Chapter 815: The Ash Star Alliance's Hardline Stance

Fleet 985 of the Feng Qi Xing Alliance in the Bode Star System.

Blue light illuminated the massive, curved tactical star map.

A dark red block with jagged edges, representing the Ash Star Alliance, was slowly expanding on the map, pressing tightly against the border of the Feng Qi Xing Alliance.

The hologram of Captain Halun of the "Gargoyle" Frigate was suspended above a communication node, the edges of the image flickering with instability.

"... In summary, an Ash 'Razor' formation proactively attacked our unarmed research vessel 'Probe Seven,' causing severe damage; crew casualties are yet to be confirmed.

Our frigate 'Gargoyle' disabled two enemy patrol boats in self-defense, forcing the remaining enemy ship to break contact.

Our vessel sustained moderate damage. The coordinates of the debris field and the disabled enemy ships have been uploaded.

Requesting further instructions and diplomatic support."

Halun's report was concise, cold, and devoid of unnecessary emotion.

Opposite him was Suolun, Fleet Commander of the 985th Fleet of the Feng Qi Xing Alliance.

He was dressed in dark gray form-fitting armor, his three eyes watching the mark of the Ash Star Alliance on the star map.

Behind him, the expressions of several senior staff officers and diplomatic liaisons were exceptionally grave.

"Received, Captain Halun. You have done well; you protected the crew to the maximum extent and dealt the other side an effective reprimand. Stand by; reinforcements are on the way. Ensure the chain of evidence at the scene remains intact."

Suolun's voice was low and powerful.

He turned to a middle-aged man beside him with meticulously groomed red hair, wearing elegant diplomatic attire.

"Ambassador Morris, it is your people's turn. The evidence is conclusive; the Ashes must provide an explanation. They have crossed the line, and it was a proactive attack."

Ambassador Morris nodded slightly, his face wearing a professional solemnity.

"Your Excellency Suolun, I will immediately lodge a formal protest with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Ash Star Alliance via the highest-level encrypted channel.

I demand that they: first, immediately admit to the fact of the attack and issue a public apology; second, compensate us for all losses; third, hand over the responsible commander for our investigation; fourth, guarantee that such incidents will not happen again.

And I will limit them to providing a clear response within 12 standard hours."

His phrasing was tough, standard diplomatic rhetoric.

Suolun merely snorted through his nose, clearly holding reservations about the effectiveness of this "standard procedure."

"Then let us see just how thick the skin of those warmongers really is."

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Ash Star Alliance.

The holographic image of Ambassador Morris appeared inside a rugged-looking, dark red room cast from cooled Lava.

The image opposite him was Crag, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Ash Star Alliance.

Crag had the typical dark red skin and sharp, angular features of the Ash People, with the corners of his mouth habitually turned down, carrying a natural air of arrogance.

"Deputy Minister Crag,"

Ambassador Morris got straight to the point, his tone firm.

"We have sufficient evidence to show that your patrol boat formation proactively and unprovokedly attacked and severely damaged our unarmed research vessel 'Probe Seven' at 23:12 standard time in the disputed Huan Chong Qu of the K-78 Asteroid Belt, causing serious casualties and property damage.

Our frigate was forced to retaliate in self-defense, damaging two of your vessels.

This is a naked act of aggression! The Feng Qi Xing Alliance expresses its strongest indignation and condemnation regarding this!"

Crag's image flickered slightly, as if receiving the battlefield recording clips transmitted by Morris.

There was no surprise or guilt on his face; instead, he pulled a smirk that didn't reach his eyes, a smile full of mockery.

"Ah, 'Probe Seven'?"

Crag's voice was hoarse, his eyes looking at Morris with arrogance.

"Ambassador Morris, your so-called 'research vessel' had a flight path that penetrated deep into the edge of the 'Ashes Echo' star sector, which we have long claimed rights to. Its onboard High-frequency Scanning Array and its behavioral patterns... forgive me for being blunt, are far removed from what we generally understand as 'research' activities."

Crag dodged the main issue and bit back.

"As for the so-called 'evidence' you provided..."

Crag drew out his tone, his eyes sweeping over with contempt.

"It is nothing more than your one-sided story. Our patrol boat formation was conducting routine 'lane clearing' operations at the time; your ship suddenly intruded into the exercise area, acting suspiciously and refusing to respond to our multiple identification warnings. We were forced to take 'minimal defensive expulsion measures.'

Regrettably, your ship was too 'fragile,' or perhaps... an operational error? That is what led to the unfortunate collision and accidental injury."

"Collision? Accidental injury?!"

Ambassador Morris's voice rose, suppressing his anger.

"Deputy Minister Crag! This is a serious distortion of the facts! We have complete sensor records and Energy Weapon hit signature comparisons! Your ships fired first!"

"Evidence can be forged, Mr. Ambassador."

Crag spread his hands, wearing the face of a rogue.

"Especially in that chaotic asteroid belt. Who can say for sure? Perhaps your frigate was too nervous, misjudged the situation, and fired on us first, triggering a chain reaction? You damaged two of our vessels and caused casualties among our excellent soldiers; we haven't even settled that account yet!"

He leaned forward slightly, the fake smile on his face disappearing, replaced by a naked threat.

"On the contrary, you, the Feng Qi Xing Alliance, have been acting frequently in multiple star sectors recently. It is hard not to suspect that this incident was a provocation carefully planned by your side! Testing the bottom line of our Ash Star Alliance? I advise you to immediately withdraw all illegal presence in the disputed area and make a formal apology and compensation for the incident of damaging our ships and causing personnel losses! Otherwise..."

Crag did not finish, but his cold eyes already said everything.

Ambassador Morris's face turned livid.

He understood that the other side had no sincerity for negotiation at all; they were purely quibbling, turning black into white, and creating excuses for possible subsequent actions.

Diplomatic channels were completely blocked at this moment.

"Deputy Minister Crag,"

Ambassador Morris's voice returned to calm.

"Your response is full of absurd lies and baseless accusations. This completely closes the path to a peaceful resolution of this matter. The Feng Qi Xing Alliance will reserve the right to take all necessary measures to safeguard its own sovereignty and security interests. You will bear the consequences."

The communication was unilaterally cut off by Ambassador Morris. The hologram vanished, and the strategic Communications Center fell into dead silence.

Suolun slammed his fist onto the Control Console, producing a dull thud.

"Just as expected! That bunch of scum wrapped in magma! They are the ones who want conflict!"

"Commander, the diplomatic mediation has failed. The Ashes side not only refuses to admit their mistake but has instead leveled counter-accusations, and they have hinted at the possibility of taking further action."

Ambassador Morris's voice carried a deep sense of powerlessness and anger.

"As expected."

A cold glint flashed in Suolun's eyes as he issued the order.

"Notify Halun that once the reinforcement fleet arrives, they are to immediately establish a defensive line and closely monitor all movements from the direction of the Ashes, especially near the K-78 region. All patrol fleets are to be raised to Level Two combat readiness. Order the garrison fleet—those 'heavy hitters' meant for 'housekeeping'—to get moving! Strengthen patrols on the periphery of the star region, especially at the several jump points near the direction of the Ashes' infiltration!"

He stared at the dark red area on the star map.

"They want to play? Then we will play with them to the end! Have the 'Dark Eye' array divert a portion of its computing power to focus on monitoring signs of movement from the Ashes Star Alliance's Capital Ships.

Additionally, notify our ambassador to the Canaan Star Alliance and 'accidentally' leak this 'brilliant' diplomatic rhetoric from the Ashes to them. Let the Canaanites see what kind of 'neighbors' they have!

Furthermore, report this matter to the Star Alliance high command; all of my actions, Suolun, are being carried out in accordance with the Star Alliance's emergency protocols! I hope the Star Alliance high command will pay attention to the situation between the FQ-95 Star Region and the Ashes Star Alliance!"

"Yes!"