Chapter 1016: Valken's Strategy

Core star region of the Feng Qi Xing Alliance, Supreme Council Parliament Building, Speaker Ravenna's private lounge.

Valken sat in a chair, head bowed in deep thought.

Having just spoken eloquently at the meeting, outlining a grand blueprint of four armies advancing together to recover the lost southern territories, he had won the support of most council members.

However, recovering the lost southern territories was not as simple as it sounded.

Speaker Ravenna poured two glasses of clear liquid, handing one to Valken.

Valken took the glass and spoke.

"Madam Speaker, regarding the Daikong Star Alliance... do we have a definitive reply from the Special Envoy we sent? Are they willing to fulfill the alliance treaty and dispatch a fleet to fight alongside us?"

If the Daikong Star Alliance could dispatch even a few capital ship fleets to pin the enemy down from the flanks, or join the southern theater directly, it would alleviate the pressure on Fengqi and increase the chances of victory.

Ravenna stood with her back to him, looking at the scenery outside the window.

Her shoulders sank slightly as she opened her mouth to answer.

"The reply just arrived, Valken. It was from the Diplomatic Commissioner of the Daikong Star Alliance himself."

After a pause, Ravenna continued.

"They stated that they express deep 'sympathy' and 'concern' for the 'dilemma' currently faced by the Feng Qi Xing Alliance. They reaffirmed the 'friendly relations' under the framework of the 'Star Sea Covenant'. However..."

"However, Commissioner Kewake emphasized that the Daikong Star Alliance is also currently facing a 'complex surrounding situation' and 'heavy internal development tasks,' making it difficult to spare capital ship fleets for direct military intervention.

Nevertheless, to demonstrate the 'sincerity' and 'support' of an ally, they are willing to provide us with a batch of 'emergency humanitarian aid supplies,' including ship fuel, spare parts, and some medical supplies, and are willing to discuss 'preferential' trade terms with us regarding this."

"Supplies?! Preferential trade terms?!"

Valken slammed the glass in his hand onto the side table, emitting a crisp "Clang!"

"What do they take us for? Beggars? We need their warships! Their soldiers! Real military support! Not these trinkets meant to dismiss beggars!

This bunch of spineless bastards! When the 'Star Sea Covenant' was signed, they talked a big game about supporting each other in times of trouble! Now that something has actually happened, they've tucked their heads in like turtles! What 'complex surrounding situation'? I think they're just scared! Scared of that Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance! Too afraid to wade into these muddy waters!"

Ravenna's voice rose sharply.

"Valken! Watch your language!"

Ravenna walked over to Valken and picked up the glass he had slammed onto the table.

"Are you only just getting to know the Daikong Star Alliance today? Only just getting to know that old fox Kewake?

It's not the first or second time the Daikong Star Alliance has refused to wade into muddy waters. Do you remember the conflict we had with the Ash Star Alliance in the 'Broken Star Domain' thirty years ago?

We requested their support then too; how did they reply? 'Deeply concerned,' 'calling for restraint,' and in the end, they gave us a batch of medical kits that were about to expire.

And fifteen years ago, when the Stinger Fleet of the Canaan Star Alliance harassed our border trade lines, they only issued a lukewarm statement on the diplomatic level, while behind our backs, they took the opportunity to raise trade tariffs on certain rare minerals we deal in.

Kewake and the Daikong Star Alliance he represents have always put interests above all else. They allied with us to obtain stable resources, markets, and strategic buffers during peacetime, not to drag themselves into the water when we are mired in war.

In their view, providing supplies maintains the facade of an alliance, avoids a complete falling out, requires no risk or loss from direct warfare, and allows them to do a bit of business on the side—killing many birds with one stone."

Ravenna sighed.

"Expecting them to provide help in our time of need when we are clearly at a disadvantage, or to send precious fleets to pull chestnuts out of the fire for us, is an unrealistic fantasy in itself. If they can remain neutral and not collude with our enemies in secret, or sign some peace agreement like they did with the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance, that is already considered upholding the 'alliance treaty'."

"But... Speaker, without their support, facing the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance alone... the pressure is too great. That enemy is even more bizarre and powerful than we imagined."

"I know. That is why we must rely on ourselves. Valken, the military pillar of the Feng Qi Xing Alliance. The Council has already given you the greatest authorization: a large number of Guardian Legions and the authority to dispatch fleets across all theaters."

Ravenna patted Valken on the shoulder.

"Forget the Daikong Star Alliance. Consider the supplies they provide as a nice bonus, but never as a dependency for our strategic planning. This war must ultimately be won by our Fengqi soldiers with their blood and courage!

I don't care what method you use, Valken; I want you to lead our fleet, recover the lost territories, and restore our military prestige! Let the Daikong Star Alliance, the Ash Star Alliance, the Canaan Star Alliance, and even that damned Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance see clearly that the Feng Qi Xing Alliance is not so easily crushed!"

Valken nodded and said.

"I understand, Madam Speaker. Please rest assured, I know what to do. The glory of Fengqi will be defended by our own swords! As for the Daikong Star Alliance... let them continue to hide in the back and calculate their petty interests."

Feng Qi Xing Alliance, Valken's private strategy room.

Valken stood before a massive star map, where the blue arrows of the planned four-pronged counter-attack fleets were gathering toward the border.

But considering the enemy's combat power, Valken decided to mobilize fleets from the other two theaters besides the Western Theater, and furthermore, utilize some forces within the Feng Qi Xing Alliance.

"Someone, come in!"

Valken's Adjutant, Leike, walked in quickly.

"Sir, what are your orders?"

Valken pointed to the direction of the "Zeg" star on the star map.

"Leike, does our long-term monitoring station deployed on the periphery of 'Zeg' star have any new reports recently?"

"Report: The monitoring station 'Watcher 7' transmitted the latest data thirty-two standard hours ago. It is confirmed that a medium-sized Insect Hive Mother Ship sub-group, codenamed 'Reaper,' is conducting a brief biomass collection activity near the third planetary orbit on the periphery of that star.

According to an analysis of its activity trajectory and energy signatures, they are likely to leave the current area within the next fifty to eighty standard hours to conduct their next random migratory predation."

"Medium-sized? Specific assessment?"

"It is assessed to possess at least one capital Mother Ship, over twenty Bio-Escort Ships of various functions, and countless Spore Cysts and small attack units. Its predatory tendency... leans toward star systems rich in energy and biomass."

"Leans toward energy-rich and biomass-rich... very good. Leike, I have a Task."

Leike leaned forward slightly.

"Please instruct me."

"I want you to select the fastest Light Reconnaissance Fleet. Equip it with the latest Decoy Signal Generator and long-range jump engines. Your task is not to scout, but to... 'lead the way'."

"Lead the way? Sir... you... are you thinking of..."

"That's right. I want this reconnaissance fleet to do whatever it takes, provided they aren't completely devoured by the swarm, to 'guide' this 'Reaper' Insect Hive sub-group to the Sixth Star Sector, preferably directly toward the core area currently controlled by the Xiuluo Saint!"

"Commander-in-Chief... this... this is too risky! The behavioral patterns of Insect Hive Mother Ships are extremely difficult to predict, and their reactions to non-biological signals are hard to control. Our reconnaissance fleet is likely to be overwhelmed by the swarm during the approach!

Even if we successfully attract their attention, during the guidance process, if there is the slightest deviation, or if the swarm suddenly changes its target, our fleet could... And, bringing a swarm of this scale into the Sixth Star Sector—if they get out of control, or if the Xiuluo Saint cannot effectively resist, leading to the spread of a swarm disaster, the consequences..."

"The consequence is that the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance will be overwhelmed, perhaps even suffer a major blow to their vitality! Leike, tell me, according to conventional tactics, how many warships and how many Guardian lives must we sacrifice to retake the Sixth Star Sector from the Xiuluo Saint? Half? Or even more?

Now we have an opportunity—an opportunity that might severely damage or even drag down the enemy at a minimal cost! The swarm is uncontrollable, but their destructive power is certain! As long as they enter the Sixth Star Sector, regardless of the final outcome, the Xiuluo Saint must mobilize a large number of troops and resources to deal with them! This will create an excellent combat opportunity for our main force's frontal counter-attack! It might even leave them unable to attend to both ends!"