Zhao Chen frowned as he looked at General Song. "What exactly is going on?"
"This escort mission is indeed not as simple as it appears on the surface," General Song admitted frankly from the start.
Zhao Chen stared at General Song. "This was all arranged by you."
General Song nodded. "We are currently executing a military operation aimed at seizing several star systems occupied and controlled by the Mechanical Race. To this end, we deliberately fabricated thirty Interstellar Transport Ship Fleets as decoys to lure out some of the Mechanical Race garrisons from these star systems. To make the decoy appear genuine, we specifically issued escort missions, assigning Combat Fleets to provide protection. If the Mechanical Race dispatches an interstellar fleet to intercept and attack each of the thirty Interstellar Transport Ship Fleets, that would require mobilizing at least 900 Starships, equivalent to three standard Corps-level Starfleets. By deliberately enticing these Mechanoid starships to take the initiative, we create a situation where several star systems in their rear become understaffed. Then, our Main Fleet launches an attack on them."
At this point, General Song checked the time. "The battle should still be ongoing now."
"How can you be so sure the Mechanical Race will take the bait?" Zhao Chen asked, frowning.
"Because we leaked a piece of information. Our Imperial Army is transporting a batch of special weapons to a Military Fortress on the Frontline, intended for a large-scale combat operation in the near future. Upon learning this, the Mechanical Race will undoubtedly attempt to intercept our Interstellar Transport Ship Fleets!" General Song took a sip of tea.
Zhao Chen suddenly understood. "So, our escort mission this time is actually a Decoy Mission!"
"Yes. Although this is unfair to those of you carrying out the mission, from the perspective of warfare, sacrificing approximately 1,000 non-Imperial Army civilian Combat-type Starships and 10,000 soon-to-be-phased-out T1 interstellar transport ships in exchange for control over several of the enemy's strategically important star systems, along with the opportunity to eliminate several Legion-level Starfleets of the Mechanical Race, is a calculated move. Additionally, the Mechanoid interstellar fleets attacking our 'decoys' will be intercepted by specialized Imperial Fleets; none of them will return."
General Song looked at Zhao Chen. "Emotionally, I deeply regret the sacrifices made by your fleet and the other Escort Fleets. But as an Imperial Army officer, this is a decision I had to make. I'm sorry."
Hearing General Song's explanation, Zhao Chen basically understood completely. They were merely pawns being manipulated by the Imperial Army. Sacrificing some expendable minor pieces to gain an advantage on a local battlefield—this was a perfectly normal arrangement for a leader.
"Of course, for your surviving Escort Fleet, we will provide triple the compensation fee. We can also repair your damaged Starships. If any Starships were destroyed or lost in battle, we can arrange corresponding replacements as compensation." General Song now directly offered the sweeteners.
Zhao Chen shook his head slightly. "My friend's fleet lost three Starships and sacrificed over a hundred brothers..."
Zhao Chen leaned forward, placed his hands on the table, and stared intently at General Song. "Gotta pay more!"
Brigadier General Song smiled and nodded. "Then name your price."
"Ten times the reward and triple the bonus for destroying Mechanical Race starships, repairs for damaged starships, compensation equivalent to the same class of starship for those lost, and for the personnel who sacrificed their lives in this battle, arrange for them to receive Imperial Army Martyr Status treatment.
Additionally, myself and another named Shen Bing are from the North Star Starship Military Academy. Part of the reason for taking this Escort Mission was to earn assessment credits. I hope Brigadier General Song can arrange something for that." Zhao Chen laid out his conditions.
"Ten times the reward and triple the kill bonus is a bit high, but since you and the young lady are friends, I can agree to those terms. Compensation for damaged and lost starships is not a problem.
However, the Imperial Army Martyr Status for the sacrificed personnel..." As Brigadier General Song spoke, he noticed a flicker in Zhao Chen's eyes.
He smiled and said, "I've taken a look; the number of casualties isn't very high.
I believe the Imperial Army's assault on the Mechanical Race-controlled star system will also incur some casualties. I will find a way to include these individuals in that count.
As for the assessment credits from the North Star Starship Military Academy, that is completely out of the question."
Zhao Chen picked up his teacup and drained it in one gulp, looking at Brigadier General Song. "You may be an excellent commander, but I prefer soldiers like Miss Chu Xuan."
With that, Zhao Chen turned and prepared to leave the private room.
"Wait a moment, Mr. Zhao Chen. Earlier, I mentioned there were two matters." Brigadier General Song called out to Zhao Chen with a smile.
Zhao Chen stopped in his tracks.
"Regarding your T2 Queen Bee-class Heavy Carrier Starship, you need not worry. I have already used my means to seal off all related intelligence and information.
While it may not be completely airtight, it should hold for the short term.
I believe Marshal Chu He will be very interested in you." Brigadier General Song said.
"Is that all?" Zhao Chen asked without turning his head.
"That is all."
Zhao Chen pushed the door open and left.
Brigadier General Song remained alone in the room. He opened the communication page on his handheld terminal; the information he had sent earlier had already received a reply.
Just two words.
"Received."
Zhao Chen walked out of the small private room and retraced his steps to the room where Shen Bing and the others were.
As for the matters discussed with Brigadier General Song, while the first one had left him quite displeased, it had ultimately been handled appropriately.
Regarding the second matter, Zhao Chen had anticipated it. The other party had grasped his 'leverage,' but it seemed they did not intend to use it against him directly.
Although this left Zhao Chen somewhat passive, given the circumstances, it was the best possible outcome.
In fact, Zhao Chen had already considered several worst-case scenarios in his mind.
The T2 Queen Bee-class Heavy Carrier Starship and the T2 Black Rhinoceros-class interstellar heavy assault frigate docked at the Starport had remained at Level Two Combat Readiness Status!
"This is the result of insufficient strength. Marshal Chu He? The Chu Family?" Zhao Chen narrowed his eyes, hoping this family would not cross his bottom line.
He pushed open the door to the private room.
The sight that greeted him was Uncle Zheng Xiong voraciously devouring a table full of delicious dishes.
"Little brother... hurry... hurry and sit down to eat, this... this is too sumptuous... it's all natural food!" Uncle Zheng Xiong called out.
Sitting across from him, Shen Bing remained calm, as these dishes were not as impressive as the fare served in the restaurant on Zhao Chen's starship.
"It is quite good." Zhao Chen sat down.
Zheng Xiong swallowed the food in his mouth, glanced at the closed door, and then asked, "How did the talk go? What were the terms?"
Zhao Chen told Uncle Zheng Xiong and Shen Bing about the conditions he had just discussed with General Song.
Suddenly, Uncle Zheng Xiong stood up, hurriedly wiping the grease from his hands onto his clothes.
Then, with a solemn expression, he bowed deeply to Zhao Chen.
"Little brother, on behalf of the brothers from my fleet who sacrificed themselves, I thank you!"
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