Chapter 1521: Luoran

The Military Chief stood to the side of the star map, hands clasped in front of him.

"We have the complete data packet sent by Commander Delin before the fleet was annihilated. The data shows that the expansion rate of that rift leveled off after reaching a certain width; currently, it is impossible to determine whether it will continue to expand or maintain its current size."

An Intelligence Officer beside the Military Chief stood up at this moment and spoke.

"Gentlemen, according to our analysis, a large number of high-energy reaction units have appeared near that rift."

"I suggest we organize a joint reconnaissance operation as soon as possible, at least to figure out what those units are, where they came from, and where they intend to go."

Jiadelin's voice came from the holographic window.

"I agree with a joint reconnaissance, but the shipping lanes around the Third Colonial Star are currently in an unstable state, making it difficult for conventional fleets to pass safely. I would like to know how many Fast Reconnaissance Formations you have available on your end."

A Fleet Commander from the Kaoquanzao Free Territory took up the conversation.

"There are still two Fast Reconnaissance Formations left, which can complete departure preparations within twenty-four hours. The problem is, if those units launch an attack on the reconnaissance formation, our fast reconnaissance ships do not possess the defensive capabilities for a head-on engagement."

"If you have any Orbital Reconnaissance Platforms available on your end, the reconnaissance ships could maintain a greater distance, reducing the probability of being attacked."

Jiadelin turned to the staff beside him to confirm in a low voice, then turned back.

"The Xikushi United Nations still has two Orbital Reconnaissance Platforms deployed on a planet adjacent to the Third Colonial Star; the signal coverage is sufficient to cover the target area."

"The platforms can provide continuous, high-precision sensor scan data, without the need for reconnaissance ships to enter a dangerous distance."

The Military Chief nodded slightly.

"Then it is settled. Within twenty-four hours, the Kaoquanzao Free Territory's Fast Reconnaissance Formation will depart, and the Xikushi United Nations' Orbital Reconnaissance Platforms will simultaneously activate sensor coverage."

"The data obtained from the joint reconnaissance operation will be shared by both parties. Once the threat level of those units is confirmed, we will then determine the subsequent response plan."

Jiadelin added.

"There is one more thing. I need to confirm if there is any mention in your records of a humanoid unit wearing red Armor, over three meters tall, with appendage structures similar to wings."

"My intelligence system just matched a similar characteristic description from an earlier record, but the source of that record is data related to the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance that Chanaisaikong brought back from the Luoke Imperium."

"If that type of unit is related to the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance, then what we are facing is not a simple local crisis."

Several people from the Kaoquanzao Free Territory looked at each other, and the corner of the Military Chief's mouth twitched.

"Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance? You mean, those units appearing on the Third Colonial Star might be connected to the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance?"

"It cannot be confirmed yet. The descriptions of the guard units of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance in the data brought back by Chanaisaikong have similarities to some of the outlines we saw in the sensor data on the Third Colonial Star, but there are also many inconsistencies."

"I am currently only proposing a possibility; it requires the data from the joint reconnaissance to verify or rule it out."

The Military Chief spoke after thinking for a moment.

"The joint reconnaissance will proceed according to the original plan; we will discuss the next step after the data returns. If it is confirmed that those units are connected to the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance, both sides will need to re-evaluate their diplomatic positions at that time."

"Understood."

The communication was cut.

Xiuluo Holy Star, Yingzhou's study.

Yingzhou sat behind the desk, with several paper documents spread out in front of him, holding a quill to annotate the documents.

Footsteps came from the doorway. Luojia walked into the study wearing a white robe, bowed slightly to show respect, and then spoke.

"Father, the Canaan Administrative District just sent an encrypted report. It was signed personally by Deputy District Chief Viridius and marked with priority."

Yingzhou looked up and said to Luojia.

"Viridius? What does it have to report?"

Luojia unfolded the Data Pad in his hand and said.

"The border outpost of the Canaan Administrative District detected a Biological Fleet moving toward the border of the administrative district. The density and scale of the biological signals match the known characteristics of a Zerg fleet."

"Deputy District Chief Viridius has already initiated the standard response procedure for the border defense line; the Orbital Defense System has entered standby status, and ground troops have completed deployment."

Yingzhou leaned back in his chair and asked.

"A Zerg fleet?"

"According to the identification of the Biological Communication Signal, the other party is a fleet of the Luolantan Zerg."

"After the Kazili Zerg obtained some suspected Tyranid remains in the northwest corner of the Bode Star System—remains that were likely lost and not destroyed by the Canaan Star Alliance in the past—they became extremely brutal, breaking the balance among the Zerg in the Bode Star System."

"The Luolantan Zerg originally had self-awareness and a theocratic system, but now their living space has been squeezed by the Kazili Zerg, and they can only leave the planets they were enslaved on and wander in the stars. This Biological Fleet belongs to that wandering portion."

Yingzhou nodded slightly.

"Luolantan Zerg, how long have they been fighting?"

Luojia continued.

"According to the intelligence analysis of the Canaan Administrative District, the conflict between the Luolantan Zerg and the Kazili Zerg has been going on for some time in the northwest corner of the Bode Star System."

"The expansion speed of the Kazili Zerg is extremely fast. Their Biological Fleet continues to advance after Devouring a large amount of planetary resources, without establishing colonies or leaving garrisons."

"The living space of the Luolantan Zerg has been compressed to only a few planets, and they are currently in a state of continuous passive retreat."

"This fleet passing through the Canaan Administrative District is roughly equivalent to a medium-sized migration formation."

Yingzhou looked at Luojia.

"Have they tried to communicate with the Canaan Administrative District? Or are they approaching the defense line directly?"

"In Deputy District Chief Viridius's report, he said that after the Luolantan Zerg entered the range of the Canaan Administrative District's border sensors, they sent a Biological Communication Signal to the border defense command of the Canaan Administrative District."

"The translated content is roughly as follows: 'We are just passing through, we have no malice. Our home has been destroyed, and we are looking for a new place to settle. If we can receive help, we will remember this kindness.'"

Yingzhou sneered and said.

"Heh, they said, 'if we can receive help.' The Luolantan Zerg. They have self-awareness, a theocratic system, are being suppressed by the Kazili Zerg, and are now on the run."

"This type of Zerg is different from the Kazili type that only knows how to Devour; they are not the kind of things that will attack indiscriminately. Perhaps they have value to be utilized."

Luojia said.

"Deputy District Chief Viridius mentioned at the end of the report that he has already prepared the defense line and response measures. If there are no further instructions, he will handle it according to the standard defense procedure. If the Luolantan Zerg fleet continues to approach the border, he will attack directly."