Chapter 1128: These Aliens, Truly Ungrateful

"For the survival of civilization, sacrifices must sometimes be made."

The three eyes of Sele'en burned with a frenzied light.

"If we retreat now, the Star Alliance will think Feng Qi is weak and easy to bully, and the terms of negotiation will be even harsher.

If we attack, even if we fail, we can demonstrate Feng Qi's determination to resist to the end.

This will send a signal to other civilizations watching from the sidelines: Feng Qi will not yield easily."

Olaf nodded slowly.

"Then, I order: all units of the Oathkeeper fleet, enter combat formation.

Target: Ningjing Huilang Kongjian Zhan and the surrounding Star Alliance fleet.

If the Star Alliance does not release the mission, we will launch a full-scale attack."

Sele'en nodded.

"The Dark Tooth and the frigate fleet will coordinate the action. May Three Eyes watch over us."

The communication ended.

The Bridge fell into silence.

Major Kaierte walked to Sele'en's side, his voice so low it was almost inaudible.

"Captain, are we really going to let the mission... die?"

Sele'en did not look at Kaierte.

"They are already dead; from the moment they prepared to sell out Feng Qi at the negotiating table, Kalaier as a patriot was already dead.

What lives now is merely a politician prepared to sign a surrender document."

"But if this attack fails..."

"Then it fails."

Sele'en turned to face the entire crew of the Bridge.

"But at least we tried. At least we chose to die standing rather than live kneeling.

Tell me, would you rather sacrifice yourselves on the battlefield or grow old in a slave camp?"

No one answered, but the Third Eye of many crew members began to flicker.

Sele'en nodded.

"Then, prepare for battle. For the true future of the Feng Qi Xing Alliance."

Core area of the space station, Star Alliance temporary command post.

Guilliman looked at the tactical holographic table, which displayed the movements of the Fengqi Fleet.

"The Oathkeeper fleet is entering attack formation,"

Donatus reported.

"Olaf has issued an ultimatum: release the mission, or they will launch an attack."

Guilliman said calmly.

"Bluffing. Olaf will not actually attack because the mission is still in our hands. He is testing our resolve."

Company Commander Kenlai frowned.

"But what if they really do attack? The space station's defenses are not enough to withstand a salvo from 270 warships."

"Then let them attack."

Guilliman's voice did not waver in the slightest.

"If Feng Qi chooses total war, we will demonstrate the resolve of the Star Alliance: we came with peaceful intentions, yet the other side wants to kill us, so do not blame us for taking action.

This will also send a clear signal to other civilizations watching from the sidelines: to be an enemy of the Star Alliance is to face only destruction."

Guilliman turned to face the entire command staff.

"But I do not believe Olaf will go that far. He is a soldier who knows how to calculate gains and losses. 270 warships are his entire fortune; he will not bet them all in the first conflict."

"Then what do we do now?"

Guilliman said.

"Prepare a rapid response force. If the Fengqi Fleet really attacks, we need to evacuate before the space station is destroyed. Bring the Carlyle Mission."

Donatus said in surprise.

"You still want to keep them? They are trouble, a burden..."

Guilliman explained.

"They are bargaining chips, evidence. A living diplomatic mission can prove that Feng Qi launched a treacherous attack. A dead mission... would become a Martyr, inciting more resistance.

No, Kalaier and his team must live, to be tried in the courts of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance and show the star sea the betrayal of the Feng Qi leadership."

"Understood."

Donatus nodded in understanding.

An alarm suddenly sounded.

"Large-scale energy accumulation detected! The Fengqi Fleet's main guns are beginning to charge! They are preparing to fire!"

Guilliman's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Then, they have chosen destruction."

Guilliman gripped his Power Sword.

"Notify Magnus, activate the Psionic Beacon. Everyone, prepare to evacuate."

"And the mission..."

"Bring them."

Guilliman strode toward the exit.

"Company Commander Kenlai, take your company to the detention area. If anyone resists, kill them."

"Yes! Lord Guilliman."

The Primarch's figure vanished outside the door. Donatus watched the red light on the tactical table, representing the charging of the Fengqi Fleet's main cannons, grow brighter and brighter.

These Aliens truly do not know what is good for them.

On the Bridge of the Dark Tooth, Colonel Sele'en's three eyes stared fixedly at the tactical holographic table.

Olaf's Oathkeeper fleet was deploying into attack formation.

Opposite them, although the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance fleet numbered fewer than one hundred, the enemy did not show the slightest sign of fear.

Sele'en's voice rang out over the communications channel.

"All units, report combat readiness."

"Battery One, charging complete!"

"Battery Two, charging complete!"

"Shield generator, operating at full power!"

"Engine room ready, maneuverable at any time!"

Responses came one after another, each one making the atmosphere on the Bridge even more heavy.

Kaierte stood beside Sele'en and said in a low voice.

"Captain, Admiral Olaf has sent the final confirmation: shall we open fire?"

"Tell Admiral Olaf that the Feng Qi Xing Alliance has retreated from the borders to the core star sectors, from pride to kneeling.

Today, we draw the line here. Either live standing, or die standing. There is no third path."

The Communications Officer sent the message out. A few seconds later, Olaf's reply came through.

"For Fengqi."

Then, a full-channel broadcast sounded; it was Olaf's aged voice.

"All members of the Oathkeeper fleet, I am Admiral Olaf. We stand here today, not for glory, not for victory, and not even for survival.

We stand here today to prove one thing: the backbone of the Feng Qi Xing Alliance has not yet broken!

When politicians prepare to sell us out at the negotiating table, when the enemy thinks we will yield under pressure, we will tell them with our cannon fire!

Fengqi, we would rather die than submit!"

After a brief pause, Olaf's voice suddenly rose.

"All units, attack!"

Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance fleet, the Xiuluosheng Glory.

Guilliman stood on the Bridge's tactical command platform, his blue eyes reflecting the light erupting on the Holographic Star Map.

The Fengqi Fleet opened fire; the main cannons of 270 warships fired in unison, and Energy Beams poured down like a rainstorm.

The Fleet Commander gave the order calmly.

"All units, maneuver according to the predetermined tactics. Let these Aliens witness the discipline of the Star Alliance."

The Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance fleet began to move.

Divided into three battle groups, each battle group maintained a perfect array, their Void Shields overlapping to form layers of defensive nets.

Fengqi's first volley was mostly deflected or absorbed; only a few smaller Frigates had their shields overloaded, leaving melted marks on their armor.

"Counterattack."

Guilliman said only one word.