In the shadow of the largest ice rock.
A pitch-black, flat starship lay dormant with all active systems shut down, like a shark lurking in the deep sea.
The bridge was almost completely dark, with only faint cold light from the control consoles illuminating several focused faces.
"The passive array has detected a quantum harmonic signal," the sensor operator reported in a hushed voice.
"Azimuth 042, distance... approximately 100 million kilometers. Signal strength is moderate, but the modulation pattern is clear."
Captain Shi Jiyuan leaned forward slightly from his command chair.
He was a middle-aged officer in his early forties with gaunt cheeks and deep-set eyes - typical features of someone engaged in long-term deep space reconnaissance work.
"Analyze the signal characteristics," he said hoarsely.
The operator quickly tapped on the keyboard, and a series of data appeared on the holographic screen.
"High-frequency quantum communication, encryption level... A7, standard tactical communication level for the Federation Fleet. At least six different command channels detected, plus tactical coordination and firepower allocation. It appears to be an entire fleet!"
A glint of excitement flashed in Shi Jiyuan's eyes.
He had been lurking in this asteroid belt for 20 hours, ordered to monitor any anomalies in the direction of the Bitoia Star System.
Now, the prey had finally appeared.
He originally thought there was only one starship, but it turned out to be an entire fleet!
He stood up and paced two steps in the cramped bridge.
This was a major discovery.
"Communications officer," he ordered.
"Contact Commander Wells via encrypted channel. Report: Federation Fleet communication signals detected 400 million kilometers from the flank of Planet Agbag."
Some time later, in the outer reaches of Planet Agbag.
On the bridge of the "Imperial Glory," flagship of the Fre Empire's Wells Sub-Fleet, Colonel Remington Wells was staring at the encrypted report that had just appeared on the tactical screen.
The sixty-three-year-old Wells had the typical appearance of an Empire veteran soldier.
His gray hair was cut in a crew cut, his cheeks gaunt but with hard lines, and his deep-set eyes were like those of a hawk.
He wore a sharply pressed dark gray Empire Space Force colonel's uniform, with three rows of medals on his chest - testament to forty years of military service.
"From Shi Jiyuan?" he asked his adjutant, his voice low and steady.
"Yes, Commander," the adjutant responded, standing at attention.
"Federation Fleet communication signals detected 500 million kilometers from the flank of Planet Agbag. They stopped 380 million kilometers from those two reconnaissance ships!"
Wells raised his eyebrows slightly.
He walked to the tactical screen and moved his fingers through the air, calling up a detailed star chart of the area.
"380 million kilometers..." he murmured.
"The main fleet is 380 million kilometers from their known two reconnaissance ships... This doesn't make sense."
The adjutant waited quietly.
Having served under Wells for twelve years, he knew the veteran didn't like to be disturbed while thinking.
"Federation's standard operating regulations!" Wells said slowly.
"The maximum safe distance between reconnaissance ships and the main fleet is 180 million kilometers. Tactical coordination becomes difficult beyond that. And this ship... is 380 million kilometers away."
Beyond this distance, quantum communication experiences a one-second delay for every hundred thousand kilometers.
The other side is precisely operating within this limit distance."
Though there were many unreasonable aspects to this situation, Wells had no time to dwell on them.
Earlier, the quantum harmonic direction finder had determined the communication direction between the two reconnaissance ships and the rear fleet.
Now, they were receiving high-frequency fleet communication signals.
All signs indicated that what was heading toward Planet Agbag was indeed a fleet.
At that moment, the Dark Scorpion Special Reconnaissance Ship sent another communication request.
Thanks to the quantum communication repeater on the other Shadow Scorpion Special Reconnaissance Ship, communication between the Dark Scorpion and the Imperial Glory was virtually delay-free.
"Commander!
The quantum communication signal is gradually weakening.
It's highly likely the other side is turning around to flee!"
Shi Jiyuan's voice was urgent.
It's fleeing.
Why?
Could it be that the two reconnaissance ships relayed the information they gathered to the fleet?
Do they know about the existence of our two fleets?
Considering the other side's previous actions and their seemingly unprepared state, it was completely unlike the behavior of a fleet commander.
Wells narrowed his eyes slightly.
He recalled the latest report from the intelligence department regarding personnel changes in the Iron Fist Sub-Fleet.
Qin Bei Wang, the youngest son of Marshal Qin Qianfan, had been appointed as the commander of the Pluto Fleet.
A 22-year-old lieutenant commander, relying on his father's connections to graduate and parachute directly into a fleet commander position—a typical Federation aristocrat's son, a typical "gilded" officer.
But the Pluto Fleet... that was the best-equipped sub-level fleet in the Iron Fist Sub-Fleet.
The T5-Class Kunlun Mountain battleship, T4-Class cruisers and destroyers.
If such a fleet were commanded by a useless person...
Wells suddenly understood.
"It's the Pluto Fleet."
His voice carried a hint of mockery.
"The fleet led by that Federation marshal's son.
Only he would make such a foolish move, sending two reconnaissance ships 380 million kilometers away."
The adjutant was taken aback.
"Commander, are you sure?"
"Certain."
Wells walked back to the command seat, tapping his fingers lightly on the armrest.
"Think about it. If it were seasoned veterans like Zhao Rui, would they directly send reconnaissance ships 380 million kilometers away from the main fleet?
Only an inexperienced, self-important young master would come up with such a 'brilliant plan'—trying to extend the distance between the reconnaissance ships and the main fleet to facilitate an early retreat!"
He shook his head, the mockery at the corner of his mouth deepening.
"Has the Federation decayed to this extent?
Even fleet commander positions can be used for gilding.
The bottom-of-the-barrel trash can become a commander, even if it's just a small sub-level fleet.
Now, having received the reconnaissance ships' message and knowing of our existence, they want to turn tail and flee!"
"What do we do now...?"
"Now?"
A hunter's gleam flashed in Wells' eyes.
"Now we know who our opponent is.
An inexperienced rookie commanding a well-equipped fleet.
This is a heaven-sent opportunity."
He stood up, his voice echoing through the command channel.
"Relay orders to the direct fleet and the Dragon Lizard Fleet.
Full speed pursuit!
We can't let this big fish slip away!"
"Commander!"
The adjutant cautiously reminded him.
"This could be a trap. They might be deliberately luring us out..."
"If it's a trap, all the more reason to go."
Wells cut him off.
"How clever could a trap set by a rookie Commander be?
I want to see for myself just how capable this Marshal's son really is."
The order was given.
The massive fleet under Wells' direct command and the Dragon Lizard Fleet began advancing at full speed.
Engines of 24 Starships ignited simultaneously, tracing countless blue trails across the depths of space like a pack of wolves beginning their hunt.