Shadows of the Deep Space Chapter 1847 - 568: The Great Retreat (Part 3)

"You are truly too secretive, possessing so many Advanced Mechas and starships, yet you kept it from us. Is withholding such information beneficial?"

"It’s not like that," Su Ming responded with a cough.

"Oh, it’s not? You’re clearly trying to avoid us asking to borrow them. Do you think so little of us? Are we the sort of people who would do that?" Hayes asked with a smile.

"How could you think that? It’s simply that the timing is not yet right," Su Ming evaded the question.

He couldn't bring himself to believe Hayes’s words. Although Hayes claimed he wouldn’t ask, that was only because the war had already broken out. Had they known about these resources before the conflict, they would undoubtedly have demanded access.

"Ah, you speak against your true feelings!" Hayes playfully observed Su Ming’s expression.

"Haha," Su Ming offered an awkward chuckle.

"Never mind that, I’ll drop the subject. Do you happen to know the reason for this emergency meeting?"

"I don’t, do you?"

"If I knew, why would I be asking you?" Hayes replied, sounding helpless.

"If you don’t know, then how would I know? I just woke up," Su Ming stated.

"Oh, you were sleeping?"

"Yes, the high-intensity combat completely depleted my energy reserves," Su Ming explained to Hayes.

"That makes sense!" Hayes nodded in agreement.

Just then, the door to the meeting room creaked open, and Long Chen, Commander Soraya, and others entered.

All eyes turned to Long Chen, and the room fell into a sudden, profound silence.

Long Chen approached the conference table, surveyed everyone present, and spoke with gravity: "Now that everyone is here, let us commence this emergency meeting. I believe most of you have already received the grim news: Black Flame Star has fallen!"

"Yes," Su Ming and the others responded, their expressions grave.

"As a direct consequence of Black Flame Star’s fall, the Cui Lan Star Defense Line and the Nether Moon Star Defense Line are now compromised. Therefore, the Federation Council has issued its highest directive: we are to abandon the Nether Moon Star Defense Line and initiate an immediate relocation and retreat!" Long Chen announced to the assembly.

These words sent a shockwave through the room, causing all the generals present to erupt in protest, standing up in anger.

"What did you say? Abandon the Nether Moon Star Defense Line?"

"That is a defense line for which so many of our brothers have fallen, and you propose to relinquish it so readily?"

"Indeed! Furthermore, not all our people have been successfully evacuated yet!"

Su Ming listened to Long Chen’s pronouncement, a frown creasing his brow. He hadn't anticipated that Long Bai would actually advocate for abandoning the Nether Moon Star Defense Line and executing a strategic retreat.

"This is the ultimate command from President Long Bai!" Long Chen declared, his tone icy.

"So what? My brothers are still awaiting rescue within those lines, and we are to leave them behind?"

"Precisely! If you intend to retreat, so be it. I will not be leaving!"

"Nor will I!"

The generals, their eyes blazing with indignation, shouted their defiance.

"Silence!" Long Chen commanded sternly, witnessing the situation teetering on the brink of chaos.

The clamor gradually subsided.

"I do not concern myself with your emotions or dissatisfactions. This is an order from the Council, and as soldiers, you are bound to execute it without question. Failure to comply will be deemed defiance of orders! The meeting will conclude shortly, and you will have precisely 12 hours for evacuation. Anyone remaining after this time limit will be considered abandoned," Long Chen stated with unyielding resolve.

Delaying further, he reasoned, would court disaster, potentially leading to capture by the forces of Fanluo or Chilami!

"And what of Moon Star?" Commander Soraya inquired in a subdued voice.

"The Nether Moon Star Headquarters will be relocated, but Moon Star itself must be forsaken. Sometimes, one must make decisive cuts to mitigate further losses!"

"Understood," Commander Soraya replied, his expression heavily dejected.

Moon Star, a planet that the Rain Capital had diligently managed for an extended period, represented a significant loss, inflicting a severe blow to their jurisdiction.

"Very well, I have nothing further to add. The meeting is adjourned!" With the conclusion announced, Long Chen turned and departed without delay.

This assembly had left him feeling profoundly frustrated, yet for the sake of the greater strategic objective, he saw no alternative.

The assembled generals, gritting their teeth, rose from their seats and exited with palpable anger.

Hayes, his own displeasure evident, remarked to Su Ming, "I'll be going on ahead!"

"Understood," Su Ming nodded.

Hayes and the others promptly stood and departed.

Su Ming then raised his wristband, transmitting a message to Rhein, before hastily leaving the premises.

...Half an hour later, a docking bay opened on the Star Destroyer·Thunder Extreme.

The V-Generation Mecha·Dragon Soul Messenger emerged, clutching an ice coffin, and made a swift course toward the Star Destroyer·Praise Light.

Clank!

The Praise Light’s boarding entrance dilated. The V-Generation Mecha·Dragon Soul Messenger surged directly inside, securing itself in a designated bay.

Clank!

The cockpit canopy slid open, and Su Ming slowly ascended, drifting out.

Lim i approached, her voice laced with a frigid tone. "Lord Su Ming."

"Miss Limi, I have brought Asya's remains to you," Su Ming expressed his apologies to Limi.

At that moment, Rhein expertly guided the Dragon Soul Messenger to gently lower the ice coffin. Within the translucent confines of the ice coffin lay a body reduced to charcoal.

Limi drew near the ice coffin, her gaze fixed upon Asya's remains. Her expression grew solemn, a flicker of sorrow softening the usual coldness in her eyes.

"I am sorry," Su Ming reiterated his apology.

After all, Asya's demise bore a partial responsibility that fell upon him. Limi, however, shook her head and spoke to Su Ming.

"Lord Su Ming, there is no need for apologies. This was my brother's own decision, and perhaps, for him, it represents a form of liberation."

"Understood. Additionally, the Nether Moon Star Defense Line is on the verge of a large-scale evacuation. Do you have any arrangements? Would you consider departing with me?" Su Ming inquired, a hopeful glint in his eyes as he addressed Limi.

The prospect of integrating Limi and her people into his own ranks presented a truly appealing opportunity.

Limi paused, remaining silent for a few moments before offering her explanation to Su Ming.

"Lord Su Ming, I appreciate your kind offer and am deeply grateful for your rescue. However, our immediate priority is to return to the Heavenly Revelation Divine Country to gather our families. As for whether we shall reside in the New Apocalypse Divine Country or eventually join the Federation, that decision rests upon a collective vote, not one I can make unilaterally."