"You are the eyes of the fleet, the key to the success of this operation."
"Remember, your primary tasks are stealth and deployment. Avoid engagement and exposure unless absolutely necessary."
The communication channel was filled with a solemn, almost murderous silence, broken only by faint electrical hums.
Every commander of the reconnaissance ships understood that this mission was a perilous journey with slim chances of survival.
Conducting such a wide-ranging reconnaissance and deployment network deep within the Empire's heavily defended core territory was like weaving a spider's web under the watchful eyes of death.
The Quantum Cloaking Field was not infallible; the Empire's defense systems likely possessed unknown anti-cloaking measures.
Once an alarm was triggered, they would be overwhelmed by sheer numbers and surrounded by enemy firepower.
How many of them would return safely to the cold shadow of this meteoroid after completing their mission?
Thirty percent?
Perhaps even that was wishful thinking.
Qin Bei Wang stood before the command seat on the bridge, his gaze seemingly piercing through the thick armor and the distant void.
He saw the reconnaissance ships, scattered like droplets, sailing resolutely into the dark abyss.
Slowly, he raised his right hand, fingers together, and lightly touched his fingertips to his temple.
He offered a solemn, standard Federation military salute—to the empty space ahead and to the faint lights about to vanish from the edge of the sensors.
His voice was not loud, but it clearly resonated across all channels of the departing fleet and echoed within the solemn bridge of the flagship, Kunlun Mountain - Modified.
"Gentlemen."
"This journey may not be smooth."
"But let the Star Sea bear witness: your merits shall be immortal."
"I urge you all to proceed with caution and fight well."
"I am here—"
He paused, his voice resolute and unwavering.
"Awaiting your triumphant return!"
There were no grand declarations, no dramatic embellishments.
Only the simplest of exhortations and the firmest of waits.
The communication channels remained silent.
Yet, on the bridge of every Shadow-class reconnaissance ship, every commander and crew member instinctively straightened their backs, feeling a surge of warmth in their chests.
In silent unison, they returned the military salute toward the fleet's direction.
Then, they shut down unnecessary communications and adjusted their engine output to the most covert Phantom Mode.
Like true shadows, they completely merged into the darkness and radiation background of the Bushman Star System's outer reaches, quietly advancing toward their designated Death Grids.
Qin Bei Wang lowered his hand, his gaze returning to the main screen.
On it, the sparse dots representing the reconnaissance fleet rapidly dispersed and dimmed, eventually vanishing entirely from the active detection display.
Only the massive meteoroid remained, along with the Pluto main fleet hidden behind it, like a slumbering giant beast.
Meanwhile, at Deep Space Monitoring Station No. 3015, under the Imperial Early Warning Department in the Bushman Star System.
Monitor Paul Drake yawned and rubbed his tired, dry eyes.
His job was no different from that of his counterparts in Savannah.
Staring at a stream of sensor data, handling various potential threats flagged by the system—it was utterly tedious most of the time.
Suddenly, an icon representing a newly entered celestial object flashed on the edge screen. The system automatically linked data showing that the target had just entered the gravitational sphere of Bushman from the direction of the Savannah Star System.
"Meteorite... ice-rock mixture, diameter 82 kilometers..."
Drake read the basic data, his brow furrowing.
"Coming from Savannah?
Are the guys at their Early Warning Department just sitting around doing nothing?
They detected something this big and didn't even send a Synchronous Orbit Warning?
What a bunch of slackers!"
He muttered curses under his breath, recalling the rumors he'd heard about Savannah being thrown into chaos by a Federation Sub-fleet, which only reinforced his belief in their incompetence.
He skillfully pulled up the gravitational model and star chart of the Bushman Star System, inputting the meteorite's initial parameters into the trajectory simulation program.
The optical computer quickly calculated, and a clear predicted trajectory appeared on the main screen.
Drake leaned in for a closer look, and his tense shoulders relaxed.
"Thank goodness..."
He sighed in relief.
The simulation showed that after entering Bushman, this meteorite's course would slightly accelerate due to gravity assist as it passed near an inconspicuous dwarf planet, Chaya Star, in the outer reaches.
It would then plunge directly into the vast, sparse asteroid belt that had existed for billions of years in the outer reaches of the Bushman Star System.
Although its path would pass through some extremely remote, theoretically existing mining survey zones, it completely avoided all busy main shipping lanes, Imperial military bases, and most importantly—the area where the portable stargate was hidden deep within the star system.
In short, this was a harmless, wandering rock just passing through, destined to disappear into the cosmic junkyard.
"Hah, those idiots in Savannah probably calculated the trajectory too, decided it wasn't a threat, and couldn't even be bothered to report it. They just kicked the can over to us."
Drake curled his lip, well aware of this kind of buck-passing behavior.
Since there was no direct threat, activating the Celestial Threat Response Protocol and escalating it layer by layer to the Star System Celestial Strike Agency to apply for interception or destruction would be an overreaction. It would only bring unnecessary paperwork and potential inquiries.
"Less trouble is better"—this was a common creed among many low-level bureaucrats.
Drake made a decision almost identical to that of Owen Pine, the supervisor of the Savannah Monitoring Station.
He skillfully compiled the meteorite's detailed parameters, predicted trajectory, and timetable for passing key points, generating a standard-format "Potential Navigation Hazard Notice." Then, with practiced ease, he sent it to the Bushman Star System Waterway Management Agency.
This was the standard procedure.
The Waterway Management Agency was responsible for the safety of all vessels within the star system. Reporting a large rock that might affect peripheral routes to them fulfilled his duty while absolving himself of responsibility.
A few minutes later, an automated reply from the Waterway Management Agency confirmed receipt.
Soon, a warning notice automatically generated by the agency's system was broadcast to all registered civilian and military shipping units in the Bushman Star System.
[Waterway Warning: Large natural celestial body, designation QW-8195, is passing through the outer reaches of this star system along a predetermined course, expected to last approximately 41 Standard Time hours.
Vessels navigating within the following sector zones, please take note and maintain a safe distance.
Repeat, take note and maintain distance...]
A faint ripple spread through the Empire's shipping network as several mining ships and supply vessels on nearby courses adjusted their headings slightly.
That was all.
Within the Empire's vast and rigid defense system, a harmless meteorite was properly marked and reported according to preset procedures.
Its existence was recorded, its risk defined as a navigational obstacle to be avoided.
Meanwhile, in the outer reaches of the Bushman Star System, along a patrol route far from the main navigation routes.
An Empire patrol squad consisting of three light destroyers and five escort ships cruised with the lazy demeanor of routine duty.
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