Chapter 974: Sudden Order

I envy Biaoqiang so much, being able to stay by the commander's side, protect the commander, Laffey also wants to protect the commander...

Sailing on the dark red sea, Laffey said boredly.

Z23 turned to look at Laffey, a helpless expression appearing on her face, "I'm afraid Biaoqiang is no longer by the commander's side either; she's probably just like us, following everyone together to explore the sea area, also fighting."

But she's quite close to the commander, while we're so far away..." Laffey said weakly, then looked toward Ling Bo behind her, "Ling Bo, what do you say?"

I feel the same, and Biaoqiang is getting farther from the commander while we're getting closer," Ling Bo said expressionlessly, a light flashing in her eyes.

Laffey and Z23 both froze, Z23 looked at Ling Bo in surprise, "How impressive, why didn't I think of that?"

Ling Bo is so impressive..." Laffey also straightened up involuntarily.

Just then, a message came through the public channel: "All squads, note, quickly return to your squad's flagship; if in battle, quickly withdraw from combat."

Everyone paused for a moment, Laffey asked doubtfully, "We just came out not long ago, what's happening again?"

Z23 shook her head, "I don't know, but this message came from the public channel, so it must be for all factions; it seems the flagship has a big move."

Are we going to fight?" Ling Bo gripped her greatsword.

Pretty much, let's head back quickly!" Z23 said.

Hmm.

At the same time, all ships in the E area of the Pacific Core Sea withdrew from combat status and moved toward their respective detachment flagships.

What's going on, Bunker Hill? We were just fighting, but the public comms ordered us to gather here at your place?" Washington asked with a puzzled look.

Bunker Hill glanced at Washington, "Don't rush, rest a bit, wait for Ticonderoga and her group to return before we speak."

Huh?" Washington looked speechless.

Well, waiting a bit isn't a bad thing, and this matter is obviously very important; otherwise Bunker Hill wouldn't have said that." North Carolina laughed.

Alright.

Not long after, Ticonderoga's squad also returned successfully.

Heh, I didn't expect us to be the last; everyone seems to be moving quickly." Ticonderoga laughed, stopped, and said to the assembled crowd.

Everyone's here, so I'll speak." Bunker Hill nodded, addressing everyone: "We previously received an order from the flagship; given that the Siren Fleet's strength in the core sea has greatly increased compared to before, to ensure our later advance goes smoothly, we must build a suitable supply base in the E sea area."

After discussion among several flagships, it was decided to take the Siren Fortress at the center of the E sea area as the target.

Wait, does that mean the flagships plan to make the Siren Fortress our future supply point?" North Carolina exclaimed in surprise.

Bunker Hill nodded, "That Siren Fortress is the hub controlling the entire sea; no matter what, we must take it. Our previous goal was merely to clear it out, then we would plan an attack on the nearby Siren outpost; now we're just focusing our target there."

Moreover, clearing that Siren Fortress would return this sea area to our control and protect our supply line from Siren harassment, so this is necessary.

Understood, just tell us what to do—I'm ready for a big fight!" Washington said, rolling up her sleeves, causing North Carolina beside her to burst out laughing.

Our squad's task is to guard the left flank, ensuring the main force isn't affected by other Siren Fleets during the assault." Bunker Hill said.

Huh? I thought our task was to assault directly; after all this, it turns out we're defending the flank? Such a task is really overqualified for us, isn't it?

Could this decision be Bisimai's? Is she intentionally suppressing our White Eagle? Moreover, hasn't she heard of our task force's name?" Washington said somewhat dissatisfied.

I don't think it's meant to suppress our White Eagle; after all, this order was approved by Enterprise. Also, I think if we abandon the surrounding advances and instead storm the core fortress head-on, the surrounding Siren Fleets will likely unleash their strongest fire to break through our defenses to guarantee the Siren Fortress's safety.

So, if we're talking about frontal firepower, I believe our defending flank will be the place under the strongest fire suppression and where the war will erupt most fiercely." Ticonderoga said.

Huh? Is there really such a saying?" Ticonderoga's words left Washington suddenly calmed; she stared in disbelief at Bunker Hill, as if confirming something.

Bunker Hill nodded, "That's right; this time the flank defense is handled by the strong units of each faction. Besides our squad, there's the task force led by Xin ze xi, Yue Ke Cheng, Bumblebee, Lexington, and others forming the carrier battalion."

The Sakura Empire also sent elite forces, including a carrier battalion formed by Xinong and Akagi, as well as the main force fleet where Izumo and Ji Yin serve.

Iron Blood is the same; even legendary figures like Wuerlixi and Aijier have been assigned to the flank units, so don't think the flank is an easy position—just as Ticonderoga said, our position is actually the most dangerous!

Ha, this is really great; I thought Bisimai was deliberately suppressing our White Eagle, but it seems I blamed her wrongly. As long as we're placed on the front line, no matter how dangerous the position, our task force fears nothing!" Washington laughed, her eyes full of confidence.

Really." North Carolina looked at her sister and shook her head, but with the war about to begin she said nothing, merely gazing at Bunker Hill and asking, "When do we depart?"

Now!

Now? In such a hurry?" Zuikaku looked at Xinong in surprise.

Yes, this is the flagships' decision." Xinong said softly.

I do understand them; we're now in the Siren core sea, they could be watching us at any moment, we can't slowly plot as before—we need to cut the Gordian knot and launch a surprise attack.

It's obvious that if we launch a surprise attack, the Siren Fortress's defense will surely be much weaker than if we slowly circled around." Akagi nodded and said.

Is that so?" Zuikaku reacted, gripping her longsword, "Then let's set out!"

Hmm, our battle position is......