116: Column report (3.9K views, please support!)

Jiang Feng's eyes did not leave his wristband; he merely tilted his head slightly and said to Lin Xiaoxue and Lin Xiaomeng:

"You two keep an eye on things, just be happy."

He and Lin Xiaoyu scanned the text at a glance, quickly converting the information into their own analysis.

[Orion Front: The moment of the decisive battle approaches, the shadow of giant ships looms over the Commonwealth of Man fleet.]

[Commonwealth of Man Secretary of Defense, Admiral Cowell, has personally arrived at the "Orion Nebula" front, commanding the main fleet in high-intensity maneuvering against the aggressive "Fashati Absorbers" invasion fleet.]

[The enemy fleet has split into three prongs, penetrating deep into Commonwealth of Man territory with unknown objectives. Admiral Cowell is actively mobilizing forces, seeking a decisive battle with the enemy's main fleet.]

[Latest intelligence confirms the enemy's core combat power includes a Juggernaut-class capital ship named "Radiant Necromancer," and a Colossus-class ship named "Celestial Destroyer" capable of planetary destruction.]

[Their conventional fleet is equally massive, generally equipped with powerful "Gamma Laser" arrays and "Ion Disruption Cannons," and outfitted with "Advanced Shield" systems far exceeding expectations.]

[In initial engagement battles, the Commonwealth of Man fleet has suffered significant losses. Combat briefings indicate that the Commonwealth of Man flank fleet was ambushed, with a daily attrition rate as high as 17%. Admiral Cowell has ordered a tightening of formations to avoid scattered engagements.]

The column report contained a massive amount of information, even making it somewhat difficult for Jiang Feng to comprehend.

He hurriedly checked the time; it was indeed the year "2254."

'This doesn't look like the technological level of 2254.' Jiang Feng's vision went dark.

'On average, no normally developing power could develop "Juggernauts" and "Colossi" at this point in time.'

The so-called "Juggernaut" is not just an unimaginably huge flagship in space, nor is it merely an aircraft carrier loaded with countless firepower and carrier-based aircraft; it is a mobile space dock capable of repairing or even producing any model of capital warship.

And the so-called "Colossus" is a type of ship that has abandoned offensive capabilities against fleets, having been completely specialized to destroy planets.

With the Human Federation encountering such a powerful opponent, Jiang Feng couldn't help but break into a cold sweat.

But space warfare takes too long and the distances are too vast; even if he wanted to, he was powerless to intervene.

'Could it be that these Alien Species have already been developing for hundreds of years?'

'Then again, in the universe, civilizations are constantly ascending to the stars, and civilizations are constantly being destroyed; that's normal.'

Jiang Feng sighed: 'But if that's the case, it's hard for humanity to even engage in basic fair combat...'

'Also... the Orion Nebula? That's troublesome...'

Jiang Feng was very clear that the maps in games were very small; at most, a thousand stars would be considered large.

But in reality, the Orion Nebula alone has over two thousand stars, and the scale of the Orion Nebula is merely an insignificant speck of light on the entire "Orion Arm."

What's terrifying is that the "Orion Arm" doesn't even qualify as a major arm of the Milky Way Galaxy.

The Perseus Arm, the Sagittarius Arm, the Carina-Sagittarius Arm, the Norma Arm.

These four arms are the true pillars of the Milky Way Galaxy.

'If that's the case, how many Alien Species are there in the entire Milky Way Galaxy?'

'The Milky Way Galaxy has hundreds of billions of stars; even if every alien race occupied a thousand stars, there would have to be hundreds of millions of alien races?'

Jiang Feng felt his breathing become labored; he was about to faint.

'No, no, no, a greater possibility is right in front of me: the territory occupied by each alien race is far more than a thousand stars. That explains why the Human Federation has so many ships!'

'If an interstellar empire has the resource support of tens of thousands of star systems.'

'Then... tens of millions of ships? That wouldn't even be a drop in the bucket!'

Jiang Feng felt deeply pained.

'Why didn't I wake up in the powerful Human Federation? Instead of this Terran Union that can't even provide basic sustenance?'

'Arghhh!' Jiang Feng felt a surge of anger in his heart.

He quickly calmed down further and scanned the next column report.

[NGC 2264 Cluster: A deadly chase in the protostar maze.]

[In the NGC 2264 Cluster, thousands of light-years away from the Orion front, another main force of the Commonwealth of Man unexpectedly encountered the main fleet of the "Peiqiqiti Empire."]

[This cluster is known for its dense protostars, forming a complex and variable astronomical environment. The fleets of both sides were forced to engage in high-mobility warfare within this "cosmic maze" that spans 30 light-years and contains hundreds of star systems.]

[The Peiqiqiti Empire fleet attempted multiple times to force the Commonwealth of Man fleet into a decisive battle, but the Commonwealth of Man Commander fully utilized the complex environment, adopting tactics such as scattered harassment, setting traps, and using stellar activity as cover, successfully evading the enemy's several attempts at a decisive battle.]

[Both sides are currently in a highly tense "cat-and-mouse" situation.]

[Analysis points out that the Commonwealth of Man fleet is using the strong electromagnetic radiation in the protostar region to interfere with the enemy's tracking systems.]

Jiang Feng quickly realized that the Human Federation fleet on this front was very clever.

They didn't engage in a head-on collision with the main forces like on the other front.

Instead, they maneuvered against the enemy, utilizing their advantages as much as possible to keep the enemy outside their borders.

"Brother Feng, what... what exactly is all this?"

Lin Xiaoyu was clearly a bit flustered; her eyes were trembling. If she could keep a straight face when facing business matters, she couldn't help but worry when facing a war-torn Milky Way.

"The truth that the Terran Union doesn't let most people know—the truth among the stars and the sea!"

Jiang Feng said decisively; if it weren't for the fact that the Mona Lisa Space Station was full of Alien Species, the Terran Union probably still wouldn't have relaxed its control.

After all, once people know that the flames of war are burning, it's inevitable that more opportunists will appear.

Even worse, when these people hit it off with alien powers, they could easily incite rebellions, shattering the foundation of the Terran Union's existence.

"Then what do we do? If the Human Federation is destroyed, won't the Terran Union be next?"

Lin Xiaoyu's eyes were serious. She had already learned the basic information about the "Fashati Absorbers" and the "Peiqiqiti Empire" through the relevant entries in the column report, which made her even more anxious.

But looking at Jiang Feng's eyes, she gradually calmed down.

Jiang Feng looked up and smiled at the somewhat bewildered twin sisters, then lowered his head and whispered.

"Yes, but we are powerless to intervene in those things right now. All we can do is leave ourselves a way out."

Lin Xiaomeng and Lin Xiaoxue looked at each other and also lowered their heads, whispering.

"Brother-in-law's expression is so serious!"

"It's like he's going to eat someone!"

"Sister is too."

"Sister seems a bit panicked; why is that?"

"Could it be about the order?"

"No way, we only ordered what Sister said; we didn't order a single extra thing..."

"Then why?"

"Let's not talk; let's just listen quietly."

"I can't hear anything; otherwise, what would I be discussing with you?"

Lin Xiaoyu didn't pay attention to her sisters' little "discussion"; only now did she understand Jiang Feng's obsession in her heart.

'No wonder Brother Feng has seemed like a different person lately; it turns out he's been exposed to these things through other channels.'

'That explains it.'

'Brother Feng's longing for the stars and the sea wasn't for his own selfish interests, nor was it the kind of wild, unrestrained dream Father once spoke of; it was based on a very realistic choice.'

'Deep space mining, fully automated mining drones, interstellar freighters—it turns out they were all part of Brother Feng's plan.'

'If the flames of war spread, if war descends.'

'Having a path to the stars and the sea means having a ladder to escape and survive.'

'The less he needs to deal with ordinary matters, the more he can focus his energy on doing big things!'

'I must help him better!'

Lin Xiaoyu took a deep breath, her state of mind completely calmed, and she suddenly asked.

"Brother Feng, did you know about this a long time ago?"

"Yeah, around the time I lost my job, I found out."

Jiang Feng held her hand, their fingers interlaced; no more words were needed between them.

"Come, look at the next column report."

"Okay."

[Universal Enterprises: An arms race carnival under calls for peace.]

[Facing the intensifying interstellar conflicts, the five major Universal Enterprise groups—]

["Hazbuzan Syndicate," "Minamar Specialized Industries," "Orbis Client Cooperative," "Zinor United Group," and "Kilik Cooperative" have all issued statements, calling on all parties to exercise restraint and seek peaceful solutions.]

[But at the same time, the internal decision-making bodies of the five major groups have quickly approved plans for large-scale fleet modernization upgrades and expansions within their respective spheres of influence.]

[Huge arms sales contracts are being signed, involving the procurement and deployment of large numbers of new warships, weapon systems, and defense platforms.]

[Hazbuzan Syndicate is recruiting more veteran "free" captains from across the stars.]

[Minamar Specialized Industries is demanding that multiple contract assets/sovereign nations increase their annual repayment ratios.]

[Orbis Client Cooperative has seen a 300% surge in orders at its shipyards.]

[Zinor United Group is collecting outstanding arms sales debts from multiple countries and is going all out to research the "Warp Engine" technology.]

[Kilik Cooperative is opening its borders to most friendly nations to receive refugees.]

After Jiang Feng finished reading, he felt the muscles in his face twitching.

He didn't even know if what was on his face was a bitter smile or a strange, silly grin that was even more desperate than the "Joker of Gotham."

'Now, it's just missing the "Devouring Swarm" and "Extermination Units."'

Jiang Feng covered his forehead: 'It would be best if they haven't appeared yet, or have already been destroyed; otherwise, it's really going to be troublesome.'

'The Terran Union is truly unsafe; I'm afraid it will be completely wiped out in a few years. I must find a way to survive before that happens!'

Jiang Feng's resolve could not be more firm.

'Screw Galaxy Heavy Industry; the Terran Union is about to be destroyed, so I can't worry about that anymore.'

'The interstellar freighter project, the mining drone project—these are all important projects to push me to buy my own ships or build them. Even the mining drones can serve as the best support for the Cybrex Warforge.'

'I don't just need a ship; I need a fleet!'

'I need to be more attentive!'

'As the rear base, Earth must be secured as much as possible. And on the Moon, we must also gain a firm foothold.'

As he was pondering, Lin Xiaoyu said urgently.

"Brother Feng, look at this one."

Jiang Feng lowered his head, looked at the switched light screen, and shook his head helplessly with a laugh.

At this moment, he felt that even compared to the "Batman Who Laughs," the brilliance of his smile was not inferior at all!

[United Nations of Earth: Homeland attacked, economy under pressure, emergency re-equipment.]

[Bad news has arrived: the United Nations of Earth's peripheral colony planet "New Boston" has been confirmed to have suffered a devastating orbital bombardment by a branch fleet of the "Fashati Absorbers."]

[Preliminary reports indicate that major surface residential zones and infrastructure have suffered systematic destruction, and enemy ground forces have landed.]

[According to feedback from survivors to our agency, 6.2 billion colonists have suffered heavy casualties, the living environment has severely deteriorated, and the enemy is systematically taking human compatriots into transport ships and transporting them into enemy territory.]

[Recently, a new flavor of canned food has hit the shelves in major supermarkets within the "Fashati Absorbers" territory, sparking a buying frenzy.]

[The Terran Union leadership has not yet commented on this matter.]

[Affected by pressure on the front lines, the current Terran Union main fleet has fully retreated to the core area of the Solar System. The official statement claims this move is for a "comprehensive re-equipment and overhaul" to cope with the increasingly severe threats.]

[As a core part of the overhaul plan, the first batch of 500 new main battleships urgently purchased by the Terran Union from Minamar Specialized Industries has arrived in the Solar System and has officially entered service.]

[This "shot in the arm" comes at a high price; it is estimated that this arms purchase project will add a huge deficit of at least 25 trillion credits to the Terran Union's treasury within the next 10 years.]

[However, the Terran Union Ministry of Finance has announced it will implement austerity policies, including a special arms sales tax, sparking concerns among interstellar powers.]

"This is the Terran Union."

Jiang Feng let out a breath and sneered: "The worst peace strategy, yet it happens to meet the worst hellish start."

"How the hell is this supposed to be played?"

He rolled his eyes, no longer pinning any hope on the Terran Union leadership.

Let's put it this way: they are drinking champagne today, and tomorrow it will be the aliens' turn to drink their blood—literally.

Lin Xiaoyu still couldn't quite accept it; she had seen and heard too few aliens in her life, and in television dramas, aliens were generally supposed to be the good guys.

She still remembered "James T. Kirk" and "Jean-Luc Picard."

They could persuade a civilization to lay down its arms and warmly embrace humanity in just a few words.

But everything now... is not like that.