Jump Point P-375."
"The Celestial Pole Star Fleet, in coordination with the Fire Qilin and Jade Qilin carrier battle groups, change course.
Objective: the designated ambush position at Danube Star."
"Execute."
The orders were extremely brief, with no explanations or unnecessary emotions.
Yet every Commander who received them felt a chill in their hearts, followed immediately by a strong will to carry them out.
They responded in unison, their voices converging into a single, concise, and powerful word over the encrypted channel.
"Yes!"