Chapter 1149: The Hesitation of the Reinforcing Fleet

The "Dragon Breath".

Vulkan stood before the tactical table on the Bridge, communicating with Yingzhou, who was far away on the Xiuluo Holy Star.

"Father, the 'Grey Ring' operation is basically complete. Four of the five planets have been controlled, and the resistance on the remaining one will be cleared within twelve hours. The Fengqi have split their forces from the main fleet to return for defense, with a scale of about one complete battle group."

Yingzhou's holographic image nodded slightly.

"Casualties?"

"Already sent to you. Civilian casualties... are difficult to calculate precisely, but they have been kept at a low level."

"Implementation of the surrender policy?"

"As per your orders: those who surrender are not killed, and those who cooperate are treated well. The surrender of the four planets was achieved without completely destroying their resistance capabilities."

Yingzhou nodded and said.

"We must let other factions see: the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance is not a butcher, but an establisher of order.

Those who resist will be ruthlessly eliminated, but those who surrender will be given a chance to survive.

This will divide the enemy, making those less determined factions choose negotiation instead of fighting to the death.

This will also prevent us from becoming a source of instability in the eyes of other factions."

Vulkan nodded and asked.

"What about those prisoners?"

"Screen them. Technicians, scientists, high-ranking officials, and valuable Aliens are to be sent to the Star Alliance for 're-education'.

Ordinary soldiers... release them after disarming them, but implant trackers.

Let them bring the story back: the strength of the Star Alliance, and that surrender is survivable."

"Understood, Father."

"Now, maintain the pressure of control over 'Grey Ring'. Make the Fengqi believe we intend to occupy the region, forcing them to maintain their split-force state.

The decisive battle on Guilliman's side is about to begin, and we need to ensure his flank is secure."

"The Salamanders Legion will hold the position."

The communication ended.

Vulkan turned to look out the porthole; "Cinder Prime" was slowly rotating in the void, and firelight and smoke caused by the battle could still be seen on its surface, but most areas had returned to calm.

A war, eight hours, the fate of several planets changed.

Vulkan said to the Adjutant beside him.

"Record the battle report. Highlight: the differences in the reactions of the Fengqi garrison when facing overwhelming superiority.

Some units fought to the death, others chose to surrender.

Analyze the command structure, morale levels, and political Loyalty behind the different reactions. These data are valuable for future operations."

"Yes, Primarch."

Vulkan walked toward the exit of the Bridge.

He was going to the medical bay to visit the wounded warriors.

In the corridor, Vulkan encountered the escorted Planetary Governor, Haroon.

This Fengqi politician was wearing a Gravity Restrainer, his three eyes lowered.

Vulkan stopped his steps.

"Alien Governor."

Haroon looked up, meeting Vulkan's gaze.

"How... will you deal with us?"

Haroon asked, trembling.

"Those who cooperate will have a future; those who resist will only have death."

Vulkan said calmly.

"Your surrender saved many lives, including your own. Remember this."

"But my world... my civilization..."

"Civilization needs to adapt to change."

Vulkan said.

"The sea of stars is changing, the old order is crumbling, and a new order is being established.

Wise civilizations will adjust themselves, and foolish civilizations will resist until death. Which path did the Fengqi Star Alliance choose?"

Haroon could not answer.

He remembered Olaf's refusal to yield even in death, and also remembered the moment he laid down his weapons.

Which was correct? Which was betrayal?

"Take him to the detention cell, guard him closely."

He continued forward.

In the medical bay, the wounded warriors lay in treatment pods.

A young Salamanders warrior had lost half his face, but was still alive.

"Father..."

The warrior struggled to sit up.

Vulkan held him down.

"Lie down, you fought heroically. The Salamanders are proud of you."

"Did we... win?"

"We completed the Task. The war is not over yet, but today, we won."

The warrior revealed a broken smile, then sank into a slumber induced by medical sedatives.

Vulkan stayed in the medical bay for half an hour, visiting every wounded soldier and remembering every name.

When Vulkan returned to the Bridge, a new report had already arrived: the Fengqi relief fleet had arrived, but its numbers were only half of what was expected.

Clearly, the Fengqi were also hesitating over whether to commit their full strength to retake these already damaged industrial planets.

On the outskirts of the "Grey Ring" sector, the Fengqi relief fleet flagship, the *Jianyi*.

"Target confirmed: the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance fleet is gathering in high orbit of 'Cinder Prime', numbering... approximately thirty-five ships. They are reorganizing their formation, seemingly preparing to engage or relocate."

Commander General Tuosile's three eyes were fixed intently on the tactical holographic display.

Thirty-five against one hundred and twenty.

He held the advantage in numbers, but in quality...

"Energy reading analysis indicates the enemy ships' shield strength and main ship cannons are superior to our own."

The technical officer added.

"And their reaction speed... is even faster than described in the Ningjing Huilang battle reports."

Tuosile's fingers tapped lightly on the edge of the tactical console.

He had experienced seven border conflicts and three counter-insurgency wars, and had never been this hesitant while holding a numerical advantage.

But this time was different.

He was not facing pirates, not insurgents, and not even a traditional hostile civilization.

He was facing those monsters who annihilated the "Oathkeeper" fleet in the Ningjing Huilang, those killing machines who called themselves "Space Marines," and the "Primarch" who commanded them.

"General, the latest directive has arrived from Command."

The Communications Officer reported.

"It requests that we 'assess the situation, act with caution, and prioritize ensuring the sector is not completely occupied, rather than risking a decisive battle'."

Caution.

Tuosile chewed on the word.

It meant "don't get yourselves killed, but don't retreat either; we haven't made up our minds yet."

Tuosile looked at the red light points on the star map.

They were gathering from scattered occupation positions toward a single point, clearly preparing for a fleet maneuver.

If they were allowed to complete their assembly, the initiative would fall into the enemy's hands, regardless of whether they chose to attack or relocate.

"Analyze their assembly pattern."

Torres ordered.

"Predict the final formation and potential targets."

The tactical officer operated the controls rapidly, and predictive lines appeared on the holographic image.

"Based on their movement trajectory, they will likely complete a classic wedge assault formation in four hours.

The target... could be us, or it could be jumping away.

But if they were leaving, why gather? They could easily disperse and retreat."

"Because they want to fight."

The Deputy Commander said in a low voice.

"Those Space Marines never pass up an opportunity for battle."

Tuosile nodded.

This was exactly what he feared.

If the enemy wanted to fight, then stalling for time was disadvantageous to him.

With every hour that passed, the opposition had more ground troops lifting off to join the fleet, and their formation became more refined.

But what if he launched a preemptive attack?