451: Just do it.

"Then, it is settled." Princess Canidys sat back down, her voice regaining its imperial majesty and coldness. "In the collective name of the Amarr Empire, the Caldari State, the Minmatar Republic, the Gallente Federation, the Human Federation, and the Earth Collective, we issue the 'Anti-Kyushu Joint Statement'."

"Accusing the 'Kyushu' faction of being an unknown and extreme threat to the survival and development of all civilizations in New Eden, whose expansionist behavior has seriously undermined the existing Order and peace."

"Announcing the immediate establishment of the 'New Eden Joint Security Force', with a Joint Command established under it to coordinate all military, diplomatic, and intelligence operations against the 'Kyushu' faction."

"The goal is to disarm them and eliminate their threat. The territory, resources, and technology they control will be jointly taken over and distributed by the member states of the Joint Security Force based on their contribution to the war effort."

"This statement is effective immediately and will be broadcast across the entire Star Domain."

At 19:00 Standard Time, an 'Anti-Kyushu Joint Statement', jointly signed by the highest authorities of the six major powers and bearing six different electronic seals, was broadcast to the entire New Eden Star Domain through all public channels and in all known languages.

The statement was sternly worded, defining 'Kyushu' as an unknown threat bringing instability and destruction, and announcing the formation of the 'New Eden Joint Security Force,' vowing to completely eliminate this threat.

The moment the statement was issued, the entirety of New Eden fell silent.

Whether in bustling trade hubs or remote mining outposts, in military ports where fleets stood by or in taverns where mercenaries drank, everyone stopped what they were doing and listened to or watched the statement in disbelief.

The six great Empires... united?

For a common enemy? That mysterious and powerful 'Kyushu' that had suddenly risen in the eastern Star Domain?

After the shock came a massive uproar and deeper unease. How terrifying must an enemy be that even the six great Empires needed to join forces against them?

Following the statement came action.

Across New Eden, countless military bases, shipyards, and starports, both overt and covert, began operating with unprecedented efficiency.

In the Amarr Empire, three 'Aeon-class' supercarriers, hailed as 'mobile divine kingdoms and ultimate faith,' ended their combat readiness standby and slowly sailed out of the heavily guarded Holy Land shipyards.

Their massive hulls, comparable to small cities, and their golden sacred decorations all proclaimed that the Empire was bringing out its most prized power.

Following closely behind were fifteen full-strength imperial main fleets, banners flying and formations strict, heading toward the designated assembly Star Domain with a solemnity and pressure akin to a religious inquisition.

In the Caldari State, a newly launched cluster of the new 'Wyvern-class' supercarriers made its first public appearance.

They lacked the magnificence of the Amarr warships but were full of industrial geometric beauty. Accompanying them were overwhelming swarms of drone carriers and a large number of specially modified ships specializing in electronic warfare and information offense and defense... (I can't think of anything else, so let's leave it at that.)

Massive fleets of vastly different styles, some even former mortal enemies, converged from all directions of New Eden toward the entrance of the Azure Vault Star Domain like a hundred rivers flowing into the sea.

It was a Joint Fleet of an unprecedented scale, the likes of which New Eden had never seen before.

Battleships were like forests, cruisers like a sea of sand, and frigates as numerous as the stars.

At the very center of the fleet were those four supercarriers, like moving mountains. Their presence alone was a silent deterrent and declaration.

This time, the first battle would be the decisive one.

'Sharpening Sword' Base, Sky Fortress Command Center No. 1.

On the massive circular main screen, the live broadcast of the 'Anti-Kyushu Joint Statement' was playing, along with summary intelligence from the monitoring System regarding the large-scale mobilization of the six major powers' fleets.

In the footage, representatives of the six major powers were rarely seen in the same frame, their expressions grim. Behind them, overwhelming fleets were assembling.

A storm was brewing, and dark clouds pressed down on the city.

Silence filled the command center. The eyes of all staff officers and operators instinctively turned toward the central command seat.

Lin Yizhou sat there, propping his chin with one hand, quietly watching the screen. There was no surprise or anger on his face, only a profound calmness.

After the statement finished playing, the screen switched to the spectacular sight of the six major fleets assembling.

Pressure.

Even for the Eastern Federation, this was unprecedented pressure. The six great Empires had joined forces, going all out.

This was total war, a nation-extinguishing level of total war.

The silence lasted for over ten seconds.

Then, Lin Yizhou chuckled softly.

He released his hand from his chin, leaned back into his chair, and let his gaze sweep over the suffocating image of the Joint Fleet on the screen before looking at his slightly nervous subordinates.

"That's it?"

His voice wasn't loud, but it dispelled all the gloom.

"After waiting so long, dragging their feet, being suspicious of each other, and arguing back and forth, this is the best they could come up with? Issuing a statement, forming a gang—who are they trying to scare?"

He shook his head, seemingly a bit disappointed.

"I thought they could come up with some new tricks." Lin Yizhou stood up, walked to the main screen, reached out, and pointed his finger at the four massive supercarriers.

"Four big toys plus a bunch of scrap metal, that's all."

He turned around to face everyone in the command center. His gaze was calm, yet it held an indescribable power.

"Everyone."

His voice echoed clearly in the command center.

"To all commanders and soldiers of 'Sharpening Sword' base, all officers and men of the 'Kyushu' fleet, and all comrades in the rear working overtime on production and R&D."

"The enemy is coming."

"They have many people and many ships; it looks quite intimidating. However, it's useless."

"Zijin Pavilion already knows our situation here, and there is only one instruction."

Amidst everyone's anticipation, he raised his hand and pointed his index finger at the center of the screen, at the Joint Fleet that seemed capable of drowning the sea of stars.

"What we are doing here is a completely cost-free venture; if we win, we profit immensely, and if we lose, we lose nothing. So, the conclusion is very simple."

"Don't be cowed; just do it."

You could hear a pin drop in the command center. The next second, a massive and synchronized roar erupted.

"Yes!!!"

All the tension, all the trepidation, and all the pressure vanished in that roar. It was replaced by a blazing Battle Intent, long-suppressed excitement, and a 'we've been waiting for this day' eagerness.

After staying here for so long, they had almost forgotten one thing. This place was not some territory they couldn't afford to lose.

For the Eastern Federation, even if this place was wiped clean, it was no big deal.

It was just an accidental experimental base; if it's gone, it's gone.

Lin Yizhou nodded and sat back in the command seat.

"Alright." He tapped the console, his tone returning to its usual calmness. "Time to get to work."

"Mu Wan, initiate Phase 3 of the 'Sharpening Sword' plan. All Tiangong Fortresses, increase productivity to wartime standards. All reserve units, end their rotation training and enter first-level combat readiness."

"Zhao Youcheng, notify the logistics and equipment departments. Defensive nodes in all theaters are to deploy according to the predetermined plan. Also, complete the maintenance of the qingyun-class; they'll have to take the field this time as well."

"Yes!" The two stood at attention simultaneously, their voices resolute.

War has come.

On the screen, the Joint Fleet of the six major powers was still gathering, growing larger in scale and more imposing in Aura.

But at 'Sharpening Sword' base, in the 'Domain Outer Corridor,' and under that starry sky claimed by the Eastern Federation in the name of Kyushu, a majestic power was awakening.

Going head-to-head?

Then bring it on.