Chapter 1125: Kalaier Realizes the Situation

"Yes. And time is the most precious resource in war."

The communication with Olaf ended.

Sele'en turned to all the officers on the Bridge.

"You have all heard it. This is not a simple military operation, but a complex game of politics, diplomacy, and psychology.

We are not hijacking hostages; we are hijacking time. We are not threatening individuals; we are threatening the future trajectory of the Fengqi Civilization."

Sele'en took a deep breath.

"Now, one last confirmation. All stations, report your readiness."

"Assault team ready."

"Navigation group ready."

"Weapon systems ready."

"Communication jamming ready."

"..."

The sound of "ready" echoed throughout the Bridge.

Finally, everyone's gaze turned to Kaierte.

Kaierte nodded slowly.

"Bridge command system ready."

All three of Sele'en's eyes opened, and the flickering light points on the Holographic Star Map were reflected in his purple pupils.

"Then, for the Feng Qi Xing Alliance—begin the countdown."

Ningjing Huilang Kongjian Zhan, Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance Headquarters.

Guilliman looked at the reconnaissance report with a grave expression.

"There are three infiltration points, but only one was discovered. The enemy is testing our vigilance."

Donatus frowned.

"Do we need to raise the security level? Transfer the delegation to a safer area?"

Guilliman shook his head and replied.

"No, that would alert the enemy. I want to see what they are actually planning. Notify the accompanying Ultramarines to enter a state of covert alert.

Deploy hidden sentries at all key positions, but maintain an appearance of laxity."

Company Commander Kenlai was somewhat worried.

"Guilliman, if the enemy really launches an attack, you..."

Guilliman's tone carried a hint of excitement.

"Then let them come! I was just looking to stretch my legs.

More importantly, if this is an operation by the pro-war faction within Fengqi, I need to know their scale and objectives.

This might be a good opportunity to understand the internal conflicts of the enemy."

Magnus's Psionic Communicator suddenly connected to Guilliman's mind, sounding directly in his consciousness.

"Guilliman, I sense intense psionic energy coming from the Fengqi Diplomatic Escort Ship fleet. Whatever they are planning, be prepared to pay the price."

Guilliman responded in his mind.

"Can you determine the time?"

"Vague."

"Continue monitoring, but do not initiate a scan. I don't want them to realize we know."

The psionic connection disconnected.

Guilliman turned to Donatus.

"Notify the fleet to enter the highest state of alert before dawn tomorrow. But do not make any obvious movements; maintain normal patrol patterns."

"Do you think they will attack the space station?"

"Not entirely. If they simply wanted to sabotage the negotiations, opening fire directly would be more effective. Infiltration, reconnaissance, covert operations... this is more like special warfare. The target might be me, or the entire delegation."

Donatus gasped.

"They would dare?"

Guilliman walked to the data terminal and pulled up Sele'en's file.

"Desperate people will dare anything. Look at this officer's record. Nineteen battles in the border wars, seven times wounded, three times refused orders to retreat.

His motto is: 'Better to die standing than to live kneeling.'

This kind of person will not accept Kalaier's path of compromise."

"Do we need to warn Kalaier?"

Guilliman pondered for a moment and shook his head.

"Not for now. If Kalaier is involved, a warning will make him alert.

If he is unaware... perhaps this incident can become a turning point for attacking the Feng Qi Xing Alliance."

"A turning point?"

"If the pro-war faction launches a coup, the Xiuluo Holy diplomatic delegation is attacked, and the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance, having come with peaceful intentions to resolve issues, is attacked by the Feng Qi Xing Alliance, it will have no choice but to conduct a forced self-defense counterattack."

A glimmer of light flashed in Guilliman's eyes.

"Politics, Mr. Minister, is always full of opportunities."

Just then, an alarm suddenly sounded.

"Abnormal approach of a ship detected outside the space station! It is the Fengqi Frigate 'Dark Tooth', requesting docking under the guise of a maintenance request."

Guilliman and Donatus exchanged a look.

It arrived earlier than expected.

Guilliman gave the order.

"Approve the docking request, but restrict the area. Only allow the maintenance team to enter, no more than ten people. The Patrol Squad will accompany them the entire time."

"What if they refuse?"

"Then that proves this is not maintenance."

Guilliman's hand rested on the hilt of the sword at his waist.

"In that case... we will have our answer."

Amethyst Insight, Kalaier's cabin.

Kalaier was startled awake by a communication request.

It was an emergency contact from the Dark Tooth.

Colonel Sele'en's face appeared on the screen, with the Bridge in the background.

"Councilor Kalaier, apologies for the late-night disturbance. Our main engine has detected an energy leak and requires emergency repairs. Per protocol, we are requesting to approach the space station for extravehicular operations."

Kalaier frowned.

He did not understand ship engineering, but this timing...

"Is it necessary to notify the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance?"

"It has already been notified and approved. I am merely informing you out of courtesy."

Sele'en's expression did not change at all.

"The repairs will take six to eight hours and will not affect tomorrow's negotiations."

A certain intuition made Kalaier's Third Eye sting slightly.

It was too coincidental, just after he had held a private conversation with Guilliman, and just as the negotiations were entering a critical stage.

Kalaier said slowly.

"Colonel Sele'en, please tell the truth. Is it really just maintenance?"

Sele'en on the screen nodded in reply.

"Of course it is maintenance, Councilor. We are all serving Fengqi, just in different ways. You defend civilization with words, we use ship cannons. But the goal is the same."

The communication ended.

Kalaier sat in the darkness, his heart rate accelerating.

Is the goal the same?

Kalaier could not help but recall Guilliman's words on the observation deck.

"A desperate civilization will commit crazy acts."

And the anomalies Weilan had reported earlier.

"The communication volume of the Frigate fleet has increased by 300% in the past twenty-four hours, but it is all internal communication, with no coordination with us."

The fragments began to piece together.

Kalaier stood up abruptly and connected to the internal communication.

"Liana, come to my cabin immediately. Notify all delegation members, emergency meeting in one hour."

"Now? It is already..."

Kalaier said in a serious tone.

"Now! We may not have much time left."