Lines of data swiftly scrolled past.
A faint smile touched Qin Beiwang's lips.
Real warships.
This was what he had been waiting for.
Those civilian vessels were merely rotating the garrison; the true main force remained the frontline fleets with combat capabilities.
Only now were they emerging from the warp points.
His gaze swept rapidly over the densely packed red dots.
Numbers...
Close to three thousand vessels.
According to the standard organization of an Imperial Duke-class Fleet, three thousand ships constituted the scale of a fully equipped Duke-class fleet.
But here now.
Combined across two warp points, three thousand vessels.
Data previously observed flashed quickly through Qin Beiwang's mind.
The Imperial Fleet originally stationed at Z-78 and S-22 had also numbered around three thousand vessels.
The civilian ships that had just entered to rotate numbered eight thousand.
Now, the main force warships emerging were close to three thousand.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
That meant the current troop strength at the two warp points was approximately eighty-five hundred.
As for the number of main fleet vessels, it likely only sufficed for two Sub-Level Fleets.
Qin Beiwang let out a soft breath.
Then, a slight curve returned to his lips.
"The rotation is complete."
He said quietly.
Immediately after, Qin Beiwang issued the order.
"Celestial Pole Star Fleet."
Lu Chengjun's figure appeared on the communication screen.
"Here."
Qin Beiwang's gaze settled on him.
"Under the banner of Tiankui Star, the Dikui Star, Disha Star, and Diyong Star Fleets are temporarily placed under your command!"
He paused.
"Proceed to the S-22 Warp Point."
Lu Chengjun's brow twitched slightly but quickly smoothed.
Qin Beiwang continued.
"Mission objectives:"
"First, annihilate the enemy forces within the warp point."
"Second, deploy a minefield within the warp point."
His tone was steady, as if stating a routine task.
"Third, ambush any Imperial reinforcements attempting to clear the minefield."
He paused, his gaze fixed directly on Lu Chengjun.
"If enemy forces overwhelmingly outnumber ours, you may decide to withdraw at your own discretion."
The bridge fell silent for a moment.
Zhuang Zhixuan's eyes widened slightly.
Decide to withdraw at your own discretion.
She understood this phrase.
It meant that if enemy forces at the S-22 direction were too numerous, if the battle situation turned unfavorable, if any unexpected circumstances arose...
The Celestial Pole Star Fleet could decide for themselves whether to continue fighting or to withdraw.
This was the route of retreat Qin Beiwang was giving them.
But these words were also spoken for Lu Chengjun.
Qin Beiwang's gaze remained on the communication screen, meeting Lu Chengjun's eyes across the display.
In that gaze was something indescribable.
Trust, but also a reminder.
Lu Chengjun was silent for a second.
Then he smiled.
"Rest assured, Commander."
His voice was not loud, but clear and firm.
"I've fought my whole life."
"When to fight, when to withdraw."
He paused.
"I know the measure."
Qin Beiwang nodded.
He said nothing more.
On the communication screen, Lu Chengjun turned and issued orders to his fleet's channel.
"Celestial Pole Star Fleet, all personnel, attention!"
"Target: S-22 Warp Point!"
"Move out!"
The screen flickered, and his figure vanished.
Qin Bei Wang withdrew his gaze, looking at the remaining fleet markers.
His voice rang out once more.
"The rest of you..."
"Follow me to Z-78."
Qin Bei Wang stood there, staring at the system star chart.
On the chart, two clusters of blue dots were slowly separating.
One headed toward S-22.
The other toward Z-78.
And within those two warp points, red dots continued to flash densely.
They still didn't know.
Death was approaching from both directions, simultaneously.
Two days later, Jump Point Z-78.
A massive Imperial Fleet hung silently in the void, over four thousand starships arranged in a loose defensive formation, tightly encircling the warp point.
On the bridge of the Duke-class pirate fleet flagship, the battleship One-Eye.
Lieutenant Commander Xavier Fox leaned leisurely in the command seat.
His posture was far from proper.
One leg was propped on the armrest, his body tilted to one side, a glass of red wine gently swirling in his hand.
The deep crimson liquid spiraled in the glass, reflecting the light of the star outside the viewport, shimmering with an intoxicating glow.
He narrowed his eyes, gazing at the dense array of starships outside the window, a hint of smugness curling at the corner of his mouth.
"Anderson."
He spoke, his voice tinged with barely contained satisfaction.
"Never expected this, did you?"
Adjutant Luther Anderson, standing beside him, smiled in agreement.
"Never expected what, sir?"
Fox withdrew his gaze from the viewport, letting it fall upon the glass in his hand.
He swirled the cup, watching the red liquid leave faint trails along its sides.
"Me, a Lieutenant Commander..."
He paused, then chuckled.
"One day commanding four thousand starships!"
Anderson's eyes lit up, and he nodded eagerly.
"Indeed, sir. Even a Duke-class fleet commander only has three thousand warships under his command."
He paused, his tone carrying an exaggerated note of envy.
"Your four thousand—that's more than a Duke-class fleet!"
Fox's smile grew even more self-satisfied.
He took a sip of the wine, savoring it.
"With a change of uniform, people might mistake me for a Vice Admiral."
Anderson quickly chimed in.
"Sir, with your bearing, you already resemble a Vice Admiral."
Fox glanced at him but didn't refute it.
He pointed toward the neatly arranged starships outside the window.
"With these four thousand starships, even Federation fleets would have to steer clear of us!"
Anderson nodded vigorously in agreement.
"Naturally!"
He paused, leaning in slightly and lowering his voice.
"Sir, I've heard the Federation Fleet is currently tied up at L-7 and N-12, locked in fierce combat with our main force."
"They have no time to bother with us."
Fox nodded, about to speak.
But Anderson suddenly remembered something and added,
"However..."
He paused, his expression turning slightly peculiar.
"Weren't there rumors earlier about a Federation fleet infiltrating our rear, causing havoc everywhere?"
Fox's brow furrowed slightly.
Anderson continued,
"If they were to retreat in our direction..."
He left the sentence unfinished.
Fox was taken aback for a moment.
Then he laughed.
The smile spread from the corners of his mouth, carrying an indescribable meaning.
He set the wine glass aside and straightened up in his seat.
"That would be perfect."
His voice held a trace of excitement.
"We'll wipe them out in one fell swoop!"
Anderson looked at him, a flicker of hesitation crossing his face.
"But sir, that fleet is said to be..."
Fox waved his hand, cutting him off.
"Said to be what?"
He stood up and walked to the viewport, gazing at the dense array of starships outside.
"Four thousand."
He murmured, as if speaking to himself.
"Even if that fleet is formidable, can it stand against four thousand?"
He turned to face Anderson, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
"Besides..."
"If we can truly eliminate that fleet, this Lieutenant Commander of mine might just get promoted to Lieutenant Colonel."
He extended his hand and drew a circle in the void.
"Then I could command a Classified Fleet!"