Zhao Chen frowned, looking at Brigadier General Song: "What exactly is going on?"

"This escort mission was indeed not as simple as it seemed on the surface," Brigadier General Song admitted upfront.

Zhao Chen stared at Brigadier General Song: "All of this was arranged by you."

Brigadier General Song nodded and said, "We are executing a military operation to capture several Star Systems occupied and controlled by the Mechanical Race.

For this purpose, we deliberately fabricated thirty Interstellar Transport Ship fleets as bait to lure out some Mechanical Race garrisons from these Star Systems.

To make this bait seem real, we specifically issued escort missions, having combat fleets escort them.

If the Mechanical Race were to dispatch a Starfleet to intercept each of these thirty fleets, it would require mobilizing at least 900 Interstellar Warships, equivalent to three standard-configured Legion-class Starfleets.

By deliberately luring these Mechanical Starships to attack, we create a shortage of troops in their rear Star Systems, allowing our main fleet to launch an offensive."

At this point, Brigadier General Song checked the time: "The battle should still be ongoing now."

"Are you so sure the Mechanical Race would take the bait?" Zhao Chen asked with a frown.

"Because we released a piece of information.

Our Imperial Army will transport a batch of special weapons to the front-line military fortress, to prepare for a large-scale combat operation. And after learning this news, the Mechanical Race will definitely try to intercept our Interstellar Transport Ship fleets!" Brigadier General Song took a sip of tea.

Brigadier General Song took a sip of tea.

Zhao Chen suddenly realized: "So, this escort mission of ours was actually a bait mission!"

"Yes. Although this is very unfair to those of you carrying out the mission, from a war perspective.

Sacrificing nearly 1,000 civilian combat Starships not belonging to the Imperial Army, and 10,000 T1 Interstellar Transport Ships that are about to be decommissioned.

In exchange for control of several important strategic Star Systems from the enemy.

And there is also an opportunity to eliminate several Legion-class Starfleets of the Mechanical Race.

Furthermore, there are also dedicated Imperial Army Fleets to intercept those Mechanical Race Starfleets that attacked our 'bait'; none of them will return."

Brigadier General Song looked at Zhao Chen: "Emotionally, I deeply apologize for the sacrifice of your fleet and other escort fleets.

But as an Imperial Army officer, this is a decision I had to make.

I'm sorry."

Hearing Brigadier General Song's explanation, Zhao Chen basically understood completely.

They were merely pawns played by the Imperial Army.

Sacrificing some unnecessary small pawns in exchange for an advantage in a local battlefield is [N O V E L I G H T] a perfectly normal arrangement for a leader.

"Of course, for your surviving escort fleet, we will provide three times the compensation. At the same time, your damaged Starships can be repaired, and if any Starships were destroyed in combat.

Our side can also arrange for corresponding Starships as compensation." Brigadier General Song immediately offered a sweetened bullet.

Zhao Chen shook his head slightly: "My friend's fleet lost three Starships, and hundreds of brothers sacrificed..."

Zhao Chen leaned forward, placed his hands on the table, and stared at Brigadier General Song: "You need to add more money!"

Brigadier General Song smiled and nodded: "Then name your price."

"Ten times the remuneration and three times the bonus for destroying Mechanical Race Starships, repair of damaged Starships, compensation with equivalent Starships for lost ones, and personnel who sacrificed in this battle must be given the treatment of Imperial Army martyrs.

Additionally, Shen Bing and I are from the North Star Starship Military Academy, and part of the reason for this escort mission was to earn assessment credits. I hope Brigadier General Song can arrange this." Zhao Chen laid out his conditions.

"Ten times the remuneration and three times the kill bonus are a bit high, but since you and Miss are friends, I can agree to these conditions. Compensation for damaged and lost Starships is not an issue.

But the Imperial Army martyr level for sacrificed personnel..." As Brigadier General Song spoke, he caught the flicker in Zhao Chen's eyes.

He smiled and said, "I've checked, the number of sacrificed personnel isn't many.

I think there will also be some casualties in the Imperial Army's attack on the Mechanical Race-controlled Star Systems, and I will find a way to include these individuals. As for the assessment credits for North Star Starship Military Academy, that's absolutely no problem."

As for the assessment credits for North Star Starship Military Academy, that's absolutely no problem."

Zhao Chen picked up the teacup and drank it all. He looked at Brigadier General Song: "You might be an excellent commander, but I prefer soldiers like Miss Chu Xuan."

With that, Zhao Chen turned to leave the private room.

"Wait a moment, Mr. Zhao Chen. I just said there were two matters." Brigadier General Song smiled and called out to Zhao Chen.

Zhao Chen stopped.

"Regarding your t2 bee queen-class heavy carrier starship, you don't need to worry. I have used my means to block all intelligence information.

While it may not be completely airtight, it will hold for a short period. I believe Marshal Chu He will be very interested in you," Brigadier General Song said.

I believe Marshal Chu He will be very interested in you," Brigadier General Song said.

"Are you done?" Zhao Chen asked without turning his head.

"I'm done."

Zhao Chen pushed the door open and left.

Brigadier General Song remained alone in the room. He used his handheld terminal to open the communication page; the information he had sent earlier had now received a reply.

Just two words.

"Received."

Zhao Chen walked out of the small private room and followed the path back to the private room where Shen Bing and the others were.

Regarding the first matter Brigadier General Song mentioned, although it made him uncomfortable, it was handled appropriately.

As for the second matter, Zhao Chen had anticipated it. The other party had seized his 'handle,' but it seemed they didn't intend to directly harm him.

Although this left Zhao Chen somewhat passive, the current situation was already the best possible.

Zhao Chen had even considered several worst-case scenarios in his mind.

The t2 bee queen-class heavy carrier starship and the t2 black rhino-class interstellar heavy assault frigate docked in the Starport were always on Level 2 alert!

"Is this the result of insufficient strength, Marshal Chu He? The Chu Family?" Zhao Chen narrowed his eyes, hoping this family wouldn't cross his bottom line.

He pushed open the door to the private room.

The first thing he saw was Uncle Zheng Xiong wolfing down a table full of delicious food.

"Little brother... hurry... hurry and sit down and eat, this... this is too lavish... it's all natural food!" Uncle Zheng Xiong exclaimed.

Shen Bing, sitting opposite him, was quite calm, as these foods were not as good as the dishes in Zhao Chen's Starship's restaurant.

"It's pretty good." Zhao Chen sat down.

Zheng Xiong swallowed the food in his mouth, glanced at the closed door, and then asked: "How did the talks go? What were the conditions?"

Zhao Chen told Uncle Zheng Xiong and Shen Bing the conditions he had discussed with Brigadier General Song.

Suddenly, Uncle Zheng Xiong stood up, frantically wiping the grease from his hands onto his clothes.

Then, with a solemn expression, he bowed deeply to Zhao Chen.

"Little brother, on behalf of my fallen brothers in the fleet, thank you!"