At this moment, Rhein suddenly exclaimed to Su Ming in surprise.

"Boss, look at the Star Cluster Forum quickly. It’s almost in chaos because of the mass evacuation."

Upon hearing Rhein’s words, Su Ming raised his wristband to log into the Star Cluster Forum, and immediately saw protest posts being highlighted one by one.

Su Ming opened the protest post with the highest popularity, and saw it was written prominently on top.

"We seriously protest against Dragon White Council Chairman’s evacuation order. This order hands over Cui Lan Star and Moon Star for nothing, trampling on the achievements secured by soldiers with their blood!"

"I don’t understand, the Black Flame Star Defense Line has crumbled, and rather than thinking of how to reclaim it, we’re retreating instead!"

"You’re right, those are Federation territories. We absolutely cannot afford to lose even an inch! If we retreat out of fear now, one day there’ll be no way to retreat anymore!"

"This is a wrong decision, everyone should appeal together to withdraw the mass evacuation order!"

"Withdraw the evacuation order, reclaim the breached defense line!"

...

Su Ming scrolled through for a while, his expression growing more grave.

It seems the Federation citizens are highly resistant to the mass evacuation.

But it’s understandable in this scenario. After all, contracting the defense line equals the enemy reaching the interior. Not to mention the fear of the Earth Flame Star citizens, even the Third Planet citizens feel deeply uneasy.

...

-----------------------------------------

Outer starry sky of Earth Flame Star.

The once empty starry sky has undergone earth-shattering changes.

Many different models of defensive weapons are precisely moved to designated positions under the guidance of professional technicians to deploy.

A fleet of returning ships is sailing from afar.

Teams of patrolling soldiers are piloting their mechas, orderly inspecting the newly reconstructed defense line.

In the public channel, voices of conversations continuously echo.

"S21 area configuration complete!"

"This is the Flying Bat Squad, guiding the Malik transport ship to the designated inspection area for checks."

....

At this moment, in the starry sky that had been cleared early on, ripples suddenly appeared over a large area.

The scanning devices of the surrounding returning ships all issued warnings, and they all sailed away from the abnormal region.

Instantly, the massive Sea God Fortress, dragging the battered Black Tide Fortress, emerged first from subspace.

Following closely, the Nether Moon Star Headquarters, Star Destroyer Deep Blue, and other ships surfaced one after another.

The numerous ships that sidestepped saw this spectacle and exclaimed in surprise on the public communication channel.

"Look quickly, isn’t that the Sea God Fortress?"

"And the Black Tide Fortress, but it’s severely damaged!"

"I see the Nether Moon Star Headquarters, it’s the Nether Moon Star Defense Line troops returning!"

"Isn’t that the Star Destroyer Thunder Extreme? Admiral Su Ming is back too!"

"If that’s the case, then the main Star Destroyer should have returned too, where is it!"

"Over there!"

"Wow, that ship looks so imposing, its pressure is strong; you can feel it from afar!"

"Indeed, but it feels a bit dilapidated, like it hasn’t been repaired."

...

At one time, many ships suddenly came to a halt, and countless people looked out at the Ancient Legendary Level Star Destroyer Grey Angel.

Inside Thunder Extreme Central Control Room.

Timi reported to Su Ming.

"Master Su Ming, we have reached the outer defense line of Earth Flame Star."

"Mm, merge into the main fleet for entry."

Su Ming said sternly.

"Yes!"

Timi answered respectfully.

At this moment, on the virtual operation screen, prompts popped up one after another.

"Kind reminder: We are about to enter the Earth Flame Star Defense Line. After passing through, please proceed to the designated area and stand by, all ships!"

...

Timi glanced at the prompt and immediately directed his subordinates to orderly follow the fleet for entry.

More than three hours later.

The retreating fleet from Nether Moon Star successfully entered the Earth Flame Star Defense Line.

Rhein asked curiously.

"Boss, what do we do next?"

"Wait for directives?"

Su Ming replied casually.

Bzz Bzz~

Just then, the wristbands of Su Ming, Rhein, and others began to vibrate.

Su Ming glanced down at the information that popped out.

"Honorable Admiral Su Ming, please proceed to Cosmic Army Headquarters·Blackthorn Fortress to attend the plenary meeting."

"Boss, we just arrived and we’re already called for a meeting!"

Rhein said in surprise.

"Normal, Timi, head to Blackthorn Fortress!"

Su Ming ordered Timi.

"Yes!"

Timi immediately controlled the Star Destroyer Thunder Extreme to change its course.

At this time, in the outer starry sky.

A battlefield reporter piloting the Green Wing Mecha pointed the camera toward the retreating troops from the Nether Moon Star Defense Line, reporting enthusiastically.

"Everyone look quickly, the final contingent of the Nether Moon Star Defense Line troops has returned. Now the troops of the three major defense lines have successfully converged at Earth Flame Star; this is a historic moment, and I will continue to provide updates on further developments."

...

Blackthorn Fortress·Dock Number 9.

Star Destroyer Thunder Extreme slowly sailed in, precisely docking onto the fixed device.

At this moment, the dock wall split open, a metal passageway extended to connect with Thunder Extreme’s boarding entrance.

Clack!

The boarding entrance opened.

Su Ming, dressed in a Grand General Uniform, came out with Rhein, Ankaga, and others.

Along the way, soldiers in Exoskeleton Armor saw Su Ming and others, standing straight and saluting one after another.

"General!"

Su Ming nodded slightly in response and headed toward the mobile platform.

They quickly boarded the mobile platform, heading to Cosmic Army Headquarters.

Through the glass, Su Ming gazed at the familiar cityscape outside, feeling somewhat dazed for a moment, as it had been several years since he first came to Cosmic Army Headquarters. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

For a moment, Su Ming also felt that things had changed over time.

....

Inside the Cosmic Army Headquarters meeting room.