Shadows of the Deep Space Chapter 1696: 540: Removing the Firewood from Under the Pot

Danube Star Sea · Thunder Extreme Central Control Room.

Su Ming occupied the command chair, glancing at his wristband as he scanned the freshest updates on the Danube Star Sea via the Star Cluster Forum.

Onite wheeled over a small cart laden with coffee, tea, and an assortment of afternoon treats.

“Boss, care for a drink?”

Onite inquired fawningly.

“Tea, thanks.”

Su Ming looked up briefly and responded.

“Right away!”

Onite handed over a cup of tea with utmost respect to Su Ming.

Su Ming accepted it, took several sips, set it aside, and resumed scrolling through the forum.

Just then, a post rocketed to the top spot, its headline screaming in bold: Dark Star Empire Officially Declares War · Emperor Personally Leads the Army.

Su Ming’s eyelids flickered, and he tapped into the post right away, viewing the Dark Star Emperor’s war declaration video.

Comments below the post mushroomed wildly after rain.

“These Dark Star Empire folks sure love to yap!”

“Who’s picking on them?”

“Back in the day, they harbored wolfish ambitions, fooling the Federation with talk of a new home, only to build an empire, split off, live miserably, and now bite us.”

…

Su Ming massaged his brow, utterly at a loss for words.

The Dark Star Empire’s swift move caught him off guard, and with the Emperor at the helm, it screamed total dedication!

As Su Ming closed the post, yet another surged upward, outpacing even the Dark Star Empire declaration in buzz.

Titled: Dragon String Council President, Human Hero or Demon?

Su Ming’s eyelids twitched again upon spotting it, and he clicked open hastily.

Fanluo God Emperor’s declaration video sprang forth immediately.

After viewing Fanluo’s address, Su Ming’s expression turned grim as he murmured to himself.

“This is bad!”

True to his suspicions, the comments section had erupted into chaos.

“Nonsense! You claim the Dragon String Council President struck first against the Chilami, and I say you’re in league with alien scum!”

“Brothers, stay sharp! Outsiders always scheme against us!”

“Spot on, pure conspiracy!”

…

Yet doubts also flooded the thread.

“What if their story holds water?”

“Doesn’t that make us cannon fodder, dying pointlessly?”

“Shut it! Chilami are beasts!”

“Never trust their lies!”

…

Su Ming observed the fierce debates, his brows furrowing deeply.

The Dark Star Empire bit was foreseeable, but Fanluo God Emperor’s bombshell had shattered the skies.

Indeed, Fanluo’s claim of the Federation launching the assault on the Chilami Clan aligned perfectly with the classified files Su Ming accessed during the three-school league.

However, matters were far from straightforward; the Dragon String Council President wouldn’t strike the Chilami without cause. Some hidden agenda surely lurked.

He puzzled over the cover-up—initially blaming Chilami water theft seemed passable enough.

Thus, he suspected undisclosed events preceded that document.

He recalled needing to quiz Celeste on this.

Celeste had devoured the Esifal Deputy Clan Leader and could hold key intel from it.

Su Ming drew a deep breath, lifted his gaze, and addressed Timi.

“Timi, superluminal device cooled yet?”

“Nearly there!”

“Good, fire it up, gun it toward Crimson Country!”

“Aye!”

Timi promptly ramped up Thunder Extreme’s velocity.

….

Crimson Country · Interstellar Airport.

Temporary life support systems hummed at max output, throngs of panicked folks hauling hefty bags and bundles rushed onto transport vessels.

Iron Head Mecha squads hustled packed crates aboard the ships.

“Hurry it up!”

“Move faster!”

…

Troops barked orders nonstop.

In the Level 5 Mother Ship Red’s central control room, Queen Hai Lan lounged in the command chair, clad in her red robe.

Now a stunning, elegant beauty, Catherine voiced her anxiety.

“Mother, must we abandon our homeland?”

“No worries, we’ll return before long.”

Hai Lan soothed Catherine gently.

Shu’en and Hejassi, suited in Exoskeleton Armor, entered with grave looks and queried.

“Your Majesty, evacuation status?”

“Civilians nearly all aboard, but cargo lags—needs more time.”

Queen Hai Lan updated Shu’en and Hejassi.

Shu’en’s face shifted through emotions before he declared.

“No more waiting; every second risks more. Ditch the rest, sail once everyone’s loaded!”

Hodg, the chief advisor, overheard and exclaimed in alarm.

“Lord Shu’en, that gifts supplies to the Imperial Army!”

“Priorities first.”

Shu’en intoned heavily.

“Heed Lord Shu’en—order all leftover gear abandoned, prep for Federation departure.”

Queen Hai Lan decided swiftly.

“Yes!”

Hodg relayed the command at once.

Chaos gripped the interstellar airport as captains hollered to their crews.

“Evac now!”

“Drop it all, no delays!”

“Liftoff imminent.”

….

Troops scrambled aboard and fled.

One by one, vessels sealed hatches, fired anti-gravity engines, and rose steadily.

The Crimson Country fleet boasted a Level 5 Mother Ship, two Level 5 Battleships, ten Level 4 Battleships, plus two Level 5 Transport Ships and five Level 4 ones—its might and size dwarfing typical Neutral Countries.