Perhaps it was due to his own persona, but when Colonel Yang Xiyi spoke those words with a serious, even solemn expression, no one took him seriously. A few young officers even laughed out loud.
"Colonel, that joke, uh..." Rall Papash suppressed a laugh and commented seriously, "While I know you're our fleet's deadpan comedian, the greatest joke master, this kind of thing is no laughing matter."
"Chief of Staff, your admonition is correct... but, this subordinate is really not joking this time! According to our intelligence estimates, the enemy Guard Fleet is expected to rendezvous with them by the evening of the day after tomorrow, December 27th, which is the seventh day of the enemy United Fleet's exercise. And Major Horn himself will shut down the Starfort's defense system before 6 AM on December 28th. If this subordinate's prediction is correct, before then, the enemy fleet will launch a surprise attack on us!"
Unconsciously, Yang Xiyi had started referring to the "Ketians" as the "enemy fleet," but it seemed no one noticed.
"He, how can he do that!... I mean, the defense of the Gibraltar β Starport's central hub is directly under the Military District Security Department. He doesn't have the authority to enter, nor can he deal with so many people."
"...Over 30 assault team members have already infiltrated Gibraltar Starport, all entering through the Empire's scientific research vessels or merchant ships. Our personnel have captured or killed all of them. Their identities have been confirmed; they are indeed special forces from the Ketian Kingdom, and they admitted they would coordinate with Major Horn's actions on the morning of December 28th."
At this point, Yang Xiyi suddenly shed his usual nonchalant and harmless demeanor and said sternly, "Commander, the enemy's war signal is already very clear."
"Still nonsense. The Ketians, and their allies the Buckwheat Birdmen, have never stopped their various petty actions. But now is an era of peaceful development, pioneering advancement, and All-Galaxy sharing in the development of the New World. They cannot bear the consequences of war!" Chief of Staff Rall Papash sneered.
Warrant Officer Yu Lian noticed that everyone seemed to intentionally or unintentionally ignore the Empire's existence during the discussion, and he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
"More importantly, we conducted a simulation of the Ketian fleet's exercise recently, and didn't you also believe that the likelihood of the other side launching a war was low?" A brigadier general also questioned, presumably also a member of the General Staff.
General Paris remained silent, but his gaze at Colonel Yang remained without warmth.
"Yes. Until yesterday, I also didn't believe the Ketians would take such a crazy action. This is my dereliction of duty."
So you didn't know? Then why did you make such a big show to scare Major Horn? Yu Lian subtly rolled his eyes.
"I did suspect Major Horn early on, but I truly didn't expect the Ketians to have such a crazy plan. The interstellar war ended so many years ago; everyone is thinking about developing the Andromeda Galaxy to get rich. Such a plan, if not handled carefully, could lead to a full-scale war between the two nations, which neither the Empire nor the Alliance wants to see... And just the day before yesterday, the Ketian Ambassador to Earth reiterated the importance of peace at a press conference."
Yang Xiyi paused, then added, "If it weren't for Warrant Officer Yu Lian's reminder, I wouldn't have thought in that direction at all."
Yu Lian felt the surprised gazes and whispers of the high-ranking officers. He simply straightened his chest and head confidently, making himself look more impressive, though he was already cursing inwardly.
"What did he tell you?" General Paris suddenly asked.
Yang Xiyi repeated Yu Lian's words from last night, then added, "This subordinate felt Warrant Officer Yu Lian's words made a lot of sense, so I agreed with him on a secret signal to entice Major Horn to make the first move. After returning, I quickly reviewed intelligence concerning the Ketians. Just as Warrant Officer Yu Lian said, the Ketian Kingdom's finances are on the verge of bankruptcy, and the amount of various military supplies they've secretly purchased during this period, just what we've detected, has already exceeded common sense. If not for war, then what? So, this subordinate immediately notified the Starport Security Chief and Captain Chaimen, who was preparing in the special hangar at the Starport."
This guy has such strong initiative and organizational skills! Everyone Present, whether they liked him or disliked him, had to show him respect at this moment.
"Commander, the enemy has prepared for war! Even if it's not this time, it will certainly be next time. They can't hold back! Coupled with Major Horn's confession and actions, it's enough to prove this point."
General Paris was noncommittal, furrowing his brow in deep thought.
"Commander... we have a saying in my hometown: you can only be a thief for a thousand days, but you can't guard against a thief for a thousand days." Yang Xiyi said.
"...Sir, if we make the first move, we can't escape the charge of unilaterally provoking a border conflict." Chief of Staff Rall Papash said in a low voice.
"Sharuk, they've already made their move in the Starport, you know!" General Paris said expressionlessly.
"But, everything is just Major Horn's personal action. His confession cannot constitute irrefutable proof that the Ketians are preparing to act. If it really escalates to a lawsuit in the Civilization Council, we will definitely be at a disadvantage. Earth will not support us, and perhaps..."
Perhaps they'll push us out to take the blame. The Chief of Staff omitted this sentence, knowing everyone would understand, and continued, "Furthermore, although our fleet is assembled, it's only to monitor the opposing exercise and has no combat plan. Moreover, the enemy's First and Third Fleets combined are more than 1.5 times our current strength, plus the Guard Fleet that is currently en route. Rashly starting a war would be extremely disadvantageous to us! Therefore, just keeping the entire fleet on alert and not letting them exploit any weaknesses will suffice."
"Currently, the Second Mobile Fleet is on its way to reinforce... Once they arrive, even if the other side has the Ketian Guard Fleet, our forces will be evenly matched." The brigadier general from before also said.
"But they'll be a day later than the Ketian Guard Fleet, won't they? That Moon People peacock, Rall, begrudgingly coming to stand guard for an old stubborn man like me, that's probably his limit, isn't it? Can we still expect him to travel day and night?"
Indeed, Vice Admiral Rall, the Commander of the Second Mobile Fleet, was also born a Moon People, and he had a grudge against General Paris. It was said that the Old General had once slapped him in the face.
The only two Moon People Present exchanged glances, but showed no awkwardness of shared experience.
"But by the day after tomorrow, after the enemy Guard Fleet arrives, they will have at least 24 hours where their forces will be twice ours. What if they launch an attack then? You can't rule out that possibility, can you, Sharuk?" General Paris added.
"...This, this, we just need to be prepared defensively. They shouldn't dare to act rashly... right?"
"Sharuk, do you want me to hand over the fate of a million soldiers on over a thousand warships, nearly ten million military and civilians in the Gibraltar Military District, and South Heaven Gate, to be decided by others?"
The Chief of Staff was speechless for a moment.
Yang Xiyi seized the opportunity to hand over a document: "This is a preliminary combat plan drafted by this subordinate. Of course, it's one of the contingency plans that Chief of Staff had us all formulate long ago. This subordinate has added a few small supplements, and I was just about to ask Commander, and you personally, to review it."
"Oh, is that so? Xin, you've worked hard." The Chief of Staff showed an expression like he was constipated, but the other party was so watertight, he didn't even have a chance to express doubt.
General Paris, however, quickly scanned the electronic document, and his expression improved significantly: "Interesting! You've worked hard, Sharuk. And Colonel Yang."
"Yes! This is my duty, Commander, you flatter me!" Rall Papash reflexively showed a smug look, then feigned humility.
General Paris continued, "If we follow your plan, we will gain a huge advantage when the war begins! But, Colonel Yang, since the enemy is preparing to launch an attack, it's different from before. Why do you believe they will leave us such an opening?"
Yang Xiyi subtly glanced at Yu Lian and said sternly, "Because even their mid-to-low-level officers probably won't realize the true objective at this time, let alone us. The opposing fleet Commander is Marshal Red Crimson Mane. He is a calculating gambler who has dealt with you for over a decade and knows your character well! Since that's the case, we might as well turn their own scheme against them!"
Yang Xiyi's words were disjointed, but General Paris seemed to understand instantly.
"Indeed... Marshal Li once told me that I was missing a screw in my head, and now that I'm old, I haven't improved much, becoming a rigid old stubborn man." The General laughed, a nostalgic expression on his face.
Everyone was awkwardly laughing along with the Commander. They knew the Old General's "Marshal Li" must be the Commonwealth's founding father, Marshal Victori R. Li. Here, only this octogenarian could say such things; no one else even had the right to interject.
"Sharuk, you've trained a good subordinate." General Paris praised the Chief of Staff again, then said in a deep voice, "This plan can be executed!"
"To be able to share your worries, Sir, is the greatest honor for us members of the General Staff..." Rall Papash again reacted reflexively, but then realized something was off and quickly said, "But, Commander, even if there's a chance of victory, we still need to be cautious. We cannot turn ourselves into aggressors!"
General Paris fell silent again.
"Actually, there's a way." Yu Lian suddenly spoke.
Everyone looked at the youngest and lowest-ranking person on the bridge, their gazes varied. Yang Xiyi kept winking at Yu Lian, but the latter acted as if he didn't see it and continued:
"The Ketians are a proud, warlike people. Charlen Lionmane is arrogant and overconfident, with courage but no strategy! He constantly believes he is following the traditional martial honor of the Ketian martial arts. He is currently leading the Royal Fleet, ha, which is actually more than a dozen royal cruise ships arriving, so this is our best opportunity!"
Yu Lian paused: "What seems to us humans to be an inexplicable sense of honor is normal for the Ketians. You know, even now, they still have traditions like trial by combat and the King's Contest... So, just make them admit it themselves!"
Yang Xiyi seemed to be deep in thought, but everyone else was different; some were confused, some found it absurd, some sneered disdainfully. Overall, the atmosphere was not friendly.
The Chief of Staff even showed anger directly, probably thinking that a mere student was not fit to speak here. He was about to reprimand him when he heard his superior speak first with a stern face: "Your name, what was it again?"
Yes, yes, yes, that's it! Give this kid a good scolding, teach him some manners, make him question his life. Vice Admiral Rall Papash thought.
"Warrant Officer Yu Lian of the Navy, Central Defense University, Class of 830, 4th-year student in Strategic Studies!" Tsk, I already introduced myself yesterday. Are you getting senile, Old Man?
Many people only then realized that this unruly hothead was actually a "Moon People" and from the "Admiral's Cradle" of the Strategic Studies department. Their attitudes immediately changed, and the open malice quickly receded. Some looked appreciative, though they had been the ones mocking before; some nodded in admiration, though they had been the ones shaking their heads and sneering before.
In any case, the atmosphere indeed became much more relaxed and friendly.
You people are so realistic!
"Are your parents military?" The Old General asked again.
Yu Lian was puzzled but answered frankly, "Huh? My father, Yu Xiao, was a space Engineer. He passed away 10 years ago. My mother, Captain Liu Qiluo, served in the Suspension Arm Fleet's Third Strike Fleet as a carrier pilot. She sacrificed herself 18 years ago in the 'New Paris' incident..."
"An orphan of a New Paris martyr! No wonder..."
A gentle smile seemed to flash across the General's face, but it quickly vanished, so fast that many thought it was an illusion.
He then slammed his hand on the table and said in a voice as hard as granite: "General Staff, immediately begin discussing Colonel Yang Xiyi's combat plan! If approved, prepare to execute it! Those bipedal big cats have been strutting in front of me for over a decade; I've long wanted to skin them for mats! Eliminating the enemy outside our borders is also in line with humanity's glorious tradition! I will bear all consequences!"
Chief of Staff Rall Papash's face seemed to have paled considerably. He whispered, "But, Sir, for something like this, shouldn't we notify Earth first?"
"We could... but there's no time now. We'll talk about it once we start executing it. I am the Outer Rim Military District Warlord and Outer Rim Fleet Commander, with the right of active self-defense granted by the Senate. Sharuk, you know I have this authority!"
"But, but, that must be us..."
"Yes! You, Major General Donald, and Vice Admiral Cohen on the Blue Ark, all have veto power. So, will you use that right?"
The Chief of Staff fell into a fierce internal struggle, thinking, who doesn't know that Major General Donald, the Chief of Navigation, and Vice Commander Vice Admiral Cohen are both loyal cronies of this old man, always following his lead. To stop this insane act, I, the courageous and wise Sharuk Rall Papash, must take on this immense burden!
He was about to speak when he noticed the Commander staring at him, his eyes devoid of warmth, like a lion's eyes watching its prey.
"Understood! Commander, I will stand with you! Until death!" Chief of Staff Rall Papash stood at attention and shouted.
The Commander's lips curved slightly. This was probably his way of showing gratitude with a smile.
Mr. Chief of Staff was also smiling. At this moment, besides smiling, he probably didn't know what other expression to make. Seeing that the others on the bridge still seemed a bit dazed, he immediately roared again: "What are you standing around for? Get to work! Do I have to tie you to proton torpedoes to make you move?"
This time, everyone started moving. And they moved quickly.
Yu Lian looked at the Old General, who had once again fallen silent, like a granite statue, and secretly clenched his fists.
Today is a happy one-chapter beast. But this is a 4K+ big chapter!