In the lower command center, staff officers were still communicating with the transport fleet, hoping to obtain more detailed intelligence about the Katon Fleet.
Li Yali asked Liu Hai whether she should lead the fleet to support the transport ships on the battlefield.
Liu Hai shook his head in refusal. The mystery of how the Katon Fleet managed to infiltrate over a hundred light-years away remained unsolved, along with their ability to eliminate all probes—including fifth-generation stealth detectors.
He was genuinely concerned about this fleet's origins. If ordinary Katon Fleets could accomplish this, the Pioneers' Outer Star Territory bases would have been overrun long ago—they wouldn't still be locked in this stalemate.
But if this was a Katon military fleet... what was their objective?
Surely they hadn't come just to destroy those few Fortresses?
"Boss, confirmed intel shows the Katon Fleet's composition: five standard Fortresses equipped with forty Energy Weapon main guns, effective range of two light-minutes."
"Additionally, we've detected over thirteen thousand conventional warships matching the size and model of the fleet that surrendered last time. We suspect this is their follow-up force."
Before Liu Hai could respond, Li Yali questioned the staff officer in confusion: "You still haven't managed to determine their origin from interrogations?"
The officer shook his head awkwardly: "Since they're technically under military custody now, we couldn't push too hard. Only a handful of senior commanders possess the full intelligence, so..."
"Enough, this isn't the time for that," Liu Hai waved his hand, signaling the officer to continue with the current situation.
"Combat hasn't fully engaged yet. The transport fleet began maneuvering toward weak points in the Katon formation immediately after detection. Only sporadic fire has reached our ships."
"According to Lieutenant Irina's assessment, they can maintain this for at least another month before being forced into direct confrontation."
Liu Hai nodded, contemplating carefully before addressing Li Yali and other commanders: "Secure the Star System's defenses—especially the Starsea Fleet. Under no circumstances should we launch reckless attacks at this stage."
"This Katon assault has simultaneously disrupted cargo transport along Warp Route Five. Have management arrange accommodations for the stranded personnel."
Watching Liu Hai calmly issue orders with composed authority, the team's unease gradually dissipated.
After all personnel had received their orders and left the command center, Liu Hai stood alone atop the command platform, observing the still-busy staff below. His figure then materialized in another Virtual Command Center.
"Angel Fleet, deploy!"
Lying inside the Seed Ship, Liu Hai used Mental Link to assume command of the Angel Fleet. With assistance from tens of thousands of Clone Soldier crew members, he successfully guided the armada into the void.
A hundred light-years posed no significant distance for standard Federation vessels—let alone Angel Battleships, which could traverse it in a single Warp jump.
But Liu Hai's fleet wasn't in haste to reveal itself. Even spatial disturbances were minimized as they silently patrolled beyond Jump Point 365, concealed by the Blending with Dust System.
Liu Hai wanted to figure out how the enemy had managed to clear so many of his fifth-level disguised probes, while also suspecting that there might be hidden fleets lurking nearby, not yet exposed.
Within the jump point, Elena, after taking temporary command of the fleet, was doing the same. After exchanging information, both sides concluded that the purpose of this Katon Fleet was not pure, so they decided to set a trap.
After a brief discussion, Irina's defense fleet was the first to deploy for rescue, while Liu Hai's Angel Fleet waited in the shadows for the right moment to strike.
This decision was based on Irina's understanding of the Angel Fleet's capabilities. With the Queen Mother of the West providing intelligence, it was no secret among the Lords that Liu Hai's Angel Fleet possessed fifth-level civilization technology—though its exact combat strength remained unclear.
At Jump Point 365, Elena commanded her fleet in a frantic retreat, convincingly portraying the image of a panicked escape.
The Katon Fleet closed in from all directions, beams of energy piercing the void and landing amidst the fleet, continuously suppressing the transport fleet's maneuvering space, attempting to force them into a direct confrontation.
Irina's Third Defense Fleet warped outside the range of the space anchor, forcibly activating their warp drive. The entire fleet was enveloped by the space bubbles of several fortresses, charging deep into the combat zone.
When the defense fleet was just five light-hours away from the transport fleet, another space anchor suddenly appeared. A violent 20% spatial disturbance abruptly forced the fleet out of warp.
Tens of thousands of Katon warships emerged across the surrounding star region, dense energy beams suddenly firing. Instantly, the outer ships of the defense fleet suffered losses—dozens of military corvettes had their energy shields shattered and detonated in the void, their brilliant flashes illuminating both sides of the battlefield.
The sudden appearance of the Katon Fleet relieved both Liu Hai and Irina. Now that they confirmed the enemy had hidden fleets, the situation became more manageable—the unknown was always the most worrisome.
The moment the Katon Fleet appeared, Liu Hai's warships detected fluctuations similar to the Blending with Dust System. Analysis confirmed the enemy had concealed themselves within spatial folds by manipulating space ripples.
With this discovery, Liu Hai immediately coordinated with the Seed Ship to develop targeted probes. Space probes already existed; they only needed specific data adjustments to be effective.
The Seed Ship wouldn't take long to produce the necessary equipment. Liu Hai dispatched a corvette stationed in the star system to deliver the devices to the Angel Fleet, where they were activated for detection.
Spatial fluctuations across an eleven-light-year radius were instantly revealed. Liu Hai finally understood how the enemy had cleared all probes around this jump point.
"It seems the Katon Civilization has made significant progress in energy weapons and space anchors—they can now use spatial forces to scan their surroundings," Liu Hai muttered.
After studying the star map generated by the probes, he confirmed the Katon Fleet's total strength: two and a half legions, fifteen standard fortresses, and two intermediate fortresses, all orbiting the jump point.
With the target data confirmed, Liu Hai relaxed further. He transmitted the information to Irina, advising caution, before preparing to enter the battlefield himself.
Daring to employ the tactic of besieging a point to strike at reinforcements right under my nose—do they really think I'm dead?
After assessing his fleet's combat readiness, Liu Hai issued the order: "All warships, activate space stabilizers and suppress spatial interference fluctuations to within plus or minus five percent."
"Fleet, initiate warp charge sequence. Main guns, begin charging. Load Antimatter Missiles. Raider Mechs, prepare for deployment."