Chapter 1152: Flank Threat Eliminated

The door closed.

Tuosile sat alone in the room, his three eyes staring at the floor.

He had chosen survival, but lost his honor.

He had saved his subordinates, but betrayed his Oath.

He had protected his family, but become a bargaining chip.

There are no winners in war, only losers of varying degrees.

And he, now a living loser, is this more painful than a dead hero?

He did not know.

Perhaps he never would.

Bridge of the "Dragon's Breath", post-battle summary.

When Vulkan returned to the Bridge, Huokan was organizing the battle reports.

"All prisoners have been settled, and the captured ships are being inspected by the technical team."

Huokan reported.

"The defense system of the 'Grey Ring' has been rebuilt, and the ground Garrison reports that order is basically restored."

"Casualty statistics?"

"Our army has seventeen dead and forty-three wounded.

Enemy casualties are estimated at about sixty percent dead, ten percent wounded, and thirty percent captured."

Huokan paused for a moment.

"Civilian casualties... about three thousand on 'Cinder Prime', fewer on other planets. Overall, it is kept at a low level."

Vulkan nodded.

It perfectly met the strategic requirements of Yingzhou: demonstrate power, but do not demonstrate cruelty; provide opportunities for surrender, and divide the enemy's will.

"Report the battle results to Father. At the same time, notify Guilliman and Ferrus: the flank threat has been cleared, and they can proceed according to plan."

The Communications Officer began to operate.

Vulkan walked to the viewing window, watching the battlefield being cleaned up outside.

The surrendered Fengqi warships were being guided into formation by the ships of the Salamanders.

Vulkan spoke.

"What we are building is not an Imperium of ruins, but an orderly Star Alliance. Only hatred can grow on ruins, while order can grow... obedience."

"But those Alien prisoners, they may take up weapons again in the future..."

"Then we will kill them when that time comes. But for now, let them live, let them spread the story: those who resist die, those who surrender live.

Let this message spread like a virus through the Fengqi Military. This is more valuable than killing them."

Psychological warfare. Information warfare. Political warfare. War is never just a confrontation of artillery fire.

Huokan nodded in understanding.

"I will explain it to the warriors."

"Also, prepare a batch of Recorders, loaded with today's battle footage and the surrender process. Leak them to the Fengqi civilian network through encrypted channels.

I want every Fengqi person to see: how their fleet was surrounded, how it was crushed, how it... chose to surrender."

"Manufacturing despair."

"Manufacturing reality."

Vulkan corrected.

"Despair will breed madness, but reality will breed... rational thinking. When they realize there is no chance of winning by resisting, they will start considering other options."

The order was passed down.

The technicians of the Salamanders Legion began editing the video.

The charge of the Fengqi Fleet, the counterattack of the Star Alliance fleet, the formation of the encirclement, the issuance of the surrender order, the lining up of prisoners of war...

Every frame highlighted the invincibility of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance and the "rational choice" of surrender.

And at the distant Fengqi command headquarters, General Valken received the news that the "Grey Ring" fleet had been completely wiped out.

He watched the footage of Tuosile surrendering, watched those soldiers laying down their weapons, his Third Eye widening in anger.

"Cowards! Traitors!"

Valken roared at the screen.

But his Adjutant whispered.

"General... at least they are alive. Olaf's fleet, they are all dead."

Valken turned, wanting to reprimand such remarks, but the words stuck in his throat.

A dead hero, or a living coward?

This multiple-choice question was now placed before every Fengqi commander.

And the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance, through the victory at the "Grey Ring", had sharply placed this question on the table.

Void Undercurrent exit, outskirts of "Nankang" star.

The flagship of the Iron Hands Legion, the "Iron Will", emerged from the sub-current.

Inside the Bridge, Ferrus Manus stood before the tactical holographic table, his eyes fixed on the newly updated star map data.

"Void Undercurrent navigation complete, report status of all personnel."

"All thirty-six ships of the First Strike Fleet have arrived safely, with no losses."

First Company Commander Jialage reported.

"But the navigation system of the seventh Destroyer has a 0.3% deviation error, requiring three hours for calibration."

"Calibration is permitted, but it must be completed before the offensive begins."

Ferrus pulled up the intelligence for the target star system.

"Nankang Star... the primary logistics hub of the Fengqi Star Alliance. Confirm the status of the target."

The Intelligence Officer pulled up the latest scan data.

"There are three large material transfer stations in orbit around Nankang Star, and seventeen reserve warehouse clusters on the surface, estimated to store 40% of the ammunition, fuel, and maintenance parts for the Fengqi Southern Theater."

"Defensive forces?"

"Orbital defense: twenty-four defense platforms, equipped with standard Energy Cannon and Missile arrays.

Fleet garrison: eight Frigate, two Light Cruiser. Ground garrison: approximately 150,000 Planetary Defense Forces, 30,000 Guardian Super Soldier, and..."

The Intelligence Officer paused for a moment.

"Detected a large number of automated defense system signals, with an abnormally high density."

Ferrus's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Automated defense... the Fengqi are attempting to compensate for a lack of manpower with machines. Interesting."

Jialage stepped forward.

"Father, a high-density automated defense system means a direct assault will result in significant casualties.

I suggest conducting electronic warfare suppression first to paralyze their command network."

"That is exactly my intention."

Ferrus's fingers swiped across the Holographic Star Map.

"The Iron Hands will show the Fengqi what true technological warfare looks like."

Ferrus pulled up the operational plan and began deployment.

"Phase one: electronic silence assault. All ships will activate full-spectrum jamming to suppress all communication and sensor networks within the star system.

Simultaneously, release the 'Web Weaver' drone swarm to infiltrate and take over the enemy's automated defense systems."

"Phase two: orbital precision strike.

Use kinetic projectiles to destroy key defense nodes and the Command Center, but avoid collateral damage to the material warehouses; those supplies will be ours in the future."

"Phase three: ground assault. First and Second Company will air-drop into the main Warehouse Area, Third and Fourth Company will attack the command hub, and Fifth Company will serve as the mobile reserve. My position..."

Ferrus pointed to the largest warehouse cluster on Nankang Star on the star map.

"Is here. I will personally lead the team to capture the core reserve depot."