Chapter 52: A Gamble for Glory

Draw lots?

Vladimir and Ryan were both caught off guard.

“Mu Xingchen, I know a bit about Huaxia culture. Drawing lots—isn’t that the tradition where you let a child pick from a bunch of objects on their first birthday to predict their future and personality?”

“Ahem, Vladimir, looks like you really have studied Huaxia culture if you know about that. But what you’re talking about is the ‘Zhuazhou’ ceremony, not drawing lots. Drawing lots is actually just a way of random selection.”

Mu Xingchen cleared his throat.

Honestly, it wasn’t just Vladimir—even among the Chinese, plenty confused drawing lots with the first birthday ceremony.

“Alright, let’s not argue about it anymore. Mu Xingchen, forget about drawing lots—let the First Fleet handle it!”

“The First Fleet?”

This time, it was Ryan who spoke. His suggestion stunned the other two.

After all…

The First Fleet might be the Federation’s flagship fleet and have the best equipment along with the largest numbers.

But they spent years lounging in Earth’s orbit, showing off at Federation events, parades and other displays.

Over time, the other fleets started calling them by a certain nickname.

That is…

The Young Masters’ Fleet!

Everyone thought they lived in luxury, fit as the Federation’s poster boys but—when it came to real war—would probably wet their pants.

Because of this, the First Fleet had been smoldering with resentment, always itching for a chance to prove they were more than just the Young Masters’ Fleet!

“The First Fleet has been holding in this frustration for 200 years. It’s time we give them a chance to show their worth!”

“After this battle, the Federation’s five fleets will have to unite. Once the First Fleet has proven themselves, the other fleets won’t look down on them anymore. That will mean a lot in the war against the Klein for the years to come.”

“Of course, I think we should ask the First Fleet first. See if they’re willing—and…”

“Whether they can actually pull it off?”

After listening to Ryan’s reasoning, Vladimir and Mu Xingchen fell silent.

They exchanged a glance before giving a slight nod.

“Alright, we’ll go with Ryan’s suggestion. Communications, connect to Crester from the First Fleet immediately!”

“Yes, Commander!”

Moments later, the connection was established.

On the screen appeared Crester, who wore the insignia of a Vice Admiral.

Mu Xingchen laid out the situation for him, then waited.

Even though Crester had just been appointed Commander, he’d actually been the First Fleet’s Deputy under Stephen’s command.

Among the five major fleets, only the First Fleet had a Deputy Commander position.

After all, its size was nearly double that of any other fleet.

So, Crester understood both the problems with the First Fleet and the two centuries of pent-up frustration lying beneath the surface.

“Commander, Deputy Commanders, please let the First Fleet take on this mission!”

“Crester, are you sure? This is almost certain death. Are you confident the First Fleet can pull it off?”

“We can!”

Crester didn’t even hesitate. He gave a firm reply.

“The Operations Department will send you all the details and schedule points shortly. Get ready!”

“Understood!”

With Crester standing tall and saluting,

the connection was cut and his image disappeared from view.

——

More than two hours later.

Alum was growing restless.

Just what were the humans trying to do? Did they plan to keep grinding away like this, even knowing they were doomed to lose in the end?

To any commander, this sort of attrition was pointless.

What was that human commander thinking?

“Lord Alum, the Eighth Column at the fleet’s rear reports that the human fleet is leaving Jupiter’s orbit and heading for the Asteroid Belt.”

“They’ve left?”

“Yes, Lord Alum!”

“Finally lost their nerve…”

Alum muttered after a moment’s thought.

“Have the fleet keep up the pursuit. No matter what they do, we stay on their tail. Don’t make any unnecessary moves!”

“Understood, Lord Alum!”

So, the two long snakes that had been circling Jupiter, snapping at each other’s tails, suddenly changed. One snake broke away, while the other clung tenaciously to its tail and refused to let go.

At this rate, even if the leading snake completely left Jupiter’s orbit, the follower would still be latched on—crossing into the new area together.

From now on, the chase wouldn’t be two sides nipping at each other, but a one-sided Klein pursuit.

Running a quick simulation in his mind, Alum made his call.

Another hour slipped by.

At this point, most of the Federation Fleet had left the orbit, only a small rearguard remained.

They would soon break away too.

The Klein had also prepped for leaving orbit, ready to chase the humans at full speed.

But then…

“Lord Alum, about 60 human warships in the rear have started slowing down. Looks like they’re trying to block our pursuit!”

“If the human commander isn’t a fool, that’s the obvious choice. After all, losing 60 ships is better than total annihilation!”

To Alum, this was clearly the humans leaving a rearguard to buy time and slow him down.

Still, one thing did strike him as odd…

If you were going to form a blocking force, wouldn’t 60 ships be too few?

If he were the human commander, he’d leave at least 200 ships behind for a proper rearguard.

Granted, while Alum found it odd, he didn’t overthink it.

Maybe…

The humans really thought 60 would be enough?

“Break through completely within ten minutes!”

“Yes, Lord Alum!”

The next moment, the Klein’s all-out assault began!

Alum knew if he didn’t break through in ten minutes, the chase would be over.

After all, human warships could match his speed. If they got too far ahead, even deploying raiding ships wouldn’t help.

Besides, they weren’t moving toward each other any longer.

Still, it didn’t matter!

Sixty enemy warships—he could smash through them easily.

——

Meanwhile.

Aboard the Qiongxiao.

“What did you say? Crester’s leading the team himself?”

In the command center, the three leaders were all stunned by the report.

They’d only asked him to organize two detachments—why would the Fleet Commander personally join the fight?

They wanted to recall him immediately, but…

The First Fleet’s two detachments were already engaged with the enemy. At this point…

Even if Crester wanted to pull back, he couldn’t…

But, in their shoes, if any of them were in Crester’s position, they probably would have made the same call.

“Order the entire fleet—everyone, salute our heroes!”

“Yes, Commander!”

As the command rang out,

the 1,800-odd warships of the whole fleet,

with over a million crew members, all saluted in unison.

They faced the direction of Crester and his sixty ships.