Deputy Commander Zhuang ZhiXuan stood half a step behind and to his side, her gaze shifting from the brutal battlefield display to the young commander's calm profile.
The surging astonishment in her heart ultimately transformed into a complex sigh and an involuntary admiration.
"Commander!" she spoke, her voice clear in the command center where only equipment hummed softly. "You've... completely predicted it once again."
Qin Bei Wang slightly turned his head, signaling for her to continue.
"From the moment we divided our forces, you anticipated the Iron Curtain's response." Zhuang ZhiXuan pointed to the star chart, which still retained traces of the battle simulation lines.
"You were certain Isabella Marlow would split her forces to intercept, attempting to use local numerical superiority to neutralize our flanking maneuvers. Because she had to preserve her formation—that's the foundation of the Iron Curtain Fleet."
"Then, you calculated that their heavy hulls would inevitably turn and accelerate slower than our high-speed ships." Her finger slid toward the light band representing the Shadowmoon-Class Destroyer assault route. "So, seizing the vertical T position wasn't accidental—it was the inevitable result of the speed differential. The Kunlun Mountain - Modified's first main cannon volley disrupting the Bastion Fleet wasn't just for casualties. It was to create that chaotic window allowing the Shadowmoon-Class Destroyers to penetrate."
She paused, her eyes shimmering with admiration for the battlefield rhythm control.
"The most lethal part was the timing of the 'Regicide' torpedo deployment. You didn't commit them during the initial chaos, but waited until their formation was stretched thin. Only when their attention was drawn by our capital ships and the Kunlun Mountain - Modified's heavy artillery, and when flank defenses showed habitual fatigue and firepower gaps, did you unleash this dagger. Isabella saw the Shadowmoon-Class Destroyers and ordered interception, but her fleet, caught in that rhythm, simply couldn't adjust interception firepower to levels sufficient to stop such a determined assault."
Zhuang ZhiXuan concluded, her tone carrying a note of reflection. "From beginning to end, the Iron Curtain Fleet moved as if pulled by an invisible string. Every tactical choice they made seemed to fall within your anticipated scenarios. Their proud defense became chains dragging down their response speed; their attempts to stabilize formations turned them into targets for our concentrated firepower to destroy piecemeal. This battle... they fought with strength but nowhere to apply it, completely led by the nose by us. Commander! You're truly a genius commander!"
Everyone around turned their eyes to Qin Bei Wang, not doubting Zhuang ZhiXuan's words in the slightest!
Qin Bei Wang listened quietly, his gaze returning to the main screen. All of this was merely the result of him following the system's tactical simulation commands.
At that moment.
Chief of Staff Lieutenant Commander Tang Haotian pointed at the situation map, his tone excited. "Commander, the Iron Curtain's left and right arms are broken, their formation in disarray. I recommend we immediately launch multi-layered mobile penetrations to split and surround their main force, completely devouring them through maneuver warfare! Our morale is at its peak—we're fully capable of expanding our gains!"
The staff officers nodded in agreement, their eyes gleaming with the desire to annihilate another main fleet of the Empire.
The situation seemed overwhelmingly favorable.
However, Qin Beiwang shook his head, his voice calm yet leaving no room for doubt.
"No!
Cease the full-scale assault on the Iron Curtain's main force.
Order all frontline ships to maintain suppressive fire contact, but do not seek further breakthroughs or encirclement.
Gradually adjust the formation, adopting a posture to guard against their counterattack or breakout."
The order left everyone stunned.
Tang Haotian couldn't help but press further.
"Commander, why?
Now is the best time to expand our gains and crush them in one fell swoop!"
Qin Beiwang turned to face the assembled officers, his gaze sweeping over the vast and unknown expanse of space behind the Iron Curtain Fleet on the screen.
"Three reasons."
He raised a finger.
"First, the Iron Curtain may not be the last batch of reinforcements.
There could still be Imperial Fleets rushing in from long-distance voyages.
If we become bogged down in a stalemate or engage in a costly assault against the Iron Curtain's main force here, the situation could instantly reverse if new enemy forces appear on our flanks or rear.
Furthermore, a crippled Iron Curtain Fleet will cause the enemy more headaches.
After all, rescuing personnel and repairing starships will consume a massive amount of time!
This will drain their logistical support capabilities!"
He paused, pulling up their own combat loss report.
"Second, with our current strength, attempting to swallow the entire main force of the Iron Curtain Fleet in one bite would come at a higher cost than expected.
So far in this battle, we have lost thirteen destroyers, four cruisers are heavily damaged and have lost most of their combat effectiveness, and multiple capital ships are experiencing shield overload with severely depleted ammunition.
The Iron Curtain Fleet is renowned for defense, and a cornered beast will fight desperately.
Forcing an attack on their core formation...
Even if we could win, it would leave our spearhead too chipped and damaged."
He lowered his hand, his gaze sharpening.
"Third, and most importantly...
We have a more critical mission."
He switched the star chart. The view rapidly zoomed out, focusing on an inconspicuous coordinate within the Savannah Star System.
Jump Point Z-78.
"Here!"
Qin Beiwang's finger tapped heavily on that point.
"This is the true key to this battle, and even to influencing the entire situation in the Savannah Star System.
If the Empire intends to deploy reinforcements on a large scale, this is the most likely and efficient entry point.
Our Shadowless-class reconnaissance ships and passive buoy network have been monitoring this area continuously."
He looked at the others, his tone resolute.
"Our objective has never been merely to defeat one or two Imperial sub-fleets.
Our objective is to ambush, cripple, or even annihilate their strategically assembled reinforcement forces at the place they least expect!
That would not be a mere defeat; it would be a heavy blow to the Empire's theater strategy!"
"Ambush at Z-78?"
Tang Haotian drew a sharp breath, then his eyes blazed with fervor.
The other staff officers also instantly grew excited, their previous doubts replaced by the immense strategic prospects.
Rather than fighting the Iron Curtain Fleet to the death here, it would be far better to ambush an Imperial Fleet that had just warped in, completely unprepared.
All objections vanished instantly.
Compared to ambushing the Empire's strategic reinforcements, the "tough nut" of the Iron Curtain before them indeed seemed far less enticing now.
It might even be a quagmire that could bog down their fighter craft.
"Order the entire fleet!"
Qin Beiwang said no more.
"Disengage from the current combat zone according to the predetermined plan.
Do not get drawn into protracted combat!"
All Sub-Level Fleets are to proceed to the predetermined rally points, maintaining the highest level of silence throughout.
Supply ships are to prioritize emergency repairs for heavily damaged vessels after disengaging from the battlefield.
We must prepare a grand welcome for the Empire's reinforcements before they arrive at Z-78!"
"Yes, Commander!"
The fleet commanders responded in unison.
As the orders were relayed, the Pluto Fleet began its maneuvers.
Aboard the Iron Curtain Fleet's flagship, the "Blood Thorn," Isabella Marlow stared intently at the tactical screen, trying to decipher the fatal implications behind the Pluto Fleet's unusual movement patterns.
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