Three days later, Liu Hai and Irina's fleets gathered once more, forming ranks outside the star system to await the arrival.
"Detecting abnormal spatial fluctuations. Spatial disturbance rate has risen to ten percent."
"Spatial disturbance zone located. Jump signals scanned. The Elizabeth family fleet is warping in."
"Space anchor deactivated. Warp zone cleared. Jump approved."
Communications flashed rapidly across the virtual command center as crew members at every station tensed with nervous energy. This was their first time coordinating the warp jump of such a massive fleet. Though they had textbook procedures to follow, actual field operations were another matter entirely. The slightest mistake could see their careers reassigned to alien territory exploration teams.
Liu Hai and Irina remained calm. Their signal guidance merely played a supporting role—the actual warp operation was directed by the Elizabeth fleet's command structure.
Soon, spatial distortions formed rippling wave patterns—a phenomenon only occurring when large-scale space warps converged. Normally, such spatial disturbances would disable warp drives and space jumps across dozens of light-days, which was precisely how space anchors functioned.
Fortunately, this disturbance resulted from the other fleet activating jump engines to link spatial nodes between two locations, leaving their own fleet unaffected. Moreover, the mobile fortress's spatial equipment would forcibly regulate these disturbances, preventing any mishaps.
An energy tide radiated outward from the jump point as a fleet of nearly ten thousand vessels abruptly materialized across three light-hours.
Each ship maintained tens of thousands of kilometers of separation to prevent accidental spatial overlaps at the jump point.
Liu Hai immediately noticed the three mobile fortresses at the fleet's center—each over ten kilometers long and wide, with heights exceeding two kilometers, their disc-like forms dominating the formation.
"Those are the Federation's Umbrella Fortresses," Irina proudly explained to Liu Hai. "Though designed three hundred years ago, they remain standard equipment for Federal defense fleets."
Liu Hai nodded enviously. If he could retrofit one of those fortresses, its combat power might rival a Federal main battle fleet's planetary fortress.
"Too bad they're so expensive—and only purchasable with Military Merits." Liu Hai shook his head, abandoning the thought. His Tier-5 Battleship already outperformed ordinary fortresses anyway. No need to waste money.
Once the jump concluded, Irina initiated a communication request. The connection established immediately, projecting the images of a rugged middle-aged man and a woman wearing Federal research attire.
"Mr. Liu Hai, I'm Voyno Yesich of the Elizabeth family, commander of this fleet," the man introduced. "This is Professor Li Manhua from the Federal Institute of Biological Research."
After brief introductions, Voyno yielded the conversation to Li Manhua. Though Liu Hai's transaction was with the Elizabeth family, the traded goods—over a thousand warships—were provided by the Federal Institute. Even major families couldn't muster such quantities independently, whereas the Federation could.
Moreover, Liu Hai had also requested a substantial amount of mineral resources, with the transportation services provided by the Federation's Second Logistics Company, one of the military's designated transport providers.
Nearly ten thousand ships arrived this time. The Elizabeth family contributed just over five thousand warships, while the Federation sent only ten comprehensive research vessels. Another two thousand warships were traded to Liu Hai, and the remaining nearly two thousand ships were all large transport vessels.
After a brief discussion, Liu Hai boarded a shuttle with the biological tissue of the Starry Sky Behemoth and headed to one of the research vessels, where representatives from both the Federation and the Elizabeth family were waiting.
As he approached the research vessel, which was comparable in size to a battleship, Liu Hai grew increasingly intrigued by its sleek, silver-white, and smooth design.
Compared to other ships, research vessels may lack combat capabilities, but they excel in defense. Since they don't need to power ship cannons, their energy can be allocated elsewhere. Most importantly, their specialized functions—whether in detection, analysis, or scientific missions—are on par with ground-based research institutes. In fact, their ability to operate in unique space environments gives them an edge in certain scientific fields.
What Liu Hai currently lacked was precisely this kind of advanced research capability. Although he had received over ten thousand researchers, most excelled in biology, while physics and energy-related fields remained underdeveloped, lacking prominent figures to lead the way.
Just as Liu Hai was contemplating whether he could negotiate a few research vessels from the Federation, the shuttle arrived at its destination. As the airlock hissed open, his gaze met Li Manhua and her team.
"Welcome aboard the research vessel, Mr. Liu Hai. I am Li Manhua. This is Voyno Yesich—no need for introductions—and this is Major Ma Xun, representing the Military High Command, responsible for drafting and overseeing this trade agreement." Li Manhua carried herself with effortless grace, more akin to a seasoned businesswoman than a researcher.
"Hello, Professor Li. Hello, Major Ma Xun. I am Liu Hai of the Star Sea Group."
Maintaining basic social etiquette, both sides interacted harmoniously.
Polite compliments flowed effortlessly as they moved into the lounge, while the biological tissue Liu Hai had brought was sent to the lab for verification.
In less than half an hour, the basic data of the biological tissue was confirmed to match—even exceed—what Liu Hai had provided. Under Ma Xun's supervision, Liu Hai and Voyno Yesich signed the trade agreement, officially sealing the deal.
Li Yali and Li Ping began coordinating the handover of personnel, materials, and funds with the other party's command team. The two thousand warships immediately entered the Brolly Star System to reorganize, with original members of the Starsea Fleet receiving promotions based on their contributions.
The transfer of materials from the thousands of transport ships proved far more troublesome. With no immediate storage space, Liu Hai only loaded the most critical and fragile items onto the transport ships, while the rest were deposited on a cleared planet within the star system.
The entire process took five days. During this time, the Elizabeth fleet remained on high alert, and the researchers aboard the ten research vessels worked around the clock, growing increasingly excited with each new discovery.
Their current discoveries had already given them a glimpse of the Federation's great leap in biotechnology. However, these research findings would not benefit the public anytime soon. The genes of the Starry Sky Behemoth were too powerful—far beyond the Federation's ability to control at will. Even for the Federation, applying this knowledge would require decades, if not centuries, of in-depth study.
During this time, Li Yali was also exhilarated. The three commanders serving as her assistants had risen in rank alongside her, becoming fleet commanders of their own sub-fleets.
Each of them set off with beaming smiles, leading their still-unseasoned fleets on cleanup missions—while also familiarizing themselves with the operational capabilities of their warships.
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