He pointed toward several gravity anomaly zones between Elvira and Savannah.
"If we sit and wait, ninety days later we'll be facing a fully consolidated Imperial assault cluster that has completed its battle preparations.
By then, even the strongest defensive line would collapse under the sustained assault of overwhelmingly superior forces.
Reinforcements for the warzone? The main battlefield faces greater pressure - at most we'd receive only symbolic support."
"Therefore, we must act within these ninety days."
Qin Beiwang's finger traced across the star chart, drawing a dotted line extending from Elvira.
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Instead of heading straight for Savannah's main planet, it bypassed the frontal approach, striking toward the connection points at the flanks and rear of the Imperial force echelons, as well as their logistical channels.
"We're not going to confront Obsidian head-on, but rather use our speed and intelligence advantages to strike their weak points before they complete their encirclement.
Supply lines, communication relays, second-line fleets not yet in position.
Harass, divide, delay - bring the battle to their territory.
Disrupt their timetable, force them to commit unprepared forces prematurely, or disperse their strength to deal with us."
He looked at Zhuang Zhixuan.
"This requires extreme mobility, endurance, and most crucially - intelligence.
Therefore, reconnaissance ships and the buoy network must be deployed as soon as possible, with rapid replenishment ships developing simultaneously.
As for planetary assault ships..."
He paused.
"Those are our chips for worse scenarios."
"But our troops have too high a proportion of new recruits,"
Zhuang Zhixuan insisted.
"This kind of high-mobility, high-risk behind-enemy-lines warfare places extreme demands on individual ship commanders and junior officers..."
"Training."
Qin Beiwang interrupted her, his tone brooking no argument.
"Every minute from now on will be devoted to high-intensity training that closely simulates actual combat.
Simulators operating at full capacity, focusing on squad behind-enemy-lines infiltration, high-speed maneuvers, encounter disengagement, and rapid coordination with replenishment ships.
There's no time to take it slow."
He seemed to perceive the deep-seated doubts in Zhuang Zhixuan's eyes, remaining silent for several seconds before slowly adding.
"As for other matters... focus on your responsibilities.
Regarding fleet organization and equipment, there will be progress soon."
Zhuang Zhixuan detected unspoken implications in his words - something complex, mixing determination with a certain heaviness.
Time flew by amid the tense war preparations.
Qin Beiwang kept his word, and the fleet entered a hellish training cycle.
The simulated casualty rate once reached frightening levels, generating widespread complaints. But after several simulated battles where Qin Beiwang personally led forces to "turn defeat into victory" through nearly impossible tactical maneuvers,
an atmosphere blending awe, pressure, and faint anticipation began to permeate the fleet.
Meanwhile, the fleet's organization was being filled out and adjusted at an astonishing pace.
Shipyards operated day and night, with newly launched vessels rapidly integrated according to new standards.
Word came from Wu Tao that the first Shadow-class reconnaissance ship prototype had completed hull closure three days ahead of schedule and entered the outfitting phase.
The mandatory implementation of the modular standard for rapid replenishment ships, despite encountering considerable resistance, began to be gradually enforced under Qin Bei Wang's uncompromising stance and a certain "tacit approval" from the theater logistics department.
Two months later, when the latest fleet readiness report was presented before Qin Bei Wang, even he paused for a moment.
The report indicated that, aside from the Directly Subordinate Fleet, the other seven Sub-Level Fleets had been fully formed.
As per his directive, they were named after the stars of the Big Dipper: Dubhe, Merak, Phecda, Megrez, Alioth, Mizar, and Alkaid.
A total of one hundred and twenty starships constituted a multi-layered attack array that combined firepower, mobility, and depth.
Although the new recruits remained inexperienced, they could at least execute basic tactical coordination in the simulators.
However, what truly elicited a low murmur of astonishment on the Bridge was the colossal silhouette that had just arrived at the shipyard anchorage in the outer reaches of the Elvira Star System via hyperspace jump.
Through the observation window and high-definition monitor screens, everyone saw that leviathan.
It was larger than any battleship in the fleet, its sleek and powerful lines accentuated by a cold gray special coating that reflected almost no starlight.
The prominent falcon insignia encircled by stars and olive branches on its broadside, along with the concise "CVN-T5" designation below, seemed to possess a magical quality that drew all sound away.
"The 'Qilin'-class... attack carrier?"
A senior combat staff officer beside Zhuang ZhiXuan muttered, his voice dry.
"This..."
More data streamed in: each carrier was standard-equipped with four "Swift-V" fifth-generation space fighter craft wings, totaling over a thousand of the latest and most advanced fighter craft.
"Supplemental equipment specially approved by the Theater Command!"
The communications officer read aloud the brief message just received.
"To enhance the jurisdictional defense and emergency response capability of the Pluto Fleet."
The Bridge fell silent, then erupted into a low buzz of discussion.
Excitement, disbelief, and confusion intermingled.
Everyone understood that equipment of this caliber was not something a border garrison fleet, or even a typical main sub-fleet, could easily obtain.
This could no longer be explained away as merely "enhancing defense."
Qin Bei Wang gazed at the carrier on the screen, as quiet as a behemoth, his expression showing no surprise, only a profound calm.
Pressure and resources had arrived simultaneously, like two sides of the same coin.
He raised a hand, silencing the discussions.
"Receive the equipment. Complete adaptation training for carrier-based aircraft pilots and integration drills for the carrier battle group as soon as possible."
His tone as he issued the command was as steady as ever, as if the T5 carrier were merely an ordinary destroyer.
The fleet was now armed to the teeth, even beyond everyone's imagination.
Yet, the path ahead had not become smoother because of it; instead, it had grown more delicate and perilous.
Wanshi Star Sector Theater Command, main communications hub.
The low hum of equipment and occasional standardized communication responses formed the dominant melody here.
On the massive circular light screen, data streams representing various star domains, fleets, and outposts slid by silently.
"Director, we have received a highest-priority encrypted communication from the Elvira Star System, designated for the Command's personal attention.
Sender: Elvira System Garrison Fleet, Pluto Sub-fleet.
Commander Lieutenant Colonel Qin Bei Wang.
Verification code... confirmed. Level: [Strategic Operation Request]."
A young communications soldier looked up, his voice carrying an instinctive solemnity when faced with highly classified information.
The communications chief, a Lieutenant Colonel with stern features and graying temples, immediately approached.
"A strategic operation request?
From Elvira?
Transfer it, decode it, and deliver it to the Command core briefing room.
I'll go personally."Several minutes later, in the briefing room.
Projected onto the circular tabletop before Theater Commander Admiral Wen Tingtao and his core staff were the clear, calm countenance of Qin Bei Wang and the accompanying brief plan document.