Chapter 58

After the fleet left, the Iron Throne base fell into a strange silence. It wasn't deserted, but the pervasive sense of tension and oppression brought by Miao Weizhen was gone.

Wen Ling sat in the command center's main seat, feeling the heavy weight of responsibility on his shoulders. On the screen before him, two dots of light, representing Han Zhong's main fleet and the Dark Current, were following their planned course, relentlessly heading for the dark star region known as the Oblivion Vortex.

"Your Highness," A Yuan's voice came through the intercom, soft but steady, "The living quarters' circulation system has switched to energy-saving mode, with reserved energy prioritized for the defense array and command center."

"Got it. Thank you for your hard work, Ayuan," Wen Ling replied. He noticed that with Han Zhong and Lao Lin away, Ayuan naturally took on more of the internal coordination work and did it in an orderly manner.

On the other side, Dr. Anthony locked himself in the laboratory, with the architectural diagram of "Luofeng Reverberation" and the extremely weak space readings sent back by "Dark Current" displayed in front of him at the same time.

"Strange..." he muttered to himself. "The energy turbulence pattern at the vortex's periphery bears a resemblance to the background noise recorded in early experiments with 'Luofeng Reverberations'..." This discovery chilled him, as if he had touched the tip of an iceberg of a vast secret. He immediately noted the anomaly and sent it to Wen Ling and Miao Weizhen ahead.

The bridge of the flagship "Judgment" of the Federation's First Fleet.

General Raymond gazed at the tactical star map, a grim smile playing on his lips. The blip representing Han Zhong's main force was charging headfirst into the encirclement he had set, while the faint signal representing the "Undercurrent" was like a cunning fish, sliding along a seemingly hidden path towards the depths of the vortex—a path he also monitored.

"Reporting to the General, all targets have entered the 'net' range. The main fleet has been tactically encircled by our First and Third Fleets. The 'Undercurrent' is also under surveillance, heading towards the S-7 area."

"Very good." Raymond stood up, determined to succeed. "Order the main fleet to launch the attack as planned. Tie up Han Zhong and don't let him escape. As for that little mouse..." He stared at the signal from the "Undercurrent". "Wait until they go deeper, to a place where they can't quickly escape the vortex's gravity, and then take action. I will personally crush Miao Weizhen's hope."

In the command center, a shrill alarm suddenly sounded!

"Your Highness!" the technician in charge of monitoring the long-range sensors said nervously, "A large-scale energy reaction has been detected! In front of General Han's fleet! It's the Federation Fleet! They've been ambushing there for a long time!"

Wen Ling's heart sank suddenly.

The worst premonition had come true. On the screen, the red symbol representing the Federation Fleet suddenly appeared like a swarm of bloodthirsty sharks, instantly surrounding Han Zhong's green symbol. A fierce exchange of fire immediately broke out between the two sides, with energy beams crisscrossing each other.

Almost at the same time, another encrypted communication came in. Luo Yan's calm but rapid voice said, "Your Highness, we've been targeted. There's an ambush. The 'Undercurrent' is being tracked by an unknown type of stealth reconnaissance ship. We may have been exposed."

The hope they had held a moment ago was instantly shattered by the cold iron fist of reality. The Federation was not only well prepared, but also fully aware of their plan of action.

Wen Ling forced herself to calm down, her mind racing. A traitor? Or had their communications been deciphered? No, now wasn't the time to investigate.

"Connect to General Han's channel." He ordered.

"Your Highness," Han Zhong's voice came, with the roar of explosions and the loud noise of the ship shaking in the background. "Damn it, we've fallen into that old man Qu Beichen's trap! Don't worry about us, we'll hold them off according to the predetermined plan! Tell the Minister... to find Miss Xinglan!"

The old general's voice was resolute, and he was ready to sacrifice himself.

"General Han, hold on, I will find a way." Wen Ling cut off the communication and immediately connected to the "Undercurrent" again.

Miao Weizhen appeared on the screen, with the rapidly flashing red alarm light of the "Undercurrent" in the background. His face was as cold as steel, but his eyes were terrifyingly sharp.

"We've been set up." Miao Weizhen's voice came through the communication, with a hint of suppressed violence. "There's a mole in the base, or our communication code has been completely deciphered."

"I know," Wen Ling took a deep breath, "General Han's main force is holding him back. What are you going to do now? There's still time to evacuate immediately."

Miao Weizhen glanced out the porthole at the dark vortex that was getting closer and closer, as if it could swallow everything, and shook his head with a look of near-mad paranoia: "No. Since they want us to go in, then let's go in."

"Miao Weizhen, that might be a trap." Wen Ling said anxiously.

"I know it's a trap." Miao Weizhen turned back and looked deeply at Wen Ling on the screen, his dark eyes surging with the flames of desperation. "But this is also the only chance to find Xing Lan. Qu Beichen wants to finish me off here, so let's see who will finish off whom."

He paused, his voice lowered, with an irrefutable determination: "Wen Ling, remember your duty. Defend the Iron Throne. No matter...what news you hear."

Communications were unilaterally cut off.

The screen went dark, leaving only the dot of light representing the "Dark Current" as it rushed recklessly and accelerated towards the known death trap - the Vortex of Oblivion.

Wen Ling sat alone in the empty command center, feeling cold all over. He looked at the besieged Han Zhong fleet on the star map, and the "Undercurrent" that had braved the danger alone. A huge feeling of powerlessness and worry almost overwhelmed him.

But he couldn't fall.

He remembered Miao Weizhen's gesture of stroking the ring before leaving, Han Zhong's resolute words, and the expectant and trusting gazes of the entire base behind him.

He stood up suddenly, his eyes becoming firm again.

"Notify all departments to activate the highest level of combat readiness! Defensive array operating at full power!"

"Contact all peripheral reconnaissance units, expand the alert area, and search for any suspicious jumping signals!"

"Dr. Anthony, I need you to fully analyze the vortex's energy data and look for any possible patterns or weaknesses!"

"Ayuan, ensure all non-combatants enter the shelters, and that supplies are placed under wartime control!"

One command after another was clearly given. The order that had been somewhat chaotic due to the bad news from the front was quickly restored under Wen Ling's calm command. Like a wounded giant beast that still held a sharp blade tightly, it tensed its muscles and prepared to face any storm that might come.

Wen Ling stood in front of the huge star map, clenching his fists, his nails digging deep into his palms.

Miao Weizhen, General Han, Luo Yan...you must stay alive.

And the Iron Throne will be guarded by me.