66: So, the principle of pacifying the internal situation before resisting external aggression is correct?

Ursa Major V12.22 is still out of contact.

No, not just that.

The Cosmic Army advance fleet that just arrived,

has also lost contact.

As the situation spiraled into an increasingly severe state,

the upper echelons of the Cloud Consortium finally couldn't sit still.

————

Lakere Interstellar Empire, Imperial Council Chamber.

Beneath a dome cast from an entire starship armor plate,

the emperor who represented the majesty of the entire empire—Vladimir Lakere,

sat on the high main seat, looking down at the bustling heads in the tiered conference room.

These were his most astute ministers and most skilled generals,

and also his most powerful tentacles in ruling this vast empire.

"Your Majesty, the Plenipotentiary Ambassador from the Claude Military-Political Consortium has suddenly issued a diplomatic protest to us,"

"They claim,"

"if the Empire does not cease its aggressive actions against Ursa Major V12.22,"

"they will consider the Empire's actions a declaration of total war..."

Below the stage at this moment,

a second-rank civil official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

was reading a newly received diplomatic document.

The extremely sharp wording echoed through the hall,

causing countless attendees to clench their fists and grimace.

Vladimir listened to the document with an expressionless face,

then,

his keen gaze fell upon the Minister of Military Affairs seated in the front row,

and a calm yet imposing voice rang out,

"I wish to know,"

"why my army would, behind the back of the entire Empire—including me,"

"appear in the territory of The Consortium,"

"and launch a war that the entire Empire knew nothing about?"

Minister of Military Affairs:

"…"

He was also very confused, okay!

Originally, this was just a very ordinary regular meeting.

Responsible for national military affairs, he usually didn't need to speak at meetings discussing internal politics.

Who knew which damned little darling today,

would give him such a huge surprise!

Stared at by the emperor's almost murderous gaze from the stage,

he felt cold sweat trickling down his back:

If he couldn't provide an explanation that satisfied His Majesty,

he wouldn't escape without losing a layer of skin... Ursa Major V12.22, Node Space City.

Outside the massive Space City, a large number of various starships floated—

armed merchant ships, cargo ships, passenger liners... like a small starship exhibition.

Upon seeing those several Cosmic Army warships,

and the giant ships following behind them,

most smaller vessels decisively chose to yield.

After witnessing how several severely damaged ships that refused to leave port were swiftly transformed from citizens to traitors to organic matter under the catalysis of a temporary court and bullets,

the captains of these starships unequivocally stated:

As members of The Consortium, it was only natural for them to unconditionally support all actions of the Cosmic Army.

Now, facing these oncoming warships, they undoubtedly did not want to invite any trouble.

Xi Hai stood on the bridge,

listening to the intelligence night lamp brought back after a trip through the local network,

suddenly—

"Beep beep beep!"

The communication console chimed.

As soon as it connected,

a figure in a white double-breasted military uniform appeared in the holographic projection.

Xi Hai looked at the epaulets on the uniform,

Colonel.

The projection of that person stared at Xi Hai and slowly spoke:

"Unknown corporate fleet,"

"please report your affiliated company's registration verification,"

"so that we can conduct a review."

Hearing this request, Xi Hai felt a strange sensation.

Review now?

According to the data night lamp just brought back,

this entire star system had completely cut off contact with the outside world.

And conducting a review obviously required access to the Order Alliance's central database.

He outwardly agreed to the officer's request,

but secretly asked night lamp in his mind,

"night lamp, in all their shipboard databases,"

"is there any data on all registered companies of the Order Alliance?"

Approximately three seconds later,

night lamp's voice rang out,

"I just took a look around,"

"No."

"???"

Wait, Hakideng, what did you say?

Just now? Took a look around? In just a few seconds?

"Are you sure there are no omissions?"

he asked.

This time, night lamp was silent for five seconds,

"Rest assured, Pathfinder."

"I just took another look around,"

"on all 800 of their warships, all stored information on all storage devices,"

"contains no data whatsoever regarding companies registered with the Order Alliance."

"Even paper records do not exist."

Hearing night lamp's explanation, Xi Hai's eyelid twitched.

Now, the other party's actions became interesting.

Compared to inquiring about his identity after contact was restored,

he was more inclined to believe this was a probing attempt from the other side.

"Sorry."

"Our side has not found the corporate information you provided to exist."

"Please state your true origins."

As expected, the words spoken by the projection the next second,

completely confirmed Xi Hai's thoughts.

Having basically guessed the other party's objective,

he stared at the projection before him,

as if enjoying a comical performance:

"Currently, all external communications for Ursa Major V12.22 are completely cut off."

"By what means did your side conduct the inquiry?"

The officer in the projection answered without hesitation,

"The Cosmic Army has an internal communication network,"

"your civilian frequencies are out of contact, but that doesn't mean our military frequencies will also be out of contact."

Military frequencies?

Still bluffing.

If it weren't for night lamp's heaven-defying electronic warfare capabilities,

he might have actually believed it—

Well, no, it's impossible.

Xi Hai continued to listen silently,

and the officer in the projection finally stated his ultimate objective:

"Please dock your warships and disembark in an orderly fashion."

"This is a special period,"

"given that your identity cannot be confirmed,"

"our side will monitor your crew to a certain extent."

"The duration will be until we confirm your identity."

—That's right, this was the countermeasure Suhart temporarily came up with:

To pacify the interior before resisting the exterior.

That is, first use the defensive torpedoes and turrets equipped on the Space City, combined with all the firepower of the fleet, to take down that corporate transport fleet's battlecruiser.

Then, with the Node Space City as a rear base,

establish a defense line for Ursa Major V12.22.

Suhart's reason for doing this was simple—

In his understanding, how could an unknown small company produce a battlecruiser?

Whether what they said was true or not,

keeping this fleet meant he had buried a huge landmine behind his own defense line.

The risk far outweighed the reward... Xi Hai silently translated in his mind.

Doesn't this just mean, "You come over here, I'll not only take your ship but also put you under house arrest, please cooperate"?

His first feeling wasn't anger, but rather amusement:

What did this person take him for?

Did he perhaps think he appeared very neutral,

making him seem easy to bully?

He stared at the projection with a fake smile:

"I don't think docking is necessary."

"Your side still has a large number of fleets in heavily damaged and un-repaired states, right?"

"We'll just stay on our own ship,"

"…"

After a brief silence, the officer,

said:

"This is not a negotiation."

"This is a notice."

"If your side does not accept,"

"our side, for its own safety,"

"will open fire on you..."

With a "click",

Xi Hai directly cut off the communication.